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Prayer: The Chief Exercise of Faith | John Calvin · Reformed Thinking

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Reformed thinking podcast intro music plays and fades.
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Welcome to the deep dive. This is where we take your
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sources, really peel back the layers, and try to bring you the
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core insights and maybe some surprising facts too.
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I'm your host and I'm always eager to learn right alongside
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you. And I'm here to help us see the
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broader connections, maybe the key implications from the
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material you've brought today. Our goal really is to help you
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cut through all the noise, the information overload and get a
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solid grasp of our topic. OK, then let's get into this
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deep dive. Today we're immersing ourselves
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in, well, the pretty rich theological landscape of
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Christian prayer. We're drawing heavily from the
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work of John Calvin, looking at his insights on why we pray, how
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we should approach it, and the absolutely essential place of
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Christ in the whole process. Our sources give us a really
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careful account of prayer as you know, a vital exercise for
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believers. Right and our mission today is
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to distill these foundational perspectives on prayer, really
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trying to grasp its practical application for believers.
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For you listening, we'll look at the the vital aim of prayer, the
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principles that guide a proper approach to God, and that
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singular role of Christ as our go between.
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So what does this all mean for you?
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We'll be digging into why prayer isn't just some, you know,
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casual thing you do now and then, but a central act of
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faith. Yeah, and how it fundamentally
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shapes your relationship with God.
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It's about South much more than just asking for things.
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It's really about cultivating A relationshipwith with the
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divine. Absolutely.
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It's relational at its core. OK, let's start at the beginning
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then. The sources aint a very clear
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picture of, well, humanity state, and it's quite direct.
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It says humanity is destitute and devoid of all good things,
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lacking all aids to salvation. That's a pretty stark starting
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point, isn't it? It is.
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It doesn't pull any punches. It suggests that any real
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resource, any genuine help, has to come from totally outside
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ourselves. There's no sort of internal
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wellspring we can tap into for salvation.
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Right, No bootstraps here. And this external source,
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according to these writings, is God, specifically in our Lord
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Jesus Christ, in whom God willed all the fullness of his bounty
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to abide. All the fullness.
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And this fullness, the sources explain, means, well, happiness
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instead of misery, wealth instead of neediness, spiritual
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wealth, of course. Of course.
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And this whole idea, this truth that our basic state is one of
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complete lack, the source actually calls it a secret and
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hidden philosophy, which I found interesting.
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Meaning it's not something you arrive at just through human
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logic. Right, it's revealed.
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It's revealed, it's learned only by those whose eyes God has
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opened. It's a spiritual insight,
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fundamentally. Yeah, and what's really
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compelling there is how the sources immediately connect that
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human inability, that complete lack directly to God's full
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provision in Christ. It's not just that God has help,
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but that help is located specifically in Christ.
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And this really sets the stage for understanding prayer.
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It shows it's not some human initiative like we're trying to
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earn God's favor or impress him. Instead, it's a responsive act.
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It's responding to God's freely given grace.
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It establishes that we come to God not because we have
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something great to offer Him, but because we finally recognize
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our desperate need and His abundant supply, all available
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in Christ. So OK, once we grasp that key
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idea that everything we truly need is found in God through
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Christ, what's the next logical step?
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Well, the sources say that once faith reveals this reality, the
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very next step is to seek in Him and in prayers to ask of Him
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what we have learned to be in Him.
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So faith shows us the treasure, and prayer is digging it up.
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That's a great way to put it. The source actually uses a
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similar analogy. It says neglecting prayer is
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like ignoring a buried treasure that someone's already pointed
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out to you. Imagine that someone says
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there's gold right there and you just shrug and walk away.
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Exactly. It highlights the absurdity of
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knowing where help is but not seeking it.
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The source quotes the apostle showing that true faith cannot
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be indifferent about calling upon God.
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It's just not possible. If you have true faith, you will
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call on God. Because faith itself is born
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from the Gospel, and it inherently trains our hearts to
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call upon God's name and. It goes deeper.
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That spirit of adoption, the inner witness that confirms we
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are God's children, sealing the gospel's message in us.
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That spirit raises up our spirits to dare show forth to
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God their desires. To dare I like that word.
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It implies boldness. Yes, a confidence given by the
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spirit. It stirs up unspeakable
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groaning, those deep belongings that words can't fully capture.
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Yeah, sometimes you feel that, that ache that you can't quite
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articulate. Exactly.
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And it allows us, enables us to cry out ABBA Father with genuine
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intimacy and trust. So yeah, prayer seems to be the
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absolutely natural, necessary outflow of genuine faith.
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OK, but this leads us right to that classic question, maybe
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even an objection some people have.
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Right, the why bother question. Exactly, if God already knows
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everything our needs, our thoughts before we even speak
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them, why do we need to pray? It can feel a bit redundant,
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almost like we're trying to inform the all knowing or like
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are we waking them up? It's a very common thought, and
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the sources address it directly. They clarify that prayer is
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fundamentally not about informing God.
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He doesn't need our updates. OK, so if it's not for his
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information. It's for us, the sources state.
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God ordained prayer not so much for his own sake As for ours.
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It shifts the focus entirely. While God certainly desires that
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his do be rendered to Him, that we acknowledge Him as the source
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of all good things. Which makes sense, giving credit
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where it's due. Precisely.
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And we attest to that reality through prayer.
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But the primary benefit of this act of worship, the sources say,
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profits us. It changes us.
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How so? It mentions Elijah.
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Right. Yes, the example of Elijah
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praying anxiously for rain. This was after God had already
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promised rain to King Ahab. Right, so God knew God had
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promised. Why the anxious prayer then?
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The sources suggest it was for Elijah's sake.
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It was an exercise of faith. It kept his faith from becoming
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sleepy or sluggish. It wasn't about reminding God.
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It was about keeping Elijah actively engaged, trusting,
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dependent, even when the promise was already given.
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OK, so prayer actively exercises and strengthens our faith.
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That's one reason the sources then layout I think. 6 specific
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benefits, right? Six reasons why prayer isn't
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pointless but actually crucial for us.
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Yes, six key points. And what's really insightful is
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how every single one points towards prayer being God's
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designed method for our growth, our spiritual development, and
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our ability to actually receive and appreciate His blessings
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properly. So it's like a spiritual gym, a
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training ground. That's a good analogy.
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It enables us to truly appreciate His active care, not
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just as an idea, but as a lived experience.
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Let's quickly walk through them, OK?
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First, prayer helps to fire our hearts with a zealous and
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burning desire ever to seek love and serve.
