Monthly Archives July 2015

Part II of examining our definition of prayer. Right theology unfolds the truth of who God is, what He has done, is doing, and will do. Have you considered the necessity of correct theology in growing in your relationship with God?

Wait a minute! Does God require us to get our theology cleaned up in order to pray? Absolutely not! If that were the case, no one would be heard when crying out for salvation. As a believer, within the household of God, if you want to grow in Christ and in grace, the Bible tells us that we must grow in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2). Spiritual couch potatoes do not grow; ignorance is not a fruit of the Spirit.

A question may be:  How much do you want to grow in your relationship with God?  or … How much do you want to grow in the area of prayer?

Everyone has a theology, even the self-proclaimed atheist as chosen a theology. Howbeit he is the god within that theology. Have you given thought to what and who has most influenced your theology? Have you given thought to what you believe and how biblically sound it is? What you believe molds more than religious views, it molds how you live and what you live for. To say that theology plays a critical role in your life would be a Grand Canyon size understatement. For instance, your values, morals, ethics, and for some people everything from their diets to their choice of personal attire are influenced by their theology.

Think about the choices that you have made, recently or over many years. What choices have you made that were influenced by your religious and/or moral beliefs? If your religious convictions and beliefs influence your so-called “secular” part of life, how much more are your spiritual exercises, such as prayer, worship, and charitable service, molded by our theological beliefs? Accepting the fact that you have a theology and that it plays a significant part in your everyday life is Step One. If your life is being guided and/or influenced in some degree by your theology—religious beliefs, then Step Two needs your attention. Step two is moving towards and acquiring a biblical theology. Let’s start that journey with a definition of Theology from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

“the study of religious faith, practice, and experience; the study of God and God’s relation to the world.”

That’s a plate full. The subject of prayer falls right in the middle of that definition. But since the Bible isn’t a dictionary, we’ll use a definition of prayer that is formed out of scripture and agrees with the whole subject of theology. We’ll use a simple yet thorough definition from the Puritan pastor, John Bunyan. It’s from his book A Discourse Touching Prayer. John Bunyan wrote this book in the year 1662 while imprisoned for preaching the Gospel and pastoring a non-government sanctioned church. In this book Bunyan breaks down the quintessential theological elements of prayer and takes us to the heart of the subject. If you are interested in a rich book on the subject of prayer, I recommend adding this to your library.

Under the chapter heading titled, What Prayer Is, Bunyan writes,

Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God hath promised, or according to the Word, for the good of the church, with submission, in faith, to the will of God.

In this description are these seven things. First, It is a sincere; Second, A sensible; Third, An affectionate, pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ; Fourth, By the strength or assistance of the Spirit; Fifth, For such things as God hath promised, or, according to his word; Sixth, For the good of the church; Seventh, With submission in faith to the will of God.

Bunyan’s seven part definition puts the focus on God and His will. How does your view of prayer match up against Bunyan’s? Is your view of prayer more about you or is it focused on God?

In the Introduction of Bunyan’s book there’s a quote from Dr. Watt’s Guide to Prayer that reminds us of the glory and excitement of prayer. Consider this quote as icing on top of a mouth-watering dessert.

“It [prayer] is that language wherein a creature holds correspondence with his Creator; and wherein the soul of a saint gets near to God, is entertained with great delight, and, as it were, dwells with his heavenly Father.”

Point: When you pray, do you begin with God or self? Is there a consciousness that this is more than just about me and my wants? After reading Bunyan’s definition of prayer, would you rate your devotional time as “an affectionate, pouring out of the soul to God?”

Part III of this blog will focus on two theological words that will help us understand both the difference between and a dependence upon having a sound, biblical definition of prayer and a practical exercise of prayer.

“…what if … just WHAT IF … God’s purpose for prayer was different from yours?”

“I don’t think I’m following you.”

“What if … what YOU want out of prayer … is different from what GOD wants you to get out of prayer? What if your idea of prayer isn’t God’s idea and purpose for the two of you in prayer? Do you think it would affect your view of prayer? Would it change the way you prayed, or would it stifle you from praying? Would you accept HIS purpose of prayer even if it was completely different than the conventional idea of prayer that you have held for years?” [from my book:  A Reason to Pray at Mountainview]

The novel’s main character–Mark Terrell– has his understanding of the purpose of prayer challenged. The intent is to put a spotlight on Mark’s definition of prayer and more importantly his understanding and belief of who God is. If we do not have a correct understanding of who God is, then you’ll miss His purposes for doing what He is doing, and that includes what He is doing with and in our prayers. This chapter will focus on a biblical view of prayer that is based on a correct view and understanding of God … and man.

How do we form our ideas and beliefs about God? What are our beliefs about His ways—why He does this or that, or not take this action or that action? For most people common sources are childhood stories and lessons; the personal views of relatives like parents or grandparents; books and movies; sermons; personal preferences of what we want to believe, what we want God to be and not be; and … well … the list can go on and on. Basically, personal theology is formed from a melting pot of ideas and preferences. When we think about it, does that sound like a safe and reliable place to rest our faith and relationship with God?

