A Hebrew Perspective on Prayer
With all the pressures and frustrations of life facing us every morning, it might be useful to consider for a moment the Hebrew perspective on prayer. The shift in focus helps us to see that the answer to our usual questions are not as far away as we might think.
Fundamental to all Hebrew thought about God is this: God is the absolute King and Ruler and Creator of the universe. In theological terms, God is sovereign. The immediate implication is that God is in control of everything. So, the Hebrew view of history, personal and corporate, is saturated with God’s purposes. Job tells us that no plan of God’s can be thwarted. Proverbs tells us that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord and is directed like an irrigation channel. The prophets remind us that God uses both good and evil to bring about His plans. In the Hebrew worldview, God is in charge, period.
It is also quite clear that God never makes a move that is not motivated by His purposes. There are no accidental or incidental decisions in heaven. God always does exactly what is the correct thing to do in order to bring about the divine objective.
So, when it comes to the shape and direction of our lives, God is no less diligent in His control, guidance and objective. He wants to accomplish His purposes in us – and He will do that for there is no one and nothing that can prevent Him.
One additional ingredient must be added to the mix before we can truly understand the purpose and process of prayer. God is good. God is absolutely holy, has no second agendas and will always do what is necessary and essential to bring about the best result. Of course, we might not think that what happens in life is the best result, but we are not God. Since God is good, we must rest our evaluation of circumstances and events on His character, not the appearance of actions. This is incredibly important for it will often seem as though what happens to us and to others does not make sense. If we were to judge the appropriateness of actions on the basis of our evaluation, we would slip quietly into the Greek model of divinity where Man and Man’s reason is the final arbiter of what is good and right. No Hebrew could ever make such a mistake. God’s ways are not our ways. No man is able to see the biggest picture. The finite mind is structurally insufficient to discern the ways of eternity and the infinite. In the end, we either trust in God’s character or we fight for our version of justice.
So, what does this mean when I get on my knees? The Hebrew perspective is different than the usual, Greek-oriented, contemporary Christian approach. The Hebrew prays that his heart will be transformed in such as way that he will be fully prepared to accept what God has to offer. This is very different than the usual prayer asking God to provide what I think I need. Hebrew prayer opens the door to the holy, sovereign God to choose what is best and give what is necessary. Hebrew prayer is always in perfect alignment with the will of the Father because it assumes that the issue at hand is not with the giver but with the receiver. God will always do what is right, holy, blessed and perfect. I don’t have to convince Him of that. It is in His nature to do these things. What is needed is that I become the kind of person who is able to receive what God has to offer. In other words, my heart must be prepared to be in perfect alignment with what God already knows to be the right, holy, blessed and perfect action. When I pray for anything else, I run the risk of being out of alignment with the will of the Father, finding my prayers (really requests) unanswered and ending up frustrated (and blaming).
I can always count on God to do what is best for me, and for His entire creation. My job in prayer is to prepare my heart to accept what He is doing. Once my heart is in alignment, I discover peace. I discover joy. I discover purpose and power. Why? Because I know that the heavenly Father knows what He is doing, and all I have to do is completely trust Him.
Too often our prayers carry the subtle suggestion that we have to convince God to act with holy intent. We go to prayer as if it were a negotiating session, as if God had to be convinced to act righteously on our behalf. That way is Greek. That way assumes that my view is large enough to see how the pieces should fit together and all I must do is get God to cooperate. That view is blasphemous and idolatrous for it sets me on par with God.
The Hebrew knows that God does exactly what is needed to bring about righteousness. Therefore, the Hebrew realizes that the impediment is not with God but with me. My heart must be shaped to receive God’s grace as He desires to provide it. Paul is entirely Hebrew when he remarks that he has learned to be content in all things. Reaching this stage in prayer is not easy. Even Paul asked three times for God to cooperative with Paul’s plans. But the answer sets us all straight. “My grace is sufficient.” Now you know why Jesus could say, “Why are you concerned about tomorrow? Doesn’t God take care of the birds and the flowers? Won’t He also take care of you?”
May your prayers reflect the holiness, sovereignty and righteousness of who God is.
Thanks for the reminder yet again Skip!
When I am in submission then I want what YHVH wants … to do His Will. But it is often times so very hard not to pray selfishly …. I being guilty probably worst than most.
I try to pray less about specific needs or wants and over the last few years have adopted a more Hebraic approach and focus upon His awesome glory. I personally like the Amidah prayers. Not by rote of course but really trying to focus in on Him in these wonderful prayers.
As you pointed out in the past we really do need Him to help teach us to pray. It may sound strange but our initial prayers to Him are better off being focused on seeking help to make the next prayers more valuable to Him and subsequently to me.
You have it right Skip … real praying is not easy at all! Over the last two years I have been fortunate to receive a number of your messages regarding prayer and they are most helpful.
Praise The Lord! It was not dumb luck that I came across Today’s Word many moons ago … don’t believe in coincidences anymore! 🙂
Most useful to me is the fact that rabbinic prayer is about softening my heart to accept what God provides – not asking Him to provide what I think I need
We are in total agreement because Hebrew prayer is about Him and not us. Oh there are plenty of prayers about our needs but they are all couched in either thanksgiving to Him or exhortations about enabling us to do more of His will. I have crafted numerous versions of the Amidah on my own to try and personalize the prayers …. but I keep coming back to them. I suppose I finally gave up trying to improve upon a prayer set that is quite wonderful.
Years ago in blindness I used to pray just like you cautioned against. I prayed like I was bartering … “please G_D do this and I will be better”… etc. This only resulted in misery because everything that I wanted was so far out of line with His desire for me. So I would get angry and presume that YHVH did not care. Oh what fools we can be!
Now it is simple for me. YHVH is awesome … what I have must be enough …. things are the way they need to be to serve His order. It is not that I do not beseech Him for undesreved mercy or blessings at times … but typically these requests are on behalf of others. Ultimately if YHVH simply left us abandoned to this world but gave us Y’shua it would be enough. How awesome is it that He gives us so much more regardless of our status or circumstances.
Frankly I now find it difficult being born in these times, living in America, etc. We are spoiled compared to most of the planet and I try to never forget this each and every day. Every breath is a blessing. Praise His Holy Name!