GOD’S COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

While God communicates with man through His Word, He has given believers a grace means of communication with Himself prayer. Prayer is an extension of the faith-rest technique which we have already studied. Just as we learned a basic principle of faith-rest, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:7), we need to know and use promises related to prayer. Some of these are promises involving faith and are important because in faith there is no merit; therefore, faith is compatible with the concept of grace.

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Matt 21:22).

Again I say unto you. That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven (Matt. 18:19).

Therefore I say unto you. What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them (Mark 1 1 :24).

In eternity past God the Father devised a Plan for mankind. This was divided into three parts, which we call Phase One (salvation); Phase Two (the believer in time); Phase Three (eternity). In Phase One, the Lord Jesus Christ paid for man’s sins with His substitutionary death 1 on the Cross (2 Cor. 5:21). Phase Two includes provision for regenerate man’s every need. The Holy Spirit, who sustained the humanity of Jesus Christ, also sustains the believer on earth. Phase Three is the provision of God the Father for eternity.

In earlier studies we have seen various aspects of a believer’s life: spirituality, faith-rest, mental attitude and carnality. Prayer is another vehicle of God’s grace provision for all believers, and God expects us to use it. However, people can’t use what they don’t understand!

When we speak to God it’s just as though He were in the room with us (omnipresence), because He hears us immediately (Isa. 65:24). But, let’s consider the distance to the throne room of God. The sun is about 93,000,000 miles from the earth (eight thousand times as far away as the United States is from China). The next closest star is much farther away than that. Light travels 186,000 miles a second, or six trillion miles a year. Light from the sun reaches us in eight minutes, but it takes light from the nearest star (Proxima Centauri) more than four years to reach us! If Sirius (the Dog Star) should explode tonight, it would be nearly nine years before we saw the explosion!

I have often speculated on how far prayer travels in a second. We know that the closest cluster of stars visible to the naked eye is Andromeda Nebula. Remember, one light year equals six trillion miles. The light we see from Andromeda Nebula left there one million, six hundred thousand light years ago. Not miles — light years! Now we can only speculate as to how far the throne room of God is beyond Andromeda Nebula — billions, perhaps trillions of light years away! This, then, is the distance your prayer travels. We talk about the speed of the age in which we live, the rapid thrust of rockets and various other types of power systems; but their speed is nothing compared to the speed of prayer. I want you to know that we are dealing with a divinely designed system which is faster than anything known to science.

Now, let’s look at a few verses dealing with prayer.

I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live (Psa. 116:1, 2).

Notice, there are two kinds of prayer in these verses: “heard my voice,” and a more intense type of prayer, “supplications.” Sometimes we can pray in a normal, natural, easy way. At other times we are in such a serious situation that the prayer is intensified. It may be nothing more than “Oh, God” or “Oh, Lord, help me!” “I will call upon him” implies a vocal request; however, it is not necessary to pray by speaking out loud. You can “think” a prayer as well as “speak” one. Both are definitely acceptable.

Two other very excellent Old Testament promises connected with prayer are:

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear (Isa. 65:24).

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not (Jer. 33:3).

It is very safe to conclude from Jeremiah 33:3 that we have yet to exploit the depths and riches of prayer. There are also many wonderful New Testament prayer promises. In Matthew 7:7, we are commanded to pray:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Here we see three facets of prayer: (1) “speaking” is normal prayer; (2) “seeking” is prayer with the concept of guidance; (3) “knocking” is intense prayer, or supplications.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it (John 14:13, 14).

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7).

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Phil. 4:6).

Pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17).

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Heb. 4:16).

Remember, when you pray, you are utilizing a divinely designed system. When you say, “Father,” you reach the throne room of grace immediately, even though you are a tremendous number of light years away. This provision is something we do not earn or deserve; it is graciously provided by God.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER

There are a few points on prayer which should be understood, for they are God’s ground rules, and they must be observed.

(1) Prayer is for believers only.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:26).

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name (John 1:12).

Only because we are members of the family of God do we have the

right to open our mouths and say, “Father.” A relationship must exist before prayer becomes a bona fide function.

(2) All prayer is directed to the Father (Matt. 6:9), in the name of the Son (John 14:13, 14), in the power of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:18). Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Christ is praying for us at the right hand of the Father. Romans 8:26, 27 informs us that the Holy Spirit is praying for us. Since They both make intercession for us, we never address our prayers to the Son or to the Spirit.

