 |
Visit our new blog. It lists all the new things that we are doing and what new material has been added to our site. We even list new missionaries who sign up with us for technical support so you can pray for them. FCM News
|
||
|
A. Praying with the Understanding
NKJ James 4:2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
We must remember to ask our Heavenly Father for the things that we need, want, and desire. There are several different Koine (common) Greek words that we translate as our English word “ask.” Furthermore, the one used in this verse is Strong’s number 154 aivte,w aiteo {ahee-teh'-o} which Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible defines as “a demand of something due” (see Strong’s Greek Dictionary Of The New Testament number 4441). This is not to imply that we are trying to boss God around or be rude. However, it is like being at the supper table with your family and asking them to pass the salt. The salt is rightfully yours because you are part of the family, however, it will not be of benefit to your food unless you politely demand (ask) it to be passed your way.
NKJ John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
NKJ John 16:23 "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. 24 "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
NKJ John 16:26 "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; 27 "for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
We are to ask our Heavenly Father for things that we need, want, or desire, in Jesus’ name. Ending our prayer with the traditional “In Jesus’ name” is more than a formula, password, or closing to a letter. It is to be a realization that our right to obtain anything from our Father is based on the completed work of the cross of our Savior. It is an acknowledgement that we are not asking based on our own name or works but rather in our Lord Jesus’. For example, if your spouse went to the bank to withdraw money from your account in their maiden name they would get nothing. However, if they used their married name they could get everything. It is the same way with our Heavenly Father for we have been given the name of Jesus.
NKJ Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
NKJ Ephesians 3:14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
The name given to us when we were born physically will get us nothing from God. However, the name given to us after our spiritual birth – Jesus – will get us everything!
NKJ Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
NKJ John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
NKJ 1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God -- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption –
NKJ 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
NKJ Romans 8:17 and if children, then heirs -- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
We are to ask of God based on Jesus’ finished work as if He were asking the Father through us. This means we are to come boldly and not sheepishly, as a son and not a slave, as one who has been forgiven and not full of self-condemnation, and as a joint heir and not a beggar. Suppose you are at your Earthly father’s supper table; how would you ask something to be passed? Would it be given to you? Then how much more will our Heavenly Father give good things to those that ask!
NKJ Matthew 6:8 "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
Our prayers do not take God by surprise, He knew of the need before it happened and supplied the solution at Golgotha. In other words, He has prepared the table in the presence of the enemy, but it will not do us any good unless we ask Him to pass the food.
NKJ Matthew 7:7 " Ask, and it will be given to you; Seek, and you will find; Knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 "For everyone who Asks receives, and he who Seeks finds, and to him who Knocks it will be opened. 9 "Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 "Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ASK Him!
Did you see the hidden word ASK twice in this verse?
NKJ Matthew 20:29 Now as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed Him. 30 And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" 31 Then the multitude warned them that they should be quiet; but they cried out all the more, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son of David!" 32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 33 They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." 34 So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.
We must be specific with our requests to God. Again, if you were at the table and simply said, “pass the food” then nothing would come your way. It is when we specifically ask for the corn, beans, potatoes, etc. that we receive. Notice that when the blind men asked for mercy they did not receive what they desired. However, when they were specific they received.
NKJ John 14:12 " Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.13 "And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
This is not talking about our needs, wants, or desires but rather the “works” spoken of in the preceding verse. We go to the Father for our needs, wants, and desires but go to Jesus for the works of ministry (see Acts 3:1-12 for an example of the use of Jesus’ name in ministry).
NKJ James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
We can ask for the wisdom to know how to ask!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father without your wisdom we do not know how to ask; therefore, we do not have. Furthermore, the lost are watching your children to see if You meet our needs better than the World meets their needs. For the sake of Your glory, give us the wisdom to ask so that the world might know You are the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (Based on James 4:2, 2 Corinthians 3:2, Exodus 34:6, Timothy 1:17).
|
|
About us | Jobs | Needs | Contact Copyright ©2005-2008 Faith Cycle Ministries Inc. 704 Sunset Rd - Suite 100 - Burlington, New Jersey - 08016 609-910-1273 Privacy Policy/Terms of use Powered by Studiolion.com Web Services All Glory and Honor to God |
Report
site problems  Help donate to FCM |
