To many in the world, and in the church, the subject of prayer is confusing - and misunderstood. Many pray because only because it is a command of us, and not because we have a real desire to, or because we see it as a real privilege. Many of us only pray because we have a need. So many of us are not getting the full benefit of a profitable prayer life. How do we get this? We must look to Jesus' example.
Using Mark 14:32-36 as our reference, let's look at 4 components to a successful prayer life:
Mark 14
32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.1) Jesus had intimacy in His prayers with God.
He said "Abba, Father." Abba is a Syrian word which means father. We may equate it in our language to "daddy" or "papa." Christ had a close relationship with God, and we can as well. God wants us to speak to him with reverence and respect, but also with intimacy, knowing and trusting that God hears our desires and concerns.2) Jesus went to God in faith.
We can and should have faith that God can do all things (Hebrews 11:6).Examples of faith:
Joshua (Joshua 6:1-5). Had not Joshua had total faith in God, the city of Jericho would not have been taken.
The foretelling of Christ's birth (Luke 1:26-34). Mary had full faith in God that what He had told her would actually occur.Has our faith possibly slipped because of lack of Bible study? Let us remember that faith in God and serious Bible study go hand in hand.
3) Jesus had boldness in His prayers to God.
Jesus knew God's will, yet He did not want to die, so He asked boldly to take the coming suffering away from Him. He asked that the "cup" be taken from Him. We can be just as bold before God. (Hebrews 4:14-16).Examples of boldness:
Moses came to God with boldness on behalf of the Israelites (Exodus 32:30-33).
Job was bold before God in questioning God about his great trials.
Paul, who had been given a "thorn in the flesh," boldly asked God three times to remove this obstacle. Though the Lord denied his request, it did not prevent Paul's boldness in taking his concerns to Him (2 Corinthians 12:7,8)4) Jesus knew that God's will only would be done.
He had submission to God. We should do the same, always asking that the Lord's will be done in our lives. When God said "no" to Jesus' prayer, He said "yes" to each one of us. He knew what was best for the world in giving the great sacrifice of His only Son.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Joshua 6:1-5
1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.
4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.Luke 1:26-34
26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.Exodus 32:30-33
30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.2 Corinthians 12:7,8
7 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.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
