The Reason We Pray
Introductions are some of the least loved parts of literature and yet provide some of the most important statements. Don’t believe me? How often do you hear a pastor preach on the introduction to one of Paul’s letters? And if they do, how often is joined with an overview of who Paul is or the situation of the audience? Even in non-biblical books, it can be oh so tempting to skip the intro and get to the main event!
Despite our apathy towards them, introductions connect us to what comes after and help us to stay grounded when we read the main body. This is true of most literature, but I have found it especially true for the prayers of the Bible. Often, how the praying party begins is even more important than the petition they make!
In 2 Chronicles 20, we see a figure that does not get much credit in Christian circles today. The godly king Jehoshaphat was threatened by legions of enemies without much hope of victory. Realizing this, he calls for a fast and prays. Take notice of how he begins his prayer:
And Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, and said, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, ‘If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’
2 Chronicles 20:5-9
Like many written prayers, Jehoshaphat begins with an address to God outlining why he is confident in the Lord to answer the following petition. This is similar to David’s habit of beginning prayers with possessive titles for God (“my rock”, “my shield”, “my horn”, etc.). In this outline, we get a powerful reminder of the beautiful safety of prayer from a king surrounded by ruin and death.
Jehoshaphat begins his prayer by acknowledging the power of God. He asks, “O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not in heaven?” The position of God “in heaven” in the Old Testament is a fascinating motif that seems to emphasize His authority over all creation, His power, and the inability of creatures to oppose His plans in any significant way.
He continues by making two incredible statements. This God, who has authority over all creation specifically rules “over all the kingdoms of the nations!” Summing up his point he exclaims: “In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.” The picture here is of total, irresistible, unstoppable power. The God of Israel is the God over the entire universe.
By beginning with the power of God, Jehoshaphat is expounding on the importance of prayer. Why should the people of Israel fast and pray before making ready the troops for siege? Because prayer allows weak people to petition a God who is in his very nature able. He is able to do what they ask of Him. The armies of this world are microscopic in the presence of the God in heaven!
Secondly, Jehoshaphat reflects on the works of God. For most of my childhood I heard that Grandaddy Long-Legs Spiders are among the most venomous of all spiders and yet they are either unwilling or unable to bite humans. I have no idea if this is true or just schoolyard talk but it helps drive home the point that almighty power that cannot or will not be used is just the same as having no power at all.
The second question we ought to ask about prayer is whether God is willing to answer our prayers. He certainly can do what we ask, but will He? To this Jehoshaphat reflects on the history of Israel. God was the one who made Abraham His friend and who drove the people of Canaan out before the armies of the Israelites! When asked why we think God might hear our prayers and act for our sake, the simplest answer is “He’s done it before countless times!”
Finally, Jehoshaphat reminds himself, and us, of the presence of God. One might argue that just because God did something in the past doesn’t mean He will continue doing it in the future. To this, we see Jehoshaphat reflect on the wonder of the temple of God.
Speaking in very similar language to Solomon’s dedication of the temple at the end of its construction, Jehoshaphat says, “If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you—for your name is in this house—and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.’ This was the temple’s whole purpose! The people of God would be heard by God because of the Presence of God, in the temple!
Christians have a temple of their own in Jesus Christ. Just as the temple in Israel symbolized the attentiveness and willingness of God to hear their prayers, through Jesus we are given “access in the grace in which we stand” (Rom. 5:11) and it is in the blood of Christ that we may “boldly approach the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:12).
As I said at the beginning of this article, introductions matter. Before we even get to the petition of the godly king, we are reminded of how firm a grip we have upon God’s attention. We are reminded that He has acted for His people before and that He will always act for His glory and our good. We are brought to rest in the safety of the God in heaven who none can stand against. This is the true might of prayer. This is why the great men of God were often great men of prayer.
Let us pray with confidence, with total trust, that our God in heaven is able, is listening, is willing, and acts for His glory and our good. What a marvelous gift we have in prayer!