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Him cultivates that desire, and it makes us accustomed in every
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need to flee to Him as to a sacred anchor.
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It trains us where to run for safety.
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So it shapes our desires and directs our refuge.
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What second? Second, it helps ensure no
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desire and no wish at all, of which we should be ashamed to
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make Him a witness because we learned to set all our wishes
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before his eyes and even to pour out our whole hearts.
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Think about the kind of honesty and transparency that fosters in
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our relationship with God. Nothing hidden.
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That's challenging, pouring out the whole heart, the good, the
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bad, the ugly. 3rd it prepares us to receive His benefits with
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true gratitude of heart and Thanksgiving.
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How? By constantly reminding us
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through the act of asking that these benefits come from His
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hand, it helps cultivate thankfulness, preventing us from
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taking things for granted. So asking actually fuels
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gratitude when the answer comes OK, 4th. 4th It leads us to
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meditate upon His kindness more ardently after we receive what
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we asked for, because we're convinced God answered our
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prayer. It makes His goodness more
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personal, more vivid, more real to us.
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Right. It connects the gift directly
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back to the giver in our minds. Precisely 5th related to that,
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it makes us embrace with greater delight those things which we
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acknowledge to have been obtained by prayers.
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The answer feels, well, sweeter, more precious, because we
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specifically sought it from Him. It wasn't just a random good
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thing that happened. There's a different kind of joy
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in answered prayer. OK.
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And the last one? And 6th, it confirms God's
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Providence through use and experience.
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We see Him working. It shows us tangibly that he
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ever extends his hand to help his own, not just with abstract
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promises, but with present help. It builds up this personal
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history, this track record of God's faithfulness in our own
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lives. Wow, so those six points really
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paint a picture of prayer as something deeply formative for
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the believer. Absolutely, and the sources add
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that God sometimes gives the impression of one sleeping or
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idling precisely to train us who are otherwise idle and lazy to
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seek, ask, and entreat Him to our great good.
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His apparent silence can be a tool for our growth.
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That's a challenging thought, too.
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That perceived distance might actually be for our benefit.
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And it counters the idea that acknowledging God's sovereignty
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makes prayer unnecessary. The source is called dismissing
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prayer because God already knows everything.
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Excessive foolishness because God Himself says He is near to
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all who call upon His name and truth.
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Prayer is the very means He's appointed for us to experience
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that nearness. It also brings a unique kind of
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peace, doesn't it? The sources mention that.
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Yes, a very practical benefit. Calling upon God's name is
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described as the only stronghold of safety.
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The only one. The only one.
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Through prayer, we actively invoke the presence both of His
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Providence, His strength, and of His goodness.
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We're essentially calling upon all that God is for us.
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And the result. This disclosure of our needs,
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laying them bare before Him, brings an extraordinary peace
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and repose to our consciences. It allows us to rest fully in
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the thought that none of our ills is hid from Him, who, we
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are convinced has both the will and the strength to take the
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best care of us. That's a powerful picture,
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handing over our burdens and finding rest because we know he
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sees, he cares, and he is able. A deep inner calm.
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Exactly a true repose for the soul grounded in his character.
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So thinking about all these benefits, it sounds like prayer
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shouldn't be just an occasional thing, right?
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Not just when we're in crisis. Definitely not.
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The source stresses that it's not for nothing that constancy
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and prayer is enjoined upon us. We're told to pray constantly
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without ceasing. Why?
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Because there is no point of time when our need does not urge
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us to pray. Even the holiest among us.
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Even them, the source mentions acknowledging the guilt of
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ongoing sins, the reality of temptations.
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These things ought still to go to even the holiest, to seek a
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remedy through prayer. There's never a moment we
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outgrow our need for God's help. And it's not just about asking
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for help with sin or need, is it?
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What about praise? Right.
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The sacrifice of praise and Thanksgiving should also have no
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interruption without sin because God continually bestows benefits
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large and small that should constantly prompt us towards
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gratefulness. So it's an ongoing posture.
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Yes, we should constantly commit ourselves and all that we have
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to Him, and whatever we determine, speak, do.
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Let us determine, speak and do under His hand and will, in a
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word, under the hope of His help.
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It's about integrating our entire lives with this awareness
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of God's presence and our reliance on Him.
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Prayer becomes less of a specific action and more of an
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atmosphere we live. In an atmosphere of dependence
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and communication, that makes sense.
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OK, so we've established why we pray.
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It's rooted in our need and God's provision, and it's
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primarily for our benefit and growth.
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Now, how do we actually do it? The sources get very specific
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here, laying out rules for write prayer.
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What's the first rule? The first rule really focuses on
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our internal disposition. It dictates A mindset, a heart
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attitude that benefits those who enter conversation with God.
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This isn't casual chat, it's approaching the Almighty.
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So what does that look like practically?
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The mind needs to be freed from carnal cares and thoughts, those
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everyday worries, distractions, earthly concerns that could pull
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our attention away from a right and pure contemplation of God.
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Easier said than done sometimes, right?
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The mental To Do List. Oh, absolutely.
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The source acknowledges that anxiety can actually kindle in
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us the desire to pray, which is true.
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But once we begin, we must actively try to rid ourselves of
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those alien and outside cares that drag the mind back down to
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Earth. So it requires effort,
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concentration. Yes, true prayer demands
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applying our faculties and efforts.
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Avoiding wandering thoughts isn't easy, and the source says
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it's contrary to reverence for God.
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It even suggests that the harder it is to concentrate, the more
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strenuously we should strive for it.
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Interesting it also mentions physical posture like raising
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hands. As a potential aid, not
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mandatory, but as a reminder that men remember they are far
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removed from God unless they raise their thoughts on high.
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It's an outward sign to help the inward focus.
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And crucially, part of this reverent mindset is about what
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we ask for, isn't it? Exactly.
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We must not ask any more than God allows.
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This means consciously subjecting our wishes to His
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will, bridling them, reining them in.
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The promise is clear. If we ask anything according to
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His will, He hears us. So reverence involves both focus
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and submission of our desires to God's revealed will.
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Precisely. It's not about emotional
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coldness or detachment, but about an intentional, focused
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submission, recognizing His ways are higher, aligning our
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requests with what we know pleases Him.
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It's about wanting His will more than our own immediate desires.
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OK, that's the first rule. Focused, reverent submitted
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minds. What's the next pillar for write
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prayer? The second rule flows naturally
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from the first. It requires us to ever sense our
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own insufficiency. We need to earnestly ponder our
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need for what we're seeking. And this sense of need should be
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joined with an earnest name burning desire to attain it.