Unless the impurities/falsehoods are removed from our melting pot, our ideas of God are at best a mixture of bits and pieces of truth, half-truths, superstitions, and presumptions. The outcome is a golden calf molded into a god made to our liking that will serve us or ignore us. That doesn’t sound encouraging, but that is the theology that our sinful nature will create by default. Think of the first two of the Ten Commandments. They warn us of the default idol-making tendencies of our hearts.

Exodus 20:3–4 — “You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

Throughout the Old and New Testament we are warned and instructed about creating false gods from our imagination. John Calvin bluntly put it:

Man’s mind is like a store of idolatry and superstition; so much so that if a man believes his own mind it is certain that he will forsake God and forge some idol in his own brain.

We also make an idol when we attempt to use God for our own purposes, rather than to give ourselves to God’s will and purposes. Drop this definition of idolatry into the subject of prayer. If any of our prayers attempt to get God to work out our purposes, plans, and desires above His, then we … (finish the end of the sentence).

Mark Terrell’s misunderstanding of the nature and character of God created a misunderstanding of the Gospel, and thus an erroneous Gospel—what Jesus Christ did for him; of the faithful love of God towards and for him; and of the purpose and rewards of prayerful fellowship with God the Father. Bad theology produces bad, unhealthy fruit. Right theology produces life and godliness with God in Christ. Right theology unfolds the truth of who God is, what He has done, is doing, and will do.

Point 1:

Theology defines everything you believe and therefore your perceptions, and hopes. It influences your decisions and thus your actions. If your understanding of God and the relationship between you and God is off center, then your definition and practice of prayer is off center. Yet, to say it bluntly, how much time and effort do we put towards developing a sound biblical theology? I am not suggesting signing up for seminary courses, but examining your what you believe about God and the relationship that Jesus Christ has secured for you. I am suggesting pressing forward to ensure that WHAT you believe about God is biblical. That is the starting place for biblical prayer. Too often prayer is based on feelings or what we want God to be for us. The sad news about that is, we don’t know our great and wonderful God. And we fall short of enjoying Him in the relationship that He as make possible for us through Christ Jesus.

Part II of this blog – A biblical definition of prayer that begins and ends with God.

Many Christians refrain from spending quantity time alone in prayer with God the Father due to condemnation, which is often caused by guilt, shame, and regret. The Gospel of Jesus is the remedy. Perhaps we need to sing hymns to ourselves that remind of the effectual work of our Savior. Some of those hold hymns remind us of His triumph over sin and despair.  Others remind of His matchless character and nature.

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

There is no one like Him; there is no other. If you are weary and wondering about His love for you, read the following words from Charles Spurgeon. He has some encouragement for us from his commentary on Psalm 147:3:

His deep sympathy with mourners is a special mark of his goodness. Few will associate with the despondent, but Jehovah chooses their company, and abides with them till he has healed them by his comforts. He delights to handle and heal broken hearts: he himself lays on the ointment of grace, and the soft bandages of love, and thus binds up the bleeding wounds of those convinced of sin. This is compassion like a God. Well may those praise him to whom he has acted so gracious a part. The Lord is always healing and binding: this is no new work to him, he has done it of old; and it is not a thing of the past of which he is now weary, for he is still healing and still binding, as the original hath it. Come, broken hearts, come to the Physician who never fails to heal: uncover your wounds to him who so tenderly binds them up! (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 120-150 (Vol. 6, p. 415). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.  Romans 5:1-2 (NLT).

I like that translation of these scriptures. “… because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”  The Gospel is what HE has done for us.

Yesterday’s post was a reminder that when we pray that we should not rely on our own goodness and spirituality to be accepted by God the Father. No problem with that statement, right? I sure am glad that my acceptance with God is not based on my goodness and how good of a Christian I am. That would be total and complete failure … for you, me, and everyone else. This is why the Gospel is liberating. This means that if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ for reconciling us with God, then my goodness and spirituality are not included in the equation of being accepted and loved by God. I could write and preach on this simple truth for days, even weeks, because all that I am and live by, and live and die for, hinges on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1-2 is liberating news. It is ALL because of Jesus Christ our Lord.

How could this simple truth of the Gospel be offensive in our prayer life?

When you pray:  If you are not conscious that the Gospel is How and Why you are able to pray, then you are at the least taking the Gospel for granted, and at the worst–feeling good about you’re current Christian walk and that the Father must be pleased (and proud) with your efforts enough to listen to your prayers. The latter is self-righteousness, and the former is irreverent and a low esteem of the Gospel. Either mindset makes your prayers offensive to God. Seriously offensive to God.

Are you offended by that last paragraph? Hang on and keep reading.

