Hallowed Be Thy Name
In His Name: The Basics of Prayer ~ Lesson 3
Prayer flows from a relationship, not a formula. I talk with my King because He joined me to Himself, when I believed in His atoning death and received His resurrection life. See and delight in what His love has accomplished for you and me:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him, in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward [lavished upon us] us in all wisdom and prudence..." (Ephesians 1:3-8)1 a. In other words, God promised to be our Father, Shepherd and Friend always. What does that tell us?
How should we respond to such glorious gifts?
1. b. What does He show us out of His great treasures in the next verses?
"...having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together...all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.
"In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:9-14)1. c. Which of His promises are especially encouraging to you today? Why?
1. d. God wants you do grasp, keep and live by a most wonderful truth: You are IN CHRIST! How many times does He tell you this fact?
1. e. You know your identity and have experienced God's love. Now consider the fact that He likewise loves and cares for His other children and friends -- even some who seem less deserving -- or who might have offended you. How does this truth affect your desire to participate in His love, concern and prayers for them? (Are you willing to love them as He does?)
2. a. Read Ephesians 1:15-18 and see how Paul prayed for God's people. What additional gifts are mentioned in this list of promises to those who trust, obey, love and follow Him?
"Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you --
~ the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
~ the eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
~ that you may know what is the hope of His calling,
~ what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints..." (Eph 1:15-18)
2. b. What is Paul's stated commitment to the Ephesian Church?
2. c. Before he prays, how does he encourage them?
2. d. Then what does he ask God to give them?
2. e. Paul longs for them to understand three truths about their life in Christ -- the marvelous wonders -- the scope which could only be understood by spiritual revelation. What are they?
What does each truth mean to you?
2. f. What does his prayer tell you about Paul's identification with God's love and purpose?
2. g. (Personal) What did you learn from Paul's example?
3. a. Read Ephesians 1:19-23. Describe the "surpassing greatness" of Christ's authority and power.
"... what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
[22] And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."
3. b. Read Ephesians 2:4-10 and discover more reasons why we, too, can pray with heavenly authority and power. What do these verses show you about your oneness with your King?
"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
[8] For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."4. a. Read John 14:10-21 and delight in the oneness Jesus enjoys both with His Father and with us.
[10] "Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves.
[12] “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
[15] “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
[19] "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you
[21] He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:10-21)Which of the above verses show the oneness between Father and Son?
Between Jesus and us?
4. b. What attitude characterizes Jesus' relationship with His Father? (Notice especially v. 10)
4. c. What does Jesus promise those who come to Him in the above attitude?
4. d. Prayerfully consider the truths concerning your oneness with God, then explain the meaning and significance of verses 12-14.
5. (Personal) What is your response to the relationship Jesus offers you? Tell Him!