The opening to Yada Yahweh, Book IV :
Salvation, Messianic Prophecies, Chapter 1, Ma'sehyah, Implement of Yah, begins with a discussion of
how the prophet Daniel actually prayed and petitioned God. I have always wondered if there was a
right way to pray. I recently heard an interesting observation about the prayer that the Messiah came us - "
Our Father, who art in heven, Hallowed be Thy NAME..." -namely that, these were not the actual words we were to use in prayer but rather a way to "approach" prayer - a "step-by-step" approach - a process.
It got me thinking as I was reading this chapter (the complete chapter can be found
here) about the "what, why, and how" of prayer. Specifically, is there a right and a wrong way to pray?
For example, I had heard that the reason God got so upset with Moses' performance at the rock of Horeb (and, as a result, would not permit him to enter into the promised land) - was that he fouled up a "teaching moment" for the people of Israel (it seems that God is never very happy when man disregards His plans and instructions - hmm...what does that tell us about what we have since done with the Sabbath, observance of the Miqra, religion replacing relationship with Him, etc.?). God wanted Moses to teach the people how to approach and petition Him when they were in need. Yahweh told Moses to "lightly tap the rock with his staff," instead Moses forcibly "struck" the rock (he was surrounded by a screaming mob of Israelites at the time remember). Was Yahweh telling us not to come to Him shouting and screaming with a list of what we needed/wanted? But, rather to approach Him softly, respectfully - not demanding things of Him but asking/requesting.
I have included a few excerpts below for your consideration. I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.
Daniel 9:20
Quote:In 538 BCE, Daniel penned these words: "While (‘owd - yet again as, consistently and continually, beyond that which is expected) I was communing (dabar - speaking, conversing, and sharing words), praying (palal - intervening and mediating, interceding and arbitrating, thinking about and foreseeing future contingencies and events) and confessing and casting away (yadah - thankfully praising, confessing the name of God while admitting and throwing away) my offenses and sinfulness (chatta'ah - iniquity, violation against the standard, guilt, and punishment for sin) and the offenses (chatta'ah) of my people (‘am - nation, congregation, kinsmen, compatriots, family, and relatives; a control group sharing a common culture) Yisra'el (sarah - one who perseveres with, contends with, persists with, has power with, and exerts oneself with; el - God ), presenting (naphal - casting down, dropping, and settling, allotting and allocating) my earnest and humble request for favor and grace (tachinnah - petition and plea for mercy for oneself and others) before (paniym - in the presence of, face to face with) Yahuweh my Elohiym/God on behalf of (‘al - according to, on account of, and concerning) the set-apart (qodesh - separate and apart; from qadash - consecrated, prepared, appointed, purified, honored, dedicated, majestic, and highly regarded) mountain of my God." (Daniel 9:20)
Prayer is communion:
Quote:God explains that prayer is communion. To "commune" is to "converse and build a rapport." It is "to talk together intensely and intimately." Dabar palal is an "interchange of ideas and sentiments." This blessed communion is a relationship, one based on common understanding and empathy. It is what Yahweh meant when He asked Abraham to walk alongside Him, to be at ease with Him, to converse with Him.
Mediating on behalf of one's sins; pleading for yourself and others:
Quote:Daniel's exchange of words included intercession, in which the prophet mediated on behalf of his sins as well as those of his brethren, pleading for himself and for them. This intervention suggests that Yahuweh responds to the requests we make on behalf of ourselves and others, especially when we recognize that it is His grace, and not our mediation, is what actually prevails. Tachinnah is "an earnest and humble request for grace, an unearned and undeserved favor, a petition for mercy."
Catholics misconstruing the concept:
Quote:I'm afraid the Catholics have misconstrued this concept too, creating the impression that their confessionals and priestly remedies are somehow relevant. Daniel more correctly "yadah - praised Yahuweh's name while admitting and throwing away" his "offenses and sinfulness" and those of his communities' with "thanksgiving." That is the nature of grace-based salvation - the unearned gift of eternal life. We throw our "chatta'ah - iniquity, violations against the standard, our guilt, and the punishment we have earned for our sin" upon the Ma'sehyah Yahushua so that guilt free, we can be productive spiritual citizens. God willingly accepts them on our behalf. That is why Isaiah says in the 53rd chapter: "Surely our grief He Himself bore, our sorrows He carries.... He was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities. The punishment for our well being fell upon Him. By His scourging we are healed."
Praying to God - "face to face:"
Quote:I was especially touched by Yahuweh's use of paniym in regard to Daniel's communion with Him. Paniym suggests that the prophet's conversation occurred "in the presence of" God, "face to face" with Yahweh. Considering the subject of the conversation was chatta'ah, it tells us a great deal about our maker. Rather than show His rightful revulsion at our sin, God allows us to bring it into His presence, literally laying our guilt on Him. A chatta'ah, after all is sin.
The definition of a sin (of course, this raises a much larger question - namely, how does one stop sinning?):
Quote:A sin is an offense, something that is displeasing to God. It is a violation of Yahuweh's instructions, a breaking of the covenant, making chatta'ah a crime.
A great final thought from FH:
Quote:Naturally, being a man of God and a "wise man" to boot, Daniel began to pray that God would fulfill his promise. (There’s a lesson in there for us: if you want your prayer answered, pray for what you know God wants.)
You can read the complete chapter
here.
Just a few thoughts from the chapter. I would love to hear yours.
-Yada
Edited by user Sunday, August 12, 2007 4:18:24 AM(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified