THE DISCIPLE'S PRAYER

Press, 20 August 1979, Page 2

THE DISCIPLE'S PRAYER

Luke in his gospel records some seven occasions when Jesus prayed. In the 11th chapter we read, "Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when He stopped, one of His disciples said to Him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." The model prayer in full is recorded in (Matt. 6:9-13). This prayer is not intended to be used as a "vain repetition" though it may well be repeated by every child of God, but it is a pattern prayer, for it contains all those elements necessary to the prayer life' of the believer. 1. Revelation in prayer. "Lord teach,us." The mouth by nature is closed to God.

"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock—and He has put a new song in my mouth even praise unto our God." (Ps. 40:1-3). Quite often the believer does not know what he shall pray for as he ought so the Holy Spirit comes to our aid, therefore the need to be taught 2. Relationship in prayer. "Our Father" John in his Ist Epistle explains our relationship perfectly. "See what an incredible quality of love The Father has bes-

towed on us, that we should be permitted, called and counted the children of Gdd! And so we are!"

3. Reverence in prayer. "Hallowed be they name" This word is only used twice in the N.T. and suggests holiness and the unchanging righteousness of our Father's character. 4. Rule in prayer. "Thy Kingdom come." The Kingdom can only come when The King comes and has removed His Church. Therefore, the prayer of each believer should be as the 2nd last verse in the Bible. "Even so, -come. Lord Jesus." 5. Resignation in prayer. "Thy will be done." Prayer does not demand from God, but seeks to be in His will. Jesus prayed prior to Calvary. "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet not

my will, but always yours, be done." (Luke 22:42). 6. Request in prayer. "Give us this day our daily bread." This petition implies our right to present to God all our physical concerns—our needs. 7. Repentance in prayer. "Forgive" The believer is not only viewed as being forgiven, but as being forgiving. The believer proves he has been forgiven by being forgiving. "Even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you." (Eph. 4:32). 8. Resolution in prayer. "Lead not, but deliver us from evil." "Abstain from evil—shrink from it and

keep aloof from it--in whatever form or whatever kind it may be." (1 Thes. 5:22). 9. Rejoicing in prayer. "Thy kingdom come." This is the believers prayer for the coming Kingdom. John writes of hearing great voices in heaven saying "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever." (Rev. 11:15). 10. Response in prayer. "Amon" This means what we have asked for let it happen. Amen is also the title of Christ who is called the faithful and true witness.