Survival Praying

For the past week we have been studying the prayer of Isaiah.

In the New Testament, the disciples asked Jesus if He would teach them to pray.  Jesus replied with what we call the Lord’s Prayer.

In the Old Testament, Isaiah teaches about prayer around 700 years before Christ will be born in Bethlehem.  Israel is “survival praying” while living in the Southern Kingdom.  Israel’s prayer for restoration is found in Isaiah chapter 63 verses 15-19.

Moving into chapter 64, Isaiah leads the powerful prayer for the people of Israel!   “Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,…”

The latter part of the second verse explains the passion and reason for the prayer, “…to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!”

Isaiah’s example for “survival praying” is found in Isaiah chapter 64 verse 9, ”O Lord, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech Thee, we are all Thy people.”  That prayer that uses BESEECH has more passion than just asking or  requesting.

These prayers contain three main elements of this petition to God!

1.      Intensity of Desire

2.     Humble Heart

3.     Tenacity of Purpose

We should ask the Lord to keep teaching us to pray.

We should pray with heart-felt passion, humble before God with the knowledge of His plan and purpose! James reminds us that a fervent prayer availeth much!

You are loved,

Pastor & Suzette