Every time that you enter your devotional time with God you should be keenly aware that you are relying on and approaching the Living God in Christ’s righteousness, that is, because of the Gospel. If you are not consciously minded of this absolute truth when you are in time of prayer, then you are not aware of your unworthiness apart from the Him. If you are not aware of your own unworthiness, then you’re not throwing yourself on the righteousness of Christ as your robe of acceptance before the Throne of Grace.

Is that tough to swallow?

I’m not saying that you should beat yourself down and remind yourself of all your foolish sins and selfishness before you talk to God. I am saying that you should be mindful of HOW you are able to approach Him. Perhaps we should put the phrase–“In Jesus Name” at the beginning of our prayers rather than at the end. If we did this we might be more mindful of Whose righteousness we are relying upon. What I am saying is, if you’re not mindful of the Gospel when you pray, then you’re not mindful of the depravity of your sin and how and why it offends God. The reason that you are conscious of Christ making you worthy in prayer is because you are well aware of your wretchedness apart from Him. You and I must be mindful during prayer that it is the Gospel that makes prayer possible.

Did you get that? I know my desperate dependence upon Him because I know my desperate condition apart from Him. Another way of saying this is: When I pray, Christ Jesus covers me in His glory. The alternative is that I am attempting to pray covered in my own glory.

As you can see, this ground-level lesson on prayer isn’t just for the Christian who is learning about prayer. It is for every Christian all of the time. Throughout Church history the saints whom we’d call Giants in Prayer were those who were always aware of their desperate dependence upon Christ Jesus during their times in prayer, as well as before and after they stepped out of the proverbial prayer closet.

O’ Spirit of the Living God, keep me mindful of my unworthiness that I may cling with spiritual white-knuckles to the robe of my Savior. I know that there is nothing in me that makes me worthy to pray. I know that Christ Jesus has made me and keeps me wholly acceptable of grace and mercy. The eyes of the Lord are upon the just–those who are justified by Christ, and His ear is open to their prayers. The Father delights in me because I am in Christ. Yes, Christ in me; Christ before me; Christ behind me; Christ beside me; Christ upon me; Christ is my all in all. He enables me to approach with full confidence of faith and know that I am in the presence of God. To Christ, God the Son be the glory forever and ever. Amen!

“The Gospel is the difference-maker, all the difference in heaven and earth.”
– [from the book:  A Reason to Pray at Mountainview]

Until a Christian wins the battle over guilt, shame, and regret, over the image of being unworthy to be heard by the Father, the promises and benefits of prayer will be like a far distant country. The child of God must learn to embrace and live by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is then that prayer is a delight. That is why the child of God must learn to preach the Gospel to himself. The child of God must continually remind himself of the freedom that is in Christ, because of Christ, and secured by Christ. Guilt, shame, and regret will smother any other attempt at liberty and acceptance with God.

The Gospel is why God listens to prayer. Meaning, it is because of who Jesus Christ is and what He did. It has nothing to do with a person’s piety or religious goodness. If you have been persuaded that God will not listen to your prayers because you are not good enough for Him, you are right. God does not listen to you because you’ve earned His favor. IF … you are expecting the Father God to accept your prayers because of your own goodness and merits, you’re sadly out in left field. He NEVER listens to prayer because we are worthy to be heard. Why? Because we’re not worthy to be heard. Seriously, is your heart pure enough—from selfishness, pride, coveting, and … the list can go on and on—to earn God’s favor? If that were the case, then Jesus didn’t come to die for you. You don’t need a Savior to forgive you. You’re up there with Him, self-righteous and sinless. Okay, I’ve made my point, haven’t I?

You can agree with the thoughts that you are unworthy, because you are unworthy. You have God’s favor solely because of Jesus Christ. Everything is because of what Jesus Christ did at the Cross, the Grave, and is doing in His present-day ministry at the Right Hand of Power. It is solely, completely, and wholly by and through Jesus Christ that God the Father desires to hear you pray. Get this truth and every time you prepare to talk to the Father remember … JESUS. It’s all because of Him that you can pray with freedom and assurance that the Father is listening and is with you.

Doesn’t this take all the weight off of you?  If you and I had to wait until “WE” were ready–spiritual enough; good enough; religious enough; pious enough–to be received by the Father, phew … we’d never pray.  By the way, isn’t this the reason WHY Jesus came; to fix our relationship with God; to enable us to be accepted before God?  Our relationship with God is secure because it is secure in Christ Jesus. We cannot rely on anything else to secure our relationship with God.  So remind yourself of the Gospel–What and Who Jesus Christ did and is. That settles the issue of worthiness to approach The Throne of Grace.

The next blog post will take this simple, essential truth to the extreme place in our prayer lives that Christ put it.

Father, forgive me of ever looking to myself to decide if I can talk to you and bring my prayer requests. It is not of me, but of God the Son, my Redeemer. Thank You, Jesus, for clothing me with Your goodness and righteousness so that I am accepted and enjoyed by God the Father. In His righteousness I stand and live. All of my prayers, Father, are in Christ, in His Name and not my own. Therefore, Christ gets all the credit for my ability to pray right now, and for all the grace that You give me.  Amen.