Third, Jesus taught His apostles to petition on behalf of forgiveness. There is nothing for which man should be more concerned than forgiveness of sin. Why is that the foremost concern of mankind? Because without forgiveness, man is destined to be separated from God eternally. The impurity of sin cannot enter or abide in the presence of a holy God, and God recognized that fact. All the way back in Genesis 1-2, when God created man, His purpose was for man to dwell continually in His presence, and thus instructed man as to the means by which that was possible (Genesis 2:17). However, by man’s betrayal of that Divine command, sin entered the world forfeiting man’s ability to dwell with God. Thus a means of redemption had to intervene to take sin out of the way, once again allowing man to enter God’s presence. And that means of redemption is the forgiveness of sin made possible by the blood of Jesus Christ. A forgiveness that is perpetual as much as man is penitent. If man refuses to be penitent, forgiveness is withheld (II Corinthians 7:10). It is with that penitent attitude that the Christian can approach God in prayer and seek that cleansing power to again redeem their souls and forgive them of sins. This blessing is illustrated to us in scripture in the form of one called Simon, formerly a sorcerer. In Acts 8, after Philip had gone to Samaria and preached the gospel to the citizens in that city, a number were obedient to the gospel, being immersed for the remission of their sins, and were added to the body of Christ. However, shortly thereafter, Peter and John were sent by the other apostles at Jerusalem to bestow the miraculous measure on those new believers, and upon seeing the power they were able to transmit, Simon offered them money if he too could have that power, thereby falling into sin. After rebuking Simon for his less than honorable desire, Peter instructed Simon to, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22). This is exactly the ability that Jesus stated in His model prayer that children of God have, to penitently petition God for forgiveness. However, note that our forgiveness is not only conditioned by our penitence, but also by our willingness to forgive others. How could a soul unwilling to forgive possibly seek forgiveness? Jesus stated that we only have the right to seek forgiveness if we “also forgive every one that is indebted to us” (Luke 11:4). So, when humbly bowing to your knees in prayer, take advantage of the marvelous opportunity to seek forgiveness through the blood of Christ.
Then, fourth, Jesus taught His apostles to seek the spiritual guidance and strength provided by God. James would later indicate in his epistle that “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” (James 1:13). That, though, does not mean that man does not face temptation. God does not tempt man, but He allows man to be tempted according to his free moral agency. And while it is not a sin to face temptation (see Matthew 4) nor is temptation always a bad thing (see James 1:2-3), temptation is a step closer to sin if we are not careful. Therefore, the ideal life would be one in which temptation is never faced, whereby sin could be more easily avoided. But, while God does not promise that temptation will never be faced, He does promise that temptation will never be more than can be bore. One of the most comforting verses in all of the Bible is I Corinthians 10:13, which states, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” That is the strength and guidance mentioned by Christ in His model prayer. The strength to withstand and the guidance to avoid sin when temptation does arise. And on both counts, the strength and the guidance we need to withstand temptation is found in the scriptures. When, in Matthew 4, Christ was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, each temptation was met with this righteous response, “It is written.” That was the Divine means by which Christ was delivered from evil—the shelter of truth. Similar to this thought is Solomon’s statement regarding the name of the Lord being “a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). Thus, when falling to your knees in prayer, remember to seek the spiritual guidance and strength of God to withstand evil.
While obviously far more detailed attention could be paid to specific abilities we have regarding prayer, these four points outlined by Christ generally illustrate what our attention should be given to in prayer. And by these four points it is obvious that prayer is to be approached with God, others, and self in mind. We pray for the will of God, for the souls and health of others, and for the physical and spiritual well being of self. Such petitions strengthen and encourage us to daily seek the favor of God in life and in death. And it is for this cause I bow my knees.
-Andy Brewer
to be continued
