Worthy prayers

To have our prayers be worthy of the One to Whom we're praying, John 16:23 don't WE need to be worthy?

As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I [Paul] urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received:

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

If we suffer shame because of Jesus' name, Acts 5:40 is this because He counted us worthy to do so?

The apostles left the Sanhedrin [religious rulers], rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Acts 5:41

As Paul wrote,

Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Timothy 3:12

As the Lord Jesus Christ said,

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. Matthew 5:11-12

As Peter wrote,

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 1 Peter 4:14 

"Worthy prayers" are those that may indicate that we're living worthy of the Lord. Colossians 1:10

One prayer might be something like this --

"Father, help me to be counted worthy to be your child." Matthew 10:11; 2 Timothy 2:20-21

At times we may FEEL like the prodigal son who rehearsed Luke 15:17-19 and later said to his father,

"I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." Luke 15:21

BUT IF our attitude is one of, 

let's grow in His grace [unearned favor], 2 Peter 3:18

let's let Him change us to be like Jesus, Romans 8:29; Corinthians 3:18

let's let Him help us Romans 8:13-14 to live worthy of Him 1 Thessalonians 2:12 

so that He can count us worthy of His calling, 2 Thessalonians 1:11

THEN wouldn't a prayer stating this be a worthy prayer?

Another worthy prayer might be modeled after what Jesus said to His first disciples, Mark 1:16

"Come, follow Me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Mark 1:17

We could pray,

"Father, sometimes I feel like Peter when he said to Jesus, 'Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.' Luke 5:8 

But Jesus told him, 'Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.' Luke 5:10

So, I won't be afraid. I ask that you help me to catch people for You." 1 Corinthians 9:19

Since the Father does NOT show partiality, Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Galatians 2:6; 1 Peter 1:17 He would respect our request to help others, Jude vs.22-23 wouldn't He? 

We could then work and serve effectively as our parts in the body of Christ Ephesians 4:16 to share His good news of salvation. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-48; John 15:27; 20:21; Acts 1:8; Romans 10:15

LET'S PRAY WORTHY PRAYERS (not unworthy ones)

We want to ask in ways that show we know the Father. 1 John 2:13-14; 5:14-15

We DON'T want to pray as mere consumers to fulfill natural desires. 

And when you do ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures. James 4:3

We want to pray that all people, 1 Timothy 2:1-2 even enemies of the cross of Christ, Philippians 3:18 are drawn by the Father to the Lord Jesus Christ. John 6:44; 1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9

We DON'T want to pray that enemies are hurt. 

Sure, we can find plenty of references to this kind of praying in the Old Testament of the Bible. Psalms 28:3-4; 35:1; 71:13

This is one of the reasons that Jesus taught a better and higher way.

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor' and 'Hate your enemy.'

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." Matthew 5:43-45

We want to pray in Jesus' name.

"In that day you will no longer ask Me [Jesus] anything.

Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you." John 16:23

To pray in Jesus' name to the Father literally means to pray in the authority, character, and power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In other words, if we're walking as He walked, which John wrote that believers should, 1 John 2:6 before we pray we could ask ourselves, 

"How would Jesus pray about this?"

If the Savior of the world Luke 19:10; John 3:16-17; 4:41-42; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 4:10, 15 wouldn't pray to have this or that, then why would we?

However, if it's for something or Someone He said (or His New Testament writers) we could ask for after He returned to the Father, John 16:7, 10 

then it's appropriate to desire all that He wants for us. Luke 11:13; 24:49; John 7:37-39; 1 Corinthians 12:7, 31; 14:1, 39; Galatians 3:5; III John v.2

We could also question ourselves, 

"Would Jesus even pray about this? Or might He lead us Romans 8:14 to command this to be done in His name?" John 14:12

JESUS THE HEALER

Notice how the Lord Jesus Christ often healed and delivered people. 

While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy [skin disease].

When he saw Jesus, he fell facedown and begged Him, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean."

Did the Lord pray for the leper to be healed? No.

Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man.  

"I am willing," He said. "Be clean!"

And immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:12-13

Jesus saw a man who had been crippled for 38 years with no one to help him. John 5:5-7

Did Jesus pray? No.

Then Jesus told him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk."

