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Is Prayer a Tool of The Devil?
Research by Kerry A. Shirts
We have seen it said that to pray about the Book of Mormon is a devilish and insidious proposal. But since when was prayer about anything ever this? As I read through the Early Christian Church Fathers, I find their attitudes concerning prayer much more refreshing and realistic than today's Christians' attitudes. Consider:
POWER THROUGH PRAYER
EDWARD M. BOUNDS
Internet websiter location at http://ccel.wheaton.edu/
Much time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying. Prayer
which is felt as a mighty force is the mediate or immediate product of much time spent with God. Our short prayers owe their point and efficiency to the long ones that have preceded them. The short prevailing prayer cannot be prayed by one who has not prevailed with God in a mightier struggle of long continuance. Jacob's victory of faith could not have been gained without that all-night wrestling. God's acquaintance is not made by pop calls. God does not bestow his gifts on the casual or hasty comers and goers. Much with God alone is the secret of knowing him and of influence with him. He yields to the persistency of a faith that knows him. He bestows his richest gifts upon those who declare their desire for and appreciation of those gifts by the constancy as well as earnestness of their importunity. Christ, who in this as well as other things is our Example, spent many whole nights in prayer. His custom was to pray much. He had his habitual place to pray. Many long seasons of praying make up his history and character. Paul prayed day and night. It took time from very important interests for Daniel to pray three times a day. David's morning, noon, and night praying were doubtless on many occasions very protracted. While we have no specific account of the time these Bible saints spent in prayer, yet the indications are that they consumed much time in prayer, and on some occasions long seasons of praying was their custom.
*** (Kerry comments) I might add that to artificially pray about anything would automatically defeat the purpose of prayer as we learn in the above passage. I have actually had Christians tell me they had prayed about the Book of Mormon, but since God didn't answer them, they got up and went and ate dinner, and that's why they think the BofM is false! Such silliness is not only unimpressive from our standpoint, but honestly more than likely offensive from God's standpoint, and would also be to the Early Christians.
3 The Letter Killeth
Preaching which kills is prayerless preaching. Without prayer the preacher creates death, and not life. The preacher who is feeble in prayer is feeble in life-giving forces. The preacher who has retired prayer as a conspicuous and largely prevailing element in his own character has shorn his preaching of its distinctive life-giving power...A school to teach preachers how to pray, as God counts praying, would be more beneficial to true piety, true worship, and true preaching than all theological schools.
1 Men of Prayer Needed
What the Church needs to-day is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use -- men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men -- men of prayer.
The preaching man is to be the praying man. Prayer is the preacher's mightiest weapon. An almighty force in itself, it gives life and force to all.
The real sermon is made in the closet. The man -- God's man -- is made in the closet. His life and his profoundest convictions were born in his secret communion with God. The burdened and tearful agony of his spirit, his weightiest and sweetest messages were got when alone with God. Prayer makes the man; prayer makes the preacher; prayer makes the pastor.
***(Kerry Coments) Notice here, the lack of sophisticated education or intellectual abilities as criteria for preachers. Far more important is communication with God from prayer, something we Mormons have nearly always taught from the inception of the Restoration 160 years ago. Which is more precisely Christian? To pray to God, who knows all, for answers, or philosophize with pagan theologians?
INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION
John Calvin OF PRAYER
Translated by Henry Beveridge 1845
BOOK III. CHAPTER XX.
OF PRAYER -- A PERPETUAL EXERCISE OF FAITH.
THE DAILY BENEFITS DERIVED FROM IT.
website address: http://ccel.wheaton.edu/calvin/prayer/prayer.html
This, indeed, is that secret and hidden philosophy which cannot be learned by syllogisms: a philosophy thoroughly understood by those whose eyes God has so opened as to see light in his light (Ps. 36:9). But after we have learned by faith to know that whatever is necessary for us or defective in us is supplied in God and in our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom it hath pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell, that we may thence draw as from an
inexhaustible fountain, it remains for us to seek and in prayer implore of him what we have learned to be in him. To know God as the sovereign disposer of all good, inviting us to present our requests, and yet not to approach or ask of him, were so far from availing us, that it were just as if one told of a treasure were to allow it to remain buried in the ground. Hence the Apostle, to show that a faith unaccompanied with prayer to God cannot be genuine, states this to be the order: As faith springs from the Gospel, so by faith our hearts are framed to call upon the name of God (Rom. 10:14). And this is the very thing which he had expressed some time before, viz., that the Spirit of adoption, which seals the testimony of the Gospel on our hearts, gives us courage to make our requests known unto God, calls forth groanings which cannot be uttered, and enables us to cry, Abba, Father (Rom. 8:26).
50.
But although it has been said above (sec. 7, 27, &c.), that we ought always to raise our minds upwards towards God, and pray without ceasing, yet such is our weakness, which requires to be supported, such our torpor, which requires to be stimulated, that it is requisite for us to appoint special hours for this exercise, hours which are not to pass away without prayer, and during which the whole affections of our minds are to be completely occupied; namely, when we rise in the morning, before we commence our daily work, when we sit down to food, when by the blessing of God we have taken it, and when we retire to rest. This, however, must not be a superstitious observance of hours, by which, as it were, performing a task to God, we think we are discharged as to other hours; it should rather be considered as a
discipline by which our weakness is exercised, and ever and anon stimulated. In particular, it must be our anxious care, whenever we are ourselves pressed, or see others pressed by any strait, instantly to have recourse to him not only with quickened pace, but with quickened minds; and again, we must not in any prosperity of ourselves or others omit to testify our recognition of his hand by praise and thanksgiving. Lastly, we must in all our prayers carefully avoid wishing to confine God to certain circumstances, or prescribe to him the time, place, or mode of action. In like manner, we are
taught by this prayer not to fix any law or impose any condition upon him, but leave it entirely to him to adopt whatever course of procedure seems to him best, in respect of method, time, and place. For before we offer up any petition for ourselves, we ask that his will may be done, and by so doing place our will in subordination to his, just as if we had laid a curb upon it, that, instead of presuming to give law to God, it may regard him as the ruler and disposer of all its wishes.
Cyril of Jerusalem: First Catechetical Lecture
THE SAINT PACHOMIUS ORTHODOX LIBRARY
Website address:http://www.ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/reading/St.Pachomius/Greek/Catech/lexr1.html
Hast thou run so many circles of the years busied in vain about the world, and hast thou not forty days to be free (for prayer), for thine own soul's sake? "Be still, and know that I am God," [Ps. 45:11 LXX (46:10)] saith the Scripture. Excuse thyself from talking many idle words: neither backbite, nor lend a willing ear to backbiters; but rather be prompt to prayer. Shew in
ascetic exercise that thy heart is nerved. Cleanse thy vessel, that thou mayest receive grace more abundantly. For though remission of sins is given equally to all, the communion of the Holy Ghost is bestowed in proportion to each man's faith. If thou hast laboured little, thou receivest little; but if thou hast wrought much, the reward is great. Thou art running for thyself, see to thine own interest.
The Epistle of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Magnesians,
pray in God the Father and in Jesus Christ that they may rejoice greatly...4:1 It is therefore fitting not only to be called Christians, but also to be so, For if God should imitate our actions, we are undone. On this account, becoming his disciples, let us learn to live according to the religion of Christ.
14:1 Knowing that ye are full of God, I have exhorted you briefly. Remember me in your prayers that I may attain unto God; and the Church in Syria, whence I am not worthy to be called. For I need your united faith and love in God, that the Church in Syria may be deemed worthy to be refreshed by your Church. I pray that all unto whom I have spoken may not have this thing as a testimony against them.
CHAPTER 7
7:1 For even though some have held that I was a deceiver according to the flesh, yet the Spirit, being of God, is not deceived; for he knoweth from whence he cometh, and whither he goeth, and he searcheth out hidden things. I cried while I was among you, and spake with a loud voice, saying, Give heed unto the bishop, and to the presbyters, and to the deacons.
The Epistle of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Philadelphians,
7:2 But they suspected that I spake these things because I knew beforehand the division of certain of them; but he, for whose name I am in bonds, is witness unto me that I knew not these things through the flesh of man. But the spirit preached, saying these things: Do nothing apart from the bishop; keep your flesh as the temple of God; love unity, avoid divisions; be imitators of Jesus Christ, even as he is of his Father.
