Friday: Further Study – Jesus, the Holy Spirit and Prayer
Further Study: The soul that turns to God for its help, its support, its power, by daily, earnest prayer, will have noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth and duty, lofty purposes of action, and a continual hungering and thirsting after righteousness. By maintaining a connection with God, we shall be enabled to diffuse to others, through our association with them, the light, the peace, the serenity, that rule in our hearts.
Image © Krieg Barrie from GoodSalt.com
The strength acquired in prayer to God, united with persevering effort in training the mind in thoughtfulness and care-taking, prepares one for daily duties and keeps the spirit in peace under all circumstances.
-Ellen G. White,Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 85.
In calling God our Father, we recognize all His children as our brethren. We are all a part of the great web of humanity, all members of one family. In our petitions we are to include our neighbors as well as ourselves. No one prays aright who seeks a blessing for himself alone.
–Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, page 105.
Discussion Questions:
- Luke’s linking of Jesus and the Holy Spirit does not end with his Gospel alone. No one can read the book of Acts, Luke’s second volume for the history of the Christian church, without noting the compelling dynamic of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian community, its missions, and its ministers. Indeed, only Luke records Jesus’ post-resurrection instruction to His disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they
are endued with power from on high
(Luke 24:49, NKJV) before they could go to the ends of the earth with the message of the crucified and risen Savior. Luke then begins the book of Acts with Jesus repeating the promise of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:7-8) and the promise being fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47). What does all this tell us about the central role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church? - In what ways is the very act of prayer itself an acknowledgment of our dependence on and need of God? ReadLuke 18:9. What deep spiritual problem was Jesus addressing with the parable that followed?
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Traces of the erroneous and overplayed ideas of human intercession of the dark ages (connected to the little horn power) remain and may gain traction in more subtle ways.
It has been said it is the prayers of faithful mothers that save their sons, as if the Creator is waiting on and cannot act without permission from created beings to save the lost. Where does this leave sons who have not godly mothers, or godly mothers who pray but their sons remain astray and die in their sins? Or what is the explanation for sons of the same praying mother taking diverse paths?
Does God make extra effort to save some who have better representation above others whom He loves equally? Does the salvation of any rest on the special or persistent prayer of another mortal? Though the thought may infuse a sense of empowerment do we really improve the salvation prospect of another by our prayers?
Perhaps reflecting the thoughts of the songwriter some sincerely believe, “I need the prayers of those I love, to help me in each trying hour, to bear my tempted soul to Him, that He may keep me by His power.” This in spite of the plain statements in scripture and spirit of prophecy that there is only one mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5).
We do not have all the answers, but some ideas printed in books and practiced by believers are inconsistent with Biblical teaching. Test the ideas against scripture. It behooves us to take our burdens directly to Jesus and encourage others to do the same even as we pray for others, especially those who are not close to us.
Hugh, thank you for your though provoking post. I have been a Seventh-day Adventist for decades, but sad to say, where I should be on solid food, I am still in need of milk (Hebrews 5:12).
While I understood your illustrations in your first full paragraph (about the praying mothers), the rest of your post has left me with more questions than answers, the biggest one being this: Since God's will and purpose will be ultimately carried out(He's going to do what He wants to do anyway) and since He has given us the power of choice (where even God Himself allows us to stay in our sins or not follow Him if we choose not to), then why should I even pray for others? Can our prayers move the heart and mind of God or is this another one of the "ideas printed in books and practiced by believers [that is] inconsistent with Biblical teaching"? When Abraham was bargaining with God to not destroy Sodom (Genesis 18:16-33), was He really changing His mind, or was He revealing to Abraham the great depravity of the city in that there were not even find 10 righteous people in Sodom?
I have been praying since I was 12 years old for my mother to be saved. If what you say is correct---"Though the thought may infuse a sense of empowerment do we really improve the salvation prospect of another by our prayers?"---then what should I be praying for instead?
Marie,
Thanks for your comment and question. The short answer is keep praying for your mother.
Beyond this rest assured Jehovah loves and desires the salvation of your mother more than you do. He does not spare effort to save. Jesus would die for your mother alone, if necessary, and this without your intervention. He really wants to get all of us into the Kingdom of Heaven (2 Peter 3:9)
So why pray for others? If for no other reason we do so because Jesus said so and scripture counsels us to do so. Through prayer we express the desires of our heart. Praying for others helps to cultivate in us a godly attitude and charitable feelings towards others, and thereby we might relate to them rightly. It gets us to think more about others and their needs and increases the likelihood we will help them in more tangible ways where possible.
