From the recording 77 Lessons of Life #12-22
Lyrics
Lesson 14 of 77
Effective Prayer
{Lessons 32, 47, 57}
By Lawrence DeMetrius
Apostle John notes in his report a man whose sight was miraculously restored by Jesus Christ. Those who desired to defame Christ downplayed the man’s healing by questioning Christ’s origin. The man’s reply not only addressed the minuscule attempt to defame Christ, but emphasized the idea that Yahweh only hears the prayers of those who worship HIM and are committed to the fulfillment of HIS will. Apostle John writes,
Now we know that GOD heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of GOD, and doeth HIS WILL, him HE heareth.
[Jn 9:31]
Let one consider the ancient Greek definition of keywords in this statement.
*know Gk #1492 eido (i-do) it means to…
• see, know and be aware
• behold, consider and have knowledge
• look on, perceive, be sure and understand
*heareth Gk #191 akouo (ak-oo-o) it means to…
o hear, give in the audience to and come to the ears
o shall hear, hearken, be reported and understand
There is no dialogue between God and the carnal mind because it is not and cannot be subject to HIS rule. Apostle Paul writes,
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
[Rm 8:6-8]
Therefore, anyone who lives according to the dictates of their carnal mind is unable to nurture a favorable relationship with Yahweh. This is why the carnal mind must be cast down and brought into captivity to Christ the Word, active within the spiritually renewed mind. Apostle Paul writes,
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the mind of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
[II Cor 4:3, 4]
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
[II Cor 10:4, 5]
When Christ the Light shines in darkness, darkness flees because it cannot embrace Him. Those who remain captive to the carnal mind will die thereby. Apostle John writes,
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
[St Jn 1:5]
The Lord Jesus said,
I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins.
[Jn 8:12, 24]
*sinners Gk #268 hamartolos (ham-ar-to-los) it refers to…
• being filled with sin
• spiritually unregenerate sinners
Apostle John writes,
He was in the world, and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not.
He came unto His Own, and His Own received Him not.
But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name:
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
[St Jn 1:11-13]
The Lord Jesus explained to Nicodemus in regard to being born-again,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
[St Jn 3:3, 5-7]
*worshipper Gk #2318 theosebes (theh-os-eb-ace) it means to be…
• reverent toward Yahweh, which is…
o to be deeply respectful
o a feeling, exhibiting, or characterized by reverence which is…
a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe
the outward manifestation of this feeling
a gesture indicative of deep respect
• pious, which is…
o having or showing a dutiful spirit of reverence toward Yahweh or an earnest wish to fulfill religious obligations
o to be of or relating to religious devotion
o to be sacred rather than secular
*doeth Gk #4160 poieo (poy-eh-o) it means to make and do
*will Gk #2307 thelema (thel-ay-mah) it is…
• a determination, the thing determined and a choice
• purpose, decree and volition, which is the…
o act of willing, choosing, or resolving
o exercise of will, a choice or decision made by the will
o power of willing and will itself
• inclination, which is a…
o disposition, especially of the mind or will and a liking
o preference and something to which one is inclined
o act of inclining and the state of being inclined
o tendency toward a certain condition and action
It would make no sense for Yahweh to acknowledge the prayer of one whose heart is not whole toward HIM and who chooses to remain subject to their carnal mind. To do so would go against HIS OWN WILL and order. Perhaps this is why acknowledgement of Yahweh’s WILL, and repentance of anything contrary to it, are primary elements of the prayer formula given by Christ. This formula of prayer is the key to getting one’s prayer acknowledged and granted by the LORD. Apostle John writes,
And whatsoever we ask, we receive of HIM, because we keep HIS commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in HIS sight.
[I Jn 3:22]
For this is the love of God, that we keep HIS commandments: and HIS commandments are not grievous.
And this is the confidence that we have in HIM, that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE heareth us:
And if we know that HE hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM.
[I Jn 5:3, 14, 15]
Embracing the idea that Yahweh can be embellished by doubleminded people is not a new concept. This belief was had by people of ancient times, namely during periods when Yahweh’s appointed teachers failed to effectively expound upon HIS principles or disregarded them all together. At times, even they were secretly engaged in gross idolatry, sorcery, and witchcraft.
The LORD addressed those who attended HIS temples for worship, but who also frequented temples of idols. This practice has gone on for many generations, even till this day, despite the abundant teaching of divine principles that are being taught by true worshipers, who are teachers of GOD. The LORD said through Prophet Hosea to the fallen teachers of his day,
MY people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee that thou shalt be no priest to ME: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
[Hos 4:6]
Prophet Jeremiah writes regarding the Church going hypocrites of his day,
The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
Stand in the gate of the LORD’S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD.
