HOW WE OUGHT TO PRAY

B. Mills

Judging strictly by the title, you might expect this to be the answer to the apostle’s question to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” But, it is not.

It is God speaking through Paul, a letter from prison to his beloved brothers to encourage them in the times of stress they were, and would continue to experience. The answer to their needs is prayer.

Like all mankind, their master had once been of the world, worldly. In other words, they were under Satan. We are all under someone, and Paul is reminding them that some of them had been in slavery to sin. Then it was their Roman conquerors, but today it may be alcohol, drugs, prescribed or other. It may be greed, anger, or pleasure. There are so many fronts, but back of them all hovers the ruler of this world, Satan. Remember that Satan said to Jesus, I will give you the world if you will just worship me. That was, of course, an empty promise if there ever was one. If Jesus had fallen for that, he would have just been falling under Satan’s power and have accomplished nothing at all.

The alternate is to make Christ our master, and thus be born into the family of God. We are still answerable to someone, but this is one who so loved us that He sent His own son to offer us salvation through his own life blood. He alone is completely just. John 3:16-17.
The master of all Christians is Jesus Christ. There are only two masters, one totally good, and one totally evil.

Colossians 4:1-6 (King James Version)

1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven. (Ephesians 6:9)

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Acts 1:14, Ephesians 6:18, Romans 12:12, 1 Timothy 5:17, Luke 11:5-10, Luke 18:1-8, Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38, Luke 21:36)

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (Ephesians 6:19, Acts 14:27, 2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 3:3-4, Ephesians 6:19, Ephesians 6:20, 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, 2 Corinthians 2:12)

4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:20)

5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (Ephesians 5:15, Mark 4:11, Ephesians 5:16, Ephesians 5:15-16)

6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Ephesians 4:29, Mark 9:50, 1 Peter 3:15)

But, what does God expect of his servants? Most of all, he wants us to keep in contact. He wants to hear the voice of his children. He wants us to read his letters to us over and over again. He wants us to be someone he can look to with pride. He wants us to meet with him around his table every week. If we are not there, it will grieve him. Remember that David had a place at Saul’s table, and when he was not there, Saul knew it. God knows it, and is grieved when we are not there. Jesus, who is even now at God’s right hand, promised, “I go to prepare a place for you.” He is making ready a very special place where all his children can be near him forever.

Until the time comes when he returns for us, let us be joyfully praising him with thanksgiving in our hearts and on our lips. Let us give thanks for our leaders to whom he has given authority over us.

Let us pray that we may speak as we ought to speak, and able to answer the questions, of those about us. His word tells us how, and His holy spirit is here to act as our individual personal We are promised this gift at the time of our baptism, not before, and if we are not baptized, we shall not receive it. Acts 2:38. “…and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” God keeps His promises.