Well, if by His image then certainly by His actions! It is recorded ten times in The Beginning that as stated; “God said (uttered, commanded, established)”. Well, who is He referring to when He says these things? He is enacting Faith in the Word by speaking as stated; “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (and) the same was in the beginning with God (for) all things were made by Him (the Word), and without Him was not anything made that was made (for) in Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men”. All things were made by Him including every physical and spiritual manifestation for which Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The Biblical number ten represents testimony, law, responsibility, and the completeness of order such as the Ten commandments. The concept of ten then is to uphold and implement a framework of living under God’s Kingdom. By this, prayer is to give testimony, which is mainly to orally declare evidence, support, or affirm regarding an issue. It is a law to establish, distinguish, and reflect a moral standard. It requires responsibility because it is an act of being a witness for someone or something requiring support or credibility to others that may have doubts; so as to bear witness for and to God. And finally, it brings the completeness of order so that it is effective, efficient, and comprehensive. In that; by the first three, the issue under scrutiny becomes closed, completed, full circled. All done by the person praying and standing of the assured Word, Hope, and Faith in God and His Kingdom purpose. Prayer is the action, attitude, and aptitude of reflecting in practical terms God’s purpose for His will.
Prayer is simply a spiritual conversation with God! There is no need for a special formality, incense, environment, or any other awkwardness that distracts from the intimate relationship required for prayer. It is not to be confused, or water down with the acts of worship, praise, and thanksgiving which are meant to address and exalt God’s person, Throne, Kingdom, and purpose. God made and strengthened His Covenant with us using prayer. Something not available to the sinner and wicked. He must answer the prayer once it's done with the proper heart and Righteousness.
When we use prayer as by the Word or Jesus’ example, we are standing on the Faith of Jesus which places God under His obligations to honor and recognize His Son’s sacrifice to us being a respecter of no man. Our Righteous prayers are just and command more than those Jesus uttered. Why? Because we are the Body of Christ and even though Christ is the Head; it is by our far-reaching and multiplied works in the fields of harvest is the gospel proclaimed under the fivefold ministries including healings, and demonic exorcisms. Prayers are like seeds to be harvested for the Righteousness of mankind.
Some say it doesn’t work. Right-standing prayers require credibility, authenticity, and patience. For let, not a double-minded man expect what he prays for. A double-minded man is unfaithful, deceptive, and mocks God’s guide, standing, and way to come boldly in humility and surrender to His Throne room. There is one manner, framework, and context as taught by Jesus in how we pray. Prayer is not selfish but accounts for others inside and outside of His Kingdom - “Our Father”. It is to be done with reverence to acknowledge His character - “Hallowed be Your Name”. God’s will is to be foremost in prayer - “Your Kingdom come; Your will be done; on Earth as it is in Heaven”. It is reminding Him about His promises including the Holy Spirit - “Give us this day our daily bread”; that is all the Righteous promises and desires for the body, mind, and spirit. And it is to bring to remembrance His Son’s Sacrifice - “And forgive us our sins; as we forgive who have sinned against us; and do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one”. Prayer is to encapsulate God’s omnibenevolence, omnipotence, immutability, and eternal sovereignty - “For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever”. It establishes His will, not ours; “Amen”. Because only by His will are we saved, Sanctified, and restored stewards of His Kingdom and Son. Prayer uses words God would use and is given to man for God’s will to be fruitful, multiply, and dominate the world.
Ps. 143:1, Prov. 15:8, Matt. 6:8, Jn. 9:31, 1 Jn. 5:14, Jms. 1:8.
The Study Series
*archives*
Mar. 25, 2021.
The Practical Christian Series.
Prayer.
This intimacy is about the heart, for when you come to the Throne room of God with your concerns, and wants; and not your needs as stated; “All your needs are supplied by God'' - Phil. 4:19. And as is indicated by Jesus; we are not to pray for others to admire and puff us up but by reverence, humility, and single-minded focus, come to God who already knows what your prayers will be about. Some say we are to only pray secretly behind closed doors according to the Bible. Isn't that announcing for others to know and take note saying; “Don’t disturb me for I am locking myself away to pray to God''. Prayer is only between you and God! We are not accountable to others to pray.
What Jesus is guiding to in this particular passage stating; “go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father; is a metaphor of the orthodox Jew prayer ritual of using symbols of boxes, the shawl covering, and other trappings to indicate they are in seclusion in praying to God. Because by law it is required and therefore has no effect. But Jesus advises on the intimacy required for effective and fervent prayer stating; “Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret (confidence, shrouded, inconspicuous), will reward you”. Prayer is whenever and wherever prayer is. To pray by rote is not true prayer but by the Holy Spirit's prompting is it the right time for prayer. This could be an established prayer time as Jesus did early in the mornings, or it can be in the middle of an activity including sleep where the Holy Spirit prompts you to awake and pray for a particular issue. For ultimately praying is a declaration of the Holy Spirit which can include groans and speaking in tongues.
Every prayer spoken is under judgment by God’s criteria for prayer as stated; “And this is the confidence (assurance) that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will (purpose, desire, rules), He hears us, and if we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him”. Jesus took the time and made it important to clarify prayer to the Father, and to be clear; not to Himself. We don’t pray to Jesus. Prayer is sacred and not to be wasted, trivialized, or abused and is an act of intimacy. And an act that must be Sanctified by Jesus’ Blood and Name for God’s Kingdom, the Body of Christ, and mankind.
It amazes me how something simple as prayer has become so complicated, tedious, and hampered by man’s influence. Many churches label prayers as corporate, intercessional, and even saint prayers. Where some prayers are only reserved for those behind the altar or others with a title. Prayer as demonstrated by the Word is a plea, motivation, and justification to God. Who by His dictate commanded us to be as stated; “God created mankind in His image”.