Luke 11:1-4 Lord, teach us to pray, is a good prayer, and a very needful one, for Jesus Christ only can teach us, by his word and Spirit, how to pray. Lord, teach me what it is to pray; Lord, stir up and quicken me to the duty; Lord, direct me what to pray for; teach me what I should say.
Jesus said, “Ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: for the Father Himself loveth you.” “I have chosen you: . . . that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.” John 16:26, 27; 15:16. But to pray in the name of Jesus is something more than a mere mention of that name at the beginning and the ending of a prayer. It is to pray in the mind and spirit of Jesus, while we believe His promises, rely upon His grace, and work His works.
How should we then pray: Pray to God the Father in the power of God the Spirit, in the name or by the authority and the merit of God the Son. That is the trinitarian structure mainly of prayer in the Bible.
And so it is not surprising that it is profoundly rooted in Scripture. Hebrews 4:14-16 “Since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are yet without sin. Therefore — crucial word — therefore, let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace. We only can come to God in prayer pleading for grace, because we have a high priest, which is why we pray in Jesus’ name.
We have no access to God without Christ and his name. And so when we pray in Jesus’ name we are saying that to the Father; I am coming not in my own name, not in my own merit, not in my own worth. I am coming because Christ loved me. Christ died for me. Christ rose for me. Christ intercedes for me. That is what that little phrase carries. And it is just huge.
And Paul draws in the third member of the trinity, right, in Ephesians 6:18. Praying at all times in the Spirit. Or Jude 1:20. You, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit, which I think means realize that your heart would never have an inclination to pray to God for true blessing apart from the humbling, transforming, faith giving work of the Holy Spirit. So confess this. Say this to the Lord and to yourself. I rely upon the Holy Spirit when I pray in Jesus’ name to the Father. And, of course, Jesus put it totally plainly in John 15:16. Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give it to you.
Conditions to expect that God will hear our prayers
There are certain conditions upon which we may expect that God will hear and answer our prayers. One of the first of these is that we feel our need of help from Him. He has promised, “I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.” Isaiah 44:3. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, who long after God, may be sure that they
will be filled. The heart must be open to the Spirit’s influence, or God’s blessing cannot be received.
Another element of prevailing prayer is faith. “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Jesus said to His disciples, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Mark 11:24. Do we take Him at His word?
Perseverance in prayer has been made a condition of receiving. We must pray always if we would grow in faith and experience. We are to be “instant in prayer,” to “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Romans 12:12; Colossians 4:2. Peter exhorts believers to be “sober, and watch unto prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7. Paul directs, “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6. “But ye, beloved,” says Jude, “praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God.” Jude 20, 21.
Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God, so that life from God flows into our life; and from our life, purity and holiness flow back to God.
There is necessity for diligence in prayer; let nothing hinder you. Make every effort to keep open the communion between Jesus and your own soul. Seek every opportunity to go where prayer is wont to be made. Those who are really seeking for communion with God will be seen in the prayer meeting, faithful to do their duty and earnest and anxious to reap all the benefits they can gain. They will improve every opportunity of placing themselves where they can receive the rays of light from heaven.
May we meditate upon these words beloved as we pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to begin our great work next year.
Thabsile Majola