(3) Long prayers should be reserved for private prayers. Make your public prayers short and to the point. Generally, a public prayer is for something specific. Pray for that specific item and move on. Matthew 6:5-7 emphasizes these points:

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you. They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet [private chamber or room], and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee [the word “openly” is not found in the original].

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

(4) There is a fourfold breakdown for private prayer:

CONFESSION. This is First and the most important: 1 John 1:9 — confession of all known sins (rebound). Because of the principle of Psalm 66:18, to be effective, all prayer must begin with confession: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to confess any known sins for prayer to be heard. If you keep current by means of 1 John 1:9, you can fulfill the concept of 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.” Therefore, whenever you step out of line through carnality, you should rebound immediately so that you are always on praying ground. That’s the best way to avoid any necessity for prolonged soul-searcliing. Keep current. Keep the books up to date!

THANKSGIVING. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:18). “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20). Notice, “all things” — this includes the bad things as well as the good things that come your way. It is also very important to be thankful for spiritual as well as materialistic things. So, when you pray, your private prayers should first be characterized by soul-searching and confession of known sins; secondly, by thanksgiving.

INTERCESSION. Intercessory prayer is praying for others. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eph. 6:18). To accomplish this, every believer should have a prayer list. I would like to make a personal point here: I always appreciate others remembering me before the throne of grace.

Prayer for others falls into two categories: believers and unbelievers. A very legitimate factor of prayer is for those who are without Christ. When you pray for unbelievers, it is primarily for their salvation. You usually ask God to bring something regarding the Gospel to their attention, or to cause them to come into contact with someone (if necessary, yourself) that they might find Christ as Savior. You may pray for an opening to give the Gospel to someone with whom you have contact. Remember that God uses people to reach others for Christ.

When you pray for believers, you also have several categories. You pray for those who have special jobs in the Lord’s service missionaries, ministers, evangelists. You pray for friends. A very interesting category in the Word of God is prayer for those who despitefully use you, for those who seek your harm and hurt in other words, pray even for your enemies (Matt. 5:44; Luke 6:28)! This is in keeping with the concept of grace. Instead of retaliation, put the matter in the hands of the Lord through prayer.

PETITION. Petition is praying for your own needs. This is listed last, though it is not necessarily the least important! We all have personal needs of one kind or another. Some solutions are specified in the Word. So, if provision for your own needs is made in another way, don’t pray for that. For example, we all can and should be filled with the Spirit; but this occurs automatically when we rebound. So don’t insult God by saying, “Fill me with the Spirit,” because He has provided for spirituality by the use of 1 John 1:9! Petitions deal with those particular needs and situations in our own circumstances which do not have a direct solution from Scripture. In such cases, “Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace . . . .”

(5) There are a number of reasons why prayer is not heard. All of these deal with some phase of carnality. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psa. 66:18). That’s why confession must precede prayer.

Lack of Faith: Generally, failure in the area of faith will hinder the answer to prayer. We have already seen the faith promises of Matthew 18:19;21:22; and Mark 11:24.

Selfishness: Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts (Jas. 4:2, 3).

Lack of Compassion: Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard (Prov. 21:13).

Lack of Domestic Tranquility: Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered (1 Pet. 3:7).

Pride or Self-righteousness: There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men. Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it (Job 35:12, 13).

Failure to Comply with Divine Will: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us (1 John 5:14).

Lack of Obedience: And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight (1 John 3:22).

Lack of the Filling of the Spirit: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Eph. 6:18).

Of course, when you are not filled with the Spirit, you are in status quo carnality. I repeat, these are all facets of carnality.

(6) Don’t “put out the fleece.” Many of you don’t know what this means, so we need to take a look at Judges, Chapter 6, where we find the story of Gideon. Because the children of Israel had not heeded the Lord’s voice, the Lord used the Midianites to discipline the nation.

And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites . . . encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth . . . and left no sustenance for Israel . . . they entered into the land to destroy it. And Israel was greatly impoverished . . . (Judg. 6:3-6).

As a result, we read in verse 11:

And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide from the Midianites.

