Prayers of the Prophets and the Patriarchs…
The very first time we ever encounter the word for ‘prayer’ in the scriptures, is in Genesis 20.
“Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.” Genesis 20:7
“So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children.” Genesis 20:17
- GOD did not have ask Abraham to pray. For that matter, GOD did not have to ask Abraham to pray for Abimelech. “…restore the man his wife, and [being my prophet] he will pray for you.”
- When a prophet of GOD is made whole, they don’t have to be told by GOD to pray for the one that wronged them.
- When a prophet of GOD is made whole, they have the ability in prayer to bring restoration to those around them. Eventheir enemies can be made whole again.
- Abraham prayed unto GOD. Abraham understood that the secret of his strength in prayer (healing and deliverance, etc.) came from being in the Presence of GOD.
- Abraham’s prayers opened the womb of Abimelech’s household, restoring even his unborn seed.
“And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto the Lord, the fire was quenched.” Numbers 11:2
“Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.” Numbers 21:7
- The personal, prophetic prayers of Moses connected with GOD.
- Moses was practiced at getting into the presence of the LORD on behalf of the people.
- The people came to Moses knowing that his prayers could restore them to GOD.
- They were humble enough to say to the prophet, “pray for me.”
- The people knew the prophetic power of Moses’ prayer life and because of that they urged him to pray on their behalf.
- People are paying attention in the Church. No matter how apostate, idolatrous, disobedient, rebellious and contentious we can be within ourselves, we are spiritually aware enough to know, who has the power in prayer!
“And the Lord was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.” Deut 9:20
“I prayed therefore unto the Lord, and said, O Lord God, destroy not thy people and thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed through thy greatness, which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand.” Deut 9:26
- Prayer time before GOD is absolutely needed for the benefit of the Body of Christ.
- Life and Death resides in the power of our tongues (in speech and in prayer).
“And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the Lord, that Eli marked her mouth.” 1 Samuel 1:12
“And she said, Oh my lord (adonai), as thy soul liveth, my lord (adonai), I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord (YHVH).” 1 Sam1:26
- The Prophetess Hannah understood the value of spending time before the LORD in prayer.
- If you have to explain to the “prophet, apostle, minister, pastor, evangelist or teacher” that you are praying… that’s a problem.
- Eli had obviously forgotten about the power of prayer or was so out of practice praying before GOD, or so distracted by the apostasy of his sons and daughters, that he did not recognize that Hanna was in prayer.
- I say that because Eli’s sons died in disobedience to GOD. This could have been exacerbated, because Eli had abandoned his own prayer life.
- There is nothing in scripture that teaches us that Eli abandoned his prayer life. That is strictly my opinion.
- I say that because Eli’s sons died in disobedience to GOD. This could have been exacerbated, because Eli had abandoned his own prayer life.
- Sometimes, in order for Christians to get into the presence of GOD, we need to be in the sanctuary. (This too is based on personal experience and observations).
- Consecrated ground can help us focus. To pull them out of prayer for nonsensical reasons, or personal agendas is a great shame.
- Continual prayer can help each of us gain a greater level of sensitivity and discernment in the spirit.
- We need to be able to operate with a higher level of sensitivity and discernment so that we don’t miss what the spirit of GOD is doing. Without it we can miss the move of GOD.
- Without it, we can grieve the spirit of GOD and be completely off track the entire time, thinking that we are flowing with the spirit of GOD.
“And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the Lord.” 1 Samuel 7:5
“But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord.” 1 Samuel 8:6
“And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.” 1 Samuel 12:19
- The Prophet Samuel understood how to get into the presence of GOD and pray.
- As they had done in Moses’ day, the people recognized the anointing on Samuels life – (because of his prayer life)- and they sought him out to pray for them, so that once again, they could be restored back into the House of GOD.
“For thou, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.” 2 Samuel 7:27
The prayers of King David are evidence of his consecrated, dedicated, separated life of prayer.
David stayed connected to GOD through prayer, repentance, obedience and love. Prayer defined his life, his ministry, his Kingship, his leadership.
GOD knew his prophet Abraham would pray, and GOD answered the prayers of His prophets. In script are we have learned that not only does GOD’s Word not return void, but GOD is so supportive of His Prophets, that He will not let their Word return void either!
GOD came for the prayers of Hannah, just like He did for Moses, Abraham and David. Just like He did for Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Deborah, Joseph, Samuel, Rebecca, etc. etc. etc.
GOD comes for the prayers of His Prophets.
The Secret of David’s Strength
David Was Prayer.
PSALM 109. 1599 Geneva Bible
- 1 Hold not thy tongue, O God of my praise.
- 2 For the mouth of the wicked, and the mouth full of deceit are opened upon me: they have spoken to me with a lying tongue.
- 3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred, and fought against me without a cause.
- 4 For my friendship they were my adversaries, but I gave myself to prayer.
PSALM 109. JPS Tanakh (1917)
- 1 For the Leader. A Psalm of David.
