Bible Discussion Thread

Prayer and intercession: Introduction.

This likely is the start of another lengthy series of postings. I fear that my sermon like "lecturing" isn't exactly working at times.

I felt it prudent to let the scriptures speak for themselves-and am unaware of anyone who has searched the scriptures both O.T. and N.T. for a comprehensive study of all times that prayer occurred and repeated themes and patterns that could be established.

Praying "in the Spirit" ( Ephesians 6:18 and 2 other references) is hard to precisely define. There are many theological discussions on what is "proper" or improper things to pray about; but I am unaware of any doctrinal statements that nail it down like there are on other church ordinances; and ceremonies. Interestingly as I have brought up several times on this forum there is no scripture that invokes a saint to pray for a SPECIFIC person to come to Christ. It seems the majority of prayers are personal in scripture. With that being said; intercession for the saints is a vital component ( Romans 8:27); and praying for the nation asking for mercy with national sins is another theme; associated with God's covenant promises being affirmed in the long run despite the disobedience as we see in the case of Daniel chapter 9.

As I may have mentioned in the past; a friend of mine a few years back started an early morning prayer group which I briefly attended before moving back home with my parents and stated that he was "desperate" for prayer. I know of at least one person in my current church who is in his 60s but gets up at 4 or so each day to pray and listen to a Bible study before working his full time job. I have known a couple others in the past who have done the same sort of thing. I'd like to be that way myself; rather than the "ZOMBIE" like state that I am in the early morning. My prayer is fairly consistent but later in the morning although traffic to work has cut that short recently.

As per my usual process; I start with an idea then work detail into it as I go along. I filled in David the other day after forgetting that he certainly has the highest number of prayer in the Word.

What is interesting is that he has all sorts of different psalms; many of which are prayers. Some or all are to music; poetic; impreccatory; prophetic; personal; "royal" and other things. The most common theme it seems of answered prayers anyway is those related to covenants where we can sort of "declare" blessings. I don't like using that term as it has been accused by some denominations in particular of abusing God's meaning and I would argue by default putting a curse on themselves. Such is PRESUMPTION; particularly for those who have lifestyles of sin that the Lord warns about of which those type of people will not inherit the Kingdom.

What is a real challenge is Christ's prayer that was NOT answered in regard to taking the cup from him that he must drink.

Equally sobering also is the rich man's request or prayer of sorts from hell that in a way WAS answered but didn't have any effect on saving any of his own family if they wouldn't recognize who Christ was in rising from the dead.

There are times of course when the Lord told Jeremiah not to petition or ask God to be merciful to those right before the Babylonian invasion. He was determined to destroy all but a remnant at that point and as I will bring out eventually; even the guard from Babylon stated that all this had come about because of their disobedience.

I suppose a big concern I have is how the whole church system and office functions tend to be the focus of prayers and it often becomes hard to assess what God wants to eliminate or change when assumptions are made to continue things status quo. This also can make one local church body insulate themselves from even others in their denomination and especially other believers somehow thinking their needs are most important.

Any ideas?

Hello Richard,

I am looking forward to your posts concerning prayer in the Scriptures.

I am sort of like you in regards to being somewhat "fuzzy headed" in the early morning.

I happened to come across a funny sign at a thrift store and it hangs on the wall of our house now.

When my husband, who is an early bird" tries to engage in conversation when I have just awakened, I just point to the sign and say, "read the sign and check back with me later"

The sign says "I am not a morning person. I don't do "perky" before noon." Of course this is hyperbole. But I like to take my time in the morning and be by myself most of the time until I have eaten breakfast and spent some time with the Lord.