Teach us to Pray… HUMBLY

Posted by Yakuti in Archives, Devotional | | 0 comments

The Word: And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matt 26:39).

Prayerful Contemplation: I was terribly appalled when, a few years ago, I watched a program on TV where a famous preacher said it is wrong to kneel when we pray. According to him, kneeling and falling on our face and showing any kind of humility is actually a very bad thing to do. Instead, from my interpretation of what he was saying, Christians should stand up, shake their fists upward, and demand, claim, decide, what they want from God. Because He has said He is our Father, He is obligated to give us any single thing we ask for in prayer.

Many say today that we should never say “If it is Your will” when we pray. Their reason? It is an indication  of – again – weakness; lack of faith, ignorance about the position we have in Christ.

What a contradiction we see in Christ’s prayers! Here is Jesus, the Son of God – God Himself, in fact, falling on His face and praying to God. What humility! What an example! Remember, in the beginning was the Word (John 1:1)! This is the same Saviour who, before the foundations of the earth, knew all things. This is the God who said, “Let Us make man in Our image.” (Gen 1:26.)

God Himself – kneeling – falling on His face!

And what’s more, He says, “Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Luke records Him as having said, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42.)

In other words, “This is what very difficult, but if there is no other way, then I accept it and will do as You desire.”

He says, “O my Father.” Remember, He taught us to pray, “Our Father.” But at this point of trial, He says “My” Father.  It is when we are in trial that we should call on the Lord in the priviledge He has given us. And at these times, we hardly remember all the wonderful parts of God’s character. He is a God of mercy. He is a God of grace. He is a righteous Judge. But when we are in trial that just does not seem to qualify us as much as the fact that He is our Father. My earthly father may be a lawyer, but when I need him, that is not what I will remember. When in trial, we are in so much pain that we plead our adoption because it is the closest relationship we have with Him.

Practical Application: I dare not try to approach the throne of God in my own strength. It is normal in human circles to want to impress. I am a successful person because I have a PhD and run three companies, one may think. Perhaps it is therefore understandable that people want to go to God and remind Him of their authority in Him, trying to exercise that very authority over Him. Jesus’ example goes against this. He has more authority than anyone else, yet He shows the most humility. He has the most rights, yet He humbly asks for the Lord’s will to be done. He did not have to do anything, yet He obeyed, and when it was difficult, He did not go and shake His fist at God and name and claim anything. He went a little farther, and fell on His face… and prayed. If God fell on His face, how much lower should I fall? If Jesus prayed for an hour, how much more do I need to implore God to give me, a mortal, strength during my trial? May the Lord teach me to pray like He prayed. To yield to His will. To commit all to Him, and never try to “help” Him out in any way. Most importantly, may I remember that I am a child of the King, but He will never spoil me, not even if I stand upright and say as loud a prayer as I can muster up.

Memory Verse: And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us (1 John 5:14).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to pray humbly. Teach me to remember that the ways of the world never work with You. Keep my eyes on You, and not on my “achievements”, for it is not I who have achieved anything; rather, You have bestowed Your grace upon my life. I thank You for this devotion and I ask that as You guide me in these lessons on prayer, You will open the eyes of my understanding that I may learn what You desire for me to learn. In Jesus’ Name – Amen.

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