Notes and Reflections on Springfield Conference
(Fall 2015).
The Lord's Prayer. Luke 11:1-4.
Oct. 24, 2015.
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The first instance of praying to God is
recorded in Genesis 4:26. “And to Seth,
to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos:
then began men to call upon the Name of the LORD.”
(This was in the days before the Flood. But by Genesis 6, we see departure; and the
remnant is seen in Enoch and Noah, of whom the Scripture testifies that they
"walked with God." (See 5:24;
6:8-9; Hebrews 11:5-7.)
The Lord Jesus was the dependent Man on
earth. His prayers exemplified this at
the various times and occasions He prayed to God. He was in full communion with His Father.
(See Matt. 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:18; Luke 22:32; Luke
22:41-45; Matt. 26:39-44; John 12:27,28; John 17;
Hebrews 5:7; Matt. 15:36; Mark 8:6; Luke 22:19; Mark 14:23,24.)
Brother John N. from
In prayer, there is access for the saints to
come boldly unto the Throne of Grace (Heb. 4:16). See also Heb 10.
A brother from
“Our
Father” – The work of grace brings us into fellowship with the Father. “Our Father” intimates that we are in
relationship with the Father. (See I
John 3:1-2.)
“Which art in Heaven” – He is in heaven (not
on earth) –over all as the sovereign Lord and God (Acts 4.) He is “Lord of heaven and earth” (Acts 17
&c.)
It appears from Scripture that the Lord Jesus
never addressed God as “Our Father” when He prayed. But He could say “O My Father” in the
We may further observe this unique
relationship and position even in resurrection, when He declared (John 20):
"...I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your
God." Observe the striking
precision of the words: "My Father, and your Father" "My God,
and your God" -- not "Our Father, and our God."
(Paul uses the expression "I thank my
God" (Philippians 1:3), but he begins with his usual salutation
"Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus
Christ." This expression "my
God" is also found in Psalms and elsewhere. For instance, Psalm 63, wherein David uses
the expression: "O God, Thou art my God;" All this is very blessed, and shows
the saints' intimate relationship with God, and especially, under the New
Testament, with the Father as revealed in Christ (John 17:23). But still it appears to me that the declaration
of Christ in John 20 stands alone --and though in virtue of our association
with the Son of God in incarnation, (and blessed be God for this), that He
brings us into same relationship and intimacy with His Father on the basis of
Heb 2:9-18; John 17:23 etc. yet it must be observed that Christ in virtue of
His Godhead, as the eternal Son of God shares absolute equality and honour with the Father (John 5 --"the Father loveth the Son" and "That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour
the Father" etc.) Christ has that
unique and everlasting glory --"the glory as of the Only-begotten of the
Father"-- He ever dwells in that secret and most intimate place
--"the bosom of the Father."
Hence what an astonishing thing for us to behold now that "God so
loved the world that He gave His Only-begotten Son.." So also, as the apostle John declares:
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth
us not, because it knew Him not." I John 3:1.)
Therefore, it may be observed that when the
Lord Jesus teaches us to pray, He uses the expression "Our Father"
--a Name that reveals His great love toward us: "Behold, what manner of
love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of
God:.." (I John 3:1.) (See also
John 17, I John 4 &c.)
Brother John from
In the New Testament, we find the saints
praying to, or addressing the Father and as well as the Lord Jesus Christ.
For instance, in Ephesians 1:3, the apostle
uses the expression “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ”
Addressing the Lord Jesus in
prayer. Some
instances are:
2 Cor. 12:8 -- "For this thing I besought
the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me."
The repentant thief on the cross: "...but
this Man hath done nothing amiss. And he
said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom.
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To
day shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke
23:41-43.)
And we read about Stephen when he was dying
"....calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud
voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell
asleep." Acts 7:59,60.
(Also, in Acts 4 -- the Church in the hour of
trial (first persecution) raises its prayer to God asking in the Name of His
Son: "....And now, Lord, Behold their threatenings: and grant unto Thy
servants, that with all boldness they may speak Thy word, By stretching forth Thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done
by the Name of Thy Child (Servant) Jesus."
"And when they had prayed, the place was
shaken where they were assembled together;..."
We pray by the Holy Spirit: "For through
Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." Eph. 2:18.
Romans 8:26: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should
pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered."
We pray in the Holy Spirit: "Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.."
Eph. 6:18.
"But ye, beloved,
building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy
Ghost," Jude v20.
And the Spirit intercedes for us: He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of
God." Romans 8:27.
Some comments seemed to suggest that we can at
times pray to the Father alone without the need to mention the Name of
Christ. In other words, Can we offer
prayers to the Father directly without asking in the Name of His Son? Also, in connection with this, the current
practice of closing the prayers asking in the Name of Christ was questioned. It was thought to be mechanical. It may be so in many cases when they are not
offered in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18). But I
believe, we will go astray if we do not ask in
Christ’s Name. For instance, see Rev.
8. The prayers of all saints are offered
to God by Christ the High Priest, Who alone can give efficacy to our feeble
prayers. Let me quote a beloved
brother's brief thought on the efficacy of Christ's work as our High Priest on
our behalf. He says, "who can
comprehend the effect of His priestly grace on our prayers? Without asking in
His name, our prayers would fail to move God- Aaron needs to lift up Moses’
hands and so too Hur. ‘At that day ye shall ask in My
Name’- the day came- the day when ‘He ascendeth on
high’, as High Priest for us."
Further, we may observe that from the
beginning of the world until His ascension, none did or could ask in His
Name. But it was "at that day"
as Christ foretold, "ye shall ask in My Name" was fulfilled when
Christ has gone on high and the apostles began to pray in the Name of
Christ. In this connection, it is deeply
interesting to notice the first recorded prayer of the Church made "by the
Name of Thy Holy Child (Servant) Jesus."