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So it's not just going through the motions.
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Definitely not. It explicitly warns against
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perfunctually intoning prayers after a set form, as if
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discharging a duty to God, doing it robotically, without any real
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heartfelt engagement or genuine thought about what we're saying
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or why. And the source has strong words
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for that kind of prayer, especially if we don't really
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see ourselves as sinners. Very strong, it says such
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prayers offered by someone who doesn't truly acknowledge their
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sinfulness essentially mock God. They are hateful or even
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execrable to God. An abomination, really.
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Wow, so authentic prayer requires acknowledging our true
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state. Yes, lawful prayer, Acceptable
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prayer demands repentance. The principle is stated, God
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does not hearken to the wicked, not in the sense of saving grace
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anyway. A bad conscience closes the door
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to us. We must be genuinely displeased
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with his own evil deeds and approach God with a person and
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disposition of a beggar. A beggar.
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That's a humbling image, recognizing we have nothing in
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ourselves, totally reliant on his generosity.
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Exactly. It highlights the absolute
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necessity of sincerity and true humility.
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Prayer isn't some ritual we performed to check a box.
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It's a heartfelt cry, a confession of our dependence
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stemming from a clear eyed awareness of our own brokenness
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and our desperate need for God's help.
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This deep sense of need and the call for repentance leads
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directly into the third rule, which seems to double down on
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that humility. It does.
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The third rule dictates that anyone praying must, in His
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humility giving glory completely to God, abandon all thought of
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His own glory, cast off all notion of His own worth.
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In fine, put away all self assurance.
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Abandoned all thought of our own glory.
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Cast off all notion of our own worth.
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Put away all self assurance that's comprehensive.
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It leaves no room for self congratulation, claiming even
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the smallest shred of merit for ourselves, the source warns,
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would cause us to perish in God's holy presence.
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It uses examples of Saints, doesn't it?
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Yes, pointing out that the holier the Saints are, the more
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profoundly they are cast down before the Lord.
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And humility. They rely on God's great mercy
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alone, not their own righteousness.
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Daniel and David are given as prime examples.
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And it connects this humility directly to asking for
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forgiveness. Absolutely.
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It states that the beginning and even the preparation of proper
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prayer is the plea for pardon with a humble and sincere
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confession of guilt. You can't really get anywhere
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else in prayer until you are freely reconciled to Him through
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confession and His forgiveness. And this isn't just about the
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sins of the last hour, is it? No, it includes remembering sins
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from our whole lives, leading to a rigorous self condemnation,
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not in a morbid way, but in a way that truly magnifies God's
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grace so he may be more easily entreated.
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And even our best prayers need cleansing.
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That's a crucial point. Our prayers themselves,
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otherwise never free of uncleanness, need to be cleansed
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by sprinkled blood, a clear reference to Christ's mediation.
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They constantly need his sanctifying work to be
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acceptable. So this deep humility isn't
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meant to stop us from praying, but is actually the necessary
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pathway to prayer. It clears the ground of
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self-reliance. Exactly.
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It clarifies that our own efforts, our own purity, are
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never sufficient. It makes Christ's cleansing work
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absolutely indispensable. Our approach is based entirely
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on God's mercy access through Christ, not on our own shaky
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performance. OK, that's a powerful trio of
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rules. Reverence and submission.
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Sincere sense of need and repentance, and profound
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humility. Abandoning self worth.
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But the fourth rule introduces something that seems almost
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contradictory at first glance. It does seem paradoxical,
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doesn't it? After emphasizing being cast
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down and overcome by true humility, the fourth rule says
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believers should be encouraged to pray by a sure hope that our
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prayer will be answered. Confidence.
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After all that talk of unworthiness, how do those two
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fit together? The source explains that this
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confidence agrees together with the sense of unworthiness.
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They aren't opposed. How?
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Because it's God's goodness alone that raises up those
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oppressed by their own evil deeds.
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Our confidence isn't in ourselves, it's entirely in Him.
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OK, the humility relates to us. The confidence relates to God.
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Precisely. Prayer must not brave forth by
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chance, but follow faith as guide.
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It needs to be grounded in belief.
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Christ himself said whatever you seek, believe that you will
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receive it and it will come to you.
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And. The source warns against
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doubting. Strongly asking in faith with no
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wavering is crucial. Those who in doubt and
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perplexity call upon God will gain nothing.
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They're compared to waves, driven and tossed, hit her and
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thither by the wind, unstable and receiving nothing.
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So a firm sense of the divine benevolence, God's goodwill
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towards us, is vital. Absolutely.
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Believers are explicitly told to draw near to the heavenly throne
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with confidence because we have boldness and access and
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confidence through faith in Christ.
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This assurance isn't something tentative.
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It should be grasped with both hands.
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And where does this confidence come from, if not from our own
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merit? It's grounded in God's promises,
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the source says repeatedly, not our performance.
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God commands us to pray, and He promises to hear us.
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That's the basis for dispelling unbelief and distrust.
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This rule also touches on perseverance, right?
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What if the answer doesn't come immediately?
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Yes, it means learning to persevere in prayer and
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patiently wait for God, trusting He is present and hearing, even
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if He seems to delay His answer according to our schedule, even
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if we don't see an immediate benefit, faith will make us sure
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that we have obtained what was expedient, what was truly best,
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even if it's not what we asked for or expected.
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Trusting his wisdom over our. Exactly, And this ultimate
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confidence rests on who God is, His Kingdom, and the strength
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and the glory forever. That reality provides a firm and
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tranquil repose for our faith. And the Amen at the end.
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It's not just a closing word. It expresses the warmth of
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desire to obtain what was asked, and it strengthens hope that the
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request will surely be granted because they're based on God's
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unfailing promises. So it's this amazing dynamic,
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deep awareness of our unworthiness coupled with bold
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confidence in God's goodness and promises.
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That's the heart of it. Humility acknowledges our state.
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Faith clings to God's promises, giving us the confidence.
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It's liberating because the pressure isn't on us to be
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worthy. It's on God to be faithful to
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His Word, and He always is. Now, these 4 rules set a very
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high standard. Reverence, felt need, humility,
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confident, hope. Realistically, our human
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abilities often fall short of praying perfectly like this.
