Prayer

Cease Not To Pray: Part 3

Steve SannLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 3 in a new series on prayer called ‘Cease Not To Pray’ by Steve Sann.

Cease Not To Pray: Part 1
Cease Not To Pray: Part 2

PRAYING PERFECTLY

This woman’s incident paints a vivid picture of how our prayer is crucial to bringing God onto the scene. Prayer unleashes God’s presence and power into this world. In all their journeys, He arrives prepared to protect and prosper those for which you pray. Knowing this, we should seek to implement the most effective prayer technique possible in our lives. What makes tongues, in many applications, the most effective form of prayer? I Corinthians 14:2: For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries [or, secrets].

What makes praying in the spirit so uniquely different than praying with our understanding? When speaking in tongues, we are speaking a language God is giving us at that moment. Since we cannot understand it, what we speak is unknown to us; hence, it is a secret, a mystery to us. All the time, however, God understands our prayer without question.

And herein we discover its remarkable uniqueness: praying by the spirit is truly perfect prayer. It is perfect because it is a prayer crafted by God Himself, untainted by our fallible minds! Spoken in a foreign language and bypassing our understanding, our mind is unable to interfere by interjecting our own limitations, fears, guesswork or doubts. We pray to God the exact prayer words that He gives our spirit, making our prayer perfect in every way. By speaking a language that is foreign to us, God guards the spirit’s perfect prayer from our natural tendency to “improve” it! Verse 14 explains it this way: I Corinthians 14:14: For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

Here again, this verse points out that the speaker’s understanding is unfruitful, and unproductive, as he cannot understand the words spoken. Also, note here and throughout I Corinthians 14, in order for our spirit to pray, we are the activators. We are one hundred percent in control. The spirit does not act of its own will any more than my mouth moves of its own will. The spirit is melded into our very being and functions by the willful believing action of the believer. Notable examples are found in Acts 2:4 and Philippians 4:13.

God’s spirit within us has become part of our total makeup. It is our spiritual “radio receiver”, our connection with God. Like an organ of our body, the spirit remains a vital part of us throughout our lives. When we speak in tongues, the spirit conveys the information from God, enabling us to pray perfectly. We move our lips, our mouths, our tongues. We form the words as the spirit gives us the language. What we speak is God’s business, but that we speak is our business. Our responsibility: To Speak!

Cease Not To Pray: Part 2

Rick TryonLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 2 in a new series on prayer called ‘Cease Not To Pray’ by Steve Sann.

Cease Not To Pray: Part 1

THE MOUNTAIN PASS

B.G. Leonard, one of the great 20th-century evangelists, once related the account of a woman who loyally prayed in the spirit, interceding for others. Seldom, when called upon by God to pray, would she comprehend what she was called to pray for; speaking in tongues, she was unable to understand her prayer.

One afternoon, however, while lifting in prayer an urgent burden God had placed on her heart, she asked: “Lord, I’ve often thought of this, and it’s in my heart now and I might just as well be honest and tell you, Lord… I often wonder, what am I praying about? I know our understanding is supposed to remain unfruitful, but just this once, I’d like to know. Because sometimes the thought comes to me that maybe I’m just kidding myself.”

On this occasion, a vision was immediately unfolded before her eyes—a scene illustrated with childlike stick-men. God began to reveal to her, in a cartoon-like depiction, a large stick man working on a funny-looking stick truck. Soon he was joined by three other stick-men donning triangle stick hats. One of them stood out, wearing a peculiar mark down his side at an angle.

As she watched and prayed, confronted by the three, the large stick man fixing the truck stopped, turned, and began handing over his personal goods. However, an argument soon erupted among the three. But placing his hand on the peculiar stick by his side, the other two backed away. The woman was continuing to pray in the spirit when suddenly the scene around the men was filled with stick angels! The three-stick men hastily took flight. The big stick man then fell to his knees, and the woman ascertained he was thanking God. The curious vision came to an end, and many weeks went by.

