Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Eucheology: Towards A Theology of Prayer


The theology behind prayer should help Disciples see the basis for 
a life of prayer

Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him 
with whom we have to do. 
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points 
tempted as we are, yet without sin. 
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

     95 verses in the Bible mention pray or prayer. Some things you can tell are important from the intrinsic meaning, others from the frequency. Prayer is important both ways. God wants to have fellowship with men and women, His creation. That is clear from the very first chapter of the bible.

     Once, Martin Luther was sitting at his dinner table and his dog was there staring up at a plate of meat with his mouth open. Luther said, Oh I wish I came to prayer like this dog came to the table. His eyes were on the meat and there wasn’t another thought in his mind.
Wouldn’t that be nice? To have that kind of focus and hunger when we pray? How many of you spend an hour a day in that kind of intense prayer? Yeah, I don’t have my hand up either!

     But having a good understanding of the theology behind prayer can help us. After all, we practice what we truly believe, don’t we.  Ever thought of that? We practice what we truly believe! So what we believe is important. 
Do people who do not believe in God pray? No, of course not. 

What would you say about the person who claims to be an atheist and then prays when times get tough? I’d say he doesn’t really believe there is no God! What about the person who says God answers prayer, but then he NEVER prays? I’d say he doesn’t Really believe God answers prayer.

You see what you believe matters!

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