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Where do we get help? And the sources anticipate this
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very issue. God doesn't just give us the
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rules, He provides the Helper. He gives us the Holy Spirit as
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our Teacher in prayer to tell us what is right and temper our
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emotions. So the Spirit guides us in
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prayer. Yes, because we do not know how
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to pray as we ought. The Spirit comes to our help and
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intercedes for us with unspeakable groans.
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What does that mean? Intercedes for us?
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Does the Spirit pray instead of us?
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Not exactly. Instead of the source clarifies,
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it means the Spirit arouses in US assurance, desires and
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feelings and longings which our natural abilities scarcely
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suffice even to conceive. The Spirit prompts and shapes
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are proing from within. And those unspeakable groans.
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They're unspeakable because often even mature believers find
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themselves perplexed by blind anxieties, barely knowing what
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it's truly best to ask for. The Spirit translates those
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deep, often confused longings into prayers acceptable to God,
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the source notes. To pray rightly is a rare gift.
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It really highlights our dependence even in the act of
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praying itself. But does this mean we can just
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be passive and let the Spirit do all the work?
21:31
Not at all. The source is very clear that
21:33
this divine aid is not an excuse for slothfulness or laziness.
21:36
Knowing the Spirit helps should actually make us loathe our
21:39
inertia and dullness and actively seek such aid of the
21:42
Spirit. So it's a partnership.
21:44
Yes, the Spirit's prompting empowers us so to compose
21:48
prayers as by no means to hinder or hold back our own effort.
21:52
God still tests how effectually faith moves our hearts.
21:57
The Spirit assists our weakness. He doesn't replace our
22:00
participation. He helps detach the mind from
22:03
those carnal cares, and lifts it towards that purity worthy of
22:06
God. OK, so prayer isn't just a human
22:08
striving, it's a divinely assisted activity.
22:11
God's grace meets us even in the imperfections of our praying.
22:15
Exactly. It ensures that even our
22:17
stumbling, fumbling victims, our imperfect longings, are heard,
22:21
shaped and presented rightly before the Father through the
22:23
spirits work within us. It's grace upon grace.
22:26
This discussion about needing help naturally leads us to the
22:29
absolute cornerstone of Christian prayer, according to
22:31
these sources, the unique and essential role of Jesus Christ.
22:35
How does he make prayer possible at all, given everything we've
22:38
said about our unworthiness in God's holiness?
22:40
Well, the sources stated quite bluntly, no man is worthy to
22:43
present himself to God and come into his sight full stop.
22:46
On our own, access is impossible.
22:48
So how do we get in? The Heavenly Father himself
22:50
provided the way He gave us Jesus Christ as our advocate and
22:54
mediator. Christ's specific role is to
22:57
free us from the shame and fear that our sin naturally produces
23:01
in God's presence, allowing us, enabling us to confidently come
23:06
to Him. He changes the whole dynamic.
23:08
Completely, Christ comes forward as intermediary to change the
23:11
throne of dreadful glory into the throne of grace.
23:15
Think about that imagery. Without Christ, God's throne is
23:18
1 of judgement and terror for sinners.
23:20
With Christ, it becomes a throne of grace of undeserved favor.
23:23
So without him. There is nothing but wrath,
23:27
judgement and terror. That's stark, and he's described
23:30
in very intimate terms related to our prayer, isn't he?
23:33
Yes, profoundly so. He is our mouth through which we
23:37
speak to the Father, our eye through which we see the Father,
23:40
our right hand through which we offer ourselves to the Father.
23:43
Every aspect of our connection to God relies on Him.
23:45
Without his intercession, there is simply no intercourse with
23:48
God, either for us or for All Saints.
23:50
He's the bridge. The only bridge.
23:52
He is the only way and the one access to God.
23:56
There's no ambiguity in the sources about his exclusive.
23:59
This is absolutely foundational. Then our entire ability to
24:02
approach God hangs on Christ alone.
24:06
It really highlights the seriousness of our sin, but at
24:08
the same time the incredible scale of God's grace providing
24:12
such a mediator. It does.
24:14
It underscores that access is entirely dependent on Christ
24:17
removing any ground for boasting in ourselves and magnifying
24:20
God's gracious provision in His Son.
24:22
OK, so if Christ is the only access, let's talk about that
24:26
phrase we often use praying in Christ's name.
24:29
We hear it all the time, maybe say it without much thought.
24:31
What does it actually mean according to these sources?
24:34
Is it just a formula we tack on to the end?
24:36
It's far, far more than a formula.
24:37
We are particularly Bidden commanded specifically to call
24:41
upon Him in Christ's name, and there's a promise attached.
24:44
Nothing we ask in His name will be denied us.
24:46
Why such a powerful promise? Because, as the source explains,
24:50
nothing can be denied to Christ by the Father.
24:53
When we pray in His name, we are effectively praying under His
24:56
authority, His merit, His standing.
24:59
All of God's promises find there yay and Amen in Him, meaning
25:02
they are confirmed and fulfilled through Christ.
25:05
So praying in His name is aligning our prayers with His
25:08
person and work relying on His relationship with the Father.
25:11
Precisely. Even calling Godfather in prayer
25:14
inherently puts forward the name Christ, because it's only in
25:18
Christ that we are adopted as God's children and have the
25:20
right to call him Father. That very address banishes
25:24
distrust because it's rooted in Christ's work.
25:26
So all acceptable prayer has to be offered this way.
25:29
Yes, all acceptable prayer must be offered in Christ's name.
25:32
Any prayer offered in any other name, or relying on any other
25:34
merit, obstinately flout his commands and count His will as
25:37
not. Such prayers, the source states,
25:40
plainly have no promise of obtaining anything.
25:43
And it's Christ's role that makes even our imperfect prayers
25:46
acceptable. That's right.
25:47
Christ's ongoing intercession sanctifies prayers that would
25:51
otherwise be unclean or marred by defects, enabling them to
25:55
actually reach God. Our mouths, our hearts, are not
25:58
clean enough on their own to praise or petition God
26:00
acceptably until Christ's priesthood intercedes for us.
26:04
So it's a vital theological statement.
26:06
Every time we pray in His name, we're acknowledging our
26:08
dependence on His perfection, His sacrifice, His standing.
26:12
Exactly. It's not a magic phrase, but a
26:15
profound theological acknowledgement that the entire
26:18
effectiveness, the entire acceptability of our prayer
26:21
hinges on Christ's perfect mediation.
26:24
It recognizes that without Him, our prayers lack the necessary
26:27
holiness and simply wouldn't be received by a holy God.
26:30
It shifts the focus beautifully from our flawed efforts to His
26:33
flawless work. This whole concept of a
26:35
mediator, it has deep roots, doesn't it?