One day, the popular missionary A.B. Simpson, founder of Christian Missionary Alliance, was slated to return from his most recent work in China. The praying woman traveled to the San Francisco Bay, eagerly anticipating hearing him address the waiting crowd from aboard his ship. As A.B. Simpson recounted his exploits in China, he described a new missionary work he was opening in a village across a mountain range, which cut it off from the rest of the country. Sending his family safely ahead aboard a train routed around the mountain, he loaded up his old charcoal-burning truck with the supplies needed for the new missionary station, and headed up the most direct route—straight over the pass.

At his very last stop before entering the pass, an innkeeper sternly warned Simpson of armed bandits ahead. Simpson swept the warning aside, declaring proudly, “God looks after me”. Venturing undaunted into the mountain pass, he found himself in a dangerous place just as his old charcoal burner cut out and the truck stalled. Struggling to relight the engine, without warning he found himself face-to-face with three bandits, one wearing a sword at his side. He handed over his watch and his wallet, thinking he was getting off quite lightly.

That’s just about the time the armed bandit reached for his sword, prepared to kill him. But rebuffing him, the two others argued that, if he killed Simpson, who would drive the truck with the supplies? They squabbled back and forth until the armed bandit had heard enough. Brandishing his sword, he made his move to kill not only Simpson, but his companions in crime, as well. Just then A.B. Simpson looked up in astonishment—the entire mountain pass was teeming with angels! The robbers were dumbfounded at the sight of this supernatural spectacle, the men fled, scared stiff, “screaming their heads off!”

Then Simpson recalled, “And I got down on my knees and I prayed, and I asked God to forgive me for tempting Him. I understood at last what I had done wrong.” He rejoiced, “From then on I had no trouble “

Later, regarding that woman of prayer, B.G. Leonard observed: “She knew then what she had been praying for. And after, when she spoke in tongues, she was twice the prayer warrior she had been before. If she told somebody, ‘Look, I’ll be standing behind you in prayer,’ she didn’t just say the words. She meant it.”

Cease Not To Pray: Part 1

Steve Sann3 Comments

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 1 in a new series on prayer called ‘Cease Not To Pray’ by Steve Sann.

The spiritual leadership of old understood: that the intercession for God’s people was a God-appointed responsibility. We need to see that today. As Samuel clearly referenced: I Samuel 12:23: Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way.

Where and when the people of God did not rise up to believe, it fell upon the shoulders of the spirit-filled men of God to “stand in the gap,” intervening for the people. To fail to do so was sin on the part of the leadership. We also bear this same responsibility for those we lead, not only the church but our own children and loved ones.

We see this responsibility in the lives of those we revere: Moses interceded for Israel; Abraham for Lot; Joseph for his brothers; Jesus for the apostles; the apostles for the saints. It was in this area of prayer the apostles failed Jesus Christ, having requested they intercede with and for him in the Garden of Gethsemane. We see later, though, they had amended their priorities: in the Book of Acts (6:3-4), they placed prayer at the top of their ministry responsibilities, in alignment with Samuel’s decree. Ezekiel 22:30: So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

God searches for those who will man the post of the intercessor, but He often finds none. In Numbers 14:19, Moses prayed: “Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.”Then the Lord said: “I have pardoned, according to your word.”(vs. 20)

If Moses had not taken the time to pray, the people then being destroyed for their iniquity, would that have been sin unto Him? Often, what we have assumed were the autonomous workings of God throughout Old Testament history or in our world today, has actually been the result of the “faceless intercessor”—unrecognizable to the recipients of their prayer, but forever engraved by God upon the walls of the intercessor’s hall of fame.

So then, ironically, it is justice itself that limits God’s involvement in this world’s affairs. However, it is the prayers of spirit-filled men and women of God that provide Him the latitude to remain activated for the people of God. These “facts of life” made Charles Spurgeon quip: “Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the kingdom.” Only as we intercede, can God act! It is left to us to pray with inexhaustible persistence for ourselves, our families, others, and situations throughout the world.

Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 4

Steve Sann1 Comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 4, the final part, in a new series on prayer called ‘Why Must We Pray, Anyway’ by Steve Sann.

Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 1
Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 2
Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 3

Holding Back the Destruction

With this in mind, it is easy to understand the spiritual pressure mounting from this world to minimize the importance of prayer. All the while, however, it is only the “believing believers,” those who remain active in prayer, who continue to restrain the powers of darkness from raiding and destroying.