- O God of my praise, keep not silence;
- 2 For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of deceit have they opened against me; They have spoken unto me with a lying tongue.
- 3 They compassed me about also with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause.
- 4 In return for my love they are my adversaries; But I am [all] prayer.
Psalm 109. Orthodox Jewish Bible
- Hold not Thy peace, O Elohei tehillati;
- 2 For the mouth of the rasha and the mouth of the mirmah are opened against me; they have spoken against me with a leshon sheker (a lying tongue).
- 3 They surrounded me also with divrei sinah (words of hatred); and attacked me without cause.
- 4 In return for my ahavah they are my adversaries; but I give myself unto tefillah (prayer).
Above, I provided three English translations of the Hebrew in Psalm 109. I want you to pay particular attention to verse 4.
REMEMBER: Hebrew is read for the Right side of the page to the Left.
https://biblehub.com/interlinear/psalms/109-4.htm
I Am Prayer!
The Hebrew word for prayer is tefillah (formed from the Hebrew root word palel).
Reference the interlinear of Ps 109:4 provided above. Tefillah is the last word in the black Hebrew font. The Strong’s Concordance number written above it is 8605, (tefillah).
Tefillah means prayer in Hebrew. The second to the last word you see in the verse is v’ani. The vav means, but or and. It is normally translated ‘and’, however on occasion ‘but’ is used in context to the overall message.
Ani (Strong’s 589) is the formal way to say, “I Am”. Nothing in the word, ‘ani’ means “give myself”, other than an English poetic license of the translator to add in that specific verbiage.
Removing all traces of “poetic license”, we have two simple words in Hebrew that mean, “I am Prayer”, “Ani tephillah”. (ah-knee tuh-fee-lah)
Reading the entirety of Psalm 109, David is telling us of his distress. His enemies have come against him hard.
Psalm 109 contains 31 verses. Yet, as early as verse 4, before finishing the remaining 27 verses outlining the situation, David triumphantly announces that above all else, I am Prayer!
He is declaring the very method, strategy and foundation of his victory!
GOD teaches us that He inhabits the praises of His saints (Ps 22:3)…
David is determined to transform his life and to become what the LORD inhabits… Prayer!
If GOD inhabits prayer, then I will become prayer, praise and worship!
May we each declare the decree! Let all our enemies be forewarned…
In Hebrews 7:25, Paul taught us that Jesus, “…ever liveth to make intercession for [us].”
The Son of the Living GOD remains before GOD in prayer, as He did here on earth. Nothing has changed.
The disciples lived a life before GOD in prayer. Before and after ministering to others, prayer before GOD was their strength.
The Ministry of the Disciples and The Church itself, were Birth Out Through Prayer!
The disciples stayed constant in prayer for 50 days and that consecration and dedication placed such a demand on Heaven, that the Holy Spirit descended, as promised. Probably, as far as we know.. ahead of schedule.
The disciples believed GOD, waited on Him and went out and changed the world.
Do we have the prayer lives to make this happen today?
How many people attend the Friday Night Prayer Vigil? The Saturday Evening Prayer Retreat?
How many people grumble because “prayer” after service “last too long?”
Could we take the church today into a 50 days of non-stop prayer?
What about a 50 day summer session, retirees and youth only groups?
Can we individually schedule time before GOD daily, to make ourselves available to the source of our spiritual strength?
Do you think this level of consecrated prayer could change our world and the world around us?
This teaching is dedicated to my students. May you all arise to become the priest and prophet of your houses, the one sought out in times of trouble. They will know you by your prayer life and seek out your prayers. You will never need to reveal yourself. The Spirit of GOD shall reveal who you are to the people. You will not be known by your titles, or positions, or charming personalities, the people will know you are the one that GOD has elected and selected to intercede on their behalf, because of the Spirit of GOD that rest upon your lives.
WHEN THE ENEMY ASK, “And Who Do You Think You Are?”
Tell them…
In every spiritual battle you encounter, I pray that you exemplify the heart of David, stare the enemy head on and decree and declare,
“I AM PRAYER!“
ah-nee tuh-fee-lah
Posts Included in This Series on Prayer:
- Adam’s Prayer Life… Lost in Translation
- Contemplative Prayer… Creating Your Unbreakable Bond in Communion with GOD
- Adam was not in Agriculture.
- Man Is A Speaking Spirit
Cover Photo by: Rev. S.Madison, photo from Biblehub.com, Psalms 109:4
Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.
Disclosure : I am of the belief that any and all teachings on scripture, especially those on prayer should receive prayer before passing them along to others. For this reason, I encourage everyone who reviews these teachings to saturate each one in prayer before sharing, distributing or reproducing them in any fashion.
Anything that we hope to learn and accomplish through the Word of GOD must be born out of a spirit of prayer. Prayer is the root of all our spiritual training. Study without prayer is futile. Without prayer, we learn nothing and we accomplish nothing.
Prayerlessness makes a pretense of piety.
May GOD always send you a confirming word to every message I write,
GOD Bless You,
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