A TIME NOT TO PRAY

On occasion, God may not want us to pray for a particular person or situation. There were three different circumstances where God told Jeremiah not to pray because the people were no longer following God, but worshipping other gods.

(1) "Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee. Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger." (Jeremiah 7:16-18)
(2) "Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble. For according to the number of thy cities were thy gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal. Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble." (Jeremiah 11:12-14)
(3) "Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins. Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good. When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence." (Jeremiah 14:10-12)

Jesus revealed a similar thought when he sent his disciples out to share the gospel with the people. He instructed them, by means of an idiom, that if they were rejected they should "shake the dust off their feet" and move on.

"And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the Day of Judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent." (Mark 6:7-12) An account of this can also be found in Matthew 10:14 and Luke 9:5.

Another thought that we may want to consider is the fact that there may be times, even though we mean well, when we may go too far and cause damage to our credibility or to the kingdom of God. Some people may not like to hear that we are praying for them, even if we are. Jesus says, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you." (Matthew 7:6)

AROMA OF PRAYERS

AROMA OF PRAYERS

Our prayers are considered to be a precious sweet smelling fragrance to our Father. In the 5th Chapter of the book of Revelation there are twenty-four elders and four beasts, holding up containers full of prayers in their hands as they kneel before Jesus. This illustrates that our Father has a means of tracking all prayers. If that is difficult to comprehend, all we need to do is consider what God has allowed us to accomplish through the use of computers and technology and we can envision God having the ability to save and store prayers.

These prayers were presented before Jesus Christ. “And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.” (Revelation 5:6-8)

Aromas are presented as prayers again in chapter eight of the book of Revelation. Here an angel before the throne of God presents the prayers. What an awesome picture this paints.

Another significant thought is that these prayers are presented just after the opening of the seventh seal and prior to the sounding of seven trumpets. The censer is filled with fire and thrown to the earth after the prayers are offered.

"And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels, which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire off the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound." (Revelation 8:1-6)

ELIJAH'S INTERVENTION FOR THE PEOPLE

Elijah's Intervention for the People
There had been a severe drought in the land during the reign of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel and, through Elijah's prayer on Mount Carmel; God sent them much-needed rain.

Elijah gave us the example that we should be persistent. He sent his servant seven times to check the clouds before the rains came. The servant noted that the cloud looked like a mans hand.

"And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain." (I Kings 18:41-45)

Elijah's Intervention for the Widow Woman

Elijah's Intervention for the Widow Woman
An interesting and unusual prayer is described in the scriptures concerning Elijah the prophet. When the son of a widow woman whom Elijah had befriended died, Elijah took the boy from her and carried him up to his bed. He then did a curious thing. He stretched himself over the child three different times and prayed. The bible states that God heard Elijah’s prayers and the dead child was brought back to life.

Elijah again teaches us to be persistent. He prayed three times before the child came back to life.

“And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the LORD, and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again. And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.” (I Kings 17:21-24)

Elisha Intervenes for His Servant

Elisha Intervenes for his Servant
Fear gripped Elisha’s servant when he saw the huge army that was confronting them. He cried out to Elisha. Elisha then made a puzzling statement revealing to his servant that there were more with them than with the enemy. Elisha prayed, asking God to open his servant’s eyes so he could see what was not visible to the human eye. It may be possible that there are invisible forces around today that we cannot see.

“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! How shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.” (II Kings 6:15-18)

Ezra's Intervention Prayer for the Remnant

After being in exile for seventy years, a remnant of the people of Israel returned with Ezra back to Jerusalem.

Ezra became upset when it was discovered that the majority of the people had contaminated themselves and had married with those who worshipped other gods and had become involved with the gods of the people who had taken them captive. Ezra prayed a prayer of repentance for the people.

Ezra's Prayer of Repentance

“And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God, And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.

And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this." (Ezra 9:5-15)

HEALTH AND PRAYER FOR THE SICK

The book of James describes the procedures to be used when praying for the sick. There is a wealth of information brought to light in these few verses. James backs up the fact that the effective prayer of an upright person brings results. The words “the prayer of faith shall save the sick” takes us back to the words of Jesus in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

In the book of James significance is also given to the action of admitting our mistakes to each other. "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any merry let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:13-16)

Anointing with oil is an important factor because it was also referred to when Jesus sent his disciples out in twos to convert souls. "And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them." (Mark 6:13)

If in a situation where no one is available from your church or if your church does not practice anointing with oil, you can anoint someone or anoint yourself with oil. To anoint with oil, fill a small vile or bottle with extra virgin olive oil and pray for God’s blessing on the contents. Place a small amount of the oil on your finger and touch it to the person’s forehead, praying for their, or your, healing in the name of Jesus Christ.

It is a special blessing to know that the word Christ in the Greek is Christos* (Khris-tos), which means, “anointed”. Care for this oil with reverence. Consider it as holy. It is not the oil, but the obedience that brings about the healing. *(Strong’s Concordance #5547)

Twice in the third chapter of Proverbs, the values of obedience, humility and repentance are hinted to as being important to our long life and health. "My son forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee." (Proverbs 3:1-2) "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." (Proverbs 3:7-8)

Through Moses, God stated to the people that he would keep them from diseases if they would heed his words. "And 'God' said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26) Part of the commandments that God gave to Moses was concerning which foods should be eaten and which should be avoided. The food we eat does affect our health. If you are interested in the food laws that God gave the people, one place they are given is in Leviticus 11:1-47.

It is possible that a correct attitude and living a righteous life, or doing what is right, could contribute to our good health. Peter says God is watching us and listening for our prayers. "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile; Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." (I Peter 3:10-12) Peter’s words are similar to those written in the book of Psalms. “What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” (Psalms 34:12-15) One way to generate a right attitude is to direct our thoughts in a more positive direction, as Paul explains. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4: 8)

What gift could be more precious than peace of mind? These words are spoken of a good man. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. (Psalms 37:37) Paul says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)

It is written to the believers, "he shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” (Psalms 91:15 and 16)

God's response to Hezekiah's prayer for healing was, "I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee."(II Kings 20:5)