PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS (2)

“IN THIS MANNER, therefore, PRAY: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” – Matthew 6:9

To PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS demands praying according to God’s Pattern: “IN THIS MANNER, therefore, PRAY: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name (Mt.6:9). There is a pattern – a manner – to pray and please our Heavenly Father! Prevailing Prayer is not an anyhow exercise; it answers to God’s Pattern in His Word! In this passage, the Lord Jesus presents His Model Prayer: “And when you pray…” (v.5). He didn’t say “IF you pray…” – Prayer is not an optional, but Compulsory Course in Life’s University!

In Luke’s account of this same event, the disciples on seeing the Lord “praying in a certain place” approached Him with a specific request uttered by one of them: “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples” (Lk.11:1). Jesus’ answer in Luke 11:2-4 is similar to that in Matthew’s Gospel. Both accounts confirm that praying can be taught. We can learn to pray more productively, effectively, and effectually. Prayer does not have to be a hit-and-miss affair in life. We can grow in the habit and practice of Prevailing in Prayer!

Our Lord Jesus concluded the Parable of the Friend at night on this note: “How much more will your heavenly Father give the HOLY SPIRIT to those who ask Him!” (Lk.1:13). The same question in Matthew 7:1 says: “If you then, being evil, know how to give GOOD GIFTS to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give GOOD THINGS to those who ask Him!” Both texts remind us not to use God’s Word simply to meet our selfish desires. Too often Christians will read “Ask and it will be given to you” and interpret it to mean “I can ask for anything I want regardless of its eternal value.” God’s answers to prayers come in the context of praying according to His Pattern!

When Jesus affirms that God the Father will give the Holy Spirit, Good Gifts or Good Things to those who ask Him, He is reiterating that our asking, seeking, and knocking are in the context of His scriptural Model and Pattern, namely:

Praying to our heavenly Father: “Our Father in heaven…” (v.9) – trusting in Him, not in earthly or human idols;

His Name being hallowed: “…hallowed be Your name” (v.9) – no glory being shared with any mortal or other entity;

His coming Kingdom: “Your kingdom come…” (v.10) – the answer will not contradict the King’s principles, precepts, or practices;

His Will being done on earth as it is in heaven: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (v.10) – not our self-will or fleshly desires;

His provision of daily bread: “Give us this day our daily bread” (v.11) – not according to a spirit of consumerism and carnal accumulation;

His forgiveness of sins: “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (v.12) – Forgiveness brings freedom to ask and receive; and

His protection in temptation: “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver is from the evil one” (v.13a) – God will not give what will hurt us! God will give His children what they need even if it isn’t what they think they need.

Yesterday, we noted the Lord’s Command to pray boldly: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4:16). Praying boldly grants us access into God’s Grace, Mercy, and Help.

Jesus tells us to pray persistently: “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?” (Lk.18:7).

Jesus tells us to pray expectantly and trust that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jam.1:17).

Today, the Lord reminds us that to Pray Until Something Happens, to prevail in prayer by His Word, it must be according to His set Pattern and ultimately for God’s Glory: “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (v.13b).