Let's Start Praying (Part 6)

PATTERNS OF PRAYER IN SCRIPTURE


All Jews hold to the position that praying is a commandment. What is disputed is the origin of the commandment. Mamonides held that the commandment originated from the Torah, “to serve Hashem with all your heart” (Deut 6:5), and wrote,


“The responsibility of this mitzvah is such that a person should beseech and pray each day, and express praise of Hashem, and afterward…ask for his needs in supplication and prayer, and then give praise and thanks to Hashem for the favor, kindness, and good which Hashem showers upon us.” (Praying With Fire, Heshy Kleinman, page 79)


The majority of Jews hold to the position of Ramban that “to serve Hashem with all your heart," is of Rabbinic origin, and not in the original Torah. Whatever the origin, prayer is significant to the first century believer, reflected often in the gospel accounts and the epistles.


The pattern of Mamonides follows the words Paul expressed over one thousand years earlier, “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God,” (Phil 4:6). The often quoted Christian acronym “ACTS”, sets the order of prayer as acclamation, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. While this is a good expression of the components of prayer, the apostle Paul and Mamonides reverse the order of supplication and prayer. I thought the difference is fascinating, but Teresa was less excited.


The most common word for prayer in the Hebrew text is “tephillah,” (1 Kings 8:28).  The act of prayer is best understood by the numerous terms used to describe the activity: “To call (qara) on the name of the LORD” (Gen 4:26)(Rom 10:13); to “cry out (za’aq) to the LORD” (Judg 3:9); to seek the face (biqqesh penei) of God (Hosea 5:15)(2 Chron 7:14); to inquire (sha’al) (Psa 105:40); to lift up (nasa) (Jer 7:16); to intercede (paga) (Jer 7:16); to plead (chanan) (Deut 3:23); to “pour out your heart (shafakh lev)” (Psa 62:8), and to complain (si’ah) (Psa 142:3). In the Hebrew text,


“Jacob prayed for essential material needs (Gen 28:20); Eliezer for the success of his mission (Gen 24:12-14); Abraham for the salvation of Sodom (Gen 18:23-33); Moses for erring Israel (Ex 32:31-32); Joshua for divine help in the hour of defeat (Josh 7:6-9); Hezekiah for deliverance from Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:15-19); the prophets on behalf of their people (Jer 14:1, Amos 7:2); Daniel for Israel’s restoration (Dan 9:3-19); Ezra for the sins of his people (Ezra 9:6-15); and Nehemiah for the distress of his people (Neh 1:4-11). Solomon’s noble dedication prayer at the consecration of the Temple (1 Kings 8:12-53) includes almost every type of prayer – adoration, thanksgiving, petition, and confession…The spectrum of biblical prayer thus ranges form the simplest material needs to the highest spiritual yearnings.” (Encyclopaedia Judaica, Vol 16, page 457)


In the Greek text we are told in word or by example to pray: To Hallow the Name of the Father (Matt 6:9); For the manifestation of the Kingdom in this world (Matt 6:10); For our daily needs (Matt 6:11); For the forgiveness of our sins (Matt 6:12); For deliverance from temptation and evil (Matt 6:13); For success in our endeavors (Rom 1:10)(Col 4:12); For God to open the door for the word (Phil 4:3)(2 Thes 3:1); For abounding love (Phil 1:9); For deliverance (Phil 1:19); For salvation of another (Rom 10:1)(Col 1:3)(2 Thes 1:11); To support the work of evangelists (Rom 15:30)(2 Cor 1:11)(Heb 13:18); For relief from suffering and sickness (James 5:13-14); For good health (3 John 1:2); For another (James 5:17); For all men (1 Tim 2:8); For wisdom and enlightenment (Eph 1:18)(Col 1:9); To do no wrong (2 Cor 13:7); To sanctify the food we eat (1 Tim 4:5); in essence, For everything, (Phil 4:6).


In the example of prayer given by Jesus, we are told to pray in this way,


“Our Father who is in heaven, Hollowed by 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 our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” (Matt 6:9-13)


(Have a blessed week - Scott)