The greater part of wisdom consists in understanding the relationships between complementary truths.
–Dick Gaffin
Matthew 21:22
And everything—whatever you ask in prayer, believing—you will receive.”
1 John 5:14
Now this is the confidence we have before Him: whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
I’m not certain if these verses are exactly the idea that Mr. Gaffin is referring to but they came to mind as I read the quote.
This quote was taken from an interview with David Powlison.
We can accomplish more by time and strength put into prayer (and bible study) than we can by putting the same amount of time and strength into anything else.
–R.A. Torrey
Make up your mind that you will put some time every day into the study of the Word of God. That is an easy resolution to make, and not a very difficult one to keep; if the one who makes it is in earnest. It is one of the most fruitful resolutions that any Christian ever made. The forming of that resolution and the holding faithfully to it, has been the turning point in many a life. Many a life that has been barren and unsatisfactory has become rich and useful through the introduction into it of regular, persevering, daily study of the Bible. This study may not be very interesting at first, the results may not be very encouraging; but, if one will keep pegging away, it will soon begin to count as nothing else has ever counted in the development of character, and in the enrichment of the whole life. Nothing short of absolute physical inability should be allowed to interfere with this daily study.
–R. A. Torrey, introduction to the New Topical Textbook.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NRSV Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. 7 Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, 9 and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
(The Shema)
Matthew 22:37 NRSV He said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.”
Here is a quote by John Calvin. I thought it would be a good exercise to find Scripture that supports what he is saying. First the quote by itself and then with Scripture inserted:
Believers do not pray with the view of informing God about things unknown to him, or of exciting him to do his duty, or of urging him as though he were reluctant. On the contrary, they pray in order that they may arouse themselves to seek him, that they may exercise their faith in meditating on his promises, that they may relieve themselves from their anxieties by pouring them into his bosom; in a word, that they may declare that from him alone they hope and expect, both for themselves and for others, all good things.
(If you are reading from e-mail or Google Reader it may be easier to come to the web page and go back and forth clicking on the links and then your browser’s Back button, staying in the same window.)
“Believers do not pray with the view of informing God about things unknown to him (Psalm 147:4-5), or of exciting him to do his duty (Proverbs 16:9), or of urging him as though he were reluctant (Isaiah 30:18). On the contrary, they pray in order that they may arouse themselves to seek him (Proverbs 8:17), that they may exercise their faith in meditating (Joshua 1:8) on his promises (2 Corinthians 1:20), that they may relieve themselves from their anxieties (Philippians 4:6-7) by pouring them into his bosom (1 Peter 5:7); in a word, that they may declare that from him alone (Romans 11:36) they hope (Romans 15:13) and expect (Psalm 5:3 NIV), both for themselves and for others (Philippians 2:4), all good things (Psalm 107:9).”
When reading and studying I don’t want to just build up knowledge, especially not knowledge that “puffs up”. (1 Corinthians 8:1) In addition to praying prior to each time I read and study I have come up with some indicators.
1) Does what I read and study cause me to pray about what I’m learning or being convicted of?
2) Do I ponder and meditate on what I’m reading?
3) Is what I’m learning producing change?
4) Does what I’m learning cause me to worship God?
5) Am I growing more humble with an attitude of fear and trembling instead of being puffed up?
Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Do you have anything to add? Since there aren’t many reading this blog I know I may be risking silence as I shout alone in my little corner of cyberspace.
Expel from my mind all sinful fear and shame, so that with firmness and courage I may confess the Redeemer before men, go forth with Him hearing His reproach, be zealous with His knowledge, be filled with His wisdom, walk with His circumspection, ask counsel of Him in all things, repair to the Scriptures for His orders, stay my mind on His peace, knowing that nothing can befall me without His permission, appointment and administration.
From Openness - Taken from The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, edited by Arthur Bennett. Reformatted by Eternal Life Ministries.
http://www.eternallifeministries.org/prayers.htm
2 Corinthians 12:8 - Prayer
2 Corinthians
2 Corinthians 12:8-9
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Three times he pleaded for his affliction to be taken away. This is reminiscent of Jesus praying three times in Gethsemane. “So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.” (Matthew 26:44) “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39 b)
We can see that Jesus and Paul were persistent in prayer. Maybe there is significance in comparing the fact that Paul and Jesus both prayed three times but that isn’t a magic formula. Jesus may have prayed that same thing many times before that night. And Paul received a definite answer after three times.
The parables that illustrate persistence in prayer are the impudent friend in Luke 11:5-10 and the bothersome widow in Luke 18:1-8.
Both Jesus and Paul got an answer of “no” to one of their most fervent prayers. This should give us comfort when we and our loved ones don’t get what we wish.
But by no means is that the end of it. God accomplished in Paul and Jesus much more after an answer of “no” than anyone would imagine. God is good (Nahum 1:7) and His will is perfect (Romans 12:2).
Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” I never thought that this could apply to the answer of “no” until now.
As far as our prayers go, in his commentary on 2 Corinthians Garland says, “Calvin explains that there are two kinds of answers to prayer:
We can ask with full confidence for what is certainly promised to us, but ‘we cannot prescribe the means.’ God may grant the end that we ask for in prayer, but God may use a means that we do not desire.”
*I’m guessing his definition of “profitable” may be different than what we may think.