Welcome back again to the fourth installment of our series exploring our relationship with God.
We began by looking at the dynamic between Jesus, the scriptures, and the holy spirit.
Then in part two, we saw the pivotal role that Faith plays in our relationship with God, and how coming to him requires not only that we know his character, but we know our status, as redeemed new creations because of his sacrifice.
Then, in the third part, we begin exploring how understanding our relationship and status in Christ affects our perceptions and how we live day-to-day.
Now, we will continue examining how understanding our new nature in Christ changes even how we approach God in prayer, by looking at specific teachings, and examples shown in the scriptures.
Let’s get started.
What Is Prayer?
We hear and use the word prayer all the time, but have you ever stopped to think about what prayer actually is? It’s easy to fall into the trap of not thinking about it because we are so used to the word but if we cannot define prayer. How do we even know if we are praying correctly?
Jesus has quite a few things to say regarding prayer in the scriptures, and even the most famous prayer in all of the Bible commonly called “the Lord’s prayer” bears little resemblance to the common prayers that we hear today in church.
If you take a look at Matthew 6:9 you will see something right at the beginning of the prayer which pertains to our relationship with God… our father in heaven. Jesus is showing us something about how we are to see God, not purely as a judge, not purely as a leader, not purely as a creator, but as our father.
Notice that Jesus didn’t say “my father,” he wasn’t just speaking about his own relationship with God, but our relationship with God. I think that we often don’t take the time to fully consider the implications of God being our Father. Therefore, prayer isn’t just about asking God for things, it’s communication with God, and an opportunity to meditate on who God is and your relationship with Him.
The Change of Identity
One area that doesn’t seem to get much attention is the change in our spiritual identity which was achieved through Jesus’ sacrifice. This lack of attention does a disservice not only to the suffering of Christ himself, but also to the believers who never hear about the incredible transformation that takes place as part of spiritual rebirth.
In 1st Corinthians 12:12, we see the following statement:
“For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.”
Now, some details to notice here, the scripture is using the human body as an illustration, and it says just like your body is one [whole unit], and it has many members [parts], but all of those many parts are still one, so also is Christ.
Now that’s very interesting! Notice that the scripture didn’t say so also is “the church,” it said so also is Christ!This scripture is pointing out the fact that we are members [or parts] of Christ! We are connected to Him.
And with this unity, comes position and authority, as Ephesians 2:4-7 says:
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)
And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
That in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
And I love how verse 4 begins, But God who is rich in mercy— this is not a position of authority that we earned, it’s a gift of mercy, demonstrating His great love.
That even when we were completely dead in sin, he quickened (revitalized, rejuvenated, regenerated, made alive) us together with Christ, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Now, where do you think Jesus is seated? Have you ever thought about that? Do you think the resurrected, glorified, highly favored and honored Jesus is seated in a lowly position with no authority?
The scripture tells us a few verses prior to these in Ephesians 1:20-21, that Jesus is seated at the right-hand of God the Father, far above all principality and power and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
So that’s where Jesus is seated— and we are there with Him.
Not many Christians today truly understand this, and they live weak and often defeated lives as a result.
Prayer in the New Covenant
Knowing these truths, is the first-half of the equation, and applying them is the second-half.
Jesus says some amazing things regarding the change that His sacrifice brings, including how it relates to prayer.
In John 16:20-28, Jesus says the following:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, That you shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
A woman when she is in travail has sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembers no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
And you now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man takes from you.
And in that day you shall ask me nothing. Truly, truly, I say to you, Whatever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Till now have you asked nothing in my name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.
These things have I spoken to you in proverbs: but the time comes, when I shall no more speak to you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father.
At that day you shall ask in my name: and I say not to you, that I will pray the Father for you:
For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.”
In verse 20 here, we see that He says that they will weep and lament (why?), because they are about to see Jesus tortured and crucified!
This is why He says in verse 21 that a woman has sorrow during labor, but as soon as it’s over and she sees the newly birthed child, she doesn’t remember the sorrow anymore!
Well, my friend, today you and I are that new child! We are new creations in Christ, we are reborn! And as Jesus says in verse 22, they would indeed see Him again, and at that time, they would have joy and henceforth, no-one would ever take that joy away!
Now, look at verse 23… And in that day— there’s that phrase again— what day is this? Keeping Jesus’ words in context, this is the day after His resurrection, after His work was finished, Jesus says you shall ask me nothing. Now this is key… why does Jesus say that you will not ask Him for anything? Does this mean that we will stop receiving anything from God?
Not at all! But the manner of relationship will be changed.
Jesus continues on to say Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you.
What gives us the right to ask anything of God the Father in the name of Jesus? Our union with Him; Our place of position and authority.
There’s no separation anymore! There’s no uncertainty! There’s no barriers! And there are no qualifiers or prerequisites! There’s no fear!
You are in unity with Christ. You are a member of His body because He has made it so. So what gives you the right to ask anything of the Father in the name of Jesus and have absolute certainty that it will be given to you? Jesus Himself does!
In verses 26 and 27, Jesus re-affirms this fact by saying again in that day (after His sacrificial death and resurrection) you will ask in My name, and I will not tell you I am praying for you (why not, Jesus?) Because there will be no need! Jesus is now in complete union with us! We are one with Him and He is one with us, as we read in previously John chapter 17.
And as verse 27 makes clear, all of this is ours, the very love of the Father for us on the inside, as mentioned here and again in John chapter 17, because Jesus finished the work, and we simply believe on Him.
So I encourage you today, start believing, start living in the unity with Jesus has paid for you to have.
I look forward to thriving with you again.
Be blessed.