Thursday, March 20, 2014

PRAYER A DISPENSATIONAL STUDY - J. C. O'Hair



PRAYER A DISPENSATIONAL STUDY
Pastor J. C. O’Hair


In this lesson we shall learn that prayer is certainly a dispensational study. No Christian, in this age of grace, in the light of Romans 12:17 to 21, would pray any of the many imprecatory prayers by God’s most spiritual servants under the reign of law.
Note Matthew 21:22 - I Timothy 2:8 - John 14:13: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”
Every one should know that God does not hear the prayers of unsaved people, no matter how religious and sincere and earnest they may be. But James 5:16 is always true, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” “The ear of the Lord is open unto the cry of the righteous.” (I Peter 3:12).
It is true, that Stephen, when dying, prayed unto the Lord Jesus; but that was for Israel’s benefit concerning the Son of man. (Acts 7:51 to 58). The Son instructed His disciples to pray to the Father.
It is true that many spiritual Christians claim rich blessings praying to Christ and the Holy Spirit. But strictly speaking prayer should be offered in accordance with John 14:13 and Romans 8:26, to the Father, in the name of the Son, through the intercession of the Holy Spirit.
Christians well taught in the Scriptures, do not address the Saviour, as “Jesus.” When we speak of our Saviour, let us call Him our Lord Jesus Christ.
Note Romans 8:26 and I John 5:14: “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered.” “And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.”
These two conditions of answered prayer have been a great blessing in my own Christian life, together with James 1:5 and 6: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering: for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” And let us never forget Psalm 66:18, “if I regard iniquity, in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
I confess that I am impotent and ignorant apart from God’s Divine wisdom from above made known to me by the indwelling Spirit: “And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27. Only in this way can any Christian ask according to God’s will.
As we study the prayers of Luke 18:13 - Acts 10:4 - Acts 8:15 in the light of I John 2:2-Titus 2:11 - Ephesians 1:13 and 14, and especially in the light of the Lord’s message of reconciliation committed to Paul with the dispensation of grace, (II Corinthians 5:18 to 21), no Spirit-taught messenger of grace will tell any sinner that he must pray to be saved or pray through to receive the Holy Spirit. God’s “grace” way is not of works - not by works - not of yourself. (Ephesians 2:9 - Galatians 3:2 - Titus 3:5 to 8) - Salvation and the Holy Spirit are God’s “grace” gifts when the sinner believes. Christians should pray without ceasing; should pray for one another, with all prayer and supplication for all saints and for all things. (I Thessalonians 5:17 - Philippians 4:6 to 8 - Ephesians 6:17 and 18 - James 5:16).
Note these prayers in God’s program of grace: Philippians 1:9 - Colossians 4:2 - II Corinthians 13:7 - Romans 12:12 - I Timothy 4:5.

 

 


Posted By – Cecil Spivey


 

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