The “angel of the Lord” is Jesus Christ (cf. verses 14, 16) as the revealed Member of the Godhead (John 1:18). This verse presents quite a picture. The winepress is a hole in the ground where Gideon is hiding. He is threshing wheat tossing it up in the air, trying to separate the wheat from the chaff. While this does not present the picture of a hero, it’s very interesting to note that when Jesus Christ speaks to Gideon in verse 12, He says, “The LORD is with thee, THOU MIGHTY MAN OF VALOUR.” At this point Gideon is just as much a coward as anyone could be. He is hiding in a winepress, trying to thresh enough wheat to have something to eat. But now he has a promise: “The Lord is with thee.” Later, faith will make him a man of courage. He isn’t a man of courage at the moment; as a matter of fact, he ignores the promise.

And Gideon said unto him. Oh my LORD, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying. Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites (Judg. 6:13).

Gideon missed the point entirely, you see. He came up with a cliché we hear today: “It’s all God’s fault. Why doesn’t God help us?”

And the LORD looked upon him, and said. Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee (Judg. 6:14)?

Then to further substantiate the fact that he had not understood this promise, Gideon said:

. . . Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house (Judg. 6:15).

Gideon didn’t have to downgrade himself. The Lord knew Manasseh was one of the worst tribes, and Gideon was the least in a poor family. This didn’t mean that the Lord couldn’t use him. Man doesn’t put his money on this type of person; but the Lord uses the helpless, the hopeless and the useless!

And the LORD said unto him. Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man (Judg. 6:16).

Twice now, Gideon has received a promise. Now, here is what I mean by “putting out the fleece”:

And he said unto him. If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew me a sign that thou talkest with me (Judg. 6:17).

Of course, Gideon HAD found grace in God’s sight! There is no question about it. How many times does God have to promise something? Once! And already He has promised twice! When Gideon starts asking for “signs,” he is “putting out the fleece.” A fleece, by the way, is a sheepskin.

Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said (Judg. 6:37).

And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew (Judg. 6:39).

People are always “putting out the fleece” to God: “If You want me to do this, then You do that. If You want me to do that, then You do this. Lord, if You really mean it, cause forty angels to dance across the room!” This is not the correct approach to prayer. Because God is gracious, He tolerated Gideon’s unbelief. But we should learn from this lesson that signs are not necessary.

POWER OF PRAYER

One illustration of the power of prayer deals with Elijah in First Kings. In Chapter 17, verse 1, Elijah prophesied a great drought. After three years, the Lord promised rain in 1 Kings 18:1. Elijah’s faith in God’s promise was so great that in verse 41, Elijah told Ahab, “there is a sound of abundance of rain,” although at this point there was no physical sign of rain.

Elijah went to the top of Mount Carmel in verse. 42. While Elijah prayed, he had his servant look toward the sea (Mediterranean). “There is nothing. And he [Elijah] said. Go again seven times” (verse 43).

Elijah kept his servant running up and down the hill with reports until finally,

. . . [the servant] said. Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand . . . (1 Kgs. 18:44).

At this point Elijah sent his servant to tell Ahab to quickly leave the mountain before the rain prevented travel.

And . . . the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain . . . (1 Kgs. 18:45).

When compared with the doubt of Gideon, Elijah’s faith is a tremendous contrast. The Lord gave Gideon a promise twice, and in his unbelief he still asked for signs. On the other hand, Elijah was told once that the drought was to be ended. He received his instructions and his obedience was immediate.

THE POWER OF PREVAILING PRAYER

The dictionary defines “prevailing” as being effective or effectual; obtaining or predominating. Prevailing prayer then is continuous, constant, daily intercessory prayer by which believers can enter into the ministry of other believers. Any person who has a true, doctrinal testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ needs prevailing prayer, and you can have a share in their future right now by praying for them. I do not mean once in a while! I do not mean right in the middle of “Now I lay me down to sleep — God bless so-and-so, God bless the pastor,” or something like that. I mean to get right down to specifics and essentials, to know their problems and needs, and to lay them before the Lord. God in His grace has ordained this tremendous vehicle called prayer, and prayer will change things that you did not dream could be changed.

In Acts, Chapter 12, we have an example of prevailing prayer by an assembly of believers praying for something specific. No one has ever been successful in a tactical battle situation without a barrage of artillery fire covering his advance. Many times in American history we have had unnecessary losses of life, and even lost battles, simply because that barrage was not out in front to keep the enemy from firing on the advancing troops. One of the greatest weaknesses of the Christian church in any part of the world today is the lack of a prayer barrage prevailing prayer. I stand as a recruiting officer looking for faithful prayer warriors to enlist in the Lord’s Artillery.

