In the previous posting “Words to bring into a good relationship” we have spoken about Words God spoke to man and which enable man to find the Real True God.
Sperindio Cagnola, Jesus Christ, John the Baptist kneeling and praying to God the Father (detail of the Last Judgement), 1514 -24, Paruzzaro, San Marcello Church (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Today we look at our own words and how they also can be important to find God and to build up a good relationship with God.
Jewish men grow up going to the synagogue and temple where they witnessed prayers often. You would think they then know to Whom we should pray, why and what result it can have. In the first century of this common era there were people who found an interesting man preaching about the Most High Elohim. That teacher spoke with awe about that heavenly Father, and told his onlookers he could do nothing without this heavenly Father. This rabbi often prayed with them to that heavenly Father.
These men came from homes in which their father was active in praying and now they had their leader also praying to that God of Abraham. They had seen enough examples how to pray, but still asked Jeshua, their master teacher, how to pray.
Luke 11:1 (RNKJV)
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Rabbi, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Jesus in Pray (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
For some time now Jesus had taught them by precept (Matthew 6:7-15) and example (Luke 9:29). More than once Jesus had taken time to pray to that God about Whom he spoke so much. Jesus very well knew that God and knew that he could not do anything without God. For those who think Jesus is God, they should then wonder if Jesus prayed to himself and told lies about his position and that one of his heavenly Father. Jesus told those around him that God is greater than him and does all the works (in case Jesus is God he would be the greatest of all and always would do his own wish and doing the works himself.) Jesus told them that it is God Who does all the work and is the One to whom we should ask to have things done.
When those Jewish men who had seen so many examples of praying now asked their teacher how they should pray, Jesus gave them the substance of the Model Prayer (in Matthew and Luke).
Matthew 6:7-15 (RNKJV)
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amein.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Jesus also had often used the books of King David showing people they had to use the right words when directing themselves to others and to God, never having false words or lies on their tongue.
Psalms 19:14 (RNKJV)
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O יהוה, my strength, and my redeemer.
When we try to live in the way God wants, offering ourselves in an acceptable way, using right words and not veil words, like we also would not use certain words to our friends, than we may direct ourselves to God as a close Friend and receive answers like a close Friend or loving Father would do.
Jesus assures his pupils also with comparing God with their own fathers who would treat them well.
Luke 11:11-13 (RNKJV)
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
When people are sincerely looking for God, even when they are not convinced that He exist, they always can start trying to speak (= pray) to Him. Even if they do not yet believe in God, but ask that God to let them know if He really exists and what they have to do, for sure That God shall not let them in the dark, but shall bring them answers at the right time.
Jesus was always praying. Before he chose the apostles, he prayed. He prayed all night. He prayed in the garden before his arrest and even was daring to question his God to look at him who was willing to put his own wishes aside for doing the Will of God. (In case Jesus is God he naturally would always have done his own will)
Luke 22:42 (RNKJV)
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
In the worst moments of his life Jesus took up prayer, speaking to his heavenly Father, the One Spirit Jesus considered to be the Only One true God, to Whom we all should direct our prayers. Upon the piece of wood, when his final hour had come Jesus his final statements were prayers. The praying Jesus was impressive.
Like Jesus always talked, not to himself but to God, we also should not talk to ourselves all the time, but should be making time to talk to that God of Jesus, his disciples, the Jews, Zacharia, Jeremiah, Isaiah, David, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham and many other men of God.
Jesus prayed to God because that’s what fellowship with God demands and needs. He did it because he wanted to have a good relationship with his heavenly Father, the Only One True God.
Jesus wanted others to come to know God. with Jesus we also find a person who is showing the way to God. It is one man who we should trust and follow his example and words. When we look at the Words of God, in the Bible, we do find that God is pointing out to that sent one He promised. And God’s promises are not like those of man. God is well able to fulfil all that He has promised. He is all mighty to ensure that His Word will come true and will be honoured.
The Old Testament or Covenant, meaning a solemn undertaking, shows us how God has mercy with man and wants to guide them. Jesus and his disciples read and studied those books and considered them the Word of God to be taken at heart.
Jesus explained the things the people could not understand about some of those old sayings form those books.
By listening to what Jesus says about those old saying of the prophets and history writers, we can come to a better understanding. Those sayings of Christ can be found in the New Testament, where we are offered a New Covenant by Christ Jesus, the Messiah. He has become the mediator between God and man, and we should make use of him.
1 Timothy 2:5 (RNKJV)
For there is one Elohim, and one mediator between Elohim and men, the man Yahushua the Messiah;
This mediator can be our advocate, but he also prepared the way so that we can talk directly to God. That provision we should use gratefully.
