INGREDIENTS TO CORRECT PRAYER
A. Come Boldly [S:3954 Parrhesia; i.e. all speech] – Heb. 4:16
B. Enter Closet & Shut Door / God Is In Secret– Mat. 6:5-6 Cp. Psa. 91:1-2 Note: The devout Jews prayed at the temple (Luke 18:10; Acts 3:1). The pious Jews with windows open towards the Jerusalem (1 Kgs. 8:48; Dan. 6:10; Psa. 5:7).
C. Seek Ye “First” [S:4412 Proton prwton] The Kingdom of God – Mat. 6:33
D. Meditation [ygygh S:1901 Hagiyg] Silent Murmur Lifted To God’s Ear – Psa. 5:1 Cp. 1 Sam. 1:10- 17, 19-20 Note: This is a deep thought, imagining, pondering lifted to God’s “ear” by the “words”
of the person praying (Psa. 5:1). It is from S:1897 Haga (haw-gah) hgh; to murmur KJV: imagine, speak, talk, utter.
E. Sincerity – Luke 18:11-14
F. Humility and Submission to God’s Will – “Thy Will Be Done” - 2 Chron. 7:14; Mat. 26:39; Mark 14:36; Luke 22:42; 1 John 5:13-15
G. Righteousness – James 5:16 vs. Luke 18:10-11 (Publican / Sinner) Note: Postures not necessarily important: kneel (Dan. 6:10); standing (Luke 18:13); sitting (Acts 2:2). Nor are things: incense (Psa. 141:2; Luke 1:10). Nor is age (Gen. 21:15- 17; Mark 10:13-14).
H. Speaking with Tongues - Rom. 8:26-27 (intercessory prayer) Note: The word “helpeth,” (4878) sunantilambanetai, is sun (Gk. 4862), “together,” anti (Gk. 473), “against,” and lambanomai (Gk. 2983), “to support or help.” This signifies such assistance afforded by any two persons to each other, who mutually bear the same load or carry it between them. Hence, he who prays in the Spirit receives help from the Spirit of God, i.e. “The Spirit itself,” Auto [S: 846] to [S: 3588] Pneuma [S: 4151]. Cp. 1 Cor. 2:11- 13; 14:14-15; Jude 20. This is supported by S:4160. David said, “The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue” (2 Sam 23:2).
I. Upright (strait) and Righteous - Prov. 15:8, 29
J. Effectual Fervent [S:1754 energeo; “active”] Prayer [S:1162 deesis, “a wanting, a need,” then, “an asking, entreaty, supplication”] – James 5:16 1. Effectual Fervent – S:1754 Energeo; “to be active, efficient.” Per Vines, “to put forth power, be operative, to work” (its usual meaning), is rendered by the verb “to work effectually,” or “to be effectual,” in the KJV of 2 Cor. 1:6; Gal. 2:8 and 1 Thes. 2:13. The King James translates this: do, (be) effectual (fervent), be mighty in, shew forthself, work (effectually in). a. 1 Cor 12:6 – diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. b. 1 Cor 12:11 – But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. c. 2 Cor 1:6 – afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings d. Gal 2:8 – wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, e. Eph 1:11 – being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: f. Phil 2:13 – God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. g. 1 Thess 2:13 – the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. h. James 5:16 – The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Note 1: Per Vine’s Dictionary: “James 5:16 – effect produced in the praying man, bringing him into line with the will of God, as in the case of Elijah.
Note 2: This prayer’s result is an outgrowth of it being divinely influenced. For its inner working is energized contrary to and against our natural and human desire in favor of the will of God. Thus Elijah prays to stop needed rain from falling.
2. Prayer – S:1162 Deesis; a petition KJV - prayer, request, supplication. It’s from S:1189 deomai (deh’-om-ahee); to beg (as binding oneself), i.e. petition: KJV - beseech, pray (to), make request: Per Vines: primarily “a wanting, a need” (akin to A, No. 4), then, “an asking, entreaty, supplication,” in the NT is always addressed to God and always rendered “supplication(s)” …
a. Supplication or prayer for particular benefits,
b. petition for oneself (Luke 1:13; Phil 4:6; Heb 5:7; 1 Peter 3:12; Sept.: Job 27:9; Psa. 39:12; 40:2; 1 Kings 8:28,30)
c. in behalf of others (Phil 1:19; James 5:16; on behalf of Rom 10:1; 2 Cor 1:11; 9:14; Phil 1:4; 1 Tim 2:1); with perí (4012), concerning Eph 6:18) generally spoken of any prayer (Luke 2:37; 5:33; Acts 1:14; Eph 6:18; Phil 1:4; 1 Tim 5:5; 2 Tim 1:3; Sept.: 1 Kings 8:45; 2 Chron 6:40).
3. Availeth – S:2480 Ischuo (is-khoo’-o); from S:2479; to have (or exercise) force (lit. or fig.): KJV: be able, avail, can do ([-not]), could, be good, might, prevail, be of strength, be whole, much work. Per Vine’s, it signifies (a) “to be strong in body, to be robust, in sound health,” Matt 9:12; Mark 2:17; (b) “to have power,” as of the gospel, Acts 19:20; to prevail against, said of spiritual enemies, Rev 12:8; of an evil spirit against exorcists, Acts 19:16; (c) “to be of force, to be effective, capable of producing results,” Mat. 5:13 (“it is good for nothing”; lit., “it availeth nothing”); Gal 5:6; in Heb 9:17 it apparently has the meaning “to be valid” … for KJV: “it is of no strength”). It is translated “availeth” with reference to prayer, in James 5:16
Note 1: There is a difference in power and strength. For exousia, the authority and right to be and to act, and dunamis, the explosive power to blow up, are different than ischuo strength that can do.
Note 2: If you’re not careful, the yielding to the presence of God will heal the body. As the soul receives its healing, strength, wholeness; so also does the body.
Note: Catholicism lacks this, where the priest and the penitent pray jointly for pardon. This prayer is called an “effectual fervent” prayer that “availeth much.” For when one comes to God touched by another’s need, having experienced the same insufficiency, incapability, and need, they can intercede on their brother or sister’s behalf.
K. Spirit [Ruwach xwr] of Grace [Chen !x] & Supplications [Tachanunim ~y!wnxt] – Zech. 12:10 Note: This harmonizes with the “Baruch haba” prayer (Psa. 118:26; Mat. 23:39; Luke 13:35 Cp. Mat. 21:9; Mark 11:9; Luke 19:38; John 12:13).
L. Thy [Father’s] Will Be Done – Mat. 6:10; Luke 11:2 Note: Jesus taught His Disciples to pray this way and did so Himself (Mat. 26:42).
M. Continuing Instant [KJV: attend, continue, wait on] – Rom. 12:12
N. Not To Be Seen – Mat. 6