Christian Living

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Preface to Reviewing Ten Days Lesson on Prayer

This article is reviewing prayerfully each day’s topic extracted from notes written about the lives of a few leaders (men) in the Bible who have prayed and interceded for people and their nation. These men prayed confidently trusting in the God who hears and answers prayer and were not influenced by their feelings. This is not a study on the mechanics of prayer but on the lifestyle of those who had prayed and had reflected the characteristics of God:
• they had prompted answers from God;
• had heard His children’s heartfelt prayers;

Some of these men were the precursor of Jesus on earth are central to the
discussion. In addition these men who had prayed are also included as well as centred on Jesus and His disciples.

The ten days topic on prayer was impelled by the senior pastor of our local church to write when he taught on prayer one Sunday morning. Prayer is his passion and he is truly anointed to teach on the subject and he also live a life of prayer.

The article was based on that morning’s teaching. I went home and read my notes (however, I must stress here this is totally dissimilar to what our pastor had taught on that morning), I was driven to do a personal study on prayer for ten days and to look at the calibre of these men of prayer.

Each day was on a different focus which had ten headings depending on the text for that day: day one, ‘Not praying/interceding for the brethren is sin; day two, ‘Pray 24/7 - evening, morning & noon;’ day three, ‘Pray all kinds of prayer;’ day four, ‘Jesus’ pattern, pray like this;’ day five, ‘Don’t fall asleep watch and pray;’ day six, ‘Solitude;’ day seven, ‘Persistence;’ day eight, Ask; day nine, Promise Holy Spirit; and day ten, Completeness. I had not planned these headings they came from God’s heart not from mine, and I do hope the subjects around each of them reflect their significance.

Each day’s topic is a bird’s eye view from Scriptures and only just a tip of such a vast subject; this is but a sparse endeavour to encourage us to pray no matter what. Although everyone knows that it is necessary to pray and when we don’t pray our defences are down and left us open to serious attacks from the enemy and sadly during this time of neglect many of us fall prey.

Our pastor felt committed to pray and that he has been commissioned to deliver this message to the universal body of Christ. We practice consistent prayer both individually and collectively; many in our local church met to pray without fail at various times in the day, and at nights, besides our regular early Tuesday morning and Thursday evening prayer times. Naturally, we are reminded whenever we enter the sanctuary the reminder is, Matthew 21:13a written on a large banner in the sanctuary “ My house shall be called a house of prayer,” the topic of prayer will never cease as long as the church remains on earth.

Prayer is the vital breath of the Christian, prayer is dialogue between mere human beings and God Almighty and it allows us to gain instruction, answers to question, and direction for any situation: be it on a personal level, collectively, national and international.

Mountains of needs and problems are moved by prayers, captives are set free and people receive miracles throughout the centuries and even up until this present day. For example, there are many who have received food being delivered on doorsteps, and finances in envelopes pushed through doors (or by post) of believers, missionaries and orphanages who needed money or food to eat, in various areas of the world. There are also many who could testify of healings, miracles, and supernatural protection because they had prayed; it’s no secret that prayer works.

Yet it is one of the most difficult things to do consistently because of being distracted by the whispers of the enemy, who persistently tries to derail a believer who wants to pray, or otherwise for those who pray felt that prayer hasn’t been successfully accomplished. This is because there are so much more to attain, in depth, breath, height and length to prayer because when we pray we dismantle the kingdom of darkness and live victoriously; therefore bringing glory to God and the devil doesn’t like that.

Christians are never satisfied with their prayer lives and would always feel impoverished about our prayer lives. The more we pray is the more we want to pray and yet still feel we have not prayed enough. If the devil succeeds in convincing us that we have missed the mark, then, we do everything except to pray and desperately search for aid to perfect this art. So: we read books, listen to tapes and CDs, attend prayer seminars and listen to testimonies of those who seem to ‘have got it altogether,’ but instead of praying we become discouraged; and think we would never make it like those great people of prayer (or/as well as anything we are challenged to do in the service of God). Even the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and He gave them a model on how to, as well as being their example, He prayed. The apostles’ also taught on prayer and Jesus Himself commanded us to pray. So in obedience we pray. On the other hand, when we pray our prayers should not base on our feelings, but on the character of God who wants to meet our needs.

