Lawrence DeMetrius

Lyrics

Lesson 42 of 77
The Divine Formula of Prayer
{See Lesson 14}
By Lawrence DeMetrius

The Lord Jesus wants His brethren to experience answered prayers because it will fill their heart with divine strength. He wants them to know that Yahweh does hear and answer prayer when it is done effectively. He said,

And in that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you.
Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father.
For the Father HIMSELF loveth you, because ye have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God.
I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
[Jn 16:23-28]

The Divine Formula of Prayer as taught by Christ, will bring about the answers one needs and motivate them to pray continuously. Apostle Luke writes,

And He <Christ> spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not faint;
[Lk 18:1]

Effective prayer keeps one ready to receive of THE LORD with doubtless anticipation. Apostle James writes,

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
[Jam 5:16b]



Christ Jesus admonishes His brethren to pray effectively and gives them a formula of prayer that covers all areas that need to be addressed in their lives on a daily basis. By closely examining the formula one will better understand how to effectively pray. Per the ancient Greek language there are four words that refer to the word PRAY.

1. Gk #1189 deomai (deh-om-ahee) which is to beg as to bind oneself in a petition

2. Gk #2065 erotao (er-o-tah-o) which is to interrogate or request

3. Gk #2172 euchomai (yoo-khom-ahee) it means to wish or to pray to God

4. Gk #4336 proseuchomai (pros-yoo-khom-ahee) which is to humbly pray to God, asking HIM for something as one worships HIM

The form of prayer as addressed by Christ per His formula is proseuchomai (pros-yoo-khom-ahee), which born-again believers are to practice in the following manner.

1. Unlike hypocrites.

*hypocrites Gk #5273 hupokrites (hoop-ok-ree-tace) it is…
a. an actor under an assumed character like a stage player
b. a dissembler which is a person who conceals their true state of being, feelings, and motives

These people love the attention they get when they pretend to sincerely pray to Yahweh. The only reward they receive is the attention they crave from lookers on. Concerning them and this mode of prayer the Lord Jesus said,

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogue: and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men: verily I say unto you, they have their reward.
[Mt 6:5]


2. In a private setting without lookers on. Praying in private gets Yahweh’s undivided attention and invokes open manifestations of HIS answers and blessings. The Lord Jesus said,

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
[Mt 6:6]

3. Unlike the heathen.

*heathen Gk #1482 ethnikos (eth-nee-kos) it means national or Gentile

These people believe their prayers are acknowledged per use of worthless and repetitive words or phrases. Born-again believers are instructed to present their requests to Yahweh without such verbiage. Such vain repetitions are not necessary because HE already knows what they need before they ask HIM. The Lord Jesus said,

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask HIM.
[Mt 6:7, 8]

4. In reverent acknowledgment of Yahweh as THE HEAVENLY FATHER.

*father Gk #3962 pater (pat-ayr) it is one who is literally or figuratively a father to someone near or far

Although Yahweh is FATHER and CREATOR of all, HE is only ABBA, FATHER to those who are spiritually born again of HIS Word and Spirit.

5. Reverently acknowledge Yahweh as THE HEAVENLY FATHER WHO dwells within the spirit realm that Christ identifies as HEAVEN.



*heaven Gk #3772 ouranos (oo-ran-os) it is…
a. the sky as the dwelling place of God
b. implies that blissful place of ultimate happiness and power
c. eternity and the Gospel of Jesus Christ

All of these sacred places are deemed HEAVEN or the dwelling place of Yahweh, that one is to reverently acknowledge as they pray to HIM.

6. HALLOW the NAME of THE LORD in heart and mind.

*hallowed Gk #37 hagiazo (hag-ee-ad-zo) which is the action…
a. of making something holy, ceremonially pure, and consecrated
b. taken within one’s own mind towards a person or thing to greatly venerate, worship, respect and reverence

*name Gk #3686 onoma (on-om-ah) it refers to one’s identity, authority, and character

This is what one must do with Yahweh’s NAME to invoke HIS undivided attention in prayer. Regarding this practice the Lord Jesus said,

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be THY NAME.
[Mt 6:9]

7. Desire the coming of Yahweh’s KINGDOM to earth.

*kingdom Gk #932 basileia (bas-il-i-ah) it is royalty, rule and realm

The Kingdom of God existent within the born-again believer is one of righteousness, which is love in action, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Concerning this Apostle Paul writes,

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
[Rm 14:17]

8. Desire the fulfillment of Yahweh’s WILL on earth as it is in heaven.

*will Gk #2307 thelema (thel-ay-mah) it is a determination, the thing determined, choice, purpose, decree, volition, and inclination

THELEMA (thel-ay-mah) refers to all that accomplishes Yahweh’s desires, wherein is the best for all who love HIM. Concerning this the Lord Jesus said,

THY kingdom come. THY will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
[Mt 6:10]

9. Request the natural and spiritual BREAD that Yahweh prepares for one’s daily consumption. Concerning this the Lord Jesus said,

Give us this day our daily bread.
[Mt 6:11]

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
[Mt 4:4]

*bread Gk #740 artos (ar-tos) it is bread as raised or a loaf of bread

BREAD per this prayer formula is literally food for the physical body. However, Christ also reiterates that mortals do not live by natural food alone, but by the words figurative of spiritual food, that comes from Yahweh’s mouth.

