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13. New Apostolic Christians and their life of faith
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13. New Apostolic Christians and their life of faith
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13. New Apostolic Christians and their life of faith715. What do we mean when we talk about prayer?
Prayer is an opportunity given by God for human beings to enter into contact with Him. In prayer the
believer experiences: God is present, God hears, and God answers. Thus the believing human being
bows before God’s majesty and love in humbleness. The Holy Spirit provides inspiration for proper
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prayer.
716. Is praying necessary?
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Praying is at times described as the “breathing of the soul”. This image serves to illustrate the
necessity of prayer for the believer.
Faith without prayer is not a living faith. A prayer without faith is not a real prayer.
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717. What references are there to prayer in the Old Testament?
There are many references to the worship of God in the Old Testament. The hymn of Moses serves
as a good example: “For I proclaim the name of the Lord: ascribe greatness to our God. He is the
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Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous
and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32: 3-4).
The most important endeavour of the Psalms is to give thanks to God in prayer, and to bring Him
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praise and glory. The Old Testament also contains many references to prayers that implore the help
and support of God.
718. What instructions did Jesus give concerning prayer?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave important instructions concerning prayer (cf. Matthew 6:
5-8). We are not to make an outward show of prayer nor are we to use a lot of words. We may
address God as “Father”. Prayers should come from the heart.
In view of His return Jesus admonished: “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted
, worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke
21: 36).
719. What does the Bible relate about the prayer life of Jesus?
The gospels attest that Jesus often withdrew to pray. The gospel of Luke relates that Jesus made a
special point of praying before decisive events, namely:
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before the Holy Spirit descended upon Him (cf. Luke 3: 21, 22),
before He chose the twelve Apostles (cf. Luke 6: 12),
before the Father transfigured Him in the presence of witnesses from here and the beyond (cf.
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Luke 9: 28-36),
before His sufferings began (cf. Luke 22: 41-46),
before He died on the cross (cf. Luke 23: 46).
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It is of note that Jesus already gave
thanks before His prayer had been
granted (cf. John 11: 41-42).
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720. What is the “intercessory prayer”?
The “intercessory prayer” is recorded in John 17. This is the great prayer that Jesus prayed prior to
His passion. Here He prayed for the Apostles and for the future congregation, and thus also for us: “I
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do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all
may be one...” (John 17: 20, 21).
721. What do we know about the prayers of the early Christians?
The early Christians practised communal prayer: “These all continued with one accord in prayer and
supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (Acts 1: 14).
Accounts of intensive prayers are also recorded in association with significant events, for example the
choosing of Matthias as an Apostle or the ordination of the first seven Deacons.
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