Feeling comes and goes but the promise of God stands forever. He says when we come to Him and ask He answers, but the decisive factor behind every prayer is holiness onto the Lord, ‘If we regard iniquity in our heart the Lord will not hear us;’ sin separates us from God. But pray we must and pray we will in order to fulfil the mandate of the kingdom. The journey begins with ‘not praying for each others is sin’ (that is, not praying for those in our specific areas we are called to serve.


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Day 1 Prayer Lesson Reviewed – Not Interceding For the Saints

The day’s topic is a revelation freshly inspired, - ‘not praying for each others is sin.’ It is already established that we must pray for each other, and that’s interceding on their behalf. This text came as a fresh revelation ‘that when we do not pray for other Christians we are doing the body of Christ a great injustice’ and it is God’s command that we pray for them and He will answer. In First Samuel 12:23, Samuel said ‘he would sin against God if he did not pray for Israel;’ consequently Samuel fulfilled this promise and interceded for them. God has placed the responsibility on us to pray and we must not allow disobedience negate fulfilling the Lord’s command. A brief account of Samuel’s life and time will follow.

Samuel

Samuel was ‘birthed’ in prayer. His barren mother Hannah interceded for him and made a promise to God ‘if you give me a son I will give him back to You’ and Hannah kept her word. Barrenness was a shameful ‘disease’ in those days, barrenness meant unproductive or perhaps some might have had the belief that God was punishing the infertile person. Fruitfulness is a gift from God and He intended us to bear fruit; therefore God answered Hannah’s prayer and gave her a son and she named him Samuel which meant a gift. He lived in God’s house for ever and he ministered to the Lord before Eli (1Samuel 2:11; 3:1).

One night the child Samuel heard a voice and he could not distinguish where the voice came from, so he ran to Eli the priest a couple of times and each time Eli sent him back to bed. But on the third instance probably reluctantly Eli had to confess to young Samuel that God was calling him.
How many times we are reluctant to acknowledge or unwilling to hear and listen to God’s voice? Eli could not hear God’s voice because his life was in a mess, things could not have been worse during that period. No exception here, for everyone faces our own wilderness experiences to some extent when God seem to be silent, possibly because of sin or compromise or for any other reasons.

Eli had lost control over his sons who were bringing disrepute to God’s name, and to His house but a young heart was already prepared for God. Samuel was the right candidate and at the right place to hear from God and to be chosen as a prophet over Israel. That historic night was the beginning of Samuel’s call, his mother voluntarily gave him to God and he grew up with that knowledge; five points to emphasise Samuel’s call which the church today and everyone should take note of.

Points to ponder:
(1) Samuel was at the right place at the right time, God’s timing is always spot on; (2) God called Samuel’s name personally, intimate and selective; God called individual for specific assignments, but not to fit into another’s shoe.
(3) Samuel had to be awaken out of his sleep in order to hear; many times we are so familiar with doing ‘churchy things’ that we are sound asleep and unable to hear God’s voice
(4) Samuel responded. Until we answer the call of God we will be forever lulled into deep soulish sleep, or found making circular rounds, starting out and then ending up in the same place therefore going into a deeper mire;
(5) God equipped Samuel for the task as priest over Israel. According to a visiting preacher who came to our church, Rachel Hickeson said Samuel was a ‘royal intercessor.’ He interceded for Israel whatever the cost; although Samuel suffered rejection from Israel he continued to pray for them the story is recorded (in 1Samuel 12:23).

When God sends He equips and God anointed Samuel for the ministry and He began to serve Israel by praying for them and persistently declaring the Word of God to them.

They became a blessed nation until they lost focusing on God’s precepts, and they began to covet other nations’ lifestyle and it turned out to be Israel’s ruin; they rejected God’s servant Samuel and refused to listen to him and for that reason made him redundant because they believed he was too old. Israel wanted ‘new blood’ and new experiences; and set their sights on having a king to rule over them as other nations had, forgetting that the Lord God Almighty was their King.

