Are the CRCA churches powerful praying communities

TROWEL & SWORD

Are the CRCA churches powerful praying communities

Rev. J. Joubert

What does Scripture teach about prayer? What does it mean to be a praying community? How much power do our prayers have? In order to answer these questions we need to study the Word of God.

There are many excellent biblical examples of people of prayer. I am thinking for instance of Solomon (1 Kings 8:22-53), Job (Job 22:21-30), Isaiah (Is 59), Jeremiah (Jer 7:16-29, 15:1, 29:1-7), and in Mark 11:20-25 we find the reference to the withered fig tree and Jesus’ comment that links what happened there to the power of prayer.

This passage has often been used to motivate strange gospels e.g., the prosperity gospel. However, these usages do not nullify the reality that Jesus wished to address - Jesus used the withering of the fig tree as an example of the results of believing prayer (23). But it also shows that we cannot pray in faith for anything that we like. In this matter, Jesus was ‘thinking God’s thoughts after him’ and willing his father’s will. That sort of prayer, if asked in faith, will always be answered, for it is praying for God’s will to be done (as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane). ‘Moving mountains’ was a phrase used by the rabbis to describe overcoming seemingly impossible difficulties. We must not of course take it in the literal sense. We can only move the mountains that God wants removed, not those that we want moved. If we pray in this way, we can give thanks for the result before we see it, for the answer is sure in the will and purpose of God.

An Old Testament example: Elijah’s prayers

Elijah was an important and special prophet. We find references to his prayers in both the Old and New Testaments. I would like to use the example of his prayer for a drought. Elijah told Ahab that he is going to pray for a drought and that the drought would continue till he prays for rain. (1 Kings 17:1) Elijah prayed according to God’s will. (1 Kings 18:1) Elijah obeyed God. (1 Kings 18:41-45) God answered Elijah’s prayer because his intention was to teach Israel through the drought not to worship the fertility gods Baal and Ashtoreth. They had to learn to admit that Yahweh is the only living God and that He alone is in control of the elements.

Although Jesus emphasised a totally different point he too referred to Elijah’s prayer life. (Luke 4:25) James also referred to this praying prophet. (James 5:16-18)

Taking all of this into consideration it seems that intercession is based on the understanding that God can intervene in the lives of people in a very powerful way. We can scarcely comprehend the power of these fervent prayers and people sometimes think that only special people can pray this way. But James reminds us that Elijah was a man just like us, implying that every believer can be a serious intercessor and the prayers of every believer are as powerful as those of Elijah.

If the prayers of believers are so powerful how long should we intercede for the same issue?

Scripture gives us the following indicators:

Genesis 18:16-33 reminds us to continue to risk talking to God.
1 Samuel 12 reminds us to continue to intercede even when people wilfully choose to sin. Samuel decided not to sin by stopping to intercede for the rebellious Israelites (1 Sam 12:23).
In Matthew 7:7-12 Jesus gave his disciples a golden rule regarding prayer – to ask, seek and knock. In Greek they are present imperatives and carry the force of “keep on asking ... seeking ... knocking.” In other words, we need to continue petitioning God with an expectant attitude.
In Luke 18:1-8 we find Jesus’ parable of the determined widow to express the principle of persistent prayer.
And in Acts 12:1-17 we find the account of Peter’s arrest and the strenuous continual and intense prayers of the assembly and Peter’s miraculous release from prison.

Scripture clearly emphasises the importance of persistence in intercession. How long should we pray regarding a specific issue? Until we receive a clear answer! The aforementioned passages indicate clearly that recurring requests in intercession are not an empty repetition of words but an awareness of the desperate need of people and a constant acknowledgement of the all-powerfulness of God – we pray without ceasing because we know that God can do something about the situation we are praying for.

What do we know about Jesus’ prayer life?

According to Luke 11:1-4 Jesus’ disciples observed Jesus’ prayer life in practice and it caused them to ask him to teach them to pray like that as well. But what do we know about Jesus’ prayer life?

In Luke 6:12-16 Scripture reveals that Jesus often spent a whole night in prayer.
In Luke 9:28-36 we find the awesome account of Jesus’ transfiguration that occurred while He was spending time in fervent prayer.
In Matthew 19:13-15 we learn that he prayed for those who couldn’t intercede for themselves.
In Luke 23:32-38 he taught his disciples to pray even for their enemies.
In John 14:15-21 Jesus promised to ask for another Paraclete like himself to be with his disciples.

But the prayer of Jesus that intrigues me most is the prayer given in John 17.

What do we learn from John 17?

We learn from this prayer that if we want to follow in Jesus’ footsteps, God’s glory should always be a central theme in our prayers. We learn that the petitions of this prayer are fully purpose driven. It is not self-oriented. Even when Jesus focused on glorifying the Son in his mission to the world, it is clear that this is a focus on honouring the Father. When we bring our missions to God in prayer we should have the same clear focus – the honour/glory of God. As Jesus anticipated the cross, he could review his incarnation and speak of bringing glory to God by completing or fulfilling his assigned work. If Jesus placed so much emphasis on this aspect how much more should we not do it as well?

