A fuller knowledge of God

knowledge of God

Abraham’s conversation with Jesus regarding Sodom was an example of a great form of prayer. The faith he displayed in the justice of God and his incredible boldness before the Creator of the Universe made him stand alone before God and with obvious significant influence over His actions. Abraham had learned to pray.

As we look at this section of Scripture, we can learn some valuable lessons on the nature of prayer: First, we see that prayer begins with the proposal of God:

 And the Lord said to himself, “I will not hide from Abraham what I am going to do.  His descendants will become a great and mighty nation, and through him I will bless all the nations.[b]  I have chosen him in order that he may command his sons and his descendants to obey me and to do what is right and just. If they do, I will do everything for him that I have promised.”

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “There are terrible accusations against Sodom and Gomorrah, and their sin is very great. I must go down to find out whether or not the accusations which I have heard are true.” – Genesis 18:17-21 GNT

Is it fair to say that prayer does not begin with me, it begins with God? Would a true form of prayer not have my plans that I bring to God for His blessings but rather it is God proposing to us His plan? Does prayer really begin to take shape and enter into my reality when God is looking for a partnership with me to carry out His program? Can I go so far as to say that unless my prayer is based on a promise, a warning or a conviction of God’s will, maybe there is no prayer?

I cross a secluded parking lot and call it a prayer of faith asking God to keep me safe from someone robbing or beating me up. That might not be real prayer, more like presumption. If God makes it clear to me that I need to cut across that secluded parking lot, I will be fine and perfectly safe.

Praying for the lost world like Abraham did is a great example for me to follow. One tool I have found useful is the  Joshua Project  which gives a story and prayer need of a different people group for each day of the month.

From the boldness of Abraham to the boldness of the disciples – what am I seeing there?

When they returned to the crowd, a man came to Jesus, knelt before him,  and said, “Sir, have mercy on my son! He is an epileptic and has such terrible attacks that he often falls in the fire or into water.  I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.” – Matthew 17:14-16 GNT

I have to remember how successful they were before as they were sent out. They came back talking about the healings and the deliverance that came to people they prayed over. What was different this time?

“It is easy to feel Christian in the moment of prayer and meditation; it is easy to feel close to God when the world is shut out. But that is not religion – that is escapism. Real religion is to rise from our knees before God to meet men and the problems of the human situation.” Barclay

God wants me to pray every where and assures me that He is near me all the time.

Yet God is actually not far from any one of us;  as someone has said,

‘In him we live and move and exist.’

It is as some of your poets have said,

‘We too are his children.’

Acts 17:27-28 GNT

In Him we live – my life is owing to Him and the constant influence of His providence over it. He is my life.

In Him we move – His providence again keeps my soul as I move to and fro and watches over me as my affections run out to their proper objects. By Him my soul moves my body and He is the first cause, the first mover.

In Him we exist – I have it from Him at first and in Him I have it still. His continued care and goodness toward me exemplifies not only that I have a being, but that I am capable of knowing and enjoying God.  

 

Paul sees this fuller knowledge of God as a more critical thing to receive than a change of circumstances. Without this powerful sense of God’s reality, good circumstances can lead to overconfidence and spiritual indifference. Who needs God, our hearts would conclude, when matters seem to be so in hand? Then again, without this enlightened heart, bad circumstances can lead to discouragement and despair, because the love of God would be an abstraction rather than the infinitely consoling presence it should be. Therefore, knowing God better is what we must have above all if we are to face life in any circumstances. – Timothy Keller

 

Prayer is a key

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It is interesting that a covenant between Abram and God was committed through circumcision. I believe that I need to prayerfully consider “a circumcision of my heart,’ taking away my loyalty to the world and setting right by giving it to Jesus. It is coming to a place where I invite the Holy Spirit to walk with me through the challenging process of surrender – no matter the cost.

From now on you must circumcise every baby boy when he is eight days old, including slaves born in your homes and slaves bought from foreigners. This will show that there is a covenant between you and me. – Genesis 17″11-12 GNT

As I accept this challenge, I would like to prayerfully seek out a new or dormant follower of Jesus, share this text  and discuss with them the possibilities while encouraging them to discover the awe of the presence of God within.

Should I be drawn to a mature follower, I could prayerfully consider asking them what the most challenging or difficult promise God had made to them. Talking over doubts,  and how you may or may not fit as the vessel of His promise anymore. Pray together, for faith to accept God at His Word.

I need to remember that when I am mumbling or murmuring, God hears it as prayer too. If prayer is only about getting what I wish for, how can such a shallow expression dictate terms to God.