Naturally, Samuel was hurt and felt rejected and he prayed about it but God instructed him to let Israel have the king they requested. They chose Saul to be their king and whatever Samuel predicted about a king’s characteristic was fulfilled in Saul and he became a thorn in their flesh.

Israel’s Downfall

All disobedience requires a just punishment, so Israel had their share of God’s chastisement; although they had fought and won many battles they went further away from God’s covenant; it was during one of those lost battles that the ark of God was taken by their enemies (1Samuel 4: 1-11). Israel began to question in disbelief of their predicament, why they were being defeated; only they had quickly forgotten that their defeat was already predicted, because of choosing the path of disobedience! “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines?” Recognised that the ark of God was not in their midst “Let us bring back the ark,” they said.

We can learn from the Israelites and share in their sentiment, ‘Are we experiencing defeat? Have we left the precepts and covenant of God?
Do we need to go back to the place where we have left it or, are walking in disobedience or possibly not dealing with current issues, such as burying our heads in the sand? Or, going through motions of praying yet not really doing what God wants us to do? Then it is time to return to Him. Where is the ark? And what is it really?

The ark is a holy place of covenant between us and God (metaphorically speaking). It can also be seen as a quiet time of commitment and communion with God, and also the priests’ role (we too are priests of God), in the Old Testament priests presented sacrifices to God on behalf of themselves and others. The distinction lies between walking in fellowship with God or out of sync with Him; so when we return to the place where we have left the ark then and only then, we will experience victory and have confidence in prayer. When did you left the ark? The answer is to retrace your steps.

When Israel had recaptured the Ark of the Covenant they had victory and caused their enemies to be afraid. – When we renew our covenant with God His armies are behind us backing us and also we will be experiencing answer to prayers as/and when we ask in Jesus’ Name. The Bible says ‘draw near to God and He will draw near to you,’ as we draw near to Him our enemies will fear us; and they will hear the sounds of victory in our camps – a crescendo of praise and worship to our God. Samuel did draw near to God and he made Him a promise. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for you in the good and right way (1 Samuel 12: 23 NKJV).

Samuel loved the people of God so he did not glide over his priestly job or took it lightly he interceded with all of his heart for Israel’s deliverance, although he had feelings of rejection which exhibits his humanity. There is no exception because every servant of God has to pay the price, let us take our example from Jesus.

Another rejected and suffering Servant, Jesus the Son of God; He spent His time on earth preaching and demonstrating the Good News of the Kingdom, by healing the sick, feeding many thousand, and raising the dead; and yet He was rejected. He too prayed and interceded for the people and for His disciples, and He also forgave those who had persecuted and despised Him. He was reviled, spit upon and a crown of thorn was placed on His head but on the cross He asked His Father for their forgiveness. Moses was also another man of prayer who experienced rejection from the people, nevertheless he interceded for Israel; different to that of Samuel but was still chosen by God to lead Israel, his characteristic was more on the impulsive side although he was known to be meek.

Moses

Moses came from the tribe of Levi during the time of Israel’s slavery in the land of Egypt. He should have died but he had escaped drowning in the river Nile to serve God’s purpose; he was rescued by an Egyptian servant of Pharaoh’s daughter; this Princess became Moses adopted mother. He was preserved, educated and learned the ways of the Egyptians; he grew up in an environment of Pharaoh’s rule of tyranny and injustice. God was preparing Moses to lead Israel out of bondage. Is He preparing you through what you might perceive around you as tyranny and injustice? God always has a purpose for our lives and uses even those negative experiences in our lives for His good.

Suddenly Moses eyes were opened and he realised that these afflicted people were from his own tribe and he discovered in his heart he was going to participate in their deliverance. Later on, as the plot deepens he closely monitored his people and he saw their suffering and Moses felt the call inside and He zealously rushed and defended a fellow Jew who was being beaten by an Egyptian. Prematurely stepped in as the ‘deliverer’ and killed the Egyptian; chosen but out of God’s timing. Moses had to escape from Egypt to avoid the wrath of Pharaoh and sought refuge in the wilderness for forty years training and learnt to seek God in prayer.