We should consider prayer to be a conversation. Our prayers when directed to God is talking to God. It is not talking to God when we pray to virgins, Christophers, Thomasses or other saints. Like Jesus talked to God, his heavenly Father we too should talk to our heavenly Father. Like not every prayer of Jesus was the same, our prayers also do not have to be the same. The opposite God expects us not to mumble all the time the same words in the same order. God even does not like repetitious prayers.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 (RNKJV)
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before Elohim: for Elohim is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.Ecclesiastes 5:7 (RNKJV)
For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou Elohim.Matthew 6:7 (TS2009)
“And when praying, do not keep on babbling like the nations. For they think that they shall be heard for their many words.
When we love to have a good relationship with people around us, we are going to talk to them. When we have good friends and want to be close to them we are going to talk regularly and openly with them. With are parents we shall talk often and tell them lots of things. The same or even more with our heavenly Father. wit god it is best to communicate openly and honestly with because He knows our heart and knows everything of us.
When we do not know God, He knows us already. He wants us to communicate with Him and us coming to Him. Please, in case you are looking for God or if you want an intimate relationship with Him, do not hesitate to contact Him and to talk to Him, what we also call praying to Him.
You do not need a specific place. Any place is good to come to talk to God. You do not have to speak loud. You can think the words in yourself. By thinking those words you want to bring over to God, you are bringing them over. You may do it in your own language and in your own words at any time of the day or night. God is always there to hear your thoughts and see what is moving your heart.
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Preceding articles
Words to bring into a good relationship
About the Lord’s prayer
People Seeking for God 7 The Lord and lords
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Additional reading:
- 7000 to 20000 words spoken each day
- Walking alone?
- Experiencing God
- God, my father, my closest friend
- People who know how to pray to move God to take hold of our affairs in a mighty way
- A Living Faith #7 Prayer
- A Living Faith #10: Our manner of Life #2
- Religious people and painful absence of spring of living water
- Being sure of their deliverance
- The truth is very plain to see and God can be clearly seen
- God should be your hope
- Praying and thinking positively
- Does God hear prayer?
- God Helper and Deliverer
- Gods promises
- Belief of the things that God has promised
- Gods measure not our measure
- God showing how far He is willing to go to save His children
- Listening and Praying to the Father
- Prayer, important aspect in our life
- Genuine prayer
- Be sound in mind and be vigilant with a view to prayers
- Be vigilant with a view to prayers
- Natural inclinations and Praying and asking
- Praying is surrendering in all circumstances
- Praying and acts of meditation without ceasing
- Always rejoicing Praying constantly Giving thanks for everything
- Worship and worshipping
- Praise Jehovah
- Praise and give thanks to God the Most Highest
- Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #2 Calling upon the Name of God
- Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 Voice of God #6 Words to feed and communicate
- Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #5 Prayer #3 Callers upon God
- Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #7 Prayer #5 Listening Ear
- Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #8 Prayer #6 Communication and manifestation
- Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #9 Prayer #7 Reason to pray
- Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #10 Prayer #8 Condition
- Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #11 Prayer #9 Making the Name Holy
- Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #13 Prayer #11 Name to be set apart
- Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #15 Exposition before the Creator
- Praise the God with His Name
- Does God answer prayer?
- Gods non answer
- Faithful to the leastening ear
- Wishing to do the will of God
- God of gods
- A god between many gods
- Hashem השם, Hebrew for “the Name”
- I Will Cause Your Name To Be Remembered
- Lord or Yahuwah, Yeshua or Yahushua
- Jehovah Yahweh Gods Name
- Archeological Findings the name of God YHWH
- Titles of God beginning with the Aleph in Hebrew
- Use of /Gebruik van Jehovah or/of Yahweh in Bible Translations/Bijbel vertalingen
- Without God no purpose, no goal, no hope
- Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
- Golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters obedience
- Happy who’s delight is only in the law of Jehovah
- Rest thy delight on Jehovah
- Old Man of Prayer
- Biblical Prayer at Tabernacle Site Shilo
- What moves mountains? Trust!
- If you think you’re too small to be effective
- Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything
- Give your worries to God
- Work with joy and pray with love
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Further articles on praying
- Why bother being silent?
- Proverbs: Wisdom’s Call-Hard Words
- Less pride and more praise – That’s what we need, Lord.
- when your job is to pray on the job
- Re-commit
- Jesus Showed Up
- The Prayers of a Righteous Man
- Does God Pray? – Katherine Sonderegger
- Learning how to NOT pray and ignoring spirits
- Thank God For His Grace And Mercy
- Prayer for our children
- Stuffed to Bursting
- Psalm 23 (1b)
- Hallowed and Holy…
- Thy kingdom Come…
- The Power of Prayer
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Stepping Toes 