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church (Acts 12:1).

The King James version is too weak, as “vex” means “to kill” or “to destroy.” The king was Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great. Because of his friendship with the Roman Emperor, Caligula, Herod assumed Roman culture, although he was actually very fond of Judaism and would do anything to please the Jews. Therefore, when he was given full power over them, one of his favorite strategies was to “vex” Christians. Since this course of action seemed to gratify the Jews, Herod pursued it with much vigor.

And he killed James the brother of John with the sword (Acts 12:2).

And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread) (Acts 12:3).

Always remember that GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING, even if we do not (John 13:7). This is a great lesson in the ministry of the sovereignty of God: He permitted James to die; yet when Peter was imprisoned and condemned, God implemented his escape. Often we do not understand tragedies, but in this case, we can see some obvious results. Not only did the church become aware of its responsibilities, as well as its privilege in the matter of prayer through the death of James, but during his imprisonment James was provided unusual opportunities to witness. The ecclesiastical history of Eusebius records that the very Jews who brought accusations against James not only visited him in prison but received Christ as Savior as the result of his witness. James died in a tremendous blaze of glory, which must have jolted many people out of their apathy — not only to the significance of prevailing prayer, but to the importance of knowing Christ as Savior.

And when he [Herod] had apprehended him [Peter], he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter [literally, the Passover] to bring him forth to the people (Acts 12:4).

Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him (Acts 12:5).

Because it was contrary to Jewish modus operandi to kill prisoners during the feast days, the execution of Peter was delayed until after the Holy Days. For security reasons. Peter was guarded by sixteen men four each watch a hopeless situation. Since the death of James had awakened the church to the necessity for prayer, they were now prevailing in prayer for Peter while he was awaiting execution.

And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison (Acts 12:6).

Peter was an unusual man: there was no pacing the floor or hysteria — he simply slept! Here is the operation of the faith-rest technique in Peter’s life; it is an example for every believer. There is a time for everything: Peter slept; the church prayed. When James was in prison, the church slept, but now they were sending forth the kind of prayer barrage every servant of the Lord needs!

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands (Acts 12:7).

And the angel said unto him. Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him. Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me (Acts 12:8).

Here is a very important point: God takes care of the things beyond our power, but He does not interfere with the natural laws of body function. God broke the chains; He took care of the guards; He opened doors but Peter was told to put on his own clothes! Some people think of the Lord as a valet of some kind and wait around for Him to do things they should be up and doing. This is a misapplication of the faith-rest technique and of doctrine.

And he [Peter] went out, and followed him [the angel]; and wist [knew] not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision (Acts 12:9).

When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him (Acts 12:10).

Peter did as he was told; but because he was half asleep, he thought that his experience was a dream. He was outside the prison before he realized he was free — delivered by a miracle because “prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him” (Acts 12:5).

And when Peter . . . came to the house . . . where many were gathered together praying. .. Peter knocked at the door of the gate [and] a damsel came to hearken . . . she knew Peter’s voice, [and] ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her. Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel (Acts 12:11-15).

These people had prayed most of the night for the deliverance of Peter; yet when he knocked at the gate, they refused to believe!

But Peter continue knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished (Acts 12:17).

I want to emphasize the point that prayer is GRACE. Although many people think differently, God does not answer because one deserves or earns it. Prayer is answered because of WHO AND WHAT GOD IS, never because of who or what we are. Often, as in this case, prayer is answered in SPITE of unbelief! The deliverance of Peter was not the end of that prayer meeting. The repercussions were so tremendous that the world was evangelized in that generation! Prayer is dynamite; it is the powerhouse of Christianity — a fantastic grace provision from God. How tragic that believers do not utilize it to His glory!

WHY WE PRAY

Behind every petition there is a desire. The desire is not always obvious from the petition, but it does exist. The Fifth chapter of Mark, which deals with the, subject of demon possession, also reveals various categories of prayer.

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit (Mark 5:1, 2).

Gadara was the mountainous, rugged, central coastline of the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Here we see Jesus met by “a man with an unclean spirit” — a demon-possessed individual. Next, we have listed some of the characteristics that can be manifested by demon possession.

Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him (Mark 5:3,4).

