When Saul and Jonathan died, David wrote a song, it was called “The Bow.” There was a lot to glean from this song but I would like to look at the bow of prayer if I am allowed to make a spiritual connection.

David sang this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, and ordered it to be taught to the people of Judah. (It is recorded in The book of Jashar.) – 2 Samuel 1:17-18 GNT

I see holy people picking out an arrow and knowing how to use it. They specifically knew what they wanted and they prayed for it. When they fitted the arrow on the string they were taking God’s promises, the one specifically relating to their prayer request, and with the two fitted together watched the flight of their petition. They knew to whom they were praying as well as what they were praying for. They expected to be heard and so with confidence drew their bow of prayer with everything they had. In times of trouble, what we want are followers of Jesus who know the use of the bow in prayer.

I beieve that I have more faith in prayer than in the institutions that offer protection. In any time of national need the people that save a nation are the people of prayer. God can speak into the minds of our politicians and government leaders where we have no hope to do so. When I overlook prayer, I overlook the greatest contributing factor when it comes to the affairs of people. If I have the will of God prioritized in my life via the Holy Spirit, my fervent prayer can be more involved in the affairs of the day than those who sit in leadership. Worship is amazing and I enjoy it as much as the next one, but I would rather teach one to use the bow of prayer. Therein lies the involvement of God in our day to day affairs.

Perhaps I speak to some here who do not know anything about praying. I dare say that the brother is here who listened to a sermon on Peckham Rye, which was rather a wild one, I am afraid. In that discourse the preacher said to all his congregation that if they would go home and ask God for anything the Lord would give it to them. I cannot endorse so wild a statement. However, this man thought that the preacher having said it, it was true, and having never prayed before in all his life, he put the question to the test of a certain event; and that certain event fell out as he desired. Then he began to tremble, for he judged that assuredly there is a God. Now, I do not say to you, dear hearers, that whatsoever all of you shall ask in prayer you shall receive. I would not say that to you ungodly ones. But I do say that if you will ask for mercy and salvation and eternal life, and anything that is promised to believing sinners, you shall have it. I wish you would try the experiment, for you would find that the Lord never breaks a promise. If you read a promise made to a sinner, it is made to you: go and plead it, and the Lord will grant it. I will be surety for him that he will keep his word. Trust him and try, and thus learn the use of the bow. – Spurgeon

I would say that the gift of tongues, a personal language of prayer given by God, would be such a bow that allows the follower of Jesus to communicate with God beyond the limits of knowledge and understanding.

The Spirit gives one person the power to work miracles; to another, the gift of speaking God’s message; and to yet another, the ability to tell the difference between gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not. To one person he gives the ability to speak in strange tongues, and to another he gives the ability to explain what is said. – 1 Corinthians 12:10 GNT

When praying in tongues, the Holy Spirit is praying through me even though I may not understand what I am saying – however, God does.

Maybe Ezekiel was combining all this together when he saw this vision.

When the creatures stopped, the wheels stopped; and when the creatures flew, the wheels went with them, because the creatures controlled them. – Ezekiel 10:17 GNT

What happens when I cease to move, cease to live by faith? When I think I can be independent from God, my prayers lose their passion. God is far less precious, less consciously present and at some point, I may lose all consciousness of His presence at all.

Have I ever noticed how important it is for others to see me moving by the Spirit? How many times do I see myself as a follower of Jesus just because I pray for forgiveness, or maybe just because I pray. By that I feel I am separated from the world. But here is the killer – what happens when I have so much to say about love, but I visibly hate more strongly than I love?

Lacking spiritual discernment, I will come up with many reasons for something to be done or not to be done and assume that I am now specially qualified to be a critic. While I contribute these critical powers, others, less gifted, may contribute their prayer – so thankful for this. Negatives to not belong in the range of the Spirit. Critics have feet, but no wings.

There’s nothing else like Calvin’s treatment of prayer. Very few systematic theologies have followed Calvin by including a major chapter on prayer. Calvin is both theological and practical, and as usual, he is very comprehensive. This is a rarity-deep theology with a spiritually elevated tone and savor that makes the reader want to pray. – Timothy Keller (Calvn, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion)