Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #6 Prayer #4 Attitude

Attitude for prayer

When we address ourselves to somebody we do that with a certain attitude, reverse not hautain and with dignity. According to the status of the person to whom we speak we address ourselves in a certain manner onto him or her.

According to the position and to our relation to a person we shall speak only occasionally or regular to that person. Jesus Christ arranged it so that we can come up to his Father as any child should have to do to his or her Father. That means regularly and intimately, without any burdens to speak openly with the one a child loves. As the Creator God is our Father we should love and trust Him and should dare to come to Him with all our problems and with all our news or things to tell. A Father likes to hear everything; He never refuses a secret. We should not have any secrets for Him.

Jesus is considered by scholars such as Weber ... — Jesus who is considered by scholars such as Weber to be an example of a charismatic religious leader, teaching how to pray,not to him, but to his Father in heaven.. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We do not need others to accompany us; we can go up to the Most High on our own. We do not need a special place or a special crowd around us to come to our Father to speak with Him. This speaking we can call ‘praying‘ or the act: ‘prayer‘.

We should be very careful not to fall to the temptation of only praying for public consumption in a church meeting. The congregation should not the only place where you can find time to pray to God. God also does not need recitation or an endless repetition of the same words. Would you speak with your intimate friend in such a way? God reproves not repetitions, but vain repetitions. In the agony in the garden Jesus also prayed three times in the same words to his Father, which Will Jesus wanted to do (and not his own will). We also should have in mind that we should be willing to do the Will of our Father. You may inform God of your needs. We may let God know what we would like to want, but should always take into account that it is most important that that will happen what God thinks right for us. Vain repetition like in some monasteries by Christians and Buddhists we should avoid and we for sure should not follow the use of mechanical prayer-wheels worked by the wind to spread out written petitions before the Almighty. Good examples of heathen repetitions are found in 1Kings 18:26 and in Acts of the apostles 19:34. The idea that prayers prevail by their number rather than by their earnestness is pagan, and whenever it appears in Christianity is a corruption. The ones you care for, do you not speak to them with your own words which change regularly? Pray also when you are alone and contemplate what God has to say to you personally.

(5) “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the congregations and on the corners of the streets, to be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. (6) “But you, when you pray, go into your room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place. And your Father who sees in secret shall reward you openly. (Matthew 6:5-6 The Scriptures 1998+)

We should consider prayer something special, a sacred action. Prayer or speaking to God should be a sign of your special relation with the Creator God. Praying should also be a sort of important duty, being part of the Divine command, following the example with which we are furnished in the sacred writings.

We also should be aware that we should have communal prayers in the congregation but even more we should have our personal prayers. You could say that there is a necessity of secret prayer which shall have the advantages of private devotion, next to the vital connection with our public usefulness.

Like Jesus did not pray to himself but to his Father and learned his listeners, followers and disciples to pray not to Jesus his but to his and our Father, hallowing His Name, daring to pronounce it and show devotion to this Holy Name “Jehovah“.

For those who do not know how to pray, Jesus gave a good example.

” (1) And it came to be while He was praying in a certain place, as He ceased, one of His taught ones said to Him, “Master, teach us to pray, as Yoḥanan also taught his taught ones.” (2) And He said to them, “When you pray, say: Our Father in the heavens, let Your Name be set-apart, let Your reign come, let Your desire be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Luke 11:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)

When we pray, we should come believing in the unseen Father, and trusting in His gracious disposition. True prayer is just the cry of children to their Father, and it is the childlike feeling of trust in Him which gives to their prayer all its efficacy. {W. C. Smith, The Sermon on the Mount, p. 178.}

When we do speak to God, we can speak about ourselves and about others. We can ask things for ourselves but also for others, which we should not forget. You can imagine how difficult it can be for somebody to ask somebody else for help. In our increasingly secular world it is even harder to ask others to pray for us. When someone asks you to pray for them, do so. Intercessory prayer is a ministry which is both suitable for, and within the ability of every believer. Think about this as we look at what the Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to Timothy, where he stresses the importance of prayer on behalf of all men.

