Boldness in Prayer: Elijah’s Example
When the son of the widow of Zarephath died, Elijah “cried to the LORD, ‘O LORD my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?” (1 Kings 17:20). Now, let’s be honest, when was the last time you heard anything like this at a Reformed prayer meeting or from a Reformed pulpit? I can just imagine how modern, respecatble Calvinists would pray in light of such a situation: “O Lord, we just ask, if it be your will please, that you raise this widow’s son from the dead.” What a lot of pious pussy-footing around!
Although modern Calvinists would probably claim to be acting “with reverence” when they pray in such a manner, it highlights their lack of zeal for God’s honour and glory, whereas a man consumed with the glory of Christ, as Elijah was, approached God with holy boldness because it was His honour which was at stake. Do our prayers reflect a similar passion for God’s glory? Or are they so lukewarm and mediocre that, when you have to listen to them, you almost want to spit them out of your mouth?
May 11, 2007 at 11:26 pm
Hi Daniel,
A typically frank Pastor Martin there! I have been studying and thinking about prayer a lot recently in preparation for a sermon and I have come to the conclusion that a lot of prayer (reformed folk included) is very man-centred, not just in that it is a list of requests to God, but that it approaches God in a way that neglects to consider God’s persepective on how He is to be glorified, and of course we find that out in His Word. And so as Pastor Martin says prayers are offered thus, “We pray that if is your will that you would save sinners”….whereas we should pray “Lord you have promised to glorify your name by calling a people unto yourself…will you not do so now, save Mr A, etc.”…we see this bold spirit in that passage in Habakkuk chapter 3 as the prophet approaches God in prayer…
Habakkuk 3:2 “2 O LORD, I have heard your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.”
In these verses we see that having reflected upon God’s revelation to him concerning the certain judgement of Judah that Habakkuk still comes are prays to God…REVIVE…..WORK…..GLORIFY YOURSELF (make it known)…..REMEMBER MERCY. Notice what he does not do, is pray if it is your will revive…if it is your will work and so forth. Why not? Because there is no question in Habakkuk’s mind that God will do all these things because it is His nature and being to do so…..since God will always have his remnant it is His will to revive them in the day of adversity, likewise it is His will to work in this world to that end and to the end of his own glory, likewise it is His will also that He will have mercy in the midst of His wrath, because He is a God not only of penetrating justice but also of mercy.
I think the key to overcoming this wrong perspective in prayer is a) to meditate much on the being of God b) to verbally remind ourselves of God’s attributes early in our prayers before we come to supplcation and intercession and c) to consider carefully before we pray what it is we will pray for and make sure in that time of consideration to think about the issues in connection with God’s attributes and His glorification.
JP
May 11, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Dear Daniel,
Now that I have finally caught up with the rest of the world and got broadband I hope to look at your posts. I have started – as I always do – at the start; though admittedly it is the start of this new website only. I particularly wish to read your book reviews! I wish I was better at reviews, for I would love to review several books I have read within the last year or so.
Expect a comment or two along the way; hopefully more positive than negitive!
I should say I have read one or two before – but only one or two.
G.M
May 11, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Dear Daniel,
I Hope your studies are going well; it must be exam time? Email me the reply if you like.
G.M
May 12, 2007 at 8:04 am
JP
Thank you for your comments, these have given me much to think about and highlights a lot that is lacking in my own prayer life.
Gary
It’s good to hear that you have broadband, I was thinking that for managing to run a website without broadband that you deserved an honour. However, I suspected there would be little point as you probably would not accept one from the Queen.
May 12, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Dear Daniel,
I could not have done it on my own without Gavin’s help; in fact he did more than me in the comments etc which require the most constant access. The quote pages take a lot of time, but much of it is done off-line.
Yea; in her present rebellion against the Covenants I certainly wouldn’t accept it. I would love the opportunity to tell her that she is in such rebellion though; so I would go to the ceremony, refuse the honour and tell her why.
G.M
May 12, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Yes, I thought as much.
BTW, when you type in your URL you need to put in the whole address (http://puritanismtoday.wordpress.com/), otherwise when people click on your name expecting to find a site they end up on a blank screen.