Why Did the Apostles Pray?

Part 5 of 8

The apostolic prayers presented to us within the pages of Scripture provide a much needed guide for us in our own private and corporate prayer lives. Of course, these principles are not to become a set of rigid rules, but rather an inspiration and motivation to cling to God's sovereign design and answer to that age-old question: How ought men to pray? In examining the prayers of the apostles, we've observed what the apostles prayed, how the apostles prayed, and when the apostles prayed.. Today, I simply want to see why the apostles prayed.

As we mentioned before, oftentimes men may pray just to fulfill some imposed mandate, or to ease their own consciences. However, this is not why the apostles prayed. No, they prayed not out of religious obligation, nor were their prayers spawned from a position of guilt or carnal obligation... Rather, the prayers of the apostles came out of an intense desire for God - they were a gifted response to His grand goodness!

There are many prayers of the early church recorded for us in the Bible, but for now let's simply observe three: the prayer of adoration, the prayer of supplication, and the prayer of gratitude. As we read and ponder God's design, we will observe the answers to our question: why did the apostles pray?

- Prayer of adoration - The Bible reveals to us that prayer in heaven is actually paired with worship, the "incense" or "pleasing perfume" being symbolic (Rev 8:3-5; Jn 12:1-8; etc). The Bible tells us they are offered together. Is this for no reason? Of course not. Prayer and adoration are to go hand-in-hand. Paul confirms this truth in the epistle to the church at Ephesus. His prayer was actually a method of worship. Are we surprised? It's true. He concludes his prayer by saying of Jesus, "...[God] raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph 1:20-23). Notice the mood of adoration that the end of this prayer possesses. It concludes with the recognition of King Jesus, highly enthroned above all power and principalities! Paul is simply prayerfully reminding his readers that Jesus has been wholly vested with all power, authority and dominion, which was part of His reward and triumph (Phil 2:9). In short, many of Paul's prayers were focused on the adoration and total supremacy of Jesus, the ever-precious God-Man mediator!

From what I can tell, there are at least four truths within this prayerful text which allude to the worshipful tone of its writer: (1) Christ Jesus is raised from the dead and is now present in heaven, (2) He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, (3) He has been glorified, and (4) He has been given supreme authority and power. Let us briefly observe these wondrous and worshipful truths...

Christ Jesus has been raised from the dead.. What a wonderful thought to ponder! By rescuing Jesus from the deepest pit of hell, we can be assured of the Father's acceptance of Him, and the total propitiation that has been provided for us, on His bloody behalf! What a grand reason to worship Him; what a grand reason to pray to Him! No longer do we fret death, for it has wholly lost its sting! No longer are our hearts to be occupied with the thoughts of such dreary uncertainties, for now Jesus is in heaven, ever living to make intercession for us! Why shouldn't we worship Him for it? Why shouldn't our prayers seek this suitable aim? Paul is using his prayer for the Ephesian church as an opportunity to speak and teach of such glories! Would to God that we used our speech as effectually as him. Do my prayers likewise exalt Jesus? Do the words which escape my heart upward continually press for His sole exaltation? Do I pray solely for my own end, or do I pray to bless the Lord?

He is seated at the Father's right hand.. Or, in other words, the Father has rightly given Jesus the supreme place of honor in heaven, even a dignified seat at His very side! And what occurs before this holy, heavenly throne? Adoration! Yes, outright adoration is the chief activity which consumes heaven's eternal timetable. Jesus is seated - He is resting from His finished work (Heb 1:3); His sacrificial service and suffering are ended; His work of expiation is "finished" and completed (Jn 19:30). He has now begun a new work: to administer this victory to the world; He is now "upholding all things by the word of His power" (Heb 1:3). Paul's prayers are an example for us, in this respect. His words sought to compliment these truths, to glorify the King. Why did he pray? Friends, one reason was simply to exalt and glorify the Lord of all lords - to allow his words to rightly ascribe Him glory!