While focusing on others we become more selfless and therefore more Christ-like (Philippians 2:4). As well sometimes things actually change (not guaranteed), but these are not the essentials which the Father has already taken care of (Matthew 6:33). God grants some of our requests to strengthen our faith, if it will not interfere with His overall/greater will. He will not jeopardize the plan of salvation on account of our uninformed and misguided requests.
Sometimes we just accept without investigation what we have been told because the idea has been around a while and echoed by many. Yet error is not sanctified by time or popularity. We are told to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21) because deception is Satan’s primary tool (1 Peter 5:8). While many fear physical persecution it is deception that will overcome the majority, especially in the final events, not force.
God does not shield those who have adequate opportunity to study, but decline because it is inconvenient or they would rather not find out His will. The faithful may make mistakes or misunderstand for a while but God covers same if they set out to follow His command (2 Timothy 2:15).
As we study and grow we get a clearer understanding of the Lord’s purpose in His commands, instructions and counsels and our relationship with Him is strengthened
Hugh, I think in Heaven there is going to be a lot of surprises for us as the curtain of History is pulled back and we see things the way they actually were. And even more revelation when it comes to the entire ministry that God and the angels have done on our behalf. I think we will also see what part our prayers actually played in the controversy. But until then it is all by faith in an all powerful loving God.
"Does God make extra effort to save some who have better representation above others whom He loves equally? Does the salvation of any rest on the special or persistent prayer of another mortal? Though the thought may infuse a sense of empowerment do we really improve the salvation prospect of another by our prayers? "
I would answer your questions with the following questions. Would the Centurion’s servant have recovered from his illness without his master's pleas to Jesus (Luke 7:1-10)? Would Jairus' daughter have been resurrected without her father's pleas to the Lord (Mark 5:21-43)?
Clearly, intercessory prayer works. It works because of Jesus not, as you put it, “another mortal”. The miracles mentioned above were not caused by the Centurion or by Jairus. Instead, because of their faith in Jesus, their petitions were granted by God.
So, we should never stop praying for our lost brothers and sisters, children, neighbors and friends.
we all like Daniel in Dan9:4 need to acknowledge our transgressions although we may not have any conscious record of sin we have done,and that we may not lie that we have no sin( 1jn 1:8)so that we can be lowly and easily identify with those who backslide as beloved also by our Lord Jesus.; by this we can pray for one another, we can console or comfort one another...but if we cant acknowledge our falling short, this will follow- Lk18:9"..which trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others."-and all this is the LOVE we are pondering in this 50 remaining days of the 100 days of prayer. be blessed this Sabbath. amen
Marie, I believe our prayers do make a difference in influencing others to come to Christ. Ask and it shall be given you. We can be tools in directing God's Spirit to hold back the evil forces that attempt to prevent a soul in responding to His promptings. I turned my back on God for a good many years and have since realised that the prayers of my mother and a good many others whom I am may never know who they are, softened my heart to respond to His still small voice. I was not actively seeking to reconnect with Jesus yet here I am 5 years on praising God without ceasing that He turned me back to Him. During these 5 years I am beginning to understand how prayer lifts me up to Him. My circumstances may not change but my perspective does. God through prayer is my place of solace in the storm and He places His joy in my heart assuring me He is with me in all things. I am praying for an unbelieving partner and I am amazed at how God's Spirit is subtly working in His life to promote behaviour and attitudes I have never seen him exhibit. Pray without ceasing, only good can come from it!!!
Does God respond more to lost souls who have someone praying for them? I believe he does if only because of the great controversy! Are God's hands tied because of the accusations of Satan? Do prayers release (give God permission) to work in ways he could not if not asked, and if more are praying, does that provide even more reason for his action! We all have a free will, he will not breech that! Some respond to his wooing and others do not! But "the prayer of a righteous man, avails much"! I have been praying for my daughter about 15 years, and many miracles abound, she has still not totally committed to the holy spirit, but definite movement in that direction is happening! Praise God He cares but when I align with his care, much can happen! I pray God will open our eyes to his plan and use me for its fulfillment!
I believe praying for someone works in this way.
1. Prayer changes us, so that the Holy Spirit can use us and so that we say the right things. Christ becomes attractive because of our love and caring attitude.In this way we may win someone to Christ.
2. A person may be touched when he or she knows that we are praying for them.