Biblical Theology of Prayer

Basic Definition of Prayer:

The practice of communication with a Deity (Lexham Cultural Ontology Glossary)

This def. should make us a bit uncomfortable because we believe to some degree prayer to be much more than that.

We also must acknowledge most (if not every) culture & religion has some form of prayer

There are two implied facets of prayer in this definition:

Implied Facets of Prayer:

1. The existence of some form of Deity

2. A way/need to communicate with that deity which requires some understanding of that Deity

This is what we call Theology

Ancient Religions of the near east would Sacrifice/Pray to a deity to get the God/Goddess to do what they wanted.

All of these ideas come together in one place in the bible:

lets turn to 1 Kings 18:20-39 Quick Context as you guys turn there:

- Takes place in the Northern Kingdom of Israel

Ahab & Jezebel rule

Jezebel reintroduced worship of Baal when Ahab married her (she was originally Phoenician)

Ahab wanted a mix of Yahweh (he was open to the ministry of Elijah), Jezebel wanted the Israelites to only worship Baal

Prophet Elijah declares a famine over the land (which happens)

Elijah Challenges Ahab to a God-off

Baal (God of Fertility & Storms) vs. Yahweh (God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob)

this is a matter of what the people desperately need vs. their Entire identity!

Lets read 1 Kings 18:20-29

Prophets of Baal believed he wanted them to perform/humiliate themselves before he helped them (vs. 26) and Human Blood (vs. 28)

The next section is about what God wants through Elijah’s prayer, lets read 1 Kings 18:30-38

1 Kings 18:30–38 (NASB95)

At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at Your word.

“Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.”

God shows us he wants to know (personally) as in Elijah and to be known.

People with hearts turned towards him.

This is the fundamental difference between Judeo-Christian Prayer & any other religious prayer-this deity does not behave like any others, he does not welcome incantations or performance, ritual or rite, he doesn’t need to be cajoled to do things, he doesn’t make deals or negotiate,

Hosea 6:6 NASB95

For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6 ESV

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Hosea 6:6 NIV

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

God is relational, we see this from the very beginning, the first 2 chapters show a God who is present and active in his creation, so much so, he creates images (Tselem) of himself, and hangs out with them! How do we know? Because when they mess up, they hide because:

They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8)

They could recognize his footsteps, they knew when he was coming near, meaning they had heard them before. Communicating with Him was very easy because he was physically there.

But as time goes on, there’s a cumulative effect of sin, as sin spreads into the world, God’s physical presence lifts away from the world,

Ch. 4 shows God still present with Cain, talking directly to cain, but, as the chapter follows Cain’s progressively evil line, it’s clear God is not nearly as present as he was, which, is specifically stated in Genesis 4:26

Genesis 4:26 NASB95

To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.

Men began to call upon the name of the LORD suggests, he’s not near by anymore, but that prayer as we now think of it begins to happen.

Throughout Genesis, what we see then, is God initiating the conversation, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, this God comes to them, and initiates the conversation, really, he’s just continuing the conversation he started with Adam and Eve.

Even Exodus shows us a God who takes the initiative, though he is responding to the Cries of His people.

Timothy Keller, fully defines prayer this way,

Prayer is continuing a conversation that God has started through His Word and His grace, which eventually becomes a full encounter with him.

In the Old testament we have examples of all kinds of prayers, from corporate prayers to private prayers, intercession, lament, confession and praise.

So my question is this, what is the difference between the prayers of the Old Testament Saints verses prayers this side of the cross?

Is there a difference? Yeah, the Cross. The Cross makes all the difference! What is that difference? boiled down,

The essence of Christian prayer is the presence of the Holy Spirit indwelling the prayer, enabled by Jesus, granting full access to the Father as Sons and Daughters.

This Means:

-As Gentiles, we have been adopted into the family, through the Cross of Christ, and confirmed by the Holy Spirit living in us, We can call him Father.

We experience more Fully His presence & can be emboldened in our prayers:

Hebrews 4:16 “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

-The Spirit prays for us and allows us to pray without Words or with words we don’t understand:

Romans 8:26–27 NASB95

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

-The Holy Spirit Changes prayer from, “how do I get this deity to do what I want” to The Holy Spirit in me causes me to want what God wants, and then causes me to Pray God’s will. Starting with, “your kingdom come, your will be done.”

Christian Prayer brings us into practical application and understanding of the Trinity:

“I cannot Think of the one, but I discover the three, but I am suddenly carried back to the one.” -Gregory of Nazianzen (4th century Bishop & Theologian)

Before I close, I just want to share one technique that has helped me to pray “without ceasing” as we’re exhorted to do (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Breath Prayers:

Short quick prayers throughout your day...

“god help”

“Jesus give me grace”

When I finally get a moments quiet:

“Speak Lord, for your servant is listening!”