The Epistle of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans,
6:2 Consider those who hold heretical opinions with regard to the grace of Jesus Christ which hath come unto us, how opposite they are to the mind of God. They have no care for love, nor concerning the widow, nor concerning the orphan, nor concerning the afflicted, nor concerning him who is bound or loosed, nor concerning him who is hungry or thirsty. They refrain from the eucharist and from prayer, because they do not confess that the eucharist is the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father of his goodness raised up.
The Epistle of St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Trallians,
12:2 my bonds exhort you which I bear about for the sake of Jesus Christ, asking that I may attain unto God. Abide in your unity, and in prayer one with another, for it becometh each of you separately, and especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop unto the honour of the Father, Jesus Christ and the Apostles.
12:3 I pray you in love to hear me, that I may not be for a testimony against you, by writing among you; and pray ye for me also, who need your love in the mercy of God, that I may be thought worthy of the lot to which I press forward to attain, that I may not be found a castaway.
CHAPTER 13
13:1 The love of the Smyrnaeans and Ephesians saluteth you. Remember in your prayers the Church which is in Syria, of which I am not worthy to be called bishop, being the last of them.
Theodore of Studium: TWENTY-SEVENTH DISCOURSE
What do we sow! Petitions, prayer, supplications, thanksgivings, faith, hope, love. These are the seed of piety, and by them the soul is nourished.
Theodore of Studium: SIXTY-FIRST DISCOURSE
Are we not thus all walking together and knit together by our heavenly impulse, and by the holy prayers of my father
BASIL THE GREAT: Second Epistle
What state can be more blessed than to imitate on earth the choruses of angels? To begin the day with prayer, and honor our Maker with hymns and songs? As the day brightens, to betake ourselves, with prayer attending on it throughout, to our labors...
***Kerry's Comment
It should be quite clear at this point on how important it was to Early Christians to use prayer for everyday occassions and in seriousness, not lightly or with doubt. I find it most interesting that in our day when we Mormons teach the same thing, we are lambasted and it is said of our doctrine that this is from the Devil. Has the apostasy covered us even today?
Appendix
This Appendix lists the various Bible New Testament scriptures on prayer, when, how, and what for, to pray for.
Matthew 5:44
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 6:6
6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6:7
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Matthew 6:8
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Matthew 9:38
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
Matthew 26:41
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.
Mark 11:24
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them].
Mark 13:33
33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Luke 11:1
1 ¶ AND it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Luke 11:2
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Luke 11:3
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Luke 11:4
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Luke 11:5
5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
Luke 11:6
6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
Luke 11:7
7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
Luke 11:8
8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Luke 11:9
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Luke 11:10
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Luke 11:11
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if [he ask] a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
Luke 11:12
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
Luke 11:13
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall [your] heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Luke 18:1
1 AND he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Luke 21:36
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Luke 22:40
40 And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
Luke 22:46
46 And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
John 14:16
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17
17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:18
18 ¶ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
Romans 8:26
26 ¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
1 Corinthians 14:15
15 ¶ What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
2 Corinthians 13:7
7 ¶ Now I pray to God that ye do no evil
Philippians 1:9
9 ¶ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment;
Colossians 1:9
9 ¶ For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
Colossians 1:10
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:11
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Colossians 1:12
12 ¶ Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Colossians 1:13
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:
1 Thessalonians 5:17
17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:19
19 Quench not the Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 5:20
20 Despise not prophesyings.
1 Thessalonians 5:21
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Is not the context here to prove all things holding fast to that which is good through prayer? Of course it is! Why ignore this injunction. Is this so different from Moroni 10:4,5 where we are to use prayer to prove the things of the BofM?
2 Thessalonians 1:11
11 ¶ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power:
1 Timothy 2:8
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
The same thing Moroni asks of us concerning the BofM. But so many pray in doubt then they boldly testify the book is false because God didn't tell them anything. Paul injoins it in us to get much more serious about the effectiveness of prayer. any more doubts about it? Consider James below!
James 5:13
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray.
James 5:15
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
James 5:16
16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.