26:37
It sounds a lot like what we see in the Old Testament sacrificial
26:40
system in priesthood. How do the sources connect
26:43
Christ's work to that? They make a direct connection.
26:46
The source explains that from the beginning, those who prayed
26:48
were not heard, saved by the mediator's grace.
26:50
Even in the Old Testament, access was mediated.
26:53
So the rituals pointed forward. Yes, things like the High Priest
26:56
during the names of the 12 tribes on his breastplate when
26:59
he entered the Holy of Holies, the various sacrifices, these
27:02
all foreshadowed the need for a mediator.
27:06
What do they teach the people? These ceremonies taught that the
27:09
people were inherently barred from God's presence due to sin
27:13
and absolutely required a mediator who should appear in
27:17
our name, represent them, bear us upon His shoulders, and hold
27:22
us bound upon His breast so that we are heard in His person.
27:25
Heard in his person. So identification with the
27:27
mediator was key even then. Absolutely.
27:30
And just like our prayers today, their prayers back then,
27:33
otherwise never free of uncleanness, were purified
27:36
through Christ's mediation, looking forward to Him,
27:39
symbolized by being cleansed by sprinkled blood.
27:41
And Christ's ascension changed things.
27:43
It marked a new hour for prayer. His completed work and ascension
27:47
signified that his role as advocate became more
27:49
resplendent, clearer, more fully accessible, consecrated
27:53
definitively by his shed blood. The reality arrived, fulfilling
27:57
the shadows. It helps to see that continuity,
27:59
doesn't it? That God's plan always involved
28:01
mediation, always pointed towards Christ, is the ultimate
28:05
fulfillment of that need. It wasn't an afterthought.
28:08
Not at all. It underscores the consistency
28:10
of God's plan throughout salvation history, revealing
28:13
this enduring divine pattern for how sinful humanity approaches a
28:17
holy God, always through a designated intermediary,
28:20
culminating perfectly and finally in Jesus Christ.
28:24
And this role of Christ as mediator, as advocate, it isn't
28:29
just something he did in the past, right?
28:30
It's ongoing. Critically important point.
28:32
His role as advocate is constant and undying.
28:36
It wasn't just about the cross and resurrection, it continues
28:38
now. How do we know it's constant?
28:40
The source points to Scripture, like Romans 8.34, that Christ
28:43
sits at the right hand of the Father and also intercedes for
28:46
us. It's a present, continuous
28:48
action. The strength of His death itself
28:51
avails. It's an everlasting intercession
28:53
on our behalf. His sacrifice continues to speak
28:55
for us. So he's actively pleading our
28:58
case, presenting our prayers. Yes, he alone bears to God the
29:02
petitions of the people who are otherwise distant.
29:05
The idea, the source says, that his mediation was somehow
29:08
temporary, something he did and then passed off to others like
29:12
Saints or angels, is dismissed as mere nonsense.
29:15
That offers incredible comfort, doesn't it?
29:17
Knowing our access isn't based on our good days, our bad days,
29:20
our feelings, but on Christ's constant perfect intercession.
29:25
He's always there, always representing us.
29:28
It's a profound comfort. Our standing before God is
29:31
secured by His unwavering work, not our fluctuating
29:34
faithfulness. He is perpetually pleading for
29:36
us based on His finished work. OK, given this absolute
29:39
uniqueness, sufficiency, and constancy of Christ's mediation,
29:43
what do the sources say about the idea of asking Saints or
29:46
others who have passed away to intercede for us?
29:49
Is there any room for that? The sources are emphatically
29:52
clear on this point. To pray through Saints, or to
29:54
rely on any intercessor or any name other than Christ's, is
29:58
explicitly described as an attempt to dishonor Christ and
30:01
strip him of the title of soul mediator, song, words.
30:04
Very it's seen as an effort to obscure the glory of his birth
30:08
and make void the cross. These practices, the source
30:11
argues, arise fundamentally from a lack of faith, a failure to
30:15
grasp the sufficiency of Christ, perhaps seeing him as
30:18
insufficient or too severe. And it condemns transferring
30:21
that role. Absolutely.
30:23
Transferring to the Saints, That office of soul intercession
30:26
which belongs to Christ, is called the height of stupidity,
30:29
not to say madness. Wow, madness, Calvin did mince
30:32
words. Is it address the scriptural
30:34
basis or lack thereof? It does.
30:36
It states plainly that Scripture has not one syllable of the dead
30:40
being asked to pray for us. Relying on such fictitious
30:43
intercession, it argues, comes directly from that lack of faith
30:46
in Christ's all sufficiency. What about Old Testament figures
30:49
sometimes cited, like Moses or Samuel?
30:51
The source refutes arguments based on passages mentioning
30:54
figures like Moses, Samuel, Noah, Daniel, Job or the
30:58
Patriarchs. It explains these are
31:00
misinterpretations. They refer either to God
31:03
remembering His covenants associated with those figures,
31:05
or the figures acting as types or 4 shadows of Christ Himself,
31:09
not as examples of departed Saints directly interceding from
31:12
heaven for people on earth. What about believers praying for
31:16
each other now? Does that detract from Christ's
31:18
role? That's an important distinction.
31:20
The source clarifies that mutual intercessions among believers
31:24
here on earth are different. They actually depend solely upon
31:26
Christ's intercession and are rightly made in Christ's name.
31:30
Praying for one another doesn't usurp Christo's unique role.
31:34
Rather, it flows from our unity as members of his body, all
31:37
relying on Him as the head. OK, so it really presents a
31:40
clear choice. Is Christ enough or do we need
31:43
additional mediators? Exactly.
31:45
It forces the question, is Christ truly the sole sufficient
31:48
mediator the Bible declares Him to be?
31:50
The sources resoundingly affirm His absolute sufficiency,
31:54
rejecting any additions, whether Saints, angels, or anything
31:58
else, as ultimately detracting from His unique glory and
32:01
undermining the Father's kindness in giving Him as our
32:04
all sufficient advocate. It demands we place our full
32:08
confidence in Christ alone for access to God.
32:12
Right, so Christ is the sole mediator, the only way.
32:15
With that firmly established, what then is the ultimate
32:17
paddle, the definitive guide for the content of our prayers?
32:20
Where do we look for that? We look to the prayer that
32:23
Christ himself taught us, the Lord's Prayer.
32:25
The sources dedicate a significant amount of attention
32:28
to it, presenting it as the best and most certain way of praying.
