Kingdom Praying
"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you," James 4'8.
MEN ALWAYS OUGHT TO PRAY AND NOT LOSE HEART
Being in the Kingdom of the Son of the Father's love (Colossians 1'13) gives Believers the benefit of "... every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1'3).
And when it comes to praying and living this Kingdom life, Jesus says:
“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 the Father in My name He may give you," John 15'16.
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples," John 15'8.
The Lord's Kingdom People have a "going disposition" and in the outworking of that they find themselves having an "asking disposition".
The Lord chose His People so that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places - by us (Ephesians 3'10). Basically, that's letting the enemy know that Jesus is Lord in our everyday lives.
This "going disposition" produces fruit, not only from making known His wisdom of salvation in making disciples, but also in personal fruit in Christ. Peter urges Believers to "... grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever," 2 Peter 3'18.
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When it comes to Believers praying, especially those who feel uncertain or unworthy about praying, the Holy Spirit gives have this assurance: "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you," James 4'8.
As He does in the letter to the Hebrew Believers:
"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need," Hebrews 4'14-16.
"Let us come boldly", he says. So, regardless of any discouraging or depressing thoughts, or any distractions of the enemy, Believers are urged to draw near to our heavenly Father and pray. Remember: "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8'31).
Our heavenly Father is merciful and gracious and encourages us further:
"... the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before,
'This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them', then He adds, 'Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.'
Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,
by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
and having a High Priest over the house of God,
let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful," Hebrews 10'19-23.
"For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us," 2 Corinthians 1'20.
CONTINUING IN PRAYER
Paul says:
"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another;
not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
distributing to the needs of the Saints, given to hospitality," Romans 12'10-13.
Along with the other aspects, keeping on praying is to be a Kingdom characteristic. And when Paul spoke about Kingdom life and praying to the Believers in Rome they, and he, were living life while under the confronting rule of the Roman Empire. Not to mention the struggles of every day living.
There are Believers today who find themselves in similar situations and there are others who live in relative freedom. But whatever the situation, Paul exhorts Believers to pray for their nation, the local authorities and society in general, and gives the reasons why:
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus," 1 Timothy 2'1-5.
Before Paul made his exhortation the early Believers in the first ever Kingdom prayer meeting prayed:
"Now, Lord ... grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus," Acts 4'29-30.
Once when the Lord was with His Disciples "He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18'1-8).
KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES
The leading apostles and Believers knew where they stood in Christ and the Kingdom because they knew the scriptures. Jesus knew the scriptures.
When He was in the wilderness and tempted by Satan His answers came from the scriptures. He referred to what the Word of God said, using it like a sword in order to deal to destroy the words of the enemy. The scriptures gave Him the victory.
It's the same for His followers. Paul calls scripture "the word of Christ" (Colossians 3'16) and the "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6'17). The word of Christ gives certainty and understanding of where we stand with God.
The fact is, the Word of Christ keeps a Believer in harmony with God. In Matthew 22'29 Jesus said: “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God".
He also said: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life," John 6'63.
The scriptures convey certainty. Such as, "... this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life," 1 John 5'11-12.
And here are some others:
+ "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus," Philippians 4'6-7.
+ "Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much," James 5'16.
+ "I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding," 1 Corinthians 14'15.
+ "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you," Matthew 7'7.
+ "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Luke 11'13.
+ "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the Saints," Ephesians 6'18.
Α-Ω
See also: The Lord's Prayer Close Up.