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| Source: crosswalk.com |
This week we are discussing the role of intercessory prayer in light of God's absolute sovereignty. If you missed the introductory post, please read it here.
Why Pray in Light of God's Sovereignty?
Reason #1. God has commanded us to pray
The most obvious reason to pray is that God has commanded us to pray. This is evident throughout the teachings of both Jesus and the apostle Paul. Jesus taught His disciples how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13, introducing the prayer with the words, "Pray then, in this way" (v 9). Afterward, He instructed His disciples to be persistent in their prayers (Luke 11:5-13). In Luke 18:2-8, Jesus told them a parable "to show that at all times they ought to pray" (Luke 18:1). And upon arriving at the Garden of Gethsemane, He instructed them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation" (Luke 22:40)
Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing" (I Thess 5:17); he instructed the Philippians, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (4:6); he charged the Colossians, "Devote yourselves to prayer" (4:2); he wrote to the Ephesians, "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf..." (6:18-19); and he urged Timothy "that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men" (1 Tim 2:1).
The point is clear: God has commanded us to pray throughout the Scriptures, and our response to this command must first and foremost be one of obedience. Even if we never reach a clear understanding of the relationship between the sovereignty of God and the prayers of man, the fact that God has commanded it should be enough to move us to pray. When God promised Abraham a son through whom he would become a great nation (Gen 21:12) and then commanded him to sacrifice that very son (Gen 22:2), Abraham bowed the knee of submission before His Creator and simply obeyed what was commanded of Him (Gen 22:3-10). The believer who asks the question "Why pray?" must follow his example and do the same.
**Please note: This prayer series must be credited to Dr. Matt Waymeyer and his postings on the subject. Dr. Waymeyer is an Instructor of Bible Exposition and New Testament at Master's Seminary. I have reread his teachings on the subject of prayer and God's sovereignty for several years now and they continue to inform and bless my prayer life. Prior to posting this series, I have emailed Dr. Waymeyer and received his complete permission to use his material in any way that I might find helpful for this blog. **
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