Author’s Note: Interested readers can find all previous volumes of this series here. News Flash: At the request of numerous Townhall readers, the first 56 volumes have been compiled into a book titled “Bible Study For Those Who Don’t Read the Bible.” Read more details at the end. Now back to our regular programming.
Thanks for joining us as we conclude our two-part series on prayer. Last week we discussed “Prayer in the Hebrew Bible” and today, the New Testament.
Jesus taught his disciples the do’s and don’ts of prayer in Matthew 6:5-9. He discouraged “show-off praying,” saying, “ ‘And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others.’ ”
Instead, Jesus encouraged private prayer: “‘But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.’ ” Jesus also taught that “ ‘your Father knows what you need before you ask him.’”
Jesus warned against “babbling” prayers: “ ‘And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.’ ” Then, Jesus instructed his followers “how you should pray” and began to teach what is known as “The Lord’s Prayer”:
“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one’” (Matthew 6:9-13 NIV).
Notice something missing? A “final” verse appears in both the King James and New King James translations, and often recited in churches: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine (yours) is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever. Amen” (Matthew 6: 9-13 KJV).
Over the centuries, there has been a little controversy about the final verse, omitted in many translations. The NIV Study Bible footnote explains: “Some late manuscripts add ‘for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.’” (For further study, here are Catholic and Protestant explanations.)
Personally, I have been blessed by several visits to the holy site that houses the rock from which Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer. Called the “Church of the Pater Noster” (Latin for “Our Father”), it’s located (by tradition) on the Mount of Olives overlooking Jerusalem. But most visually captivating, the Lord’s Prayer — translated into the world’s major and minor languages — is displayed on ceramic tiles built into the stone walls. The Church of the Pater Noster showcases the universality and eternal power of the Lord’s Prayer in a serene, garden setting.
Besides how to pray, Jesus taught us why we should pray: “‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened’” (Matthew 7:7-8).
However, those with faith in Jesus know that sometimes after “asking,” “seeking,” and “knocking,” the answer appears to be “no,” and the “door” is closed. But, ultimately, believers acknowledge that unanswered prayer is an essential tenet of faith because, as St. Paul wrote: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Think about all the unanswered prayers in your life and how, by trusting God, eventually He worked “all things” out “for the good.”
Now let’s turn to a timeless, profound, and magnificent prayer spoken by the Mother of Jesus while He was in her womb. Called “The Magnificat” or “Mary’s Song,” the prayer appears in Luke 1:46-56 and begins:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” (See Vol. 19 for a more in-depth study of The Magnificat.)
In our remaining space, I will review famous prayer instruction verses from St. Paul. (Fans of Paul can read his “Greatest Hits” in Vol. 61.)
What Paul wrote in Philippians is always a crowd pleaser and prepares you for personal prayer:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).
Among the most popular Pauline verses is “The Armor of God,” recorded in Ephesians. This prayer tutorial is about strengthening and protecting yourself by donning spiritual battle gear before and during your prayers:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:10-18.) (The complete passage is linked.)
The last “Armor of God” verse summarizes today’s lesson: “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.” Amen!
Finally, here is more information about my new book, “Bible Study For Those Who Don’t Read The Bible.” The publication date is Sept. 27, and pre-sales are available at Target and Barnes & Noble, but no Amazon pre-sales yet. Many thanks to readers who asked and encouraged me to make these studies available in book form. Would you please pray that the book reaches those who need to know the Bible?
Myra Kahn Adams is a media producer and conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. She is also Executive Director of www.SignFromGod.org, a ministry dedicated to educating people about the Shroud of Turin. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com or Twitter @MyraKAdams.