Tools to maturity – Prayer
As discussed in prior episodes, the first step to the Christian life is to accept Christ’s forgiveness for our misdeeds by faith in his death on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-26, see “Our great salvation summary”). The next important step is to understand that our salvation is permanent – no matter what – and that we should not feel guilty in daily life (1 Peter 1:4-5; John 10:27-31, see “Our secure salvation summary”)!
This is a great start, but there’s more: our daily service to God and becoming more Christ-like. This can further improve our wellbeing due to the benefits of Christianity and the Bible.
How do we live the Christian life?
There are many aspects to the Christian life. However, a simple biblically based 5-step approach to grow our relationship with God is what I call the ‘5 tools to maturity’ and they are taken from Acts 2:42 and 47. They are as follows:
- Prayer
- Praise
- Fellowship
- Receiving biblical teaching
- Reach others with biblical truth
Why are these 5 tools important? When implemented consistently, and in balance with each other, these activities grow a godly mindset and righteous actions into our daily lives.
These 5 tools describe the activities in the very first church in Jerusalem and provide a model for today to what actions individuals and the church should perform routinely. Importantly, these five activities are confirmed in later verses in the epistles.
Why are these 5 tools important? When implemented consistently, and in balance with each other, these activities appropriate God’s Word into our daily lives.
Prayer
We do indeed have a great God to whom we are privileged to pray. How do we pray? Here are the basic concepts:
Access
As a forgiven Christian God views us as sinless which allows us the privilege of direct, unimpeded access to Him so we can pray. We can come before God with courage (Hebrews 10:20-22)! The only limitation is ourselves from lack of obedience, guilt or fear, that would limit or damage the content of our prayers (1 Peter 3:7).
Content of prayer
Scripture also describes several general themes in our prayers:
- Thankfulness – We should express gratitude for what God has done in in our and other people’s lives (Philemon 1:4).
- Praise – We should acknowledge God’s holy character and actions.
- Note: The first two aspects of the content of our prayer adds to the proper attitude of prayer mentioned above but are also important content.
- Our requests – We may petition God with anything that worries us or concerns us. We should remember that we are praying to the great God of the universe in our attitude as mentioned above (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 4:12).
- Specific requests – They should be consistent with God’s desires and example prayers (John 14:13-14; Ephesians 1:15-19; Ephesians 3:15-18; Colossians 1:9-14).
- Pray for others – Examples of prayer for other people are frequent in scripture (James 5:16).
- Request prayer from others – Paul often requested prayers from others (Colossians 4:3; Ephesians 6:19), which may have had the following advantages:
- Helped Induce God to answer the prayers.
- Allows others to share in God’s answers to your prayers by asking them to pray for you so they also might be encouraged when you report to them the answered prayer.
- We do not know exactly how God uses prayer requests from other people. In his epistles, Paul often asks for prayer (Colossians 4:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:25) although scripture generally does not mention that believers should ask other people to pray for them. Further, there is no set number scripture provides of people praying for you which God desires to answer Prayer. We do know, however, that God answers prayer according to His will (John 14:13-14; 1 John 5:14).
- Biblical – Our prayer requests should be consistent with what glorifies Jesus Christ (John 14:13-14; 15:7). Paul offers 3 model prayers in which he emphasizes what God wishes us and others to attain in our Christian walk, no matter what the situation (Ephesians 1:15-23; Ephesians 3:14-17; Colossians 1:9-15) including:
- Confidence of our salvation (hope).
- Knowledge, understanding and wisdom of God’s word, especially the epistles.
- Know His power.
- Know His love.
- Demonstrate service, all in patience, joy, and persistence.
What about confession of our sins?
This is a controversial point. The epistles do not instruct us specifically to confess our sins to God. We are forgiven! In contrast, the common injunction in the epistles in our attitude to sin is simply to obey (Romans 6:12-20; 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 1 John 3:22). It is the Holy Spirit who helps us obey and defeat our sins (Romans 8:13). Therefore, knowing we are forgiven, our prayers can be more forward-looking, service-oriented and filled with praise and thankfulness.
Why pray?
Medical research indicates that the active prayer increases wellbeing and the more frequent the prayer the better for wellbeing. Prayer is good for us, and the epistles tell us to do it! Several potential benefits of prayer are:
- God cares:
- It provides a release for our emotions to God perhaps relieving tension and frustration.
- It engenders a sense that somebody cares and is listening. We also know that the Holy Spirit and Christ Himself pray on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26,34).
- Good reminders:
- It causes us to pay attention to scripture, hopefully, as we pray
- It allows us time to consider, and form an answer to, problems (ours or others) as we deliberate mentally our requests to God.
- It reminds us to be thankful for others and for His blessings to us.
- It helps us to praise and remember that we have a great God whose purposes are greater than ours. Thus, it helps keep our own problems in perspective.
- God answers: In addition, as Christians we have the benefit of God’s promise to answer prayer so there may be a further benefit through His gracious provisions (John 14:13-14; 1 John 5:13).
- God cares:
Therefore, prayer is a key tool to maturity as a Christian, invoking God’s help but reminding us of scripture, praise and to be thankful, all which may our assist our wellbeing. Prayer is one of the great benefits of our Christian life. Thanks be to God for such a provision.
Join us next time as we discuss praise and fellowship as the second and third tool to maturity.
Disclaimer – This podcast is provided as information only and is intended for listeners 18 and older. No podcast content should be taken as advice or recommendation for any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the speaker and are not necessarily shared or endorsed by Teleios. The podcast is subject to change at any time without notice. Although the podcaster endeavors to ensure current and accurate content, it may contain errors and is not presented as current, accurate, complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. The podcaster does not accept any liability for the podcast or any other information (or the use of such information) provided. The speaker does not hold a seminary degree, but is self-trained in the scriptures. Specific questions should be directed to experts in the field of theology.