All was not lost because in the wilderness God met with Moses and gave him his assignment. God had redeemed him to redeem Israel, he was born and was preserved to be Israel’s deliver and nothing could have changed that not even his premature zeal. ‘So whom God redeems He sustains, those who He sustains He has committed to instruct and the objects of His instruction is to eventually bring worship to Him. There are lessons to learn from our predecessors take courage, even when we are messed up God is still a God of second and third chances.

Moses did not have an easy time leading Israel either, they were rebellious and sometimes very hostile people bent on having it their own way and their main aim was to grumble at everything even though they saw the miraculous hand of God. He had saved Israel many times by standing between them when God would have annihilated them. As a great intercessor he stood in the gap and pleaded with God for them, requesting that God take his life instead of theirs; the record of Moses great leadership skill is portrayed throughout the book of Exodus. Because of Israel’s unbelief mixed with grumbling and their desire to return to Egypt Moses did not made it to the Promise Land, only two (Joshua and Caleb) of the original three million people entered the promise land.

Is there similarity between Israel and us that at the sight of problems we change course? Peter said “A dog returns to his own vomit---”2 Peter 2:22. Those servants of God were committed to pray and to intercede for Israel they had experienced incredible difficulties from the recipient’s attitude. Is our disposition the same to turn aside to our former conduct when our expectations are dashed by God’s timescale?

The Bible shows people in history and even depicts us today returning to the former way of life when the going gets rough; but the focus of the topic is on those who stood in the gap (despite hostile responses) for nations, for churches and for individuals, as well as general discussion on some texts. There are numerous references on prayer but only a few is highlighted below:

 We sin against God when we do not pray--- 1Samuel 12:23

 The church prayed for Peter’s release and God answered Acts 12:5

 Jeshoshaphat stood in the courts of God interceding on behalf of the backslidden nation of Israel (2 Chronicles 20:5-21),

 Paul committed himself to pray for his brethren making mention in all his prayers day and night (Romans 1:9). He stressed the importance of praying for others and to encourage them, instead of fault-finding and voicing their weaknesses; but to make it our endeavour to pray, and be thankful to God for their deliverance.

 These Scripture show the importance of relating in a godly way to others i.e. concentrate on love and always give positive feed back as instructed – (Colossians 1: 4); also 1Corinthians 13: 4-6 says “---love thinks no evil---”, “those whatever – think on those things that are---” (Philippians 4: 8). In our intercession be observant, be expectant, and focus on growth instead of criticising. When we really love it enables us to give and accept constructive criticisms.

 We need wisdom, love and sensitivity these features will help us to deal with relationships and motivate our actions to know the importance of sensitivity in any sort of confrontation (correcting or to instructing another).

 Paul kept up the traditions of the elders by praying night and day for the saints, a tradition we should follow. Paul’s aim to educate us on how to develop an effective prayer life. (2 Timothy1:3)

 Mary’s timing (see John 20: 17). Mary was so keen to touch Jesus but it wasn’t at the right time. She had zeal but it was without knowledge. Sensitivity, timing and spiritual judgment must be ingrained in any intercessor. Moses, Mary and others stepped out of God’s timescale, take note and avoid making the same mistake. God has a time limit to answer our prayers and He knows exactly how and when so let us wait on Him.

 The Spirit of the Lord was on Jesus, the Spirit of wisdom, counsel, might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11: 2), this quality was fulfilled in the life of Jesus. We need these attributes of Jesus in order to intercede effectively.

 Pray for the saint’s spiritual development. Paul did not fail to pray for them to be filled with the knowledge of His will---wisdom and spiritual understanding (Colossians 1: 9).

 The above Scriptures and the culmination of Romans 15: 6 are to equip believers and enabling us to understand each other, pleasing our neighbours for their good and not ours. When we pray for each other we become a united force, to glorify God with one heart, one mind and one mouth.

As we observe the topic ‘not praying for each other is sin, each text group various segments together where people had covenanted with God to pray; and those resolute efforts had included praying for others. May the Holy Spirit reveal to us what we need to know and may we follow through in obedience.