32:31
Why the best and most certain? Because it serves to free our
32:34
minds from all wavering by giving us words directly from
32:36
the only begotten Son of God. We're not left guessing what's
32:39
appropriate to ask, He told us. It's like a divine template.
32:42
Exactly. It's a form that sets forth, as
32:45
in a table, all that He allows us to seek of Him, all that is
32:49
of benefit to us, all that we need ask.
32:52
It covers all the legitimate basis.
32:54
And the sources view it as comprehensive.
32:56
Yes, in all respects so perfect that any extraneous or alien
33:00
thing added to it is impious and unworthy to be approved by God.
33:05
It argues that the prayer contains everything we ought or
33:08
are at all able to seek of God. That's quite a statement.
33:11
Everything we need to ask is summarized right there.
33:13
It's remarkable, isn't it? God provides not only the
33:15
Mediator for access, but also the very words and structure for
33:19
effective, acceptable prayer. It acts as a divine safeguard,
33:22
guiding us away from our own ignorant or misguided desires
33:25
towards what truly aligns with His will and glory.
33:28
Let's break it down then. It starts with the address, Our
33:30
Father who art in heaven, what's packed into just those opening
33:33
words. A great deal.
33:35
First, our Father. As we discussed, this address is
33:38
only possible through Christ's name.
33:40
It's because of our adoption in Christ that we can call a
33:42
godfather. This very word frees us from
33:44
distrust because it attests to God's boundless love for his
33:47
children. It immediately establishes
33:49
intimacy and relationship. Yes, and confidence, especially
33:53
knowing he is the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.
33:57
And the Word hour is significant too.
33:59
It immediately highlights brotherly love and community.
34:02
We're praying together as a family, reminding us that the
34:05
common good of all believers should be sought.
34:07
So it's both personal father and communal hour.
34:09
What about who art in heaven? What does that add?
34:12
Who art in heaven points to God's transcendence, His
34:15
otherness. It signifies His infinite
34:17
greatness, incomprehensible essence, boundless might, and
34:21
everlasting immortality. It reminds us to lift our
34:24
thoughts beyond purely earthly or physical ideas of God.
34:27
So it balances the intimacy of Father with the majesty of in
34:31
heaven. Precisely.
34:32
It also assures us that because He is beyond all place and yet
34:36
embraces and holds together the entire universe, He is
34:39
absolutely capable of hearing and answering.
34:41
It provides confidence that our prayers reach Him and our
34:43
salvation isn't overlooked by the One who governs all things.
34:46
OK, so the address sets the stage beautifully, approaching a
34:51
loving, accessible Father who's also the transcendent, all
34:54
powerful ruler of the universe. Then the prayer moves into 6
34:59
specific petitions. How are they structured?
35:02
Right, six petitions. The doxology for thine is the
35:05
Kingdom is seen as an explanatory confirmation added
35:09
to the 6th. The 6th are generally divided
35:12
into two main parts. What are the two parts the?
35:14
First, 3 petitions are primarily assigned to God's glory.
35:18
In these we consciously set before ourselves His glory as
35:21
the main priority, without first considering our own personal
35:24
advantage. God's concerns first.
35:26
Exactly. Then, the last three petitions
35:29
are concerned with the care of ourselves.
35:31
They focus on what we should ask for our own benefit and need,
35:33
although importantly, still ultimately aiming for God's
35:36
glory even in seeking those things.
35:38
OK, let's look at the first 3 focused on God's glory, hallowed
35:41
be thy name. What are we asking for there?
35:44
We're acknowledging the sad reality, the great shame that
35:48
God's glory is often obscured or tarnished by human
35:52
ungratefulness, rebellion, or simple ignorance.
35:55
So we're expressing the desire that God would receive the honor
35:58
he inherently deserves. People would speak and think of
36:01
him with the highest reverence, that his sacred name would be
36:04
vindicated from all contempt and dishonor.
36:07
It's a prayer for God's reputation to be upheld, for
36:09
humanity to be subdued into reverencing him rightly.
36:13
So it's about God's honor in the world.
36:15
What about the second petition? They Kingdom come.
36:18
This builds on the 1st It's a plea for God to actively reign,
36:21
to subject and ultimately destroy everything that stains
36:24
His holy name or opposes his rule.
36:26
God's Kingdom, the Source explains, truly reigns where
36:29
people pledge themselves to His righteousness in order to aspire
36:32
to a heavenly life. So it involves personal
36:35
transformation. Yes, it includes the Spirit
36:37
correcting our fleshly desires and shaping our thoughts into
36:40
obedience to His rule. But it's bigger than just us.
36:43
It means desiring God to gather and increase His churches, to
36:47
adorn them with His gifts, establish His order within them,
36:50
and to cast down all enemies of pure teaching and true religion.
36:54
It sounds like a prayer for the Church's growth and purity and
36:58
the defeat of opposition. It is, and it also includes a
37:01
call for our own daily progress and righteousness and a
37:04
willingness to bear the cross as part of living under His reign
37:06
now. OK.
37:08
And the third petition focused on God's glory.
37:10
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
37:13
This petition acknowledges God's sovereign control over all
37:16
things, His secret will. But more specifically, in the
37:19
prayer, we're asking that His revealed will, His commands,
37:22
would be obeyed on earth just as willingly and perfectly as the
37:25
angels obey Him in heaven. So we're asking for obedience to
37:28
spread. Yes, for the earth to become
37:30
increasingly subject to His rightful rule, leading to an end
37:34
of human arrogance and wickedness that opposes His
37:36
will. And personally, in asking this,
37:39
we renounce the desires of our flesh.
37:42
We're consciously submitting our own feelings and agendas to God,
37:46
asking for His Spirit to govern our hearts so we genuinely come
37:49
to love what pleases Him and hate what displeases Him.
37:53
It's a prayer for alignment with God's desires, both globally and
37:56
personally. OK, those first three set a high
37:59
bar, focusing entirely on God. Now we shift to the last three
38:02
which concern our own needs, starting with give us this day,
38:06
Our Daily Bread. What does bread encompass here?
38:08
It asks for all things necessary for the body's use in this
38:11
earthly life. That includes basics like food
38:14
and clothing, but also extends to anything God knows is
38:17
beneficial for us to live peacefully day by day.
38:20
It's a prayer for physical provision.
38:22
And it's an exercise of faith. Very much so.
38:24
It's about trusting God's Providence to feed, nourish and
38:27
preserve us, even in what seem like small matters.
38:30
The phrase daily bread is also seen as significant.
