Praying in the Grace Dispensation Part-1

Instructions for Praying in the Grace Dispensation

Growing in Grace Ministry

Today there are many books available on the topic of prayer, some church organizations even hold seminars and conferences on how to pray with such themes as "How to get your blessings and keep them". This is a three part study on exactly what prayer is and more specifically the significance of prayer in the present dispensation of grace.

First of all it is important to clarify exactly what prayer is. Most of us when reading the bible rely on English translations such as the King James Version. The bible was originally written in Hebrew and Aramaic for the OT and Greek for the New Testament.

The word translated as prayer in the KJV is derived from several Greek words. Growing in Grace Ministry believes in the importance of going back to the original language in order to receive the fullness of a scripture’s grammatical meaning. For the English language is said to be a lazy language in comparison to the Greek language.

Just as an example, the KJV uses the word love many times. This word is used, regardless of the context it is meant in. Where as in the Greek , there is an actual word to describe the type of love ,

for example.

phileo (fil-eh'-o); ; to be a friend to (fond of [an individual or an object]), i.e. have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or feeling; while

agape (ag-ah'-pay); ; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:

philadelphia (fil-ad-el-fee'-ah); ; fraternal affection:

philandros (fil'-an-dros); fond of man, i.e. affectionate as a wife:

philoteknos (fil-ot'-ek-nos); ; fond of one's children, i.e. maternal:

The Greek word for prayer is pros-yoo'-khom-ahee .

The term prayer is used many times in the English translations to describe communication with God, However in the Greek language there are different words to describe the type of communication we have with God. There is worship, oral prayers, requests or petitions and thanksgiving.

Note below the original Greek language demonstrates the different meanings of these words. For example:

1. deh'-ay-sis translated as supplication, a petition or asking

Luke 1:13; Romans 10:1 ; 2 Corinthians 1:11, 9:14 ; Philippians 1:4,19 & James 5:16

2. ent'-yook-sis translated a falling in with, meeting with

found in 1 Timothy 4:5 only

3. euche (yoo-khay'); translated a vow,expressed as a petition to God, or in votive obligation: found in Acts 18:18 (when Paul shaved his head as a vow of the Nazirite and James 5:15 also refers to a vow, the vow of faith

4. proseuche (pros-yoo-khay' translated as prayer addressed to God: a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer, an oratory chapel

Found in Matt 17:21

Note the famous prayer of Jabez which is so frequently quoted today:

1 Chron 4:10

10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. KJV

And what kind of blessings was Jabez asking of God and expecting from Him? Surely these would be blessings consistent with God’s covenant promises to Israel.

Now in regards to, our asking God today for blessings, how does this resonate or harmonize with Paul’s teachings? Paul speaks of .the blessings which are applicable to the Body of Christ Ephesians 1:3:

Eph 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: KJV

Now from the Greek translation:

Blessed be the God and Father of the Lord of us Jesus Christ, the one having blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ .

And just what might be some of these " spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ?" One does not have to leave the immediate context of Ephesians 1 to find some of these spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ,: observe:

1) Chosen in him before the foundation of the world, 1:4

2) Holy and without blame before him, 1:4

3) In love predestinated unto adoption by Christ, to himself, 1:5

4) To the praise of the glory of his grace, 1:6

5) Accepted in the beloved (Jesus Christ), 1:6

6) In Him, redemption, forgiveness, according to the riches of his grace, 1:7

7) He has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 1:8

8) Made know to us the mystery (secret) of His will, as purposed in himself, 1:9

And more follows in Ephesians. In fact, the first three chapters of Ephesians could well be titled: "The spiritual blessings we have in heavenly places in Christ."

Who could want more than what we already are and have in Christ? Wouldn’t it be better to ask God to help us understand what all this is and means, then thank Him for it?

This is the example that the Apostle Paul gives:

Eph. 1:15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Eph. 1:16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
Eph. 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph. 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph. 1:19 And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph. 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],
Eph. 1:21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph. 1:22 And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,
Eph. 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Now from the Greek text:

15. Therefore I also having heard of the among you faith in the Lord Jesus and the love to all the saints,

16. Do not cease giving thanks for you making mention of you in the prayers of me.

17. That the God of the Lord of us Jesus Christ, the Father of glory may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.

18.Having been enlightened the eyes of the heart of you for your to know what is the hope of the calling of Him. What is the wealth of the glory of the inheritance of Him in the saints

19. and what is the surpassing greatness of the power of Him to us,the ones believing according to the working of the might of the strength of Him.

20. Which He exerted in Christ , having raised Him from the dead and having seated Him on the right hand of Him in the heavenlies.

21. Far above all rule and authority and power and lordship and every name being named, not only in this age but also in the coming one.

22. and He subordinated all things under the feet of Him and gave Him as head over all things to the church.

23. which is the body of Him the fullness of the one all with all filling.

What we have here is part of Paul’s prayer for the body of Christ. How many believers have ever prayed this prayer? And if not, why not?

7) Which [i.e. church] is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all, 1:23

One would not say that the prayer of Jabez is not inspired by the Holy Spirit, but it is not relevant for us today, the emphasis today in the dispensation of the grace of God is our position in Jesus Christ.

Another underlying motive for many people's prayer life is the desire to gain God's favor and blessing by their prayers. By using just the right formulas, by employing certain words, by their "much speaking" (Matthew 6:7) they hope to have God accept and bless them with otherwise unattainable benefits. Such performance-based acceptance is, of course, the very antithesis of grace—of being "blessed with all spiritual blessings" in Christ and made "complete in Him." The position of being accepted and favored has nothing to do with us as clearly declared in Ephesians 1:4-5.