If you haven’t started or have stopped praying for the saints please start doing it now, today is the day of your assignment. Now is God’s time. The word timing - is the ability to judge when to do, or to say something so as to make the best effect---. So timing is essential to obtain the right result.

By observing both Mary and Moses we see how important timing is. Someone had asked a question, ‘Why should we wait on timing if we are called to pray without ceasing? An apparent oxymoron but let’s try and explain. Our attitudes are just like that of Moses, we are so fired up to do – bubbling up with zeal inside, longing to burst out and ready to advance without even getting the green light from God; that sometimes God has to slow us down to His planned pace and banish us into the wilderness to learn to wait on Him.

For instance we might be praying for a specific thing to happen and it appears to take longer than we anticipated what do we do? We have options, ‘make it happen, wait on God, or stop praying altogether in defiance, as we sometimes do.’ But this is exactly the enemy’s ploy. We should pray, and wait because it is not on our agenda but God’s; just waiting on Jesus trusting in His ability to answer, is touching Him.

Jesus always wants us to touch Him and He would never ever deny us that privilege. It is so easy to get caught up in the realm of self-gratification, and not waiting for the leading of God’s Spirit.

Mary’s touch was not at the appropriate time. We can enter into Mary’s desire to connect with Jesus, but Jesus had to accomplish His Father’s will and by doing the will of God can we really touch Him. Spending time with Jesus and resting in His presence will get our time frame right.

Spiritual sensitivity plus timing equals maturity. It is our opportunity to implement God’s will by doing what we have learnt today, that ‘not praying for our brethren is sin’ (that is, not praying for those in our specific areas we are called to serve).

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Pray 24 -7 Anyway, Anytime, Anywhere!!
Day 2 Prayer Lesson Reviewed –Evening, Morning & Noon

Yesterday’s topic was ‘not praying for our brethren is sin.’ The text is a call on every individual to intercede and to pray for people where God has placed us. Following through the topic we see a tapestry weaved into various individuals’obedience commissioned by God to lead His people, and they had to pray in order to fulfil their calling. The Bible did not spare us of the varying experiences they had.

Day two and the following days will be an extension to ‘day one,’ they are presentations of various sides to prayer, citing difficulties and victories experienced by those men of prayer.

Day two extension begins here and following throughout the remaining days’ study is to the present topic that encourages us to pray anyway, anytime and anywhere; David and Daniel’s lives become the opening subject also including those who prayed at different times.

David said he prayed in the evening and morning and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud (Psalm 55:17). David had confidence in God that He would hear his voice because he spent most of his time with Him; He was appointed by God yet he lived with the sheep in the desert and in exile.

During those times he built up his relationship with his God seeking Him, singing and writing Psalms, he spent so much time with God he was known as a man after God’s own heart. God does not show partiality whenever anyone prays He hears, if we seek Him we will find Him when we search for Him with all our hearts.

Nevertheless some of us Christians have the idea that whenever we do the will of
God, and seeking Him our lives must be trouble free, and everyone should love and respect us; well, we are wrong. Some of the most despised people are those who live close to God and wanting to please Him in everything they do. So be prepared to make enemies when you are doing the will of God. David did not choose to make enemies but he had many, but he took all his problems to God in prayer and trusted Him to be faithful in defending him, this is a great lesson to learn from David.

An encouraging statement about David perhaps worthy of quoting: “From David we can also learn a great deal about praying. David didn’t sit across the table with God and have discussions with Him. He had only prayer, just as we do. So, how did David reach God and hear God’s answers? By studying the Psalms, we learn how David talked to God. We glean several models for prayer.” Although David was not perfect and he made many mistakes, his heart was opened to God’s correction and he made sure he had an ongoing relationship with Him, that’s why he could have confidence in God. A brief family history:

David

David was despised by his brothers he was the youngest of seven brothers; his parents didn’t think much of him either so he was cast in the field to tend sheep and he was almost forgotten by them while his brothers was in the limelight (supposedly defenders of Israel). Then one day, suddenly he was needed by his father Jesse to go to the battlefeild and see how his brothers were doing. The story goes like this (1 Samuel 17:8, 9 & verse 28); Saul’s army weren’t doing very well in fact, the whole nation of Israel was crippled by fear of the giant Goliath. But without trepidation David took him on and won the battle for the God of Israel and he became an aide at King Saul’s court, until Saul overcame by jealous and was determined to kill him. David did nothing wrong, yet he was hounded by Saul and he became an outlaw hiding and living in caves.

