Prayer review, Part 1: introduction; John 15:16.

Title: Prayer review, Part 1: introduction; John 15:16.

 

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.

 

As a second purpose clause, answered prayer does not depend upon fruit bearing but is simultaneous with it. Both are dependent on realizing the fullness of election through execution of predestination.

 

We have studied fruit bearing and we have studied prayer in a 14 hour series. When did we study prayer? October 6, 2011!

 

“whatever” means just that = whatsoever you might ask…

 

 “ask” - aivte,w[aiteo, aorist active subjunctive] = you might ask. Normally used for requesting from a lesser standing or authority.

 

The subjunctive of this verb emphasizes that the volition of the believer is still involved, even when he is at maturity, meaning that he is going to have to make the decision to pray.

 

You set aside time to listen to doctrine. You should also set aside time for intimate prayer with your Father.

 

 “may give” - di,dwmi[didomi - aorist active subjunctive] = may give, grant, or bestow. He may, which is based upon the criteria of successful prayer.

 

The subjunctive here reveals that even the mature believer will not always be perfect in his prayer life.

 

Expanded translation of John 15:16:

You did not elect Me, but I elected you, and appointed you a place in the body of Christ, that you should go being spiritually self sustained and bear fruit, and your fruit should remain forever, that whatsoever you might ask of the Father in My name, He may give to you.

 

Review doctrine of prayer: Point 1 - Introductory principles.

 

It is doubtless that unsaved persons attempt to pray or at least say that they will or plan to.

 

a. However, the unbeliever is without the ground to access God, which ground is Christ.

 

ROM 10:14

How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed?

 

The believer finds himself on ground that grants him unlimited access to God in a way and in a frequency that never occurred in the OT.

 

The plan of God for Christ’s humanity has been graciously given to the CA believer, and so:

 

b. It would be incredible that the One who lived by prayer when here on earth should not impel the one in whom He lives to exercise his right to the potentialities of prayer.

 

While God communicates with man through His Word, He has given believers a grace means of communication with Himself through prayer.

 

c. Prayer is an extension of the faith-rest technique, though it is not a problem solving device, 1PE 5:7.

 

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

 

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.

 

d. We need to know and use promises related to prayer because prayer is based in faith and therefore on the character of the One who promised.

 

For example:

Matt 21:22

"And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive."

 

Matt 18:19

"Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.

 

This is why believers should make certain needs of themselves or others open to others so that many can pray. Please note that I said “certain needs”. Don’t ask for someone to pray for your spouse because you think their cheating on you or some other mentioned sin. You just used prayer as an excuse to gossip.

 

When relating any needs of yourself or others, but sure to protect the privacy of the priesthood. God knows what they need.

 

This is also very important in public prayer.

 

Mark 11:24

"Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you.

 

In faith there is no merit to the believer. There is only merit in the object of faith, and in prayer that is the Father. Faith is compatible with the concept of grace and so it is the only system in prayer.

 

e. In order to truly believe that I have already received what I have asked I must be very confident in the will of God, my mechanics in prayer, and my motivation for asking.

 

So it’s not actually a matter of increasing your faith in what God can do, but rather increasing your understanding of God’s will and purpose. If I understand that I am asking something that is fully in accordance with God’s perfect, directive will then I will have tremendous confidence that it will be done.

 

f. The basis for access to the throne of God is the believer’s position in Christ, who is the Mediator and Advocate that sits at the right hand of God.

 

Prayer then becomes a ministry of the believer’s priestly office. Therefore, the act of prayer is not a matter of your condition other than being filled with the Spirit. So no matter if you’re in spiritual childhood or spiritual adulthood, you’ve had a terrible day or a great day, none of that bears on your position in Christ. Rebound if necessary and communicate to your Father. It doesn’t have to be a particular request. It can be thankfulness or just a conversation (as long as you don’t hear voices).

 

We are called into partnership with Christ, 1Cor 1:9.

 

1 Cor 1:9

God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

All partnerships go two ways. We abide in Him and He does His works through us. In fulfillment of this partnership, Christ through His word and His Spirit accomplishes even more work throughout the CA then He did during His first advent.