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September 15, 2006, Vol.5, No.18.
What Is Prayer? (Part 2) Wayne Goff (via The Preceptor [April, 1985], used by permission) The following five verbs are all translated by the word "pray" and cannot be overlooked in our study. Each word is somewhat distinct from the others and makes more complete our understanding of prayer. (6) "Pray" (euchomai) is used of prayer to God and is also translated "wish" (2 Corinthians 13:9; 3 John 2, Acts 27:29; Romans 9:3). This is so because prayer is involved in one’s true wishes, as in John’s "wish" for .the beloved Gaius that he might prosper and be in health or in Paul's wish for Agrippa’s salvation. Since "wish" involves desire, craving, and longing, the Christian will involve such in his prayers to God so long as they are unfulfilled. Perhaps with this in mind, we might want to examine our wishes more closely! Consider such praying at 2 Corinthians 13:7, James 5:16, and Romans 9:3. (7) "Pray" (proseuchomai), like its kindred noun form, is the most frequently used verb in the New Testament to indicate praying. Jesus used it in His sermon on the mount (Matthew 5:44), in teaching His disciples how to pray (Matthew 6:5-9), in His parables (Luke 18:1-11, etc.), and in His own personal life the word is found (Matthew 14:23; 26:36-44; Luke 5:16; 6:12, etc.). Moreover, it is most often used for praying in the book of Acts (i.e., Acts 6:6; 8:15; 10:9, 30; 16:25; 20:36; 21:5). It is employed also in the epistles regularly (Ephesians 6:18; Colossians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:8; Hebrews 13:18; James. 5:13,14,18, for instance). The word is that of prayer in general. (8) "Pray" (erotao) is the asking or requesting of the petitioner to God. In 1 John 5:16 it is rendered "should make request" (RV). The word may even go so far as to imply strong request, such as "to beg," or "beseech." The word is used by Jesus, in requesting the Father to send another Comforter (John 14:16) and of future requests in behalf of the believers (John 16:26). Likewise it is used of Jesus in His prayer in John 17 (vv. 9,15,20). Each case in John 17 is a request of Jesus for His disciples in the world. In 1 John 5:16 the word is found also. Hence, it would appear that this word, as it is used in reference to prayer, involves, intercession, asking something of God for others. (9) "Pray" (deomai) carries with it the idea of desiring, wanting due to lack, longing for, and consequently to ask or beg for the thing desired. Jesus so prayed for Peter (Luke 22:32) and likewise admonished His disciples to pray for laborers of the harvest of souls (Matthew 9:38) and for escape from life’s temptations (Luke 21:36). Similarly, Peter employed the term in admonishing Simon the Sorcerer to repent (Acts 8:22), and Simon complied (v. 24). Cornelius so prayed to God always (Acts 10:2). Paul so begged God exceedingly that he might see the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 3:10). Such examples show us what prayer is from this standpoint, and thus how we should pray too. (10) "Pray" (parakaleo) literally means to call to one’s aid, and is rendered pray at Matthew 26:53; Mark 5:17,18; Acts 16:9; 24:4; 27:34. Christ could have so called upon the Father for 12 legions of angels. The man of Macedonia, in Paul’s vision, called for Paul’s aid in receiving the gospel (Acts 16:9). So it is a calling upon God for divine aid in that which otherwise would not be accomplished that is emphasized by this word.. Yet another verb is used in the New Testament pertaining to praying, and it is the word "As" (aiteo). It is found in Matthew 7:7-10, where Jesus teaches us to ask God that He might bless out of His great and matchless goodness. Paul engages this word in his epistles (Ephesians 3:20; Colossians 1:9). It appears in the book of James at 1:5, 6 and 4:2,3. The apostle John uses it five times in his first epistle (3:22; 5:14, 15 (twice), 16). Vine says that this word "more frequently suggests the attitude of a suppliant, the petition of one who is lesser in position than he to whom the petition is made." Nonetheless, asking still remains an aspect or characteristic of prayer. In our asking, let us be sure to ask in reverence and humility, with God’s will not only in mind, but as our guide in prayer. Notice also that "petitions" (l John 5:15); and "requests" (Philippians 4:6) come from this word at these two references. We have noted already that prayer is worship to God as much as it is