This man constantly, habitually lived among the tombs. These were caves used as burial grounds. Obviously, a person must be non compos mentis to live among corpses. Matthew 8: 28-34 records that there were actually two demon-possessed men, but our passage in Mark describes only one of them. He was violent and unrestrainable, apparently with abnormal strength. Today, we would say that not even a psychiatrist could “tame” him.

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying [shrieking], and cutting himself [deliberately] with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him. And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many (Mark 5:5-9).

The loud voice is actually the voice of the demons who controlled the vocal cords of the man. So actually, we have a dialogue between our Lord and the demons. Finally, the demons identify themselves as “Legion” inverse 9.

Next, we note there is a great herd of swine on the mountainside. This is very interesting in itself because the swine belonged to “pork bootleggers.” Some of the Jews on the other side had become Hellenistic Jews and had developed a taste for pork which was “verboten” to the Jews (Lev. 11:7, 8). So at night those “bootleggers” would cross the Sea of Galilee with the swine.

The demons besought him (Jesus) saying, “Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them” (Mark 5:12). The demons made a petition, but obviously there was a desire behind the petition. Since demons do not have bodies, they desire to permanently indwell some living thing. The Lord answered their petition by permitting them to enter the swine. However, the swine all ran down into the sea — where they died! Consequently, the demons had to seek other shelter. The petition was answered but the ultimate desire was not.

Several thousand swine represents quite a capital investment, and in verse 17 the owners entreated Jesus to leave the country. As we move on in the passage, let’s see what happened to the man who had been demon-possessed. Verse 15 tells us that he is now clothed and in his right mind.

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel (Mark 5:18-20).

Jesus refused his petition but answered his desire. While the man wanted to be with Jesus, obviously his desire was to serve. The Lord said, “No, you can’t go with me,” but the desire behind the petition was answered. He wanted to serve the Lord and he did — in Decapolis.

We should note two principles in this passage: first of all, the petition of the demons received a positive answer; their desire for a permanent shelter was negative. Secondly, the petition of the demon-possessed man was denied; however, his desire to serve the Lord was affirmed. He published the Gospel throughout the Decapolis. a district in the northeastern part of Galilee containing ten cities.

CATEGORIES OF PRAYER

I now want to show you how the various categories apply to us in sorting out divine answers. Many Christians receive answers to prayer without even realizing it. You see, the petition wasn’t answered, but the desire was. Or sometimes the desire was not answered but the petition was; sometimes both, sometimes neither. So, let’s look at a few illustrations:

CATEGORY 1: Petition Positive — Desire Negative.

And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul (Psa. 106:15).

Numbers, Chapter 11, records the petition of the children of Israel. The Lord had supplied a perfect food, manna, but they grew tired of it. Their request was for meat: “And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their souls.” The Lord sent quail — more quail than anyone had ever seen:

And there went forth a wind from the LORD, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day’s journey on this side, and as it were a day’s journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high [36 inches] upon the face of the earth. And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers [about 860 gallons]: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp (Num. 11:31, 32).

There is no question about it, the request was answered! But, as a result of eating-the quail, many were sick, some died, and apparently all were unhappy. The petition was answered, but the desire for a pleasant eating experience was denied.

Many times we ask for things because we think they will bring us happiness. The petition is for something specific, but the desire behind it is for happiness. Sometimes the Lord may answer the petition but not the desire. This is often done to teach us a lesson.

The next prayer we will examine concerns the request of the children of Israel for a king.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations (1 Sam. 8:4,5).

Up to this time, God personally ruled Israel. Other nations had kings sitting on thrones, and like so many people, the children of Israel did not want to be different.

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said. Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they liave rejected me, that I should not reign over them (1 Sam. 8:6, 7).

They got a king: the Lord answered their petition and Saul became their king. Their desire was to be like other nations; but when they had a human king, they fell apart. Instead of being like other nations, they had strife and civil war; they were beset with problems as long as Saul was king. So the point is that the petition for a king was answered; the desire to be like other nations was refused.

CATEGORY II: Petition Negative — Desire Positive.

And Abraham said unto God, 0 that Ishmael might live before thee (Gen. 17:18)!

In this prayer, Abraham is asking that Ishmael might be his established heir. This is Abraham’s petition, but the desire behind his petition is that he might have a son from his own loins who would be the heir.

And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him (Gen. 17:19).

