Title: Grace of Prayer
Contents
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32. You shall know that it is not for your sake that I do this, says the Sovereign LORD. Be ashamed and lament, O house of Israel, for your deeds.
33. On the day I cleanse you from all iniquity, says the Sovereign LORD, I will make cities dwelling, and the desolate will be built.
34. The desolate land, which formerly seemed desolate in the eyes of passersby, will be a desolation.
35. People will say, This land was desolate, and now it is like the garden of Eden, and the desolate and desolate and crumbling cities have walls and inhabitants.
36. The rest of the nations all around you will know that I, the Lord, have built the ruins and planted them in desolate places; I, the Lord, have spoken, and I will do it.
37. Nevertheless, saith the Sovereign LORD, the house of Israel must ask me to do this for them, so that I will multiply their number as a flock.
38. I will fill the desolate city with flocks of men, like flocks for sacrifice, like flocks for the feasts of Jerusalem, so that they will know that I am the Lord.
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5. And he said to them, Who among you has a friend, and goes to him in the middle of the night and says, Friend, lend me three loaves of bread.
6. When a friend of mine comes to me on a trip and says I have nothing to feed
7. Will he answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me, for the door is already shut and the children are in bed with me, so I cannot get up and give it to you.
8. I tell you, though he will not rise up and give because of his friendship, he will rise up and give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
9. And I say to you, ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
10. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; to him who knocks it will be opened.
11. Who of you who is a father, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish.
12. If I ask for an egg, will you give me a scorpion?
13. If you, though evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.
Content
Subject: Grace of Prayer
Text: Ezekiel 36:32-38, Luke 11:5-13
“Save! Then it will be given to you. Find it! Then you will find it. knock on the door! And it will be opened to you, and everyone who asks receives. He who seeks will find it. It will be opened to him who knocks” (Luke 11:9, 10). This is the Lord's teaching on prayer. There is no teaching about “God knows what to do without asking.” He is a God who knows what we need before asking (Matthew 6:32), but He is a God who tells us to ask (pray) nevertheless. He told us to ask for all the graces we need in life as well as our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Today's Old Testament text (Ezekiel 36:32-38) presupposes the Babylonian captivity that the Israelites will experience. This is the conclusion that God will bring them back from captivity at the appointed time (Ezekiel 36:1-31).
The return of the Babylonian captivity is an event reminiscent of the second Exodus. The Exodus event that the nation of Israel experienced with Moses, the man of God, was planned and led by God. So, it was done with the experience of YHWH God of the people of Israel. It was also an event that testified to what kind of trust YHWH God had in Egypt and the nations. The return of the Babylonian captivity also has this historical significance. It was the work God had promised. It was to make the nation of Israel experience Yahweh, the God who is faithful to the covenant. It was to exalt the name of the God of Israel, which had been defiled in the Gentiles, and at the same time to restore the forgotten glory of Israel. It is the realization of the “dry bone vision” (Ezekiel 37:1-28) of the Valley of Ezekiel.
This is God's word about it. “Thus says the Lord GOD. Nevertheless, the house of Israel must ask me to do this for them” (Ezekiel 36:37). This is what YHWH God promised and He is accomplishing the work of returning from captivity, and it is saying that we need the prayers of the Israelites who will receive such grace. Of course, the same conditions are recorded in the Exodus case. These are the words spoken to Moses in the flames of a bush at the foot of Mount Horeb. This is the meaning of “I have certainly seen the affliction of my people in Egypt, and I have heard their cry because of their craftsman” (Exodus 3:7). It is the consideration of love that respects the free will given to humans during creation. It is the consideration of love for the fellowship you intended. The core of prayer is the fellowship of love that humans, who are creatures, have with God the Creator. That fellowship is the way for us to receive the glory enjoyed by the Triune God (John 17:1-5).
The supplication of the Son Jesus for us (Romans 8:34), the supplication of God the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26), and our prayer life are inextricably linked. Spiritual grace through prayer extends to the entire life of faith. These are the benefits of that holy fellowship. 1) Enjoy mercy, grace, and joy (Hebrews 4:16; John 16:24). 2) We are freed from worries and worries (Philippians 4:6,7). 3) Receive the Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). 4) He gives us victory in spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:10-20). Lent was celebrated in the church year. The secret to defeating Satan's cunning tricks and winning is to strengthen our prayers. Even though we put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-17), fighting in real battles must be done through “always praying in the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18). Let the Lent morning prayer meeting, which begins to commemorate the suffering and resurrection of the Lord, become an opportunity to win this spiritual battle. This is 'the grace of prayer'.