a privilege and blessing to the suppliant. It is not surprising then to notice certain prayers in the Bible contain words of praise and adoration to God. This, too, is an aspect of prayer, and one that is most deserving of attention. Notable among such prayers include Hannah’s prayer (1 Samuel 2:1-10) and a prayer of Paul (Ephesians 3:14-21). The Psalms likewise contain admixtures of thanksgiving, adoration, and praise in prayer-like song. A Brief History of Prayer in The Bible Prayer, generally, had its beginning when "men began to call upon the name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26; 12:8; 21:3). The patriarchs’ prayers were simple, direct and famliar. They sought to obtain divine blessings and needs and on at least one occasion, to intercede for others (cf. 15:2ff; 17:18; 18:23ff; 24:12). Often, these patriarchal prayers were associated, with sacrifice (12:8; 13:4; 26:25) ,apparently to help obtain God’s favor. Jacob’s vow (Genesis 8:20-22) might be considered a prayer in which he offered his devotion to God in turn for his own personal safety. As time and history progressed, prayer under the Mosaical period maintained much of its original characteristics of simplicity and familiarity (Numbers11:11-15; Judges 6:13ff; 1 Samuel 1:111ff; 2 Samuel 15:8ff,etc.). Questionings, pleadings, bargainings (?), and vows were all much a part of the prayers still as men poured out their heart’s desires. Sacrifice continued to be offered with prayer (cf. Deuteronomy 21:1-9) in order to expiate guilt and as thanks for such past mercies (Deuteronomy 26:1-11). Yet, gradually, mediation on the past of the priests under the Mosaical law appeared to supercede the less formal, direct, and simple prayers. Prophets were found to mediate as well (Exodus 32:11-13; 1 Samuel 7:5-13; 12:23). And, as national apostasy ebbed and flowed, so did prayer in the lives of Israel’s citizens, till meaningful prayer was all but lost. However, through the exile came a new spiritual path of prayer to God due to the loss of Temple access. Some of the most powerful prayers in all the Old Testament were those of Ezra (Ezra 7:27; 8:23), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 2:4; 4:4, 9) and Daniel (Daniel 6:10).Prayer once more held a large place in the individual lives of God’s people. In the Psalms are preserved some of the highest flights of the spirit of prayer, offered usually by one after God’s own heart. The intense craving for pardon, purity and right standing before God were penned by David (Psalms 51; 63; etc.). "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is" (Psalm 63:1). "Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy" (Psalm 64:1). Such words show the deep humility of lowly man before His great Creator, and yet there is an earnest longing for a living communion with God Himself! Through such words one sees the importance of prayer in developing a right attitude between man and God, not to mention the wonderful blessings given in turn by God! As history unfolded down to the Fulness of Times, Jesus Christ revealed prayer in a manner unprecedented. As noted as the beginning of this article, Jesus depicted prayer as a simple, child-like request to a loving, dear Father. Child-like subjection and dependence upon the Heavenly Father typified Jesus’ prayers and His teaching on prayer. Always confident of Fatherly attention and response (Matthew 7:7-11; 21:22), Jesus showed us prayer at its highest level - an intimate and trustful approach to God, with reverence and subjection in its rightful place. Thus to spiritual Israel are penned the words of admonition, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." And why not, for Jesus has paved the way from earth to heaven, both in life and in prayer. He has shown us the way to pray and what prayer is. As our present High Priest, He succors us that we might "come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16) The prayers of godly men and women in ages past give us insight to their approach to God and encourage us to develop our thoughts and lives in such a way that prayer becomes a natural response to the God we love and serve already, beseeching His divine forgiveness, aid, and consolation, when we have done all that we can. May we never forget the praise, honor, and glory due His name as we worship God with the fruit of our lips. May this study instill in us all a desire to see God through the avenue of approved prayer.
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