“(1) First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all men, (2) for sovereigns and all those who are in authority, in order that we lead a calm and peaceable life in all reverence and seriousness. (3) For this is good and acceptable before Elohim our Saviour,” (1Timothy 2:1-3 The Scriptures 1998+)

Prayer is perhaps the strangest and most marvellous of all God’s provisions. It is a way whereby a man may extend his influence for good far beyond his natural powers — without limit — into eternal things. A man who cannot appreciate the real power of prayer, in his life and the lives of others, is a man with little of the true faith.

We are constantly told in the Scriptures of the power and importance of prayer. Might we not pray much more than we do, that others may learn the Truth and obey God in baptism? God has given us a tremendous instrument for good — for the good of man. Are we using it to the fullest?

Let us follow Paul’s example, in praying not just for ourselves in the ecclesia, but for others, that they might turn to God. This was Paul’s “heart’s desire and prayer to God” (Romans 10:1; Romans 9:2-3). This is true prayer — filled with the love for others which God desires us to show.

“Pray without ceasing”; the heart-felt supplication for the pitiful, purposeless miseries of blind mankind, vainly seeking a self-made peace and an impossible happiness, tragically destroying themselves with their own ‘wisdom’.

Is that our attitude toward the world? — true concern for them, and constant prayer that they may be helped out of the morass. There is a danger that we tend to be too self-centered and narrow in our interests and affections, ignoring other people’s needs and sorrows, wrapped up in our “specially-chosen” selves and writing off the world as hopeless. This was Paul’s first request — therefore of prime importance. (“First of all” does not simply mean first in order of time, but rather foremost in order of importance.) To offer prayers and thanksgivings on behalf of all men is a duty of such high importance that the Apostle places it first among the topics of his pastoral charge.

Praying with gratitude we should do even more for others than for ourselves. God knows every name, God knows every need! So we can pray even for people we do not know personally and for people who can live far away from us. We can find many occasions, like when there was a natural disaster, an earthquake, tsunami, flood or when somewhere in the world people are facing difficulties. We can pray for all those people who are suffering somewhere.

If you feel in your heart the need to pray for someone you know, do it ! At that moment they may be facing a battle that only they and God will ever know about. But they will wage that battle better with your prayers behind them.

The praying for others is part of your service to the community and to God. We always should remember that the Christian walk is about service! There can be no such thing as a selfish Christian. No matter how bad the challenges facing us seem, others are facing worse. Pray for others in your neighbourhood who do not yet know Christ or are hurting. Pray for our nation’s leaders. We are constantly surrounded by those needing prayer. Make it part of your prayer life to make sure they get it.

Our thoughts should not only be with others when we are at the service. Also in our personal surroundings we should remember the people of this world. Being with the others and being with God should be a part of your entire daily routine.

A life lived in faith is a continual prayer. Conversation with God does not require fixed locations, set times, or particular postures. Though it is quite impossible for us always to be uttering the words of prayer, it is possible and necessary that we should be always living in the spirit of prayer.

“Everything is worth praying about, if it is worth doing, or even worth thinking about. If you can’t pray about it, that’s a sure sign not to do it — it’s not part of the godly life. There is no big or small with God. With Him, everything to do with man is very small, so do not think matters have to have a certain degree of ‘importance’ before they are fit subjects for prayer. Whatever merits our attention at all merits our prayer. We should turn to God in everything, as a small child turns to a parent. The human mind and flesh being what it is, ‘self-dependence’ is the most fatal folly. Nothing will be right without the direct guidance of God, and the sanctification and consecration of prayer” (GVG).

“Prayer is not a ritual, but a way of life — a constant conversation with God. Our thoughts include him all the time. We are not limited by time, subject or form. When we rethink things we realize there really is no limit on time for prayer. You can pray any time of day. You can pray in the car. You can pray while taking a shower. You can pray before that important meeting. You can pray in that important meeting! There is no limitation on the subject.