He has been glorified.. Not only is Jesus resurrected from the dead and seated at the right hand of the Father, but He is also glorified as God! And as God, He is worthy to be adored. In fact, in ancient customs, to be seated was a sign of dignity and exaltation - a superior raised above his inferiors, a king upon his throne, or a judge upon his bench (Dan 7:9-10). Paul's prayer to the Ephesians alludes to such deserved honor.

He has been given supreme authority and power.. Such power is only naturally fit for Him who conquered hell, death and the grave. Such glorious dominion is the rightful possession of Him who willingly and lovingly bore the gross sin of all mankind's seed. And oh what a reason to honor Him! What a reason to utter his prayerful praises! Paul knew this great truth! Do we realize it yet? Paul knew that there is no greater use of one's tongue than to speak of God's glories, than to dictate God's great mercies! No matter the multitude of our misery, the perpetual nag of our needs or the terrible trial to be borne, any real prayer should always be directed toward the wholly deserved worship of Jesus! This is one reason why the apostles prayed, and should therefore be our focus too. What a wondrous method by which to adore God! Will prayer likewise become your tool to lavish love upon Him?

- Prayer of supplication - Unfortunately for some, the prayer of supplication is the only prayer ever uttered. How sad that some do not talk to nor commune with God unless they need something from Him! Thankfully, however, we have the pages of Scripture to reposition our ways aright, and to align our prayer with that which God's Word teaches. Yes, the prayer of supplication is needful; it is divinely accredited. But a false balance is an abomination to the Lord, while a just weight is His delight! We should of course pray to supplicate the Lord, and make our requests known unto God, but let us never abandon God's desire, for the sake of mere carnal strife and worry! Will God meet my needs? Of course He will. Let us never forsake the chief purpose of prayer: communion with Jesus!

In 2 Corinthians 13:14, Paul prays for his readers that "the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with [them] all. Amen". Would they experience such goodnesses if Paul had not asked for it? Possibly so, and the principle is present nonetheless, and is reiterated elsewhere: "ye have not, because ye ask not" (Jas 4:2). To the Philippians Paul has said, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (4:6). Jesus further alluded to this principle when He said, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Matt 7:7-8). God has simply chosen to give mankind the opportunity to partner with Him in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18), and this includes crying out to him night and day in prayer, both for ourselves, and for others (Lk 18:1-8). What a blessed honor! "Ask, and ye shall receive" (Jn 16:24), for "whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight" (1 Jn 3:22)!

- Prayer of gratitude - Because God hears the prayers of His people, a natural response is both adoration and gratitude. The apostolic prayers present to us such. Paul modeled this truth when he prayed thanks unto King Jesus for His spiritual provision: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Eph 1:3). Paul was clearly grateful for the great spiritual riches that were made his very own. These "spiritual blessings" were contrasted to those natural ones which the nation of Israel enjoyed under the Old Covenants; these blessings were temporal and material (Duet 28:1-8). Paul is here thankful for God's merciful graces toward mankind, and suitably prays as such, while instructing his readers to do the same. Shouldn't we allow our prayerful words to do likewise? Are we grateful that spiritual blessings are become our own? Such wonders are withheld from the non-elect, and actually dispose the believing heart towards thanksgiving.. It is a natural response; God's enrichment literally causes the lips of His saints to shout their joyful thanks (2 Cor 9:11)! "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" (2 Cor 9:15)! Reader, this will be our cry for the ages to come (Rev 4:9-11), so why not start now?

And so we see just a few reasons why the apostles uttered their prayers. We see the Word of God concerning this great truth, and now let's allow it to form our doctrine and practice. The apostolic prayers weren't uttered just to be seen by mere men, nor for them to be deemed super-spiritual. They weren't prayed out of carnal worry or fear. They weren't motivated by greed, nor performed for carnal desires; nor did they ask amiss, to consume it upon their own lusts (Jas 4:3). But rather, the apostolic prayers were simply an effort to meet with Jesus, and an avenue by which to bless Him. They were a tool towards adoration, a gesture of gratitude. The apostolic prayers were an opportunity to let faith arise, to make known our personal and corporate requests unto God (Phil 4:6), and to thank Him for His many goodnesses. Friends, let's pray according to the Perfect Law of Liberty; let's pray even as the apostles prayed!

To be continued...