This prayer reveals that the disciples have become a strategic link in God’s work. The passage states that they have kept/obeyed “your (the Father’s) word.” The verb is in the perfect tense, indicating the continuing implications of their obedience. Jesus had been transferring to the disciples the “words” he was given by God. The implication is clearly that the words of Jesus were revealed words from the Father. The disciples had received or accepted these revealed words. The disciples “knew with certainty” that Jesus came from God. And they believed that he was on a mission, sent directly by the Father. As followers of Jesus his mission became their mission and in accepting their mission they became God’s representatives in this world. Therefore is clear that Jesus’ prayer for the disciples is actually a prayer for the continuance of God’s work. When we pray for the followers of Jesus, is this also our focus – the continuance of God’s work?

This prayer reveals that Jesus did not claim ownership of the disciples. Instead, he said that they belonged to the Father: “They are yours.” Do we have the same attitude? If we had the same perspective as Jesus, we would not make statements such as: “my church,” “my people,” and “my things”; but we would be speaking about “God’s church,” “God’s people,” and “God’s things,” which the Lord has loaned or given to us. When Christians start to reflect this spirit, their lives actually begin to confirm the transformation or renewal about which they so often speak convincingly.

Jesus prays for his disciples’ protection as God’s representatives. Like Jesus, we are to leave the results of our lives to God. We are not to boast about ourselves or focus attention on ourselves because the goal of our lives is to honour God in Christ Jesus. The prayer of Jesus was not for God to send rescue teams to evacuate the disciples from their hostile setting in the world. Nor was it to wrap them in some synthetic, danger-free safety casing where they would never encounter evil. Similar to what Jesus’ prayer model given in Luke 11 teaches, Jesus prayer request in John 17 was to protect them from capitulating to the assault of evil or the evil one. Again, this prayer makes it clear that the request for their protection was not for their sake, but for the sake of God’s mission.

Jesus’ John 17 prayer is a prayer for the holiness of the disciples based on truth. Jesus understood inauthenticity in religion, and he prayed that such a lack of integrity might not be present in his disciples. Holiness is not merely a human achievement; it is to be understood as an act of God in setting apart a people to be like God. Therefore Jesus’ petition is for the Father to sanctify the disciples just as he earlier sanctified and sent Jesus. Why was Jesus sanctified? So that he could fulfil his mission. To obey the will of the Father and to die as the ultimate sacrifice for the salvation of humanity was Jesus’ mission. Disciples are likewise called to a mission of not only proclaiming this truth but also of living and dying for this truth in their own consecrations.

This prayer emphasises that we should not only focus on our needs, but even more so on the needs of others. The good news was not intended to be held exclusively by the first disciples. It was to be shared with succeeding generations of disciples. This prayer, therefore, is also a mandate to mission and to making new disciples. Jesus communication with the Father through this prayer reveals that the Father is the One who make the things happen that Jesus is praying for.

In this prayer Jesus expresses his hearts longing. That longing is for the disciples, those whom the Father gave him, to witness firsthand the ultimate reality of who Jesus is. Jesus prays that self-giving love would become the righteous means God would continue to use in achieving his mission – to bring the whole world to submission. How would this happen? By following the way of Jesus.

Living almost 2000 years later we have the privilege to see that Jesus’ prayers were constantly answered. Why were they answered? In Hebrews 5:1-10 we are told that his prayers were heard because of his reverent submission. Maybe this is another lesson that we should learn if we want to become powerful praying communities.

What should we pray for as powerful intercessory communities?

Scripture is clear about the fact that we should pray for our own people as well as others.

According to Romans 9:30-10-4 it is evident that Paul loved his own people passionately. He prayed for their salvation. He prayed that they would come to the right understanding of God’s grace.
1 Timothy 2:1-8 shares the other perspective – Paul urges, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Why? Because to do this is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
We should also bring issues to God in prayer.
According to 2 Corinthians 13:7-9 we should pray for spiritual maturity.
In Philippians 1:9-11 Paul prayed that the believers’ love will “keep on growing more and more… for the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11, GNT)
Colossians 1:9-11 reveals that we should pray for knowledge of God’s will, spiritual wisdom and understanding so that we can endure with patience and joy whatever comes our way.
In Ephesians 3:14-21 Paul asked God to give believers inner strength through his Spirit so that they can live as God’s holy people in Christ, filled with Christ’s love. What an awesome thing to pray for others!
Is there anything more we can ask for in prayer that will reveal that we are really powerful and passionate praying communities? I would like to mention one last issue: that we should pray for kingdom workers that will reap the King’s harvest. (See Matthew 9:35-10:4, NIV) Even today there is great need for “harvesters”. There are currently about 300 000 missionaries to reach a world population of 6 000 000 000 (1 missionary for every 20 000). This prayer for kingdom workers is something that should be close to the heart of every believer. How can we pray, “May your kingdom come” if we don’t pray for workers to bring in the King’s harvest? How can we pray, “May your kingdom come, your will de done” if we are not willing to submit ourselves to the King and become those harvesters ourselves?

Don’t you think that we as a denomination should be as passionate about prayer as Jesus and Paul? Don’t you think that God’s mission in Australia will be advanced if our churches become passionate intercessory communities? With all of my heart I do…

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