The petition was not answered. Ishmael was not to be in the line of Israel, even though he was a son from Abraham’s loins. The desire behind the petition for an heir was to be answered by the birth of Isaac.

In our next example, we find Abraham having a conversation with the Lord. The Lord has just advised him that He is about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Sodom is the home of Abraham’s nephew. Lot, and Abraham is very concerned for Lot and his family. Therefore, he begins to petition the Lord.

And Abraham drew near, and said. Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein (Gen. 18:23,24)?

The word “righteous” indicates a believer. This is not necessarily a person who is “good,” but one who has the very righteousness of God credited to his account by faith in Jesus Christ (imputed righteousness — Rom. 4:3). The Lord said, “If I find in Sodom fifty believers, I will spare the city” (Gen. 18:26).

In verses 28 and following, Abraham begins to work on God. “Would you save Sodom, Lord, for forty-five?” And the Lord said: “Yes, III do it for forty-five.”

“Lord, will you do it for forty? Suppose there are only thirty believers. Will you save Sodom for thirty believers?” The Lord answered again: “Yes, for thirty.” Now, Abraham really gets down to the point in verse 32:

And he said. Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy for ten’s sake.

Now this is the number at which Abraham stopped, and for this reason: he knew that the family of Lot consisted of Lot, Lot’s wife (never mentioned by name) and three married daughters. With their husbands, that makes eight people. Then Lot had two unmarried daughters. So Abraham stopped at ten people; but he would have gone all the way to one if he had thought it was necessary. Why? You see, his desire was for the safety of his nephew. Lot, and the believers of his family. It just so happened that Abraham had not calculated properly because there were only three believers in Sodom. Four people walked out; only three survived. Even Lot’s wife was not a believer! The petition was not answered: Sodom was destroyed. The desire behind the petition was for the preservation of Lot. This was answered — Lot and two of his daughters were delivered!

In Luke, Chapter 16, we find another prayer request involving Abraham. A rich man in Hades is making a request to Abraham in Paradise. The rich man is dead and his soul is in Torments. He is concerned for his five brothers left behind on the earth. He asks Abraham that Lazarus (the beggar) be allowed to return to earth to give his brothers the Gospel so that they won’t have to suffer with him in Hades.

Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father [Abraham], that thou wouldest send him [Lazarus] to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him. They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them (Luke 16:27-29).

The petition to send Lazarus back to earth was given a negative answer. It was not necessary for Lazarus to return from the dead to witness to the five brothers; they had the Bible. “Moses and the prophets” refers to the Old Testament Scriptures. In other words, “Let them read God’s Word!” You see, it’s the Word of God that is “alive and powerful” (Heb. 4:12). So the answer to the petition was negative. However, the desire behind the petition was that his brothers might receive information on which to be saved. The desire was answered: they had the Scriptures available to them.

Now, let’s look at a very familiar New Testament prayer.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me (2 Cor. 12: 7, 8).

Whatever this “thorn in the flesh” was, it made Paul miserable. In order to have peace, he prayed for its removal. Notice, not just once did he pray, but three times he asked the Lord to remove it. Each time he received a negative answer to his petition. The Lord told him he was going to have to keep the “thorn in the flesh.”

And he said unto me. My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness . . . (2 Cor. 12:9).

It is always God’s grace that makes the difference, whether we are in extreme adversity or at the height of prosperity. It is the grace of God that gives us our inner happiness, stability and peace, no matter what happens around us. Regardless of what our circumstances may be, or how desperate the situation, grace always makes the difference! Therefore, God’s grace was sufficient for Paul. God’s power reaches us in our weakest moments. As Paul was being hammered by the “thorn in the flesh” and was therefore very weak, he prayed, “Lord, take it away.” The Lord did not take away the “thorn in the flesh”; He just gave Paul an extra shot of grace to carry him through the difficulty. And, what was Paul’s response to this?

… Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong (2 Cor. 12:9b, 10).

Each time Paul prayed that the “thorn in the flesh” be removed, the answer was “no.” His desire, to have inner happiness, peace and stability, was given an affirmative answer. You see, sometimes you think that God didn’t answer your prayer when in reality He did. To answer the desire behind the petition, God often imposes His good judgment over our not-so-good judgment. The result is that He often gives us a negative answer to the petition, but in His grace He fulfills the desire.

CATEGORY III: Petition Positive — Desire Positive.

