How Did the Apostles Pray?

Part 3 of 8

As we saw yesterday, the focus and direction of the apostolic prayers were primarily geared toward spiritual wants and needs, rather than mere natural ones. Very little were their energies directed upon that which was natural, earthly and perishing. Eternity was present in their hearts! Rather than beseeching God for material gains and carnal comforts, we find them instead longing for spiritual enlightenment, brotherly love, patience, the fruits of righteousness, peace, and the like. We said that this interesting omission of earthly requests may simply be because their faith had elevated to such a degree that it became trustful assurance in the God of their provision; No longer were they to fret over man's natural needs in life. Once we've seen any real glimpse of God in His glory, such relative insignificance's seem to fade into the background. Our zeal becomes redirected off of ourselves, and onto the Prize which we are seeking.

Today, I want to observe another aspect of the prayers of the apostles: How did the apostles pray? The method and practice which was continually implemented is a seed-bed of instruction for us. Observe...

- Prayer and praise - As I mentioned yesterday, the apostolic prayers were made "with thanksgiving" (Phil 4:6). Prayer was befittingly mixed with praise. Let's see just one example: "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me" (Rom 1:8-12). I love how Paul says, "first" I thank my God. Praise was his very first utterance. His petitions only followed. Over and over, we see the apostles hearts drawn out in utter gratitude to God for the countless, wondrous things He had done for His people, and this emboldened them to seek the manifestation of further gifts and graces! If we have not owned the goodness and grace of God for previous mercies,can we expect Him to continue bestowing them upon the ungrateful?

The diligent student cannot help but notice how often the apostle Paul blended thanksgiving with petition:

To the Corinthians: "I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ..." (1:4).

To the Ephesians: "Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers..." (1:15-16).

To the Philippians: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you..." (1:3).

To the Colossians: "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you..." (1:3).

To the Thessalonians: "We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers..." (1:2).

To Philemon: "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers..." (1:4).

Remember that these examples have been recorded for our learning. Perhaps the ignorance of some of these truths are reasons why so many prayers seem to remain unanswered? Prayer and petition, thanksgiving and adoration, should ever be conjoined! "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving" (Col 4:2).

- Prayer and instruction - As gifted teachers, it seems the early apostles never missed an opportunity to impart some measure of divine wisdom. This is the case with their recorded prayers too. In part of the Roman epistle, for example, Paul instructs his readers against their many biases and prejudices, while at the same time praying to God for His power to help them overcome their evils. He taught them to love, and he prayed for such love to spring up in their hearts. Prayer and instruction are consistently intermingled. Observe...

Paul's letter to the Romans found itself in the hands of 2 classes of people: Gentile converts, and Jewish Christians. The Gentile converts (along with several "enlightened" Jewish Christians) rightly viewed the Mosaic covenant as annulled by the new and better covenant. The majority of Jewish Christians, on the other hand, held firm their position that the Mosaic law could not and would not be repealed, and they therefore continued zealous for it - not only personally observing it's many ceremonial requirements (specifically concerning "unclean meats" and "holy days"), but also striving to impose these carnal duties upon the newly saved Gentile Christians. Naturally, this opposition would create quite a stir, and prejudices would be somewhat automatic between the 2 classes.

Therefore, being the father that he was, Paul's heart overflowed with prayerful teaching on this matter: "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God" (Rom 15:5-7).

Paul's duty was to not only pray for brotherly love to be cultivated, but to teach brotherly love as well! In doing so, he showed them that the Kingdom of God is not in meat and drink, but in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Rom 14:17)! If a man serve Christ in these matters, then he is acceptable to God, and therefore should be approved of men (Rom 14:18). Paul taught his readers to follow after edification, to flee from such biases, and "for meat destroy not the work of God" (Rom 14:20). And why so? Because the Kingdom of God, under the Gospel dispensation, does not consist of such comparative trivialities as using or abstaining from meat and drink (or other indifferent things). In fact, it gives no rule either one way or the other (Rom 14:22-23). While the Jewish religion did in fact consist of such regulations (Heb 9:10), Christianity consists of something infinitely more important and valuable. Let us not be guilty of the sin of the Pharisees, who paid tithes of "mint and anise" but "omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy and faith" (Matt 23:23)! Would that our modern prayers were as weighty and powerful as Paul's! Would that Gospel instruction were squeezed into every word that we uttered! Would that we not only prayed for brotherly love, but taught our people to love too! It would surely make a world of difference.

- "My God" - Finally, it would benefit us to observe the language Paul and others habitually used. How did they address absolute majesty? Was God One who was infinitely removed, unrelated, unconcerned, and far too lofty to be befriended? Of course not! Paul's language implies otherwise. In praying, he repeatedly addressed Him as "my God" (Rom 1:8; 1 Cor 1:4; 14:18; 2 Cor 12:21; Phil 1:3; 4:19; and Phm 1:4). Reader, this was a loving avowal of covenant relationship. The promise was and is, "I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people" (Heb 8:10; Jer 24:7; 31:33; Gen 17:7; Exod 6:7). Most characters of Scripture knew this great truth! God isn't a God who enjoys standing afar off, but is one who created mankind for His pleasure (Rev 4:11; Prov 16:4; Rom 11:36), and for His pleasure created a covenant.. And on this sturdy ground are prayers to be intimately made, and communication is to remain open. This intimate title is confirmed by many throughout Scripture, including Moses and the children of Israel: "The Lord is my strength and song, and He is become my salvation: He is my God" (Exod 15:2)... David: "Oh God, Thou art my God" (Ps 63:1)... Caleb (Josh 14:8).... Ruth (1:16)... Nehemiah (6:14)... Daniel (9:4, 19)... And Jonah (2:6). These and others consistently sought out the God of the universe as "my God", a God of true covenant intimacy, and personal love - a God who is near! Shouldn't we take heed and do the same? Yes, for this is how the apostles prayed!

To be continued...