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.
Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these.
For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor;
If ye oppress not the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt:
Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever.
Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit.
Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
And come and stand before ME in this house, which is called by MY NAME, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations?
Is this house, which is called by MY NAME, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD.
Therefore, pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to ME: for I will not hear thee.
[Jer 7:1-11, 16]
The LORD speaks regarding the church going idolaters of Prophet Ezekiel’s day saying,
For when they had slain their children to their idols then they came the same day into MY sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of MINE house.
[Eze 23: 39]
The Lord Jesus said,
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
[Mt 5:19]
Per Apostle James doubleminded people should never expect anything of Yahweh beyond what HE bestows upon all HIS creation in HIS care for them. He writes,
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the LORD.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
[Jam 1:5-8]
King Solomon writes regarding those who discard Yahweh’s instruction,
Then shall they call upon ME, but I will not answer; they shall seek ME early, but they shall not find ME:
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
They would none of MY counsel: they despised all MY reproof.
Therefore, shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
But whoso hearkeneth unto ME shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
[Pro 1:28-31]
I love them that love ME; and those that seek ME early <or diligently> shall find ME.
For whoso findeth ME findeth life and shall obtain favor of the LORD.
But he that sinneth against ME wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate ME love death.
[Pro 8:17, 35, 36]
The LORD offers everyone the opportunity to comply to divine rule and clarifies that those who choose not to comply will die thereby. HE said through Prophet Isaiah,
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
[Isa 1:18-20]
While divine counsel is available to everyone, it is only received by those who are wholehearted towards Yahweh and the fulfillment of HIS WILL. These people understand that only prayer which accommodates the WILL of the LORD will be answered. The Lord Jesus teaches His Brethren to pray daily,
THY kingdom come. THY will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
[Mt 6:10]
Although Yahweh already knows what one needs prior to asking HIM, HE still requires them to practice prayer every day. The Lord Jesus said,
…for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask HIM.
[Mt 6:8b]
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.
…how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give GOOD things to them that ask HIM?
[Mt 7:7, 12b]
Apostle Paul writes,
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
[Phil 4:6]
What one wants may not be what they need or what is most BENEFICIAL for them. As the LORD is only INCLINED to grant that which is most BENEFICIAL for HIS petitioners, HE is likely not to honor requests that are not GOOD for them. Blessedly, the Elect of God have the benefit of intercession made by Christ and the Holy Ghost on their behalf. Apostle Paul writes,
Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Itself maketh intercession for us with groanings, which cannot be uttered.
And He <Christ> that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is in the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according the will of God.
Who is he that condemeth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, Who is even at the right Hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us.
[Rm 8:26, 27, 34]
The practice of daily prayer conforms and perfects one’s WILL to Yahweh’s. In fact, it is the LORD WHO empowers one to WILL and do according to HIS good pleasure. Apostle Paul writes,
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of HIS good pleasure.
[Phil 2:13]
The practice of daily prayer reveals the true intents of one’s heart. When prayers derive from the carnal nature, the answers thereto are never BENEFICIAL and will therefore never be acknowledged or granted by THE LORD. King David writes,
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me;
[Ps 66:18]
Apostle James writes,
Ye ask, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
[Jam 4:2, 3]
As the sons of God mature in HIS grace, they learn to WILL, do, and pray according to HIS WILL. The New Testament notes,
Make you perfect in every good work to do HIS will, working in you that which is well pleasing in HIS sight, through Jesus Christ; to Who be glory forever and ever. Amen.
[Heb 13:21]
As Yahweh perfects HIS WILL in HIS Elect, their spiritual productivity increases through Christ, without Whom they are unable to do anything that pleases HIM. The Lord Jesus said,
I am the Vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing.
Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be My disciples.
[Jn 15:5, 8]
Finally, daily prayer generates abundant joy and pleasures for born-again believers as they wholeheartedly worship THE LORD. King David writes,
THOU wilt shew me the path of life: in THY presence is fullness of joy; at THY right Hand there are pleasures for evermore.
[Ps 16:11]
Delight thyself also in the LORD; and HE shall give thee the desires of thine heart <which is so because one desires what HE desires for them>.
[Ps 37:4]
By this knowledge, it is made clear that the FATHER only hears and grants prayer that accommodates HIS WILL for one’s life now and forevermore.
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