There are many types of prayers, such as thanksgiving, praise, intercession, petition, and others.  In last class, we focused on petitions, meaning “asking God for something.”  Most of these types of prayers fit the pagan genre.  Common elements of this genre are:

1.        Asking for power (prestige, wealth and/or means).

2.        Seeking pleasure (indulgences, comfort, etc.).

3.        Asking for a problem to be solved (health, job loss, find a spouse, etc.).

4.        Quid-Pro-Quo bargaining (If you do X, I will do Y).

5.        Devoid of moral issues.

6.        Morally agnostic (no sense of right and wrong).

7.        Offensive in nature (cursing enemies; praying for misfortune).

8.        Invoking various rituals, such as altars, tokens, etc.

Heresies such as Self-help, Christian Science, the Prosperity Gospel, and Kabala fit nearly all, if not all, of these 4000+ year old pagan prayer characteristics.  Unfortunately, when we examine our own prayer lives, we may find that our prayers fit the same pagan style.  Clearly, God does not want us to pray as the pagans do.

How should we petition God?  From the passages we examined yesterday, here are some general conclusions:

1.        God honors the petitions of those in covenant relationship with Him.  What this means is that God relates to the petitioner through Covenant.  In the Old Testament, this often meant the Sinai Covenant.  In the current era, this primarily means the New Covenant, although in certain cases, the Noahic Covenant is applicable (petitioning God for justice).  Therefore, before we approach God, we should examine ourselves to determine if we are living in Covenant relationship.  In the current era, this includes participating in the ministry of the Church and being subject to Christ’s authority.  We can only ask for that which God has promised through Covenant.

2.        Are we confessing our sins and declaring that God’s judgments are right?  Unlike pagan prayers which are devoid of moral issues, Christian prayers have a solid moral center.  In both the Old and New Testaments, believers are always confessing their sins and vindicating God’s righteous decrees before petitioning God for anything.  In addition to confession, we should also seek to be at peace with everyone, particularly with other members of the Church.  Are we remaining in Covenant with Christ?

3.        How should we pray?  As we found in the prayers we studied, God always delivers on His promises.  The ESV reads “… when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” [Matthew 6:6].  A better alternative to “reward” is “contractually pay.”  What this means is that God will answer our prayers in terms of contractual payments.  In other words, God is fulfilling the covenant prayer petitions of His covenant people.  God always honors the covenant and delivers that which He has promised.

4.        What should we pray for?  In the New Covenant, we should pray for the Holy Spirit and Its Fruits and Gifts for building up the body of Christ.  Through Christ, God is intent on giving us His Holy Spirit if we ask Him for it [Luke 11:13].  Thus, if we ask in faith, God will give us His Holy Spirit and Its Gifts, if we ask Him [James 1].

5.        All prayers should glorify God and submit to His will.

So, what does this mean?  Instead of asking God for a job, perhaps we should ask God for wisdom and discernment?  Instead of asking for health, perhaps we should ask for grace?  Instead of praying for a spouse, perhaps we should pray for the ability to love others, regardless of how different they are from us.  To this end, should constantly ask God for the fruits and gifts of the Spirit, especially towards the building up of the Church, the body of Christ.  Within this biblical theology of prayer petition, you may find that your prayer life may change.  I hope that you will find all your petitions answered and realize that “God gives generously to all without reproach” [James 1:5].  

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Take care, In Christ, Marty