Eph 1:4-5

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, KJV

From the Greek text:

Even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world for us to be holy and blameless in the sight of Him. In love having predestined us to son-ship through Jesus Christ to Himself according to the good pleasure of the will of Him.

The verb chose is in the indicative mood and the aorist tense. This denotes the fact that God chose us and if the Bible did not clarify when which it does). This choice was made in eternity, when no one was around to offer up a prayer. It was God who in love predetermined our destination of son-ship in Christ Jesus, all according to the good pleasure of His will.

Often prayer is seen as a mechanism to either find or change God's mind. People try to get God’s permission and agreement to do what they want to do; buy this house, sell that car, take a certain position, attend a particular event,etc, Praying fervently that God would reveal His will for them in such matters. Statements such as, "I just want to be in the will of the Lord", are not necessary. For one must only consider the fact that, as God is sovereign, the creator and initiator of all things. Thus, He controls all things, all situations and all people, therefore the will of the Lord is always done.

Note the passage of scripture found in Rom 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. KJV

From the Greek text:

And we know that the ones loving God, all things He works together for good, to the ones according to His purpose called being.

This verse bears out that God works together all things for good. to the ones who love God, the ones who are called (invited) . All things are according to His

Many pray that sufferings be removed, however when we examine the life of the apostle Paul, we note that he endured many sufferings, matter of fact it was God who ordained these sufferings. We know that, prior to Paul's conversion, he was a Pharisee, which is equivalent to being a member of the supreme court justice system.( Phi 3:5). Shortly after his Damascus’ road conversion, it was told to Ananias by the Lord:

Acts 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.

From the Greek text:

For I will show to him, how much it is necessary for him on my behalf of the name of me to suffer.

If ever there was a man who suffered for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, it was Paul. The bible teaches that Paul was beaten ,stoned, ship wrecked, he found himself in perils of frequent danger, he hungered , he was cold and naked and he had the care of all the churches upon him. (1 Corinthians 11:23-33). Even though he endured; pain, sorrow, and suffering, yet Paul spoke and wrote the following words:

Phil 4:11-12

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. KJV

From the Greek text;

Not that according to lack I speak for I learned in whatever circumstances I am to be content.I know both to be humbled and I know how to abound; in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to hunger both to abound and to lack.

With the knowledge of this, how can any one in the present dispensation of grace of which Paul is our apostle, think that it is not the will of God that any suffer?

Paul goes on to say that the essence of this ability is not within himself, but rather in Christ, for he states:

Phil 4:13

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.KJV

Greek text:

I can do all things in the one empowering me.

How often have we heard this passage misquoted and out of context? Many times, for few use it in the context of suffering. Paul was given contentment in the essence of his position in Christ.

Phil. 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

From the Greek text:

Because to you it was given on behalf of Christ , not only in Him to believe but also on behalf of Him to suffer.

This passage verifies that not only was Paul chosen to believe, but also to suffer on his behalf of him.

Phil. 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Phil. 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ,

From the Greek

But what things were gains to me these I have considered on account of Christ loss.

But even more so I consider all things to be loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus the Lord of me, on account of whom all things I suffered loss and I consider them refuse that I may gain Christ.

1 Thes. 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

From the Greek

For no one to be shaken by these afflictions yourselves, for you know that to this we were appointed. 1 Thes. 3:3

2 Tim. 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

From the Greek:

For which I suffer even to the point of imprisonment as an evildoer, but the Word of God has not been bound.

Paul was permitted to bear the name of Jesus Christ among the Gentile and the Jews with great suffering by God’s choice.

Many in Christendom preach and teach that it is not the will of God that any be sick. Yet the Word of God bears out that this is not the case. The context of the following verses verify that Paul had some type of infirmity, weakness or sickness in his body that he sought the Lord not only once but three times to remove it. But the Lord answered him, "My grace is sufficient for My power in infirmity is perfected;" Paul then states that most gladly, therefore, would he rather boast in his infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on him: wherefore he said," I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful;"

2 Cor. 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2 Cor. 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Cor. 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Paul recognized that it was the will of God that he had an infirmity. Note that Paul did not say nor infer that we should not ask for the healing of infirmities (weaknesses of the body). Sometimes it is the will of God to heal. For there is also scripture which bears out this fact :The following passages are in reference to Epaphroditus, a fellow laborer in the ministry with Paul.

Phi 2:26-27

26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. KJV

We also note that the apostle Paul was stoned and left for dead. One can imagine how seriously injured he must have been. Scripture teaches that, he rose up and walked away, certainly evidence of a healing.

Acts 14:19-20

9 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. KJV

We must be cognizant of the fact that it is not our prayers which influence God for, we know that His will was established in eternity. Nor is it God who brings the sickness or infirmities. But rather it is by design. The flesh is dying daily, we are susceptible to illnesses and diseases. Satan is God's adversary, however fully under the control of God, for he can do nothing unless God allow it. The bible teaches that Satan is the god of this world. (2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2). Note that the g is non capitalized. God is Sovereign and in full control of all things. Satan can only act as God wills. See the study The Sovereignty of God and Satan. There are many books out on Prayer. One in particular is Praying With Authority by Barbara Wentroble. Here is an excerpt from one of it's readers:

" The Body of Christ stands at an incredible crossroads. At these crossroads also stands the plan of the enemy to stop God's kingdom from moving forward. But God- He gives His people authority to open up the way ahead. If ever we needed a book like Praying with Authority it is now".....Chuck D. Pierce

Based upon the sovereignty of God, what crossroads does the Body of Christ stand at? All things were accomplished in eternity. It is not the prayers of the saints which open up the way for the establishment of God's kingdom. But rather it is the will, plan and purpose of God that has already established this. All events and circumstances only play out, to what God already predestined in eternity, according to the plan of God.