| Prayer Why do we pray? Yes it is humbling but could there be more involved in the equation? Why do we pray? Here is what is coming to me concerning prayer. I don'twant to sound like a Word of Faith person or whatever but I've been examining prayer. I have considered why we ask God for things. I've never grasped totally why we do pray. Let me just share some thoughts I've been using to piece it together. One of the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray: And he said unto them, When you pray, say, Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us for our debts, as we forgive our debtors.. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil: For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. Luke 11:1-4; Matthew 6:13 Prayer is communication with God. No relationship will grow between individuals unless there is communication. Prayer is hard on pride. Prayer acknowledges that God exists. Prayer acknowledges that ultimate answers are in God. Praying builds us up. Prayer brings fulfillment. Prayer can alter things. Prayer is not meant to be pennance. Pennance is an act or substance given in asking for pardon. Prayer is not pennance. Pennance and repentance are nowhere near the same. Repentance is going back to the top by turning from sin and never returning to it. We can pray and ask forgiveness but praying is not meant to be a work. Asking for forgiveness is not a work. Prayer is not a work but is talking to God in relationship. It is true that God is sovereign. But He chooses to not act without man. God set a law that humankind has dominion on earth. Humankind has dominion on earth as long as he has flesh. God gave man dominion over the earth and all things in it to Adam: And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. Genesis 1:26 Hazard me to say that God chosen to use humans to do His work in the earth. Satan obviously saw the law that God put in place that dominion and authority was placed on Adam. Satan saw Adam's weakness, Eve, and went for her. Adam was given dominion. Not Eve. Satan stole authority and dominion from Adam in creation when Eve gave the fruit to Adam. Adam walked in with eyes wide open because he did not want to be alone. Satan stole authority and dominion in creation. When Adam and his descendants covered themselves by restoring a level of relationship with God via sacrifice, some authority and or dominion was restored. Yet the taint and presence of sin hinders the authority and dominion. Man loses his level of authority and dominion in the earth when his flesh dies. That is one reason why he goes to Heaven if He is right with God, else Hell for he has not embraced God's provision, Christ. Authority and dominion was given to Adam. This authority and dominion opportunity was passed onto his descendants. Yet the presence of sin in the flesh hinders even those born again people until the day when they put on their eternal body. Bear with me. God The Word entered flesh, yet was and is sinless, where He had established authority and dominion so that He could most adequately conquer sin in the flesh --- eternally reseizing authority and dominion from the dark powers... not only that. He conquered and seized the power over sin, death, hell, and the grave while He was in flesh. A flesh descendant of Adam thru Mary yet sinless. When we pray, we are acting in that authority and dominion that was meant for us. We are asking God to enter our authority and dominion. It is interesting that demons cannot enter a person unless the person invites the demon in with words or deeds. God is a Spirit. God will not violate His laws. He will not violate His words. His words are law. God could override dominion and authority and enter creation or the created but then He would be there illegally. That is why He does not save all. A person must grab authority and dominion intended for them and ask God to rescue their lives for God will not violate His law. Satan and his demons are trespassers. They are acting illegally in creation. God won't. Let's bring more in... If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Who will we give access to? Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18 God backs up our words when we are doing His will. God used Jonah to bring judgement and repentance to Ninevah. God used Moses to bring deliverance to the Hebrews. God didn't part the Red Sea until Moses obeyed God to raise his rod over the sea. It parted. The sea didn't close around the egyptians until Moses obeyed God and raised his rod over the sea. The sea walls fell. We must not attempt to dictate to God what to do but we should always pray asking for His will. Prayer and obedience is agreement with God. God tends to not violate dominion and authority. He enters where He is welcomed. He saves those who receive. Mercy... -- Jeremy Brown 2004 |
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