38:33
It acts as a bridle against uncontrolled desire for fleeting
38:36
things. How so?
38:37
It teaches contentment. We ask for what we need today,
38:41
relying on God's continuous blessing, not anxiously hoarding
38:45
or striving for excessive future security.
38:48
Apart from being. It reminds us that all our
38:50
provisions, whether we have abundance or little, are
38:53
ultimately a simple and free gift of God, not earned solely
38:57
by our own skill or hard work. It points us back to our
39:00
dependence. Dependence for even the basics.
39:03
OK, the 5th petition. Forgive us our debts as we
39:07
forgive our debtors. What are debts here?
39:09
Debts clearly mean sins. They represent the penalty we
39:13
owe to God because of our transgressions, a debt that only
39:16
His free mercy can satisfy through the sacrifice of Christ.
39:19
This petition is a constant acknowledgement of our perpetual
39:22
need for pardon. Perpetual even for believers.
39:25
Yes, because believers are never divested of the vices of their
39:28
flesh without always remaining liable to God's judgement.
39:31
We continually fall short and need forgiveness.
39:33
And what about the condition? As we forgive our debtors, does
39:37
our forgiveness earn God's forgiveness?
39:38
No, the source is clear. It's not a basis for earning
39:41
forgiveness. God's forgiveness is free mercy
39:43
in Christ. Rather, this condition acts as a
39:45
sign or confirmation to us. It assures believers of God's
39:49
pardon if their hearts are genuinely emptied and purged of
39:52
all hatred, envy and vengeance. So our willingness to forgive
39:56
others reflects whether we've truly grasped and received God's
40:00
forgiveness. Exactly.
40:02
It also serves as a necessary condition.
40:04
In another sense. It excludes those who harbor
40:07
bitterness and are eager for revenge from genuinely calling
40:10
upon God as their forgiving Father.
40:12
An unforgiving spirit hinders our prayer.
40:15
That's a searching condition. Finally, the 6th petition lead
40:18
us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
40:21
What kind of temptation are we talking about?
40:23
We're asking God to sustain us, encourage us, and keep us firm
40:26
against all forms of temptation. This could come from our own
40:29
inordinate desire, from the devil's guile, or from external
40:32
circumstances like riches, possessions, status, or
40:35
conversely, poverty and adversity.
40:37
So we're not asking to never face temptation.
40:40
No, The source notes that temptations themselves aren't
40:42
entirely negative. They can arouse, prick and urge
40:45
believers towards vigilance and dependence.
40:48
The plea here is not to be completely shielded from
40:51
temptation, but not to be vanquished or overwhelmed by
40:54
them. Not to be overcome.
40:56
Right. It's an acknowledgement of our
40:57
own weakness, our inability to successfully combat the devil
41:01
and sin in our own strength. We're asking for God's strength
41:04
to endure, to stand against sin, death, hell, and the devil's
41:07
Kingdom, and ultimately to triumph over all evil through
41:10
his power. And it mentions temptations from
41:13
the right and the left. Yes, meaning both.
41:16
Negative circumstances the left, like poverty or disgrace, and
41:20
positive ones the right, like riches or honor, can be
41:22
temptations. Even seemingly good things can
41:25
become snares if they dull our sight and make us forget our
41:28
need for God. Wow, this breakdown really shows
41:32
the incredible depth and perfect balance of the Lord's Prayer.
41:35
It moves seamlessly from God's glory to our deepest needs.
41:38
Provision, pardon, protection, all framed with independence and
41:42
trust. It truly is a comprehensive
41:44
model. And then comes the conclusion.
41:46
The doxology for line is The Kingdom and the Strength and the
41:50
Glory Forever. Although it's not found in all
41:53
the earliest manuscripts, the source sees it as a valuable
41:56
confirmation. How does it confirm things?
41:59
It provides that firm and tranquil repose for our faith.
42:02
It reminds us that even though we are unworthy, there is never
42:05
a reason to pray and never be shown of assurance.
42:08
Because the foundation of our prayer, God's eternal Kingdom,
42:11
strength and glory, can never be shaken or taken away.
42:14
It anchors our hope in His unchanging reality.
42:17
And the final, Amen, we touched on it earlier.
42:19
Right. It seals the prayer.
42:21
It expresses that warmth of desire to truly receive what has
42:24
been asked, and it strengthens hope that the petitions will be
42:27
granted precisely because they are based on God's character and
42:31
promises. It's a final confession of
42:33
reliance, acknowledging we pray for Thy name's sake, not on
42:37
account of us or our righteousness.
42:39
So is the Lord's Prayer meant to be the only prayer we ever pray?
42:43
Are we bound to these exact words?
42:45
Good question. The source clarifies that the
42:47
Lord's Prayer is a binding rule in terms of its content and
42:51
spirit. Nothing we ask should fall
42:53
outside the scope of what's summarized here.
42:55
However, it does not bind believers to its exact words or
42:58
syllables. So other prayers are OK.
43:00
Yes, other prayers, as long as they align in sense and spirit
43:03
with this pattern, are also good and profitable.
43:06
The Lord's Prayer is primarily a model for entreaties and
43:09
supplications. Though closely connected to
43:11
Thanksgiving, it's a guard against vain repetition and
43:14
showy public prayer, reminding us that true prayer is
43:17
ultimately an emotion of the heart within.
43:20
So it's not a magic formula, but a divine blueprint for shaping
43:24
our desires and guiding our approach to God.
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It teaches us what to ask for and how to ask, grounded in His
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glory and our dependence on Him. Precisely, it guides our hearts
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towards what is truly good and acceptable in His sight, giving
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us both direction and confidence in our conversation with Him.
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Now, throughout this discussion, particularly when talking about
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humility and reliance, the sources use the language of
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sacrifice in relation to prayer. That's interesting terminology.
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What does it mean to think of prayer as a sacrifice?
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It's a significant connection. Prayer is described explicitly
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as a sacrifice by which He, God, is worshipped.
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It functions as our active attestation that everything men
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desire and account conducive to their own profit comes from Him.
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It's an act of acknowledging His sovereignty and provision.
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And God is pleased by this. Yes, the source says.
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God is pleased as by a sacrifice of sweet savor when we cast our
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cares upon Him. And echoing the Psalms, it
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states that the truly sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken
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spirit, a contrite and humbled heart.
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This underscores that it's the internal state, humility, self
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condemnation, sincere confession that makes the prayer a pleasing
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offering. So it connects back to those
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rules for write prayer. Absolutely.
