6. What are the mechanics and practicalities of prayer in the dispensation of God's grace.

6. What are the mechanics and practicalities of prayer in the dispensation of God's grace.

Prayer is our way of talking to God. There are some important distinctions or prayer in the dispensation of grace than in other dispensations.

Israel (Acts 1-7 and in the tribulation) will be "born of God" being baptized by Christ with the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will then have direct influence over the actions of the Jews and the Holy Ghost CAUSES the them to take certain actions. (See Ezekiel 36:18-28, Jeremiah 31:31-34, 32:37-42, Joel 2:28-29, Matthew 3:11, John 3:1-10, Acts 2:16-43, 1 John 2:20) With a "unction from the Holy One" the Jews will "know all things". Therefore they have different prayer promises than the body of Christ in the dispensation of grace. 

These Jews have these prayer promises:

Mark 11:
[23] For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
[24] Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Matthew 21:
[21] Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
[22] And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. 

That is quite a prayer promise, but then again they have the Holy Ghost directly taking control of their lives (1 John 3:9, 1 John 5:18). 

However, in the dispensation of grace we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and baptized into Christ by the Spirit........but we must SUBMIT to the Holy Ghost. He does not directly speak and do for us (Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Colossians 2:10-12, 1 Thessalonians 5:19). We do not know how to pray as we ought. 

Romans 8:
[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.
[27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

So what should we pray for?

1) We should give thanks
2.) We should pray for the furtherance of the gospel
3.) We should pray for the spiritual growth and understanding of the saints
4.) We should pray for the physical infirmities of the saints

Here are some of my favorite prayer passages (not to mention 1 Timothy 4, thanksgiving for our food that God has given us). Also notice 2 Corinthians 1:11, prayer does help. 

2 Corinthians 1:11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

Ephesians 1:
[15] Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
[16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
[17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
[18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Philippians 4:
[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
[7] And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Colossians 3:
[15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
[16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
[17] And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Colossians 4:
[2] Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
[3] Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
[4] That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

1 Thessalonians 5:
[17] Pray without ceasing.
[18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.


Those scriptures make it clear, our prayers should be about spiritual things and with thanksgiving. Prayer gives us help and peace (2 Cor. 1:11, Phil. 4:7). Our prayer lives should not be based on whether we get what we ask, it should be based on the desire to have fellowship with God. In this dispensation we do NOT get whatsoever we ask (2 Cor. 12:7-10). 

Lastly, prayer cannot save you. A "sinner's prayer" will not save you and it is not the gospel of the grace of God. The common "sinner's prayer" that I have heard does not even mention the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The gospel of the grace of God is the finished work of Christ alone and that anyone who believes on Christ and trusts His gospel will be saved and sealed (1 Cor. 14:1-4, Rom. 3-5, Eph. 1:13).