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Prayer and the Bible Part 1 ALL CHRISTIANS believe in prayer. But belief in prayer is not confined to Christians; the heathen believe in prayer. In times of dire distress even ungodly sceptics will fall on their knees and pray fervently. Like the Samaritans of old, however, the heathen worship they know not what (John 4:22), while the sceptic, moved by fear, yielding to the natural human instinct, appeals to a higher power for help (Isa.26:16). The Christian on the contrary knows whom he worships, and understands that he prays to God in the name of Christ. Yet how many can satisfactorily explain the philosophy of prayer? Nothing should deter us from an investigation into this important feature of the Bible, as even a little knowledge of the underlying reason governing the necessity of prayer opens up its possibilities. Such knowledge is useful to the man of God; it enables him to more intelligently co‑operate with the Lord in the outworking of the Plan of Salvation. For we must clearly recognise that when the Apostle says that consecrated believers are "labourers together with God," he is giving expression to a significant truth (1 Cor.3:9; 2 Cor.6:1). What is Effective Prayer? Effective prayer is that which invokes God's aid in bringing into effect the many details of his glorious Plan of Salvation; because this is the work in which Jehovah is engaged since the fall of Adam, and in which we are privileged to be co‑labourers with him. No other work is of importance. If the world did not get life, of what avail would their works be? (John 10:10). As we know that God will not incline his ear to any except they pray according to his will, we therefore conclude that every prayer, to be effective, must be offered with His glorious Plan of Salvation in view, the details of which are contained in the Bible. This is the reason why we speak of these two connectedly: "Prayer and the Bible." Thus the prayers of the heathen, long and often repeated, cannot be in line with God's will, as they have nothing in common with the Bible. The prayers throughout Christendom, while offered in Christ's name, are often contrary to the mind of Jehovah through ignorance of the Bible's teachings, and are therefore not heeded by God. We may venture further and say that some prayers of God's consecrated children are ineffective, because they are not offered in strict accordance with the Father's will. James indicates this when he declares: "Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss." (Jas.4:3) The reason why Prayer is necessary. When Adam was created he was perfect mentally, morally, and physically. He had perfect communion with his Maker whom he loved naturally, as the Divine law, the sum of which is love for God and neighbour, was written in his heart. There was no need for the great Jehovah to say to Adam: "My Son, give me thine heart," for He had already all the love and devotion of Adam's heart. But when the tempter succeeded in his endeavour to deceive Eve, and through this means caused Adam to wilfully take away his heart's loyalty to his heavenly Creator, everything was changed. The sweet communion was broken. By disobeying the Lord and obeying Satan in eating the forbidden fruit, Adam wilfully cast the loving God out of his rightful place, and allowed the usurping prince of this world to step in. From that time onward the whole world has lain in the wicked one. The Almighty never changes. He is the Unchangeable One. Though Adam had withdrawn from God he was still loved; but his sin of disobedience had raised a barrier; and it is written that the Lord shall by no means clear the guilty. Nevertheless, God's perfect love triumphed. His mercy endureth forever. He had already formulated a plan by which he would re‑establish communion with the alienated earth—by means of another man on whose heart‑loyalty he could depend. After a lapse of over four thousand years during which it was demonstrated that there was "none righteous, no, not one", for all came short of the glory of God (Rom.3:10.23), the Man Christ Jesus was sent into the world to plead on behalf of the fallen race. During that long dark period, Jehovah dealt with specially chosen men to whom he intimated that a Saviour would one day come and reclaim mankind. Those who exercised faith in this promise pleased God, and were accounted righteous (Rom.4:3). These favoured few were not actually free from sin, therefore none could pay to God a "ransom for his brother" and so lay the foundation for lasting heart‑union between God and men. Not one of them had the unblemished law of love written in his heart, and thus the Almighty was unable to transmit through them that power which alone? can save the world from sin and death. It was necessary that the one who would have the honour of establishing this great work should be lovable, holy, in every respect; and such was Jesus. Jesus was "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Heb.7:26). He was able to accomplish for the fallen world what the world could not do for itself. Notice how the Scriptures distinguish between Jesus and other men. Our Lord said that of all born of women none had been greater than John the Baptist; and he also speaks of John as a "burning and a shining light" (Matt.11:11; John 5:35). It is apparent from these declarations of Jesus that none of the holy prophets excelled John the Baptist. And yet John himself acknowledged that he was not able to abolish sin and reunite the hearts of men with God. He constantly directed attention to Jesus as the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The Apostle tell us that the Baptist, great though he was, was not that light. As a forerunner he was sent to bear witness and testify that Jesus was the true light which will yet lighten every man that comes into the world (John 1:6‑9). It is quite evident from the Scriptures that vital communion between God and the earth, broken by Adam, was re‑established by Jesus Christ. Prayers offered previous to Christ's advent accomplished a preparatory work only. Jesus Christ the "Light" of the world. But perfect relations between the Creator and his earthly domain was not re‑established without a challenge. Satan, the "prince of this world," chief among the "rulers of darkness," tried his utmost to sever the connection again (Luke 4:1‑13). The Adversary, however, could not succeed this time, for with the aid of the mighty power of God Jesus was more than a match for him. The Scriptures are clear that Jesus could do nothing of himself (John 5:19; 8:28). Therefore he was in constant communion with his Father by prayer. He prayed to Jehovah for strength to resist Satan. He asked for wisdom to direct the affairs of his ministry among men that the message of the coming Kingdom might find root in the hearts of some, and extend through them to all on earth. Jesus prayed for power to work miracles, so as to manifest the authority conferred on him and foreshow the great power of his future Kingdom. He also prayed for discernment to understand the deep things of his Father's Word, that he might work in harmony therewith and fulfil the heavenly will. Jesus passed on the light to his disciples, and God found response in them also (John 15:16; 17:18). These were sent forth into the world among whom they shone as lights, in order that they might enlighten us who believe in the Saviour through their word (John 12:35,36; Matt.5:14,16; Acts 26:18; Eph.5:8; Phil.2:15). As soon as we, like all who had the "hearing ear" during the Gospel Age, believed in the life‑giving words, God's will then began to be done in us; and letting our light shine we are empowered to enkindle still others (John 17:20; 2 Cor.4:6). Thus that single Light which God sent into the world about twenty centuries ago has caused many lights to shine throughout all these years (Luke 2:27‑32; Acts 13:44‑48). And just as the darkness did not comprehend the first great light, neither has it understood the succeeding lights (John 3:19‑21; 15:18‑20; 17:13,14; 1 John 3:1). But when God merges all these "lights" into the one great Sun of Righteousness in the Age of Restitution spoken of by the prophets, when the human race will return from its captivity in death (Matt.13:43; Mal.4:2; Acts 3:19‑24), every man that has come into the world from the beginning will be lightened up, and every trace of darkness will be chased away (Eph.5:14). This earth will then become a dazzling planet, the will of the Lord being done on it once more as in heaven; and God, who dwells in light, and in whom is no darkness at all, will tabernacle with men (1 Tim.6:16; Rev.21:3). There will be perfect communion between the Creator and all his human creatures; Satan, the prince of darkness, will be destroyed (Eph.6:12; John 12:31). ME |