He asked God, “Why not let Ishmael be my heir?” – Genesis 17:18 GNT

Maybe this prayer from Abram is only an obstinate determination not to be satisfied with what satisfies God. There is a certain amount of self-awareness required to know whether or not my prayer is one that meets the desires of God Himself. Would it not be considered a rebellious prayer should it go against the will of God? Maybe that is what mumbling or murmuring really is.

Prayer is definitely one of the keys to the kingdom. When it coincides with God’s Word and His will, He will engage with it.

I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; what you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven, and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven. – Matthew 16:19 GNT

Nehemiah made quite the prayer statement when he turned to God with this prayer.

And now God, strengthen my hands. = Nehemiah 6:9  GNT

It is a simple, beautiful prayer for someone doing monumental work.

This short prayer encourages us that God invites us to bring all our petitions to Him regardless of how big or small they may seem.

God is not honoured with the size of my prayer, it is about my growth in my relationship with Him.

Remember the mumbling and murmuring – singing seemed to be Paul’s anecdote.

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. – Acts 16:

 

It is remarkable that in all of his writings Paul’s prayers for his friends contain no appeals for changes in their circumstances. It is certain that they lived in the midst of many dangers and hardships. They faced persecution, death from disease, oppression by powerful forces, and separation from loved ones. Their existence was far less secure than ours is today. Yet in these prayers you see not one petition for a better emperor, for protection from marauding armies, or even for bread for the next meal. Paul does not pray for the goods we would usually have near the top of our lists of requests. – Timothy Keller

Distress,desperate cries, injustice

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I believe that with the power of prayer, I have to take the time and be on the lookout for those who are being exploited and then I have to care enough to get angry and get involved. That may mean I have to stand up to a bully, it may mean I need to engage in fervent prayer, and it may mean that I need to give a helping hand.

It is my praying for God’s Kingdom to come on earth that my discipleship methods reaches out to those captured in the practices rooted in our fallen humanity. As Nehemiah points out, these people exist among the people of God as in the world. It is only in authoritative prayer that we have the courage and determination to speak into that world.

Some time later many of the people, both men and women, began to complain against the other Jews.  Some said, “We have large families, we need grain to keep us alive.”

Others said, “We have had to mortgage our fields and vineyards and houses to get enough grain to keep us from starving.”

Still others said, “We had to borrow money to pay the royal tax on our fields and vineyards. 5 We are of the same race as the other Jews. Aren’t our children just as good as theirs? But we have to make slaves of our children. Some of our daughters have already been sold as slaves. We are helpless because our fields and vineyards have been taken away from us.” – Nehemiah 5:1-5 GNT

Maybe it is because I am praying that I hear the cry from the people. Jesus seemed to perceive their needs. Interesting to note that His only time for quietness and a place to pray was night time. I think the world is looking for someone to hear their cry for help.

When we give of our time and energy and are spent, we may pray the same prayer Nehemiah did.

I pray you, O God, remember to my credit everything that I have done for this people. – Nehemiah 5:19 GNT

 

Prayer is the only entryway into genuine self-knowledge. It is also the main way we experience deep change—the reordering of our loves. Prayer is how God gives us so many of the unimaginable things he has for us. Indeed, prayer makes it safe for God to give us many of the things we most desire. It is the way we know God, the way we finally treat God as God. Prayer is simply the key to everything we need to do and be in life.

We must learn to pray. We have to. Timothy Keller

Revelation of God through prayer

 

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I was quite young when I was introduced to Yonggi Cho and his prayer mountain experiences. One thing I did take away was to pray specific prayers. I enjoyed the dialogue between Abram and God because it reminded me of this lesson.

But Abram answered, “Sovereign Lord, what good will your reward do me, since I have no children? My only heir is Eliezer of Damascus.[a]  You have given me no children, and one of my slaves will inherit my property.” – Genesis 15:2-3 GNT

I mean, who tells God what good is a reward when all I want is a son to pass my estate to. Well, Abram tells God exactly what he wants from Him. I am not sure that God gave an immediate answer but when He does, He is gracious

Then he heard the Lord speaking to him again: “This slave Eliezer will not inherit your property; your own son will be your heir.” – Genesis 15:4 GNT

I believe we can and we must have a revelation of God through prayer. To battle my fear, I must be a person of prayer. I believe this first dialogue that Abram had with God, God quieted his fears. Abram has learned something that he has shared with me here – when I am facing my fears, doubts discouragements etc. , I run to God in prayer. I am honest with God about my feelings and emotions.

I run to Him because He is my great reward.

Standing firm though does cause waves to take place. It happened to John the Baptist.  I think of the toll it took on Jesus. He had to find some alone time in order to pray and reconnect with God.

After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone. – Matthew 14:23 GNT

Nehemiah faced discouragement head on with prayer.

I prayed, “Hear how they make fun of us, O God! Let their ridicule fall on their own heads. Let them be robbed of everything they have, and let them be taken as prisoners to a foreign land. 5 Don’t forgive the evil they do and don’t forget their sins, for they have insulted us who are building.” – Nehemiah 4:4-5 GNT

Nehemiah did not debate, did not form a committee, did not confront his two enemies – he took the matter to God in prayer. For him, prayer was a first resource. It has to be one of the purest way to express my reliance on God.

His specific request involved attention and mercy. Nehemiah needed God to display it and he also needed to sense God’s presence and care.

It ended up that Nehemiah did the work God called him to do, and Nehemiah left the battle with his enemies in God’s hand. Nehemiah realised that this was God’s cause and not his own.

What kind of specific prayers can I pray for those in ministry like Nehemiah or Paul. There are a few pointers given to us in Acts 14.

I can pray for their joy in the midst of suffering and for kindness in the midst of slander. I too need the character of Christ and the power of His Spirit to enable me to respond with grace.

The same thing happened in Iconium: Paul and Barnabas went to the synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of Jews and Gentiles became believers.  But the Jews who would not believe stirred up the Gentiles and turned them against the believers. – Acts 14:1-2 GNT

I do believe that praying for supernatural power is important – I must speak the Word boldly and with that proclamation I need the Holy Spirit to show up.

The apostles stayed there for a long time, speaking boldly about the Lord, who proved that their message about his grace was true by giving them the power to perform miracles and wonders. – ACts 14:3 GNT

Along with being humble and patient, I need to pray for perseverance.

Some Jews came from Antioch in Pisidia and from Iconium; they won the crowds over to their side, stoned Paul and dragged him out of the town, thinking that he was dead.  But when the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he and Barnabas went to Derbe. – Acts 14:19-20 GNT

There is always the call to make disciples and I must pray that God would use me to do so.

 Paul and Barnabas preached the Good News in Derbe and won many disciples. Then they went back to Lystra, to Iconium, and on to Antioch in Pisidia.  They strengthened the believers and encouraged them to remain true to the faith. “We must pass through many troubles to enter the Kingdom of God,” they taught.  In each church they appointed elders, and with prayers and fasting they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. – Acts 14:21-23 GNT

And then, just to make sure the church planters know they matter, I am called to pray that God would not only multiply them, but fill them with people who know the Word led by pastors who teach the Word.

After going through the territory of Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.  There they preached the message in Perga and then went to Attalia,  and from there they sailed back to Antioch, the place where they had been commended to the care of God’s grace for the work they had now completed.

When they arrived in Antioch, they gathered the people of the church together and told them about all that God had done with them and how he had opened the way for the Gentiles to believe.  And they stayed a long time there with the believers. – Acts 14:24-28 GNT

 

It is difficult and even formidable thing to write on prayer, and one fears to touch the Ark. Perhaps no one ought to undertake it unless he has spent more toil in the practice of prayer than on its principle. But perhaps also the effort to look into its principle may be graciously regarded by Him who ever liveth to make intercession as itself a prayer to know better how to pray. All progress in prayer is an answer to prayer–our own or another’s. And all true prayer promotes its own progress and increases our power to pray. – P. T. Forsyth

 

The Holy Spirit calls

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When I think of Melchizedek blessing Abram, I have begun a practice of blessings others. Not that I think I am a priest of any kind, I just want to pray for a blessing on others.

May the Most High God, who made heaven and earth, bless Abram. – Genesis 14:19 GNT

When I think how Nehemiah built the wall, I think about how I can pray for missionaries around the world who need to be lifted before God in believing prayer. They are all working to share the gospel, though on different parts of it.

This is how the city wall was rebuilt.[a] The High Priest Eliashib and his fellow priests rebuilt the Sheep Gate, dedicated it, and put the gates in place. They dedicated the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel. – Nehemiah 3:1 GNT

Only because I am thinking about it right now as a sending mission ministry, there are indirect workers that need prayer as well. The donors, the passionate world changers, and those who want to enlighten the minds of those who need it are some whom we often fail to recognise. There is work everywhere and so I rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit on where to go.

I think about the Holy Spirit’s role in calling Barnabas and Saul.

While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said to them, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul, to do the work to which I have called them.”

They fasted and prayed, placed their hands on them, and sent them off. – Acts 13:2-3 GNT

I love the fact that the call came – as they were serving the Lord. Is this not the work of all who follow Jesus? Does it not involve worship, praise, prayer, listening to and honouring God?

I believe they fasted as they were determining exactly where the Holy Spirit was calling them.

“We are not called to choose between a Christian life based on truth and doctrine or a life filled with spiritual power and experience. They go together. I was not being called to leave behind my theology and launch out to look for ‘something more,’ for experience. Rather, I was meant to ask the Holy Spirit to help me experience my theology.” – Timothy Keller