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Furthermore, believers are specifically enjoined to offer a
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sacrifice of praise through Christ, meaning our expressions
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of gratitude are also considered a form of spiritual sacrifice.
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And how does prayer rank among other acts of worship?
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The source suggests God considers calling upon Him in
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prayer as the chief matter in worship, holding all sacrifices
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secondary to it. This indicates its supreme value
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in God's eyes. But again, even this sacrifice
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needs something more. Yes, crucially, it's always
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Christ's intercession that sanctifies our prayers, which
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would otherwise have been unclean.
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Our prayer sacrifices are only acceptable because they are
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offered through Him and cleansed by Him.
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Thinking of prayer as a sacrifice really elevates it,
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doesn't it? It's not just a duty or a
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request list. It's an act of worship, an
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offering of our hearts, independence to God, made
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acceptable only through Christ. It adds that dimension of
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offering, of giving ourselves independence and praise back to
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God. We also talked about
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perseverance and waiting when answers seem delayed.
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How does faith function in that waiting period?
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What if doubt creeps in? Perseverance is key.
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Believers are called to persevere in prayer and
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patiently wait for the Lord, actively trusting he is present
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and hearing, even when his timing differs from Mars or he
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seems silent. That requires real trust.
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It does. The source stresses that even if
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we don't perceive an immediate benefit, faith assures that we
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have obtained what was expedient, what was ultimately
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best. According to God's wisdom, faith
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has to rise above circumstances. Unless the faith placed in it is
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superior to all events, the authority of God's Word does not
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prevail in our hearts. So God's delay might even serve
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a purpose. Yes, as mentioned before, it can
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train us, shake us out of laziness.
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We shouldn't faint or fall into despair if God doesn't seem to
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answer immediately. We're encouraged to trust that
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even in apparent lack, God will cause us to possess abundance
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and poverty and comfort in affliction.
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His provision might look different than we expect.
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This really drills down on trust, doesn't it?
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Our persistent prayer demonstrates ongoing reliance,
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accepting His timetable and His wisdom over our demands for
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immediate gratification. It cultivates that patient
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dependence which is crucial for spiritual maturity.
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What about the quality of our prayers?
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We know the Spirit helps and Christ mediates, but what if our
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prayers still feel weak, distracted, or imperfectly
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motivated? Do they still count?
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Does God only hear perfect prayers?
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This is incredibly encouraging. The sources state clearly that
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God does not rigorously require perfect faith, repentance, or
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zeal. He's merciful.
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He tolerates even our stammering and pardons our ignorance
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whenever something inadvertently escapes us.
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He tolerates our stammering. That's a comforting phrase.
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Isn't it? It acknowledges our human
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frailty. The source even notes that
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sometimes God might grant answers to perverted prayers
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offered from impious or uncomposed hearts.
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It gives Samson as an example. Samson praying for revenge.
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Exactly. God granting that request wasn't
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an approval of Samson's motive, but perhaps served to highlight
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God's mercy in hearing even flawed cries, or to incite his
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true worshippers to pray the more earnestly and rightly.
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So God's grace extends even to the flaws and believers prayers.
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Yes, God pardons the weakness or imperfection of faith in our
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prayers. While we should always strive to
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overcome these obstacles, strive for focus, right motives, deeper
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faith, or sincere, albeit imperfect efforts still please
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God. Our petitions are proved through
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Christ even when they aren't Florida State executed by us.
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That takes so much pressure off knowing God's reception is based
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on His mercy in Christ. Perfection, not our perfect
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performance. Our earnest, even stammering
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desires are heard. It's grounded entirely in his
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grace. Finally, this deep dive really
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highlights how prayer isn't just an individual thing between me
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and God, is it? It connects us to others.
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That's a vital aspect. Remember the opening of the
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Lord's Prayer, Our Father, that very first word instills or
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should instill a great feeling of brotherly love among all
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believers. How does it do that?
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It reminds us we are part of a family.
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It encourages us to gladly and wholeheartedly share with one
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another, both materially and spiritually, and to actively
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commend our brethren to God's care in our prayers.
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All our prayers ought to look to that community which Christ has
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established. We should be praying with an
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awareness of all our brothers and sisters in Christ and indeed
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all people on earth. And what about praying together
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publicly? Prayers are presented as
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essential for the edification of the whole church and the
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advancement of believers fellowship.
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When done rightly, without ostentation or showing off,
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public prayers are never ineffectual and play a key role
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in fostering the unity of faith. So prayer binds us together.
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It's not just a private helpline, but a shared practice
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that builds the community of faith.
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Absolutely. It reminds us we're never truly
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alone in the Christian life. It's a communal expression,
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reflecting and reinforcing the unity that God desires for His
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people. Wow, what an incredibly rich
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exploration of prayer. We've really unpacked how our
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deep seated need points us directly to God's complete
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provision in Christ. We've seen how prayer is
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actually designed for our benefit, our growth, our
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relationship with Him and those specific guidelines, reverence,
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need, humility, confidence, shape how we approach God.
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It's so clear prayer is an optional It's a central act of
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faith, a constant conversation, and something that should unite
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all believers. And for me, what really stands
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out consistently is Christ. He's at the absolute center of
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it all. His unique, constant mediation
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is what transforms our otherwise fearful unworthiness into
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confident, welcomed access to the Father.
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It makes all their faltering prayers acceptable.
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It's just a a magnificent display of God's grace meeting
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us through His Son. So as you listen to this, what
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does it mean for you as you approach God in prayer?
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Maybe it's a nudge to examine the real disposition of your
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heart. When you pray, are you coming
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with reverence, the true sense of need?
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Maybe it's a call to rely more consciously, more completely on
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Christ, advocacy for you. Or perhaps it's encouragement to
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grasp with firmer assurance that God really does hear you, He
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does answer because of his promises in Christ.
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How might these insights actually shape your daily walk,
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your daily conversation with God?
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And building on that, here's something to think about.
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If God's Kingdom, His strength, and His glory truly are
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everlasting, as the Lord's Prayer affirms, and if our
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prayer is ultimately founded on His unchanging promises, not our
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fluctuating circumstances, how might cultivating A deeper, more
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intentional, more biblically grounded prayer life actually
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alter your daily outlook? Especially when things get
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tough, When circumstances seem to scream against that hope?
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How might that Fern confidence change how you face your day?
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That's a great question to ponder.
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Thank you for joining us on the Deep Dive.
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Until next time, keep seeking, keep learning, and keep asking
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with confidence in His name. Reformed thinking podcast.
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Outro music plays and fades.