We have already had one marvelous example of Elijah’s faith in prayer. Now we will look at another in 1 Kings 18, where we find Elijah proving the futility of idol worship and at the same time displaying the power of the living God. Once again, Elijah is on Mount Carmel, but this time he is issuing an ultimatum to the people:

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said. How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word (1 Kgs. 18:21).

Since Baal was the “fire god,” Elijah suggested that the prophets of Baal build an altar, cut a bullock in pieces, lay it on the wood but put no Fire under it. Elijah made the same preparations on a separate altar, and then issued his challenge:

And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said. It is well spoken (1 Kgs. 18:24).

All morning the prophets called on Baal, saying, “0 Baal, hear us,” but there was no answer. At noontime Elijah started mocking them and even used a little sarcasm: “Say, your god must be taking a trip. Maybe he is asleep; perhaps he is ‘pursuing.’ [All heathen gods were ‘women chasers.’] Shout a little louder” (verse 27). So they shouted a little louder, but still nothing happened. This fiasco continued until the time of the evening sacrifice.

At this point, Elijah dug a trench round about the Lord’s altar. Three times he had four barrels of water poured over the sacrifice, and finally he completely Filled the trench with water. Then Elijah offered his petition: “Father, send fire.” The desire behind his petition was that God might be glorified.

Hear me, 0 LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt- sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God (1 Kgs. 18:37-39).

God was glorified that day! Both the petition and the desire were answered.

Another example of this category involves Samson. Following his betrayal by Delilah, he was imprisoned and blinded by the Philistines. During one of the pagan ceremonies of the Philistines:

. . . they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars (Judg. 16:25).

In Samson’s prayer we find both petition and desire recorded in the same verse:

And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, 0 Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, 0 God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes (Judg. 16:28).

He asked for strength that he might avenge the Philistines for his blindness. Both the petition and the desire were answered:

… and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life (Judg. 16:30).

The prayer of the thief who was crucified with Jesus is another illustration of both petition and desire being answered. A dying thief hung on one of the crosses beside the Lord. He was a gangster with no hope, who had been justly condemned. When he said, “Lord” (the Greek word KURIOS), he recognized the deity of Christ. Then he made his petition:

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom (Luke 23:42).

This man recognized that Jesus is God. He recognized that Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and that He had a kingdom; he asked to be a part of that kingdom. His petition: “remember me”; his desire behind the petition: salvation.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shall thou be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43).

The man was born again into the eternal kingdom. Petition and desire were both answered affirmatively.

The next petition concerns another Lazarus who had died. Jesus went to the grave (a cave) with Mary and Martha, the sisters of Lazarus.

Jesus said. Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him. Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her. Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? Then they took away the stone [‘from the place where the dead was laid’ is not found in the original] . . . (John 11:39-41a).

The unrecorded petition was for the resuscitation of Lazarus. The desire behind the petition was that those who witnessed this event might believe that Jesus was indeed sent by the Father.

. . . And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said. Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me (John 11:41b,42).

Jesus’ prayer of thanksgiving preceded the visible answer to the petition.

And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go (John 11:43, 44).

This sequence of events is a perfect example of Matthew 21:22: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”

No doubt, the greatest of all prayers in the Word of God is the Lord’s prayer for believers, which is recorded in John, Chapter 17. Throughout this chapter there are a number of examples of both petition and desire being answered. This is the ideal and perfect prayer. By the way, this is the true Lord’s prayer for the Church Age.

CATEGORY IV: Petition Negative — Desire Negative. We have already established the fact that carnality limits God’s response to our petitions or desires. The reasons why prayer is not answered amplifies the principle of this category.

An incident in the life of one of the great prayer warriors of all time provides a fitting close to our study of prayer. In the last century, Hudson Taylor founded the China Inland Mission. On one of his trips ~o China, as he sailed through an area heavily infested with pirates, the ship was becalmed. This was a four-master with a lot of canvas, but there was no wind. The ship just sat there, drifting with the tide; there was no way to move her.

Sighted in the distance was a pirate ship. They were moving because they had a bank of oars; the absence of wind did not affect them. They were quite a distance away when the captain, a very profane man who had been “twitting” Dr. Taylor during the entire trip, called him to the bridge. He knew they were in a bad situation. The pirates were advancing, and with no way to defend themselves, the ship was at the mercy of these cutthroats. The captain was desperate!

