From the perspective of the New Testament: 'Why effective prayer is the result of abiding in the Lord and letting His words abide in us’
Romans 8:26-27 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God."
Theme |
Description |
Scripture References |
---|---|---|
Nature of Prayer |
1. Human cooperation with God 2. Allowing God to express Himself through man 3. Fulfilling God's purpose |
Romans 8:26-27 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God." |
Meaning of Prayer |
1. Communication and contact between man and God 2. Contacting God in spirit and absorbing Him 3. Experiencing the indwelling Christ and living Christ 4. Being one with the Lord in spirit |
Ephesians 6:18 "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." Colossians 3:4 "When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." 1 Corinthians 6:17 "But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit." |
Foundation of Effective Prayer |
1. Abiding in the Lord 2. The Lord's words abiding in us |
John 15:7 "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." |
Results of Effective Prayer |
1. Touching the Lord's feeling and knowing His will 2. The Lord's desire becoming our desire 3. Praying according to this desire 4. Prayer being answered |
1 John 5:14-15 "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him." |
Result of Abiding in Christ |
When we abide in Christ, and let Christ abide in us, we are able to have the church life |
1 Corinthians 1:2 " To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:" |
This table summarizes the teaching you provided, highlighting the following key points:
- 1. The essence of prayer is cooperation with God, allowing Him to express Himself through us.
- 2. True prayer is contacting God in spirit and absorbing His life.
- 3. Effective prayer is based on abiding in the Lord and letting His words abide in us.
- 4. When we are intimate with the Lord in this way, our desires align with His.
- 5. Such prayers are sure to be heard and answered by God.
- 6. Ultimately, this intimate relationship with Christ leads to a rich church life.
This understanding of prayer emphasizes that prayer is not merely making requests to God, but a way of deep communion and cooperation with God, enabling us to participate in God's will and work.
*Please refer to the 2024 Memorial Day Conference - The Christian Life, Week Four: Abiding in Christ, the True Vine