II Thessalonians2:6-8a:

And now you know what is restraining, that he [the “son of perdition”; i.e., the anti-Christ] may be revealed in his own time.
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.
And then the lawless one will be revealed…

We know Satan is the god, the authority, of this world. It is his to destroy. So, we must ask: Why hasn’t Satan completed his objective of annihilating the earth and all the people in it? After all, he’s “large and in charge!”

As long as the believers—those who actually call upon God in prayer—are intermixed within Satan’s kingdom, the grand finale of Satan’s power cannot be revealed. But the day will come at Christ’s return when the believers will be taken out of the way (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), and the authorities of Satan will usurp preeminence. This event of our departure is detailed in I Thessalonians 4 and referred to in II Thessalonians 2:1 as the Gathering Together, in more recent times as the Rapture.

Until that day, however, it is the believers who restrain Satan’s rage. Yet, not just any believer; it is the “believing believer” that stands between the people of this world and Satan’s wholesale wrath.

Who are these “believing believers”? These are not just the people who have attended a few church fellowships, perhaps have read a lot of the bible, or even who are merely born-again. Satan has been haply running over these folks for centuries. No—rather, the believers spoken of here are those who have sharpened their skills at bringing the powers of heaven to bear on earth—by walking in their sonship rights, claiming their authority, walking in the spirit, and petitioning God. We are speaking here of the true intercessors, those who bring the fight into the streets.

These are they who cannot be destroyed because they reside within the cone of God’s presence. And until they are taken out of the way at Christ’s return, it is they who restrain Satan’s ultimate will upon this world and its inhabitants.

Since man’s expulsion from the garden, throughout history, there has always been at least one “believing believer” standing, interceding on behalf of protecting God’s people. In fact, in the Old Testament, this was taught: it was understood as a vital responsibility of every man and woman of God to readily intercede for God’s people.

Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 3

Steve SannLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 3 in a new series on prayer called ‘Why Must We Pray, Anyway’ by Steve Sann.

Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 1
Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 2

The newborn baby is but an heir of man’s disaster. At the moment of birth, without the freedom to choose or even to comprehend his circumstance, each child is launched headlong into a world of hurt. As good a person as he or she may try to be or should ever possibly become, at best they will remain citizens of the kingdom of darkness. Literally, each of us is conceived and born in sin, far apart from the spiritual entrée needed to walk and talk with God.

But now, as a result of Christ, mankind regains the authority to bring God back on the scene wherever we are present! We still reside within the borders of Satan’s kingdom, true, but we are no longer citizens. Sure, within his own kingdom, Satan has every legal right to rule his own subjects. However, we now, being the citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), as God’s people, we are released from Satan’s authority (Colossians 1:13), even while still dwelling within his kingdom. “No one is a firmer believer in the power of prayer than the devil; not that he practices it, but he suffers from it!”

Right here, while still in the Devil’s empire, we have new legal rights! But it is up to each of us to claim them. At any time, we have every right to call upon God, who then may enter into Satan’s kingdom to protect and prosper us! We are His now. God is limited only by our willingness to petition Him on our behalf.

When you call upon God in the name of Jesus Christ, you are literally delegating to Him the authority to enter into this world behind these enemy lines to fight for you. God loves it! At that very moment, God has legal authority to utilize whatever resources are at His disposal to respond to that specific need. The insight of Martin Luther in the 16th century still rings true today: “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.”

God’s people are all the time making excuses for the “sovereign” God as to why He did not act, save, or bless when really it is they who did not pray. By their many excuses for God, they are, in effect, blaming God for their own lack of prayer. Those who do pray see His results, tempered only by the weakness to believe. This, then, is why we must pray. And much. The responsibility for God’s good in this troubled world falls back upon us.

Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 2

Steve SannLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 2 in a new series on prayer called ‘Why Must We Pray, Anyway’ by Steve Sann.

Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 1

E.M. Bounds further correlated: “If prayer puts God to work on earth, then, by the same token, prayerlessness rules God out of the world’s affairs, and prevents him from working.” Truth be told, God is regulated by the same laws of justice that He incorporated in all His creation. He cannot just interrupt the continuum, violate personal property rights, suppress dissent, and generally force His will on the lives of others. In contrast, Satan and the governments of men overstep these boundaries with reckless abandon. Nonetheless, God is constrained by the rule of law: to God, what is His property is His, and that which is Satan’s is Satan’s.

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, observed in his day: “It seems God is limited by our prayer life – that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.” He went on to say: “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.”

But how could that be?

The ugly facts are these: Adam legally transferred to Satan the authority and rulership of this world by heeding Satan’s words and rejecting God’s command in the garden. With that transaction, God’s liberty to direct the affairs of this world became restricted. At that time, the day-to-day administration of the material realm passed from man to Satan, limiting the scope of God’s involvement. Satan was instated as “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4), with mankind subjected unto him.

Satan is now the god of this world! Clearly, ”The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof” (Psalms 24:1), but God leased out the property management to man—who summarily legally transferred that lease to Satan. Christ terminated that lease for we who believe, and the eviction notice has been sent. The sheriff will soon be arriving (1 Corinthians 15:24). Yet, now, with God’s sovereignty temporarily impaired and man ensnared in Satan’s world, man became alienated from God.

Because many do not understand this, they are forever making excuses for why God does not save the suffering children, stop the hate and war, cure the world’s diseases, and generally make all of us wealthy! These matters are now left up to the faith and labor of the individual person.

Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 1

Steve Sann3 Comments

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 1 in a new series on prayer called ‘Why Must We Pray, Anyway’ by Steve Sann.

The Commandments of the Lord

God takes speaking in tongues seriously. How seriously? In the Pauline Epistles alone, we find there are more verses referencing speaking in tongues than contain the words “heaven” or “hell” combined!

I Corinthians 14 is the richest chapter in the Bible regarding tongues. In it is found an abundance of instructions, promises, and commandments clarifying God’s will for us on this vital subject. But, most notably, it concludes with this stern exhortation for us all:

I Corinthians 14:37-39:
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant. Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

We are to accept the Lord’s instructions to us regarding tongues not merely as recommendations. These are commandments, not helpful suggestions. He expects every son and daughter to take their place as spirit-filled men and women. Frankly, should church elite, or loved ones agree, is of secondary significance to God. Then it should be to us, as well.

E.M. Bounds, the Civil War era author acclaimed in modern times as the “prophet of prayer,” accurately penned: “Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer move God.” Yes, we move God…through prayer. If this alone was taught from the pulpits today, the very foundation of churches would be shaken. Yet, it is true: God is limited by the prayers of His people.

If we are to begin to grasp how the all-powerful God depends on us to exercise His power, we must first intelligently answer this question—a question feared by the faithful: “Why must we pray, anyway?” “After all,” the question begs, “if God loves us, knowing our every need even before we ask it, why must we pray at all? Can God not answer our prayers even without asking?!” Shocking to some, the answer is no. If not you, then someone else will have to pray on your behalf before God can meet that need.

Stay tuned for ‘Why Must We Pray, Anyway: Part 2’

Paul Prayed ‘Without Ceasing’ – Part 3

Steve SannLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 3 in a new series on prayer called ‘Paul Prayed Without Ceasing’ by Steve Sann.

Read Part 1 Here
Read Part 2 Here

The Benefits: Let’s highlight a few of the many benefits richly awarded to you each and every time you utter His words by the spirit. Please turn to these scriptures and study them on your own: a wealth of confidence and appreciation of speaking in tongues will begin to mature in you.

a. We pray bypassing our earthly understanding. Praying by the spirit in another language, we are able to pray for needs beyond our understanding and perception (I Corinthians 14:14-17);
While praying beyond your understanding, the spirit addresses your personal needs—for example, in your family, finances, spirit, soul, and body.

b. We intercede for others according to God’s will. The spirit searches the hearts and lives of others, making requests for needs of which we, in our limited perception, are unaware. (Rom. 8:26,27);
This makes us global prayer warriors. Interceding for others, the spirit identifies and prays for the needs of your loved ones and worldwide for all the saints.