Is God too busy to be included in even the smallest details of our life? Shouldn’t we talk to him about everything? He knows how many hairs there are on our head; so why wouldn’t He be concerned for the details of His children’s day? It is not like He only has the time for the ‘big’ things!” (KT).

God is always ready, be it day or night, to receive us for a talk and to listen to our voice.

Prayer flags on Renjo La — Praying not with Prayer flags like on La Renjo, but by acts and not repetitive vain words but with honest personal words. (Photo credit: Oliphant)

Preceding: Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #5 Prayer #3 Callers upon God

Next: Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #7 Prayer #5 Listening Ear

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Vertrouwen, Geloof, Roepen en Toeschrijving aan Jehovah #6 Gebed #4 Atttude

Read also:

Also of interest:

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Pray God’s Way! (todaysfreshmanna.wordpress.com)
“Our Father” – a prayer that has become repetitiously and mindlessly said countless times in many Christian’s lives. Before Jesus gave us those words, He had just finished saying, “…And when you pray, do not keep on babbling vain repetitions like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them…” The words in the Greek defining vain repetition are implying to get away from praying words to God that just come mindlessly – without thought, from your mouth but don’t come from the heart – mindless or vain repetition.
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Jesus taught them – when you go to the Lord, go to Him in the Spirit of worship for who He is as God Almighty. Elevate and worship Him for who He has become to us – the perfect “Heavenly Father.” When you do this, God will become bigger in your eyes and your faith in His ability to do miracles will grow. Jesus instructs us to pray for God’s will to be done in our lives Now – here in this life – the same that He would want in Heaven. That means walking after God’s ways and in His love!
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Mindless repetition carries no faith and without faith it’s impossible to please God! Keep your heart engaged and take whatever care or concern or need that you have before the Lord in faith knowing that He cares about the intimate details of your life and desires to help. It takes faith to believe that and walk in it. And so, you must have your mind and faith engaged. Just do it in the outline or guide for prayer that Jesus laid out. It will teach you how to pray and access the throne of God in faith!
Thy Kingdom Come and Thy Will Be Done – as it is done in Heaven – also upon this earth. (thevoicereturns.wordpress.com)
The evening before Jesus died,
he was praying to God in the hearing
of his disciples, and once again they
heard him highlight the importance of
God’s name.
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Evidently the utmost importance to Jesus was the sactifying or honoring of God’s Name.
That is why he put it as the first topic in his Model Prayer. How sad that Jesus modern-day
followers do not follow him in this example.
Instead of sactifying and honoring God’s Name, they have removed it more than seven thousand times from the Bible. And rather than honoring God’s Name, Jehovah, they have turned him into a nameless “LORD”. Even the pagan gods are mentioned in the Bible by Name.
~Vain Repetition~ (paullamontpatterson.wordpress.com)
Jesus speaks that where we hold the worth of treasure also plays an important role in our mind as we deal with being wishy washy, double minded, worried and anxious for people see you, you must not become mixed with vain repetition for it hinders your giving, prayer, hearing, speaking, worth, gifts, treasure, mind, heart….
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~Position Yourself to Receive~
Our heavenly Father is always pouring out blessing upon his children but we need to get in and stay in a position where we may receive.
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God knows your portion of what you will do and what will be passed on. Once complete, notice the position Solomon assumes before the people. He doesnt face them to receive the praise, take the credit, or get big headed. He turns his attention, focus and affection towards God. Take a moment, breathe and pray that you position yourself in right standing before God; to receive His abundance and in due season He will exalt you in the presence of the chosen people for your obedience.
The Power of Prayer (virtuousrestoration.wordpress.com)