David was anointed king by Samuel nevertheless his reign only began after the death of Saul. It was while he was in the desert he wrote his memoirs, included in them, is his defeat and triumph in forms of prayer, praise and worship which most Christians use today in intercessory prayers, praise and worship and in exile from Saul his features blossomed, he had opportunity to kill the king but he didn’t he respected the king’s office. So be encouraged, anyone who lives godly will suffer persecution. Daniel was no exception his life too was threatened because he lived a godly lifestyle.

Daniel

Daniel, God’s man of courage and a prayer warrior, defied the threat against his life and still prayed three times during the day. He made enemies because he prayed, can you imagine that? Daniel knew all about the plot against him but he continued praying even when the ‘den and lions’ were awaiting him. He was eventually thrown to the lions in the den and the lions became his pillow and the den a haven of rest for him. Deliverance came because Daniel made a choice not to compromise; he did not stop praying but opened his window and knelt down and cried out as he did before the threat was made on his life. Daniel was persistent against all odds and God granted him favour with the heavenly King, as well as with the earthly king. Prayer is hard and sometimes very challeging but when we persist in obedience we will receive favour from God and sometimes from man.

To spur us on in persistent prayer Jesus gave a parable about an unjust and ungodly judge who did not fear man or God, yet a persistent widow pestered him throughout the day in such a way that he granted her request; when we are persistent it doesn’t matter any specific time of day or night, we ought or ought not to pray. From this point onward demonstrates the results people had who prayed at different times:
Peter and John prayed in the temple at mid-afternoon and Cornelius the Gentiles’
ruler prayed at late afternoon and God showed up for them.

Jesus said ‘men ought always to pray and not to lose heart’God is the God of 24/7
He neither slumbers nor sleeps; He showed up at whatever time we called on Him, as we will see through Scriptures the different times servants of God approached Him.

Another day in point is found in (Acts 2:1), Jesus gave a command to the disciples prior to ascending to heaven to wait on the Promise and they obeyed and waited; while waiting they must have been praying and sorting out their own personality differences so as to be in one accord. Consequently on the Day of Pentecost they were together in one accord and in one place, in verse fifteen they were called drunkard because of being filled with the Spirit of ‘new wine’ during mid-afternoon (Acts 2: 1).

Peter and John’s custom was to go to the temple during the hour of prayer, specified the ninth hour, about mid-afternoon (Acts 3:1) . But Cornelius was praying at three pm during the day and had an encounter with an angel and he explained to Peter that while he was fasting and praying during the late afternoon an angel appeared and told him to send for Peter who would speak to him (explain more fully the things of God) (Acts 10:30), a brief prayer of thanksgiving, to conclude day two.

“Thank You Lord, that there is no specific time to pray. Thank You that we must always pray and not give up. Father, thank You that whenever Your people pray You always show up and answer our prayers. Today’s review emphasises Your faithfulness to answer prayer and to deliver us and to give instruction whenever we pray.

Because of Daniel’s faithfulness to You, the lions could not harm him You entered in the den with him and shut those lions’ mouth. On the Day of Pentecost Your people obeyed You and they stayed in Jerusalem and waited together and You sent Your Holy Spirit to them. David prayed at evening, morning and noon, and left us a pattern that we can pray at anytime. You reminded us the importance of being persistent. You said Lord that we should always pray and never give up. Peter and John’s example shows us how important it is to go into the temple (the house of God) at a certain hour to pray, setting a precedent for all believers to emulate. Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us today. Amen.”

Day three topic is to pray continuously a succinct compilation of Scriptures giving illustration of all kinds of prayers.

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