A NEW WAY TO PRAY – Pastor Chris
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
And in that day ye shall ask me nothing… (John 16:23).
Prayer in the New Testament is different from what it was in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, the people had to make requests of God, so they could receive from Him. They had to ask, because God promised to bless them; He promised to supply their needs. Therefore, on the premise of His promises, they asked in prayer.
He was their Jehovah Jireh; He was the Lord their healer; He was the Lord their banner; He was the Lord their righteousness. This great God of glory made promises, so they took Him to task on His promises.
When Jesus came, because He lived in the old covenant, His teachings were also based on the old covenant. When He taught on prayer, He taught faith to people who were under the Law of Moses, but that’s not the dispensation you live in. Therefore, you really can’t pray as they did and expect the kind of results you ought to be getting as a New Testament person. Prayer has changed.
In the Old Testament, they prayed expecting God to fulfil His promises, but in the New Testament, all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.” Today, you don’t have to ask God for things like they did in the Old Testament; you just receive, because all things are yours already (1 Corinthians 3:21-23). Simply walk in the reality of your inheritance and blessed life in Christ.
2 Peter 1:3 says, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.” Since God already gave us ALL things that we require for life, and to live righteously unto Him, what then are we supposed to be asking for in prayer?
Indeed, prayer in the New Testament isn’t a means of asking God for things. Rather, it’s an avenue for fellowship with the Lord, which in fact, is the highest purpose for prayer.
CONFESSION
I’m an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ; the world belongs to me. All things work together for my good, because I love the Lord, and I’m called according to His purpose. I reign and rule with Christ, now and evermore. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: 1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 2 Peter 1:3-4; Matthew 6:25-32
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN Matthew 15:29-16:1-12 & Exodus 3-5
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN Matthew 9:1-13 & Genesis 23
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