c. God speaks to our spirit unfolding His mysteries, guidance and truths, spiritually renewing, strengthening and edifying you (II Corinthians 5: I Corinthians 14:2,4; Jude 20; Ephesians 3:14-19; John 14:25; 16:13);
When we speak to God in the spirit, He speaks back. He not only reveals spiritual truths, but opens your eyes to wisdom and insight in all aspects of your life, and of others, as well. In addition, He builds up your spirit, preparing and strengthening you in the operation of the other manifestations.

d. We praise and bless God by giving thanks well, speaking the wonderful works of God (I Corinthians 14:16,17; Acts 2:11);
When we “bless with the spirit” we are energizing the Christ within us to bring forth perfect praise to God. If translated, we would hear a litany of the great things God is doing, His nature, and His love for his people. So, by the spirit we “give thanks well”, we are “speaking the wonderful works of God.”

e. We offer the “true worship” the Father seeks. We “worship God in the spirit” (Phil. 3:3). Jesus Christ foretold: “…the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:21-24);
Man has always sought various methods of worshipping God, most of which God is spirit and cannot be truly worshipped in the flesh. Rather, by worshipping in the spirit, scripture assures us we are pleasing Him, as we, with confidence, properly “worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

f. It engenders intimacy with the Father, sharing our heart’s secrets with Him (Rom. 8:15; Gal 4:6; Rom. 8:27; I Corinthians 14:2);
On the surface, it is difficult to become acquainted with the heart of a man. But the inner desires and secrets of our hearts the spirit shares with the Father. We speak with each other tenderly like a child with His Father.

g. The spirit continually reaffirms to us that we are the sons of God. (Rom. 8:14-17; Ephesians 1:13,14);
Speaking in tongues is the absolute proof in the senses realm to you that you have received eternal life, are born-again, and have received the spirit. It confirms to you that the promises of the Word are true.

As with all of God’s promises, these many benefits come to those who expect and believe. By holding these benefits in our hearts, we can acknowledge them as we pray in the spirit. We do not need to understand the specifics of prayer by the spirit to claim and believe to bring it to pass. Build up your faith in these benefits.

Paul Prayed ‘Without Ceasing’ – Part 2

Steve SannLeave a comment

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”. This is Part 2 in a new series on prayer called ‘Paul Prayed Without Ceasing’ by Steve Sann.

Read Part 1 Here

And, here we once again find another absolute: “without ceasing.” We can’t pray more consistently than “without ceasing,” now can we? This figure emphasizes that we are to have extreme loyalty and committed reliability to prayer. “Praying without ceasing” and “praying always” are traits not commonly found in the weak of will. But, it is a skill set each one of us can develop. God’s expectation is that each of us will do our best to SIT much. We can all—and should all—make every effort to live up to His will on this matter. 

The same commitment to prayer which God requested of His Church, Paul personally demonstrated, serving the example for the Church: 

Romans 1:9: For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. 

Here, Paul writes that he himself prays “without ceasing.” And he specifically describes how: by serving God in my spirit. How can I serve God “with my spirit”? The context determines if the phrase “my spirit” refers to the human soul life as in I Corinthians 16:18 and II Corinthians 2:13, or the gift of the holy spirit as in I Corinthians 14:14 and 5:4. The topic of this verse reveals it: it is by prayer. Certainly, serving God with the spirit would include prayer in the spirit for the saints, as well as the other manifestations. 

At this same time, Paul makes an extraordinary pledge here: he swears before God that his words are true, and that he is committed to praying without ceasing for his people. Throughout scripture, on only five occasions did Paul call upon God as his witness of the authenticity of his words. This vow had significance. We hear no hollow, religious platitudes from him as often heard today, like, “I’ll pray for you, brother.” Paul didn’t just promise to pray; he made a pledge before God and the church that he was faithful in prayer. He became the example. 

Paul was challenging the church, setting the bar high for the believers of that day. Repeatedly, they were exhorted to SIT much. Why? Because he was persuaded that a wealth of spiritual benefits was bestowed upon each individual believer who frequently exercised this spiritual power. What, then, are these riches which continue to inspire believers even today to speak in tongues much?