“All right, preacher-man, let’s see you pray us out of this one.” Hudson Taylor replied, “I’ll be glad to do it. Just hoist every bit of canvas you have aboard. Hoist it all up. Right now!”

The captain was furious, and in his own unsanctified vernacular said, “In the middle of this calm you want me to hoist the canvas? The crew will think I’m nuts! I won’t do it!”

“All right, then I won’t pray. You see, I believe God answers my prayers, and I’m going to pray for wind. I’m not going to pray for that wind until you hoist every stitch of canvas aboard.”

By this time the pirates were getting close; so in desperation the captain sent hands aloft and the sails were raised. When all the canvas was out, Hudson Taylor knelt down and prayed, asking God to send a wind. By the time the “Amen” was out of his mouth, there was a puff, then a breeze, and the ship moved out!

Remember, through prayer, the very power of God is available to all believers.

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not (Jer. 33:3).

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APPENDIX

CATEGORICAL DOCTRINE OF PRAYER

1. The approach to prayer.

a. Addressed to the Father (Matt. 6:9; Eph. 3:14; 5:20).

b. In the name of the Son (John 14:13, 14; 16:23, 24).

c. In the power of the Spirit (Eph. 6:18).

2. Three categories of prayer directed to God the Father.

a. From the source of the Son (Heb. 7:25).

b. From the source of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26, 27).

c. From the source of the believer-priest (Heb. 4:16).

3. The agenda for private prayer.

a. Confession (1 John 1:9).

b. Thanksgiving (Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:18).

c. Intercession (Eph. 6:18).

d. Petition (Heb. 4:16).

4. Prayer, an exhale or faith-rest principle (Matt. 18:19; 21:22; Mark 11:24; John 15:7). Prayer is both an exhale toward God and a function from the edification complex of the soul (ECS).

5. Eight principles of prayer.

a. Prayer is most effective when GAP is functioning (John 15:7).

b. Prayer is an extension of the faith-rest exhale toward God (Matt. 21:22; Mark 1 1 :24).

c. Prayer demands cognizance of the will of God; therefore, the maximum function of GAP (1 John 5:14).

d. Prayer must be offered in status of the Filling of the Spirit (Eph. 6:18).

e. Prayer is ineffective when the believer is carnal (Psa. 66:18).

f. Prayer must comply with the principle of grace; therefore, the importance of the first floor of the edification complex i.e., grace orientation (Heb. 4:16).

g. Prayer is part of the Divine Decrees (Jer. 33:3).

h. Prayer is related to Category One love (toward God Psa. 116:1, 2).

6. Nine reasons why prayer is not answered. (Note that all are connected with either carnality or accumulation of scar tissue.)

a. Not filled with the Spirit (Eph. 6:18).

b. No faith-rest function (Matt. 21:22). c. Mental attitude carnality (Psa. 66:18).

d. Lust-type selfishness (Jas. 4:2-4).

e. Lack of obedience (1 John 3:22).

f. Noncompliance with specific and known will of God (1 John 5:14).

g. Pride as a basic mental attitude sin and resultant self- righteousness (Job 35:12,13).

h. Lack of compassion or grace orientation (Prov. 21:13).

i. Lack of domestic tranquillity (1 Pet. 3:7).

7. Principle of grace in prayer (Heb. 4:16).

a. Prayer is the privilege and extension of grace function: hence, it is impossible to approach God in prayer on the basis of human good or human merit.

b. The believer-priest approaches God in prayer on the basis of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, and His merits.

c. The Father is propitiated with the work of Christ, but is not a respecter of persons in the case of believers offering prayer.

d. God does not hear prayers because a person is fervent, moral, sincere, religious or self-effacing.

e. God hears prayer because of the function of GAP, the ministry of the Son, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

8. The Categories of petition in prayer.

a. POSITIVE-NEGATIVE: Petition answered; desire not answered (1 Sam. 8:5-9, 19, 20).

b. NEGATIVE-POSITIVE: Petition not answered; desire answered (Gen. 17:18; 18:23-33; 2 Cor. 12:7-10).

c. POSITIVE-POSITIVE: Petition answered; desire answered (Judg. 16:28; 1 Kgs. 18:36,37; Luke 23:42,43; John 11: 41,42, 45).

d. NEGATIVE-NEGATIVE: Neither petition nor desire answered, as per point 6.

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