"All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive." The word "ask", in Matthew 21:22, is rendered "desire" in Mark 11:24, "begged" in Matthew 27:58, "Petitions" in 1 John 5:15, and "requests" in Phil. 4:6. The Greek word and its cognate are found altogether in some seventy-four passages, and their usage suggests the though of need expressed in definite request, and there is also the further suggestion of the difference between the supplicant who asks a favor and the one who grants it. Unless the heart of desire moves the lips of petition, we pray to no purpose. On the other hand, the inward desire without petition is sometimes the most potent in its pleading.
"Prayer is the soul's sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast."
When Hannah was praying in the temple, we read that she spake in her heart, only her lips moved but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was under the influence of drink, and rebuked her accordingly; whereupon she replied, "I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord." When Eli heard this he said to her, "Go in peace and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:9-17). Her moving lips were thought to be the mutterings of a daughter of Belial, as Eli judged, but he did not see the moved heart of earnest prayer beneath the surface. As a man thinketh in her heart, so is he, and as a man prayeth in his heart, so God estimates the real worth of the prayer.
The consecrated Petitioner Prays a Petition which Evidences His Consecration.
The consecration of prayer is suggested by two Greek words "proseuche" and "proseuchomai" which occur 125 times. These words indicate the condition of the one who prays. They convey more than mere asking; they suggest that the one who prays is right with the Lord. They are restricted to prayer to God. Sometimes they suggest the place of prayer (Luke 19:46), as being a place set apart for that purpose. The first word is a compound word, one part meaning a vow and the other signifying a turning towards; therefore it is an attitude of worship as expressed by prayer.
When we remember there can be no worship without being in communion with the Lord, we can see that consecration is an essential element in effectual prayer. Take but three instances where the word occurs. Of Christ it is said, "As He prayed," He was transfigured (Luke 9:29). The glory of the Christ was latent in Him before He prayed, but the praying caused the glory to become patent. The church of Antioch were able to send forth Paul and Barnabas on their great missionary journey because they had "fasted and prayed." The church could act in a right way towards them because they were right with the Lord (Acts 13:1-3). It is not any one that will do to pray over the sick; hence the elders of the church are named as those who pray over the sick one (James 5:14), which presupposes that the elders are not only men of experience in the things of the Lord, but those who are in close touch with Him. Hence "the prayer of faith saves the sick". This implies that there is the faithfulness of a consistent life; for no one ever yet prayed the prayer of faith who had not behind it the life of faithfulness.
To be right with the Lord, is sure to secure blessing from the Lord.
The Help of Prayer is Expressed in the Help Which Comes in Response to its Cry.
The man out of whom Christ cast the legion of demons "prayed that he might be with Him" (Mark 5:18). The Greek word rendered "prayed" in the above passage means "to call beside one", that something may be done, or said. It is rendered "besought" three times, in Luke 8:31, 32, 41. The demons prayed that Christ would not allow them to go into the "abyss", but suffer them to go into the herd of swine; and Jairus pleaded with Christ to go with Him to heal his daughter. Paul uses the word in indicating that the aim of true ministry is to "beseech" men to be reconciled to God; and the same word is given in 2 Corinthians 1:4, "comforteth," when Paul speaks of the comfort which the Lord gives to His own afflicted ones.
Here is a great fact, no one ever called to Christ to come near to assist but that He responded. The centurion was found at His feet "beseeching Him' (Matthew 8:5) to heal his servant, and at once Christ said, "I will come and heal him." The multitude "besought" Him that they might touch Him to their healing, and as many as touched Him were healed (Mark 6:56). The leper came "beseeching Him" for cleansing, and at once He said, "I will; be thou clean" (Mark 1:40). The friends of the deaf man "beseech Him" to cure him, and immediately He says to the deaf ears, "Be opened" (Mark 7:32). The blind man is brought to Him, and they "besought Him" to touch him, which He did to the restoration of his sight. We have to do with the same Christ, and whether for ourselves, or others, we may be sure He will come near and do as we wish.
The Help of Prayer is Expressed in the Help Which Comes in Response to its Cry.
The man out of whom Christ cast the legion of demons "prayed that he might be with Him" (Mark 5:18). The Greek word rendered "prayed" in the above passage means "to call beside one", that something may be done, or said. It is rendered "besought" three times, in Luke 8:31, 32, 41. The demons prayed that Christ would not allow them to go into the "abyss", but suffer them to go into the herd of swine; and Jairus pleaded with Christ to go with Him to heal his daughter. Paul uses the word in indicating that the aim of true ministry is to "beseech" men to be reconciled to God; and the same word is given in 2 Corinthians 1:4, "comforteth," when Paul speaks of the comfort which the Lord gives to His own afflicted ones.
Here is a great fact, no one ever called to Christ to come near to assist but that He responded. The centurion was found at His feet "beseeching Him' (Matthew 8:5) to heal his servant, and at once Christ said, "I will come and heal him." The multitude "besought" Him that they might touch Him to their healing, and as many as touched Him were healed (Mark 6:56). The leper came "beseeching Him" for cleansing, and at once He said, "I will; be thou clean" (Mark 1:40). The friends of the deaf man "beseech Him" to cure him, and immediately He says to the deaf ears, "Be opened" (Mark 7:32). The blind man is brought to Him, and they "besought Him" to touch him, which He did to the restoration of his sight. We have to do with the same Christ, and whether for ourselves, or others, we may be sure He will come near and do as we wish.
"More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
For what are men better than sheep and goats
That nourish a blind life with the brain,
If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
Both for themselves and those who call them friend?
For so the whole world round is every way
Bound by gold chains about the feet of God."
We may find others about "the feet of God." Let us therefore prize this ministry, and exercise it continually, for there is no service valued so much in heaven as this, nor any other which brings such benefit to men and help to the suppliant.
~F. E. Marsh~
(continued with # 5)
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