SPECIAL TOPIC: PRAYER, UNLIMITED YET LIMITED

  1. The Synoptic Gospels
    1. believers are encouraged to ask anything and they shall receive it (cf. Matt. 7:7, ask; Mark 11:24, ask, believe; Luke 11:9-10)
    2. believers are encouraged to persevere in prayer and God will provide "good things" (Matthew, Matt. 7:7-11) or "His Spirit" (Luke, Luke 11:5-13)
    3. in the context of church discipline believers (two) are encouraged to unite in prayer (Matt. 18:19; see SPECIAL TOPIC: CHURCH DISCIPLINE)
    4. in the context of the judgment of Judaism believers are to ask in faith without doubting (Matt. 21:18-22; Mark 11:23-24; see SPECIAL TOPIC: FAITH IN THE NT)
    5. in the context of two parables (Luke 18:1-8, the unrighteous judge and Luke 18:9-14, the Pharisee and the sinner) believers are encouraged to act differently from the godless judge and self-righteous Pharisee.  God hears the humble and repentant (Luke 18:7-8,14; see SPECIAL TOPIC: INTERPRETING PARABLES)

  2. John's writings
    1. believers are encouraged to ask anything in Jesus' name and according to His will, and they shall receive it (cf. John 14:13-14; 16:23; 1 John 3:22; 5:14-16)
    2. in the context of the man born blind whom Jesus heals, the true blindness of the Pharisees is revealed. Jesus' prayers (as any believer's) are answered because He knew God (see SPECIAL TOPIC: KNOW) and lived accordingly (John 9:31).
    3. John's Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17)
      1. John 14:12-15 ‒ believing prayer characterized by
        1. coming from believers, v. 12
        2. asking in Jesus' name, vv. 13,14 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: The Name of the Lord [NT])
        3. desiring that the Father be glorified, v. 13
        4. keeping commandments (v. 15; see SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP)
      2. John 15:7-10 ‒ believers prayer characterized by
        1. abiding in Jesus, v. 7 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: "ABIDING IN JOHN'S WRITINGS")
        2. His word abiding in them, v. 7
        3. desiring that the Father be glorified, v. 8
        4. producing much fruit which is evidence of a true disciple, v. 8
        5. keeping commandments, v. 10
      3. John 15:15-17 ‒ believers' prayer characterized by
        1. their being informed about the Father by the Son, v. 15
        2. their election, v. 16 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: ELECTION)
        3. their fruit bearing which will remain, v. 16
        4. asking in Jesus' name, v. 16
        5. keeping command to love one another, v. 17 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVE)
      4. John 16:23-24 ‒ believers' prayers characterized by
        1. asking in Jesus' name, v. 23
        2. desiring that joy be made full, v. 24
    4. John's first letter (1 John)
      1. 1 John 3:22-24 – believers' prayer characterized by
        1. keeping His commandments (vv. 22,24)
        2. living appropriately, v. 23
        3. believing in Jesus, v. 23
        4. loving one another, v. 23
        5. abiding in Him and He in us, v. 24
        6. having the gift of the Spirit, v. 24 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: SPIRIT [gift of])
      2. 1 John 5:14-16 – believers' prayer characterized by
        1. confidence in God, v. 14 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: BOLDNESS)
        2. asking according to His will, v. 14 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE WILL OF GOD)
        3. believers praying for each other, v. 16 (see SPECIAL TOPIC: INTERCESSORY PRAYER)

  3. James
    1. James 1:5-7 ‒ believers confronted with various trials are called on to ask for wisdom without doubting
    2. James 4:2-3 ‒ believers must ask with proper motives
    3. James 5:13-18 ‒ believers faced with health problems are encouraged
      1. to ask elders to pray
      2. to pray in faith
      3. to ask that their sins will be forgiven
      4. to confess sin to one another and pray for one another (similar to 1 John 5:16)

The key to effective prayer is Christlikeness.  This is what praying in Jesus' name means. The worst thing God could do for most Christians is to answer their selfish prayers!  In one sense all prayers are answered.  The most valuable aspect of prayer is that the believer has spent time with God, trusting God.

Prayer, like so many NT doctrines, is caught up in the tension between a sovereign God and a free human creature made in His image. Prayer does not affect God's overall plan of redemption and restoration (see SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN), but it does affect how each individual is connected to that plan.

Prayer reveals the heart, the spiritual orientation, the worldview of lthe prayer! prayaer is the language of redeemed humanity! It is a wonderful opportunity and privilege, as well as an awesome responsibility!

SPECIAL TOPIC: EFFECTIVE PRAYER

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