See Acts 4.
Therefore, the saints ought to count it as
their great and glorious privilege to ask in the Name of Jesus. True, we need that spiritual intelligence and
trusting to that Name of Jesus alone, Which is above
every other name (Philippians 2). Asking
in Christ’s Name shows that we trust in His Name “John 14 –"ye believe in
God, believe also in Me.” "Seeing then that we
have a Great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession." Heb. 4:14. And thus we have this confidence to approach
God -- "....Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (v15,16.)
The way to Father is by Jesus Christ
alone. "Jesus saith
unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father,
but by Me." John 14:6.
"For through Him we both have access by
one Spirit unto the Father." Eph. 2:18.
(See also Romans 5; Heb. 4; Heb. 10.)
“By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice
of praise to God, continually…” Heb. 13:15.
Furthermore, Christ expressly commands us to
ask in His Name*. "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name: ask, and ye
shall receive.."(John 16:24.) Whatsoever we ask
in His Name, He says, He will do it that the Father may be glorified in the
Son. (John 14:13,14; 15:16; 16:23.)
It is therefore a baseless argument if we
suggest that we can approach the Father or pray to Him directly and not confess
the Name of the Son. The Father is
glorified in the Son when we pray in the Name of Jesus. It is always the Father’s object and
everlasting pleasure to direct us to His Son.
“...This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well
pleased; hear ye Him” Matt. 17:5.
See also John 12:28-30: “Father, glorify Thy
Name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it,
and will glorify it again....This Voice came not because of Me,
but for your sakes." John 8:54 --
"--it is My Father that honoureth Me;.." (See also
verse 18 &c.)
On the other hand, “That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour
the Father. He that honoureth
not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent
Him." John 5:23.
"Whosoever denieth
the Son, the same hath not the Father: [but]
he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father
also." I John 2:23.
(*The
Lord Jesus Himself lays the basis of asking the Father in His Name as the
following Scriptures show:
John 14:13,14: "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 15:16: ".......that whatsoever ye
shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it you."
John 16:23: "And in that day ye shall ask
Me nothing.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye
shall ask the Father in My Name, He will give it you."
v24 "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My
Name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." and v26 "At
that day ye shall ask in My Name:....")
Therefore, in light of these truths, we must
assert that all our prayers to the Father need to be addressed in the Name of
His Son. This is what Christ expressly
commands us to do "Hitherto, ye have asked nothing in My Name: ask, and ye
shall receive" Thus, our prayers would fail to move God if we do not ask
in the Name of His Son. And in this
connection, let us also remember the words of Jesus, when He gave the great
commission: "..All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth" Matt. 28:18.
One word more. Is it not the current practice in many of the
places where prayers are offered? One
may observe this great departure today in the great halls of American
government*. Prayers are daily offered
to God, but there is no confession of the Name of Christ. But the Scriptures plainly declare:
"Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not
the Father: [but] he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." I
John 2:23. Thus all these prayers are
offered in vain, because they do not honour the Son.
“That all men should honour
the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth
not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent
Him." John 5:23.
Therefore, to my view, all these prayers bear
the same character in one way or the other as the apostle Paul said of the men
of Athens (Acts 17): "....For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I
found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you." etc.
[* Until the beginning of 20th century, it
appears that the Name of Christ was confessed publicly in all the prayers made
in Congress and other agencies of United States Government. I therefore regard the current practice to be
a departure from the truth. It is not
that every prayer made by anyone in the Name of Christ will be heard unless
they are offered by those that have the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9), and
prayed in the Spirit. (Romans 8:26,27; Jude v20
&c.)
What do we pray for? (Luke 11:2-4)
"Hallowed be Thy Name."
"Thy Kingdom come." -- wherein "..the
righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father..." (Matt. 13:43.)
Believers are expecting two things – Rapture
and Appearing. (Titus 2:13.)
The Rapture is coming of the Lord Jesus for
His own (I Thess. 4.) This is the
blessed hope. The Appearing is Christ
coming with the saints to judge the world and establish His Kingdom on
earth. All will be established on the
basis of the finished work of Christ on the cross.
The saints’ immediate hope is "to wait
for His Son from heaven" (I Thess. 1:9-10.).
Psalm 16 "..at
Thy right hand there are pleasures evermore" -- Christ at the right hand of God is the
divine center for the saints who are looking earnestly for His second advent.
(Rev 1:7.)
Christ says He shall not drink henceforth of
the fruit of the vine, until that day when He drinks it new with us in His
Father’s kingdom (Matt 26:29). In the
meanwhile, in grace, He has given us to partake of the Lord’s Supper here in
the wilderness of this world -- "For as often as ye eat this bread, and
drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He
come."(I Cor. 11:26.)
"Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in
earth."
"Give us day by day our daily
bread."
"And forgive us our sins;" etc.
"And lead us not into temptation;"
"but deliver us
from evil."
But we ought to pray or ask in the Name of
Jesus that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13,14)
Secondly, as I John 5:14,15
show us that we need to ask according to His will: "And this is the
confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask any thing according to His
will, He heareth us:" etc.
Also, according to I Tim. 2:1,2, "I
exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority;" etc.
Some impediments to Prayer:
Failure to ask - James 4:2;
Asking for wrong reason - James 4:3
Iniquity in the heart - Psalm 66:18
Ignoring the word of God - Proverbs 28:9
Poor marital relationships - I Peter 3:7
Eph. 6:18 -- the Prayer is given as part of
the Armor of God. "Praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
L.P.
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