Immediately the man was made well, and he picked up his mat and began to walk. John 5:8-9

A man with a withered hand was in a meeting. Mark 3:1

Then He [Jesus] said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." So he stretched it out, and it was restored. Mark 3:5

A boy with an evil spirit was brought to the Lord's disciples but they couldn't deliver him. Mark 9:14-18

Jesus took over.

When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit.

"You deaf and mute spirit," He said, "I command you to come out and never enter him again."

After shrieking and convulsing him violently, the spirit came out. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, "He is dead."

But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up. Mark 9:25-27

A young daughter was near the point of death and then died while Jesus was going there to heal her. Mark 5:22-23, 35 

Jesus arrived at the house where the dead girl lay. Mark 5:38-40

Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, "Talitha koum!" which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"

Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). And at once they were utterly astounded. Mark 5:41-42

A man was brought to Jesus who was deaf and barely able to speak. Mark 7:32

So Jesus took him aside privately, away from the crowd, and put His fingers into the man's ears.

Then He spit and touched the man's tongue.

And looking up to heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him, "Ephphatha!" (which means, "Be opened!").

Immediately the man's ears were opened and his tongue was released, and he began to speak plainly. Mark 7:33-35

A dead man who was the only son of his mother was carried in a coffin. Luke 7:12

When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, “Do not weep.”

Then He went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still.

"Young man," He said, "I tell you, get up!"

And the dead man sat up and began to speak! Then Jesus gave him back to his mother. Luke 7:13-15

An army officer wanted healing for his servant. Matthew 8:5-6

"I will go and heal him," Jesus replied. Matthew 8:7

But the officer said that all Jesus had to do was "say the word" and my servant would be healed. Matthew 8:8

Then Jesus said to the centurion [army officer],

"Go! As you have believed, so will it be done for you."

And his servant was healed at that very hour. Matthew 8:13

A royal official had a son who was sick and at the point of death, so he asked Jesus to come and heal him. John 4:46-47

"Go," said Jesus. "Your son will live." The man took Jesus at His word and departed. John 4:50 

What IF WE were to take Jesus at His word?

And while he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was alive.

So he inquired as to the hour when his son had recovered, and they told him, 

“The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour." [1pm]

Then the father realized that this was the very hour in which Jesus had told him,

"Your son will live." And he and all his household believed. John 4:51-53

A woman came to Jesus because her daughter was possessed by a demon. Matthew 15:22

"O woman," Jesus answered, "your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire."

And her daughter was healed from that very hour. Matthew 15:28

There were two blind men sitting beside the road. Matthew 20:29

When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out,

"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" Matthew 20:30

The large crowd told them to shut up. Matthew 20:29, 31

But the blind men shouted louder,

"Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" Matthew 20:31

Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want Me to do for you?" He asked.

"Lord," they answered, "let our eyes be opened."

Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and at once they received their sight and followed Him. Matthew 20:32-34

DISCIPLES FOLLOWED IN JESUS' STEPS 1 Peter 2:21

Peter said to a crippled man from birth, Acts 3:2

"Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"

Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man's feet and ankles were made strong.

He sprang to his feet and began to walk.

Then he went with them [Peter and John v.1] into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 3:6-8

Peter said to a man paralyzed and bedridden for 8 years, Acts 9:33

"Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and put away your mat." 

Immediately Aeneas got up and all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. Acts 9:34-35

Paul preached the gospel Acts 14:7 and a crippled man from birth heard his words. Acts 14:8-9

Paul saw that this one had faith to be healed. Acts 14:9

In a loud voice Paul called out, "Stand up on your feet!"

And the man jumped up and began to walk. Acts 14:10

Paul said to a demon inside of a person, Acts 16:16

"In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" And the spirit left her at that very moment. Acts 16:18

Today, whether we pray to the Father in Jesus' name (His authority, character, and power) John 16:23-24 or say or command, Mark 11:22-24 we don't want to have a double-mind: part doubt or unbelief and part faith.

But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:6

Immediately the boy's father cried out, "I do believe; help my unbelief!" Mark 9:24

When we pray with God the Father's kind of faith, Mark 11:22 let's believe that we have received. Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24

But let's NOT undo that worthy, faith-filled prayer by unforgiveness.

And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well. Mark 11:25

HE IS WORTHY

We want to be worthy and to pray worthy prayers because JESUS is WORTHY. John 1:29; Revelation 5:1-7

"Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!” Revelation 5:12

Your thoughts?

R. Jason