Prayer in its original design and intent can serve as a major weapon as well as a form of release for every Christian. Prayer can not only change the person ushering forth the prayer but it also has the power to change its surroundings through loosing shackles, breaking strongholds and renewing mindsets. In the perilous times we are facing God is calling His people to a new level of prayer, that through our prayers we may begin to call into existence His will. In order for us to effectively achieve this we must first get back to the basic foundation of prayer, its purpose and the power it possess.
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Through prayer not only do we communicate with God but we also open ourselves up to hear from Him. We are able to express our feelings, desires and thought and allow God to do the same.
Who Is Listening to Your Prayers? (pastorbenk.com)
It is the Lord, Jehovah the God who has entered into a covenant relationship with His People. This vivid word picture brings home the intimacy of God’s relationship with His people through Christ who is our righteousness. It is the Lord who cares about the way we live and our relationship with Him who answers our prayers.
HE Heard You (strenayharrisblog.wordpress.com)
Prayer does not have to be hours long, repeating the same request over and over to be effective. When I order a pizza, I call, place the order, and wait for the Delivery. Now, if we Christians are supposed to have faith in Jehovah God, why can’t we do the same in our prayer life?
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The Power of Tears and Prayer To God
I challenge all members of The Full Prayer Circle to read the entire story. Secondly, I ask that we all search ourselves in finding what are we longing for and are not becoming joyfully pregnant (symbolically pregnant) with?
The Names of God (shareaverse.wordpress.com)
He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which He swore unto them.
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El Yeshuantenu – The God of our Salvation
Psalms 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.
Blessed is he – Who comes in the name of Jehovah (researchsupportsthetruth.wordpress.com)
Christ….Matthew (1:21) interprets the name originally as Joshua, that is, ‘Yahweh (Jehovah) is Salvation,’” -Encyclopedia Americana (Vol.16, p. 41)
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“The name Joshua (Jehoshua) derives its greatest importance and highest sanctity from the fact that it was sacredly chosen as the name to be borne by the Messiah. This name was corrupted and altered in time into the name Jesus.” –Personal Names in the Bible by Dr. W.F. Wilkinson, M.A. Joint Editor of Webster and Wilkinson’s Greek Testament: pages 342-343. (Vol. 10 p.149)
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Jehovah’s name is “embedded” within the name of Christ – “Jehoshua” (Jehovah’s Salvation).
Whenever God’s Name is embedded within another name, it is known as a “Theophoric” Name.“The name Jhvh (Jehovah) enters into the composition of many names of persons in the Bible, as the initial element, in the form Jeho- (as in Jehoram),” -The Encyclopedia Britannica,
11th edition; 1910-11, vol. 15, pp. 312, in the Article “Jehovah”
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All the above scriptures will be fulfilled – only in the name of “Jehoshua” or “Jahshua”. Since
Jehovah’s name is embedded in Christ’s name – One can call upon the Messiah – and still be
calling upon Jehovah’s name as well.
“Jehovah” and “Jehoshua” (thevoicereturns.wordpress.com)
The Jews looked forward to a Jewish Messiah that would be sent to them by Jehovah God.
This Messiah would bring Salvation to them. He was to be Jehovah’s means of Salvation –
hence, he would bear the name “Jehoshua” which means Jehovah’s Salvation.All this information was snuffed out by the Romans when they attempted to blot out the
Jewish Connections to Christ.
The Romans made Christianity their state religion shortly after the Apostles died. The Romans
corrupted Christianity to a great degree, by destroying Christ’s connections to Judaism and
replacing them with pagan religious teachings and holidays.
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“the construction of theophoric names, starting with the letters “Jeho” is evidence that God’s name is actually ‘Jehovah’ (and that Christ’s name is actually Jehoshua)” – Smith’s 1863 “A Dictionary of the Bible” Section 2.1
I Love You Jehovah (thevoicereturns.wordpress.com)
Oh Jehovah in heaven
you wipe all my tears
you’ve supported my heart
through troublesome yearsYou give me such strength
to face each tomorrow
You lead me in grace
You hold me in sorrow
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“Praise be to The God and Father
Of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion
and the God of all comfort,”
(2Corinthians 1:3)(NIV)-BibleGateway