10. Request FORGIVENESS for personal trespasses and practice FORGIVENESS towards others, as it is required in order to receive FORGIVENESS from THE LORD. Concerning this the Lord Jesus said,

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
[Mt 6:12, 14, 15]

*forgive Gk #863 aphiemi (af-ee-ay-mee) it means to send forth

The practice of FORGIVENESS is a most powerful and effective weapon of spiritual warfare, because it is one’s own ability to heal themselves from pains and wounds inflicted upon them by satanic forces, through the wrongful actions of others. Only when one exercises this ability can they initiate healing and liberation from hurt inflicted upon them by forces of evil. When one initiates their own healing, the pain of the hurts that were inflicted upon them diminishes. As it does, the relief they receive empowers them to deal with the mortal vessels used by evil, in a manner that pleases THE LORD. Everyone is vulnerable to wrongdoing because of the weakness of the flesh and carnal nature. At any time, anyone can find themselves being used as a vessel of hurt by evil forces. This is why everyone must beware of their words and actions toward others. Devils are always at work seeking a door through which they can enter to inflict hurt upon mortals. FORGIVENESS is an extension of divine love which is righteousness in action. Thus, manifestations of the will of GOD and kingdom of GOD can be hindered when FORGIVENESS is not exercised. Yahweh’s kingdom is one of pleasure not pain. It is one of abundant life not death. It is a kingdom of giving not stealing. It is a kingdom of strengthening that which is good not destroying it. So then, all who desire Yahweh’s kingdom to reign in the earth and within their hearts, must exercise repentance and FORGIVENESS. A SPECIAL NOTE ON FORGIVENESS: Born-again believers must be mindful that Lucifer was once a favored child of heaven. There was a time when he shared an intimate relationship with Yahweh. His wisdom and beauty exceeded all other angels. However, when he initiated treason and attempted to usurp praise that did not belong to him, he became the primary source of hurt, pain, betrayal, dishonor, disloyalty, and disrespect to Yahweh HIMSELF, HIS rule, and HIS creation. Thus, Yahweh is fully cognizant of how it feels to have someone you highly esteemed violate you. As a mortal, Christ also experienced this betrayal from Judas Iscariot and many others who were once loyal followers. Yahweh is well aware of how challenging it can be to genuinely FORGIVE those who were once vessels of honor. Nonetheless, because it is possible through divine strength, FORGIVENESS can be done. Therefore, HE requires HIS Elect to practice it without reserve. While FORGIVENESS and the healing power thereof will never be granted to Lucifer, all fallen angels, and mortals who have transitioned to immortality in unrighteousness, it is available to non-reprobate mortals who still have within them the breath of life. Thus, in reference to one’s mortal enemies the Lord Jesus said,
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is heaven: for HE maketh HIS sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
[Mt 5:43-45, 48]

11. Request to be kept from TEMPTATION on a daily basis.

*temptation Gk #3986 peirasmos (pi-ras-mos) it is…
a. a putting to proof by the experiment of good
b. the experience of encountering evil and all that it provokes
c. an opportunity to exercise self-discipline during an encounter with evil

12. Request to be DELIVERED from EVIL on a daily basis.

*deliver Gk #4506 rhuomai (hroo-om-ahee) it is to rush, draw or rescue from

*evil Gk #4190 poneros (pon-ay-ros) it is…
a. a hurtful thing
b. figurative of all that is morally culpable, derelict, vicious, and of a bad nature
c. mischief, malice, and guilt
d. Lucifer, fallen angels, and mortals who are willing vessels of evil

13. Know that prayer is to be practiced in this manner, because it is Yahweh’s kingdom, power, and glory that one desires to reign now and forevermore. Concerning steps #11-13 the Lord Jesus said,

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For THINE is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
[Mt 6:13]

14. Ask per The Divine Formula of Prayer until Yahweh answers.

Apostle Paul writes,

Pray without ceasing.
[I Thes 5:17]

The Divine Formula of Prayer invokes manifestation of what THE LORD already wants to bestow upon all who wholeheartedly trust in HIM. Apostle John writes,

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshiper of God, and doeth HIS will, him He heareth.
[Jn 9:31]

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 hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of HIM.
[I Jn 5:14, 15]

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