Pray, Pray, Pray – do not lose heart Part 4

Encouragement for long-time believers or a study for new believers

Part 4 of ‘I’m Saved, Now what?’

If you have not read the other installments, please see Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3.

In light of what is going on in the world, many today are struggling with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. So much evil activity and wicked people everywhere we look. Because of it, mayhem and wickedness abounds and the darkness seems to increase. Even though His Word called it far in advance, we still watch in unbelief as the wicked call evil good and good evil (from Isaiah 5:20).

Trust in Him at all times, you people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us. Selah

Psalm 62:8

Turn your eyes upon Jesus…

Keep your mind stayed on Him (Isaiah 26:3). Pray and don’t lose heart!

EXAMPLES OF PRAYER

Here, in this example of prayer, we see Jesus teaching us to be persistent in prayer and not lose heart. Praying to Him, finding out what He says in His Word and trusting in Him, increases our faith.

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.  Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’  And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’”

Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.  And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?  I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:1-8

Remember, prayer really does matter, or He wouldn’t have asked us to pray so often in His Word. Remember what He has done in your past as answers to prayer.

Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live. Psalm 116:2

Besides praying for our loved ones and friends, our brethren and those in leadership (both in the world and in the body of Christ); we can see some examples in His Word for others to pray for. Please make this a study. Please look at each and every passage, (even if you know it), because whether the questions I ask, or the comments I may make — my words have no power. But His Word is living and powerful and if you take heed to it, it will change you. I have linked KJV, NKJV and NASB. The latter two link cross references and you might continue to for further edification.

WHY SHOULD WE PRAY AND WHO SHOULD WE PRAY FOR?

• Who should we pray for and why? (1 Tim 2:1-6; Daniel 9:1-19).
• The Bible says we should pray for our Enemies (Matt 5:44; Luke 23:34-35). In Psalm 35, starting at verse one, note the things that David had prayed in the past, or was currently praying (seemingly good or bad). It may help us in our prayer for those we sometimes do not know how to pray.
• How much should we be praying for other believers? (Eph 6:18; Col 1:9-12; Eph 1:15-22; Eph 3:14; Rom 1:9-10)
• What specifically did Paul pray here for the church at Ephesus (Eph 3:14-21; Eph 6:18-20) and why? (Eph 4:1-5 — we can see a continuation of his desire for the church).
• Those who desert us, turn away from us or even become our enemies. (Gal 4:16; Amos 5:10; 2 Tim 4:9-11; 2 Sam 20:1-2; 2 Tim 1:15-16). When we are beside ourselves, we can at least pray for them as enemies (if nothing else comes to mind).
• What things can we pray about regarding our speech? (Acts 4:23-31; 2 Tim 2:23-26; James 1:26; Col 4:5-6; Titus 2:7-8).
• How do we pray for the sick, anxious or hurting? (2 Chr 32:24; James 5:14-16). If you don’t have elders, do you feel God would be o.k. with you doing the same thing for others? How do you build up your faith (Eph 6:10-17; Rom 10:17)?
• Those who use you & persecute you. (Luke 6:27-28; 23:34; Acts 5:55-60)
• Other laborers in the harvest. (Luke 10:2-3; 1 Cor. 3:6-10). When we do this, we are participating in the harvest.
• For people to come to know Christ through our prayers and and seasoned speech. (1 Tim 2:1-6; Col 4:5-6)
• How and what should we pray for concerning Israel here? (Ps 122:6-8; Is 62:6-7)
• We can pray for godly leaders to speak up. What action can we take? Look at Mordecai and Esther. Mordecai, in Esther 2, warned the King about two of his enemies who were going to kill him. What did Esther do to save others from destruction (Esther 3-10)? What did Mordecai advise her about her need to speak up (Esther 4:13-14)? How did she prepare? (Esther 4:15-17; Esther 5:1-8. I recommend you at least read through 14). How did God begin to prepare the King’s heart to move in the right direction? (Esther 6:1-4; 2:21-23).
• The ungodly to be silenced (Ps 8:1-2; Jude 9; Rev 12:10).
• Pray for our nation, along with this earth in general 

  Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. Ps 33:8-12

  See also 1 Pet 2:17; Pr 11:14, 14:34; Job 12:23-25; Jer 29:7; Ps 22:27-29

PRAYING FOR OURSELVES AND OTHERS

Praying for ourselves and those we love.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. Ps 46:1-2

Matt 7:7-11 gives us a nice little formula in prayer, why is this important?

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess 5:16-18

Phil 4:6-8 tells us to be careful for nothing, but to pray for everything, making our requests known to God. What promise is verse 7? And what good instruction do we see in verse 8.

• Pray that we will acknowledge Him and trust in Him for more things (Pr 3:5-6)
  
• That we will be more thankful and remember to call on Him in trouble (Ps 50:14-15)
• Pray we will edify, love and support other believers. (Phil 2:1-4; 1 Thess 5:11-15)
• Pray that we will shine our light glorifying God. (Matt 5:16)
• Pray for all of us to be wise, and for our speech to have grace and salt towards unbelievers.(Col 4:5-6)
• In our prayer closet, we pray for our needs, to keep us from temptation, deliver us from evil (which would be the accuser of the brethren etc.) What do we see as a type of outline in Matt 6:5-15?
• Pray that our love will abound in knowledge & righteous judgment & spiritual understanding. Look up Phil 1:9-11. List separately some of the things Paul was praying for other believers.

Besides praying with others in the church, it is also important to pray alone often, and for small things (without ceasing). We ought to always pray and faint not. We should separate for a time alone with Him as Jesus did. We should choose to do it more like the humble publican, and hopefully not like the Pharisee in the square (sometimes we see this on FB – “I thank God I am not like other men — extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or like > THAT PERSON”). I often see examples of this. Men/Women sadly using the mistaken argument of those who ‘practice sin’ won’t go to heaven. They always list only the ‘big’ sins, missing the obvious, that even one lie will keep us from God. So knowing it was impossible for us, God has done the work to save us. He is our righteousness, and the end of the law for those of us who believe, but not for those who are still seeking to establish their own righteousness (Rom 10:3-4).

HOW TO PRAY

We don’t always know how to pray, but remember, Romans 8:25-27 tells us the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses, makes intercession for us according to the will of God. (Praise God for that!)

Pray before acting or speaking. Trust in Him with all your heart. Lean on Him and don’t trust your own thoughts, but acknowledge Him in more of the small things you do. He will direct your paths (Pr 3:5-6 pp).

Praying in His will. Jesus knew He could pray for legions of angels to come and deliver Him, but He also accepted whatever was not His Father’s will. We pray in the same manner — His will be done.

Be persistent in your prayer as in the parable of the loaves with the friend knocking and asking at midnight to borrow 3 loaves of bread (Luke 11:5-8).

Another example starts with the reason. That we might pray always and not lose heart. This is the story of the widow with the unrighteous judge (Luke 18:1-8).

Remember this:

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Trust in His will and sufficient grace for your life

Paul had been caught up to what he called the third heaven. We assume it’s beyond our immediate heaven, beyond the outside galaxies but the place similarly to the vision John had. I can only imagine how this possibly could puff a person up with his greatness, and Paul understood that too, he knew the reason was that he not be exalted because of these revelations.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Cor 12:7-10

Praying for the one who might be reading. All that may come, that He might guide and instruct you in His Word (Pr 22:17-21; James 1:5-6).

Love in Him!