Master Verse on Prayer
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (1Jn 5:14-15)
With hundreds of prayer and prayer-related verses in the Bible, how can we say that one verse is the master verse on prayer? The above verses wrap up all the Bible teachings on prayer and reduce them to a few words: “…ask anything according to His will.”
The verse assumes that everything necessary for successful prayer is in place. The verse in no way conflicts with any other verse on prayer but rather, brings all other verses to a point of action. The request is tested in the presence of the will of God. If we want to know other things about prayer, then we go beyond the master verse on prayer.
In the same way that Jesus reduced all the Jewish law and the preaching of the prophets into two verses, even so, the Apostle John reduces all the teachings on prayer to two verses. Jesus and the Law.
When asked about the “great commandment,” Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Mat 22:37-40)
If you’re looking for a summary of the Jewish law given by Moses and everything the prophets preached, there it is. If you’re looking for the details of the Mosaic law and the prophets, then read the books by Moses and the several prophets.
We are helped if we remember this: The New Testament is a commentary on the Old Testament. For example, the book of Revelation is a commentary on the book of Daniel. “The New is in the Old contained; the Old is in the new Explained.”
The core of 1John 5:14-15 is: “ask anything according to his will.” It is a summary verse, a master verse that governs all the other verses on prayer and prayer-related verses.
Prayer and Believing. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. (Mar 11:22-23)
It looks like the whole thing about prayer is faith. We don’t see in these verses how to get enough faith. The disciples prayed: “increase our faith.” One man did this: And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. (Mar 9:24)
Prayer and Persistence. In another place, the important thing turns out to be persistence in prayer, not giving up. And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Luk 11:7-10) Ask, and keep on asking. Seek, and keep on seeking. Knock, and keep on knocking.
Prayer and Sin.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: (Psa 66:18) (If I treasure, protect iniquity.)
How to Pray.
Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray, even as John taught his disciples how to pray. His response was “the model prayer” most commonly called “the Lord’s Prayer.” It is not the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17. But it IS the prayer our Lord taught us to pray, and in that sense, is “The Lord’s Prayer.” I prefer the version in Matthew rather than in Luke. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Mat 6:9-10) (Read: Matthew 6:9-15)
Read Through the Bible in a Year
MAY 19, 2017 – FRIDAY
A.M. 2Kings 23-25 P.M. John 7:1-31
(Bible Gateway will read this to you if you like. Look for the speaker icon.)
Memory Verse This Month:
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. (Luke 24:44)
Song for Today:
Life’s Railway to Heaven (4:08) (Gaither Group)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aic0WaD2gqQ&list=RDAic0WaD2gqQ&index=1
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