1. The church:
her worship in
prayer and
thanksgiving
Monday 29 August 2011

2. 2
Rom 12:1-2, Heb 13:15-16, suggest 4 sacrifices a Christian
should make.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s
mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do
not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test
and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will.
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a
sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his
name. And do not forget to do good and to share with
others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Offer your body, praise, good works,
stewardship/sharing
Monday 29 August 2011

3. 3
Worship in this age is not about
circumstance or form:
“God is spirit, and those who
worship him must worship in spirit
and truth." Jn 4:24
It is not about a spectacular place
but about a heart of adoration
expressing prayer and intercession
through Christ.
Chafer states, “Prayer and praise
are the principle elements of
worship and are acts of direct
communion of men with God”
In OT and NT there is a progressive
revelation about this subject.
Monday 29 August 2011

4. 4
A. Prayer before the first advent of Christ
Individuals have always offered
prayer to God - though in a
household it would appear the
patriarch offered the main prayer,
Job 1:5
Between Moses and Christ it was
done by the priest on behalf of the
people - pleading in prayer would
be on the basis of covenants and of
the character of God - and followed
the shedding of sacrificial blood.
1Ki 8:22-26, Neh 9:32, Dan 9:4,
Gen 18:25, Ex 32:11-14, Heb 9:7
Monday 29 August 2011

5. 5
B. Prayer in expectation of the kingdom
Jesus taught his early disciples to
pray for the kingdom on earth.
Matt 6:9-13 - including, “Your
kingdom come...”
Chafer states this is about the
millennial kingdom to be established
here on earth - and suggests the
ending of Matt 6:13 further
substantiates this thinking, “ for yours
is the kingdom and the power and the
glory forever. Amen.”
Monday 29 August 2011

6. 6
Chafer also suggests that Matt 6
is not the real Lord’s prayer but
John 17 is - where the Lord
interceded for the church
recognising God’s purpose in this
age.
He says Matt 6 has some useful
items suitable for all ages and
circumstances - adoration of the
Father, asking for daily bread,
deliverance from temptation. He
also says it is not wrong to pray
this prayer - but we have to
realise the millennial kingdom will
not come about by human effort.
Monday 29 August 2011

7. 7
C. The prayer of Christ
John 17 reveals the utmost freedom
between Father and Son. Here
Jesus prays as High Priest for
believers in his age and after
Pentecost.
On earth Christ spent long times in
prayer: Matt 14:23, Lk 6:12
The prayer of Christ does not rest
on covenants but on his own person
and priestly work of sacrifice.
Jn 17 reveals the intercessory work
of Christ which continues through
this dispensation.
Monday 29 August 2011

8. 8
D. Prayer under the relationship of grace
Prayer is different through all
dispensations. With NT revelation of
prayer in the name of Christ and in
the light of his sacrifice on the cross
it takes on a new dimension.
Christ teaches on prayer in 3 major
places: Jn 14:12-14, 15:7, 16:23-24
Prayer under grace is lifted free of
earthly limitations into the eternal
sphere of being a new creation.
Monday 29 August 2011

9. 8
D. Prayer under the relationship of grace
Prayer is different through all
dispensations. With NT revelation of
prayer in the name of Christ and in
the light of his sacrifice on the cross
it takes on a new dimension.
Christ teaches on prayer in 3 major
places: Jn 14:12-14, 15:7, 16:23-24
Prayer under grace is lifted free of
earthly limitations into the eternal
sphere of being a new creation.
Monday 29 August 2011

10. 9
1. Prayer includes not only praise but
your own needs and interceding on
behalf of others.
The rational mind says prayer is
meaningless - God is omniscient and
therefore is ahead of you in what you
pray for.
God has sovereignly chosen prayer as a
way of accomplishing his will and has
commanded us to do it. Jn 14:13-14,
And I will do whatever you ask in my
name, so that the Father may be
glorified in the Son. You may ask me for
anything in my name, and I will do it.
Monday 29 August 2011

11. 9
1. Prayer includes not only praise but
your own needs and interceding on
behalf of others.
The rational mind says prayer is
meaningless - God is omniscient and
therefore is ahead of you in what you
pray for.
God has sovereignly chosen prayer as a
way of accomplishing his will and has
commanded us to do it. Jn 14:13-14,
And I will do whatever you ask in my
name, so that the Father may be
glorified in the Son. You may ask me for
anything in my name, and I will do it.
Monday 29 August 2011

12. 10
Prayer is elevated here - Gods action is
conditioned by the believers prayer!
Whilst we might not understand how it
works we know God has ordained some
form of partnership with us in prayer - we
get to share in the service of prayer and
also the glory of it - Heb 10:19-20, Eph
5:30
Jn 14:12 14, greater works, is connected
to prayer...Very truly I tell you, whoever
believes in me will do the works I have
been doing, and they will do even greater
things than these, because I am going to
the Father... You may ask me for anything
in my name, and I will do it.
Monday 29 August 2011

13. 11
2. Prayer in the name of Jesus is
the highest possible form of
prayer - and supersedes all
previous grounds of prayer, Jn
16:24
Using the name of Jesus
commands the attention of the
Father, and inclines Him to do what
is asked - the name of Christ = the
person of Christ, and recognises
that we are part of Christ in the
new creation. Prayer in Christ’s
name is like him signing our
request.
Monday 29 August 2011

14. 12
Unanswered prayer may be because we
look for the things of self - Jas 4:22-23
We should be praying His name as we
are in Christ - 2Cor 5:17-18, Col 3:3
What of the prayer of unbelievers? -
Chafer states,
“since prayer is possible only on the
ground of the shed blood and by virtue
of the believers vital union with Christ,
the prayer of the unsaved cannot be
accepted by God.”
Monday 29 August 2011

15. 12
Unanswered prayer may be because we
look for the things of self - Jas 4:22-23
We should be praying His name as we
are in Christ - 2Cor 5:17-18, Col 3:3
What of the prayer of unbelievers? -
Chafer states,
“since prayer is possible only on the
ground of the shed blood and by virtue
of the believers vital union with Christ,
the prayer of the unsaved cannot be
accepted by God.”
Monday 29 August 2011

16. 13
3. What is the scope of prayer? Jn 15:7
defines it;
If you remain in me and my words remain
in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will
be done for you.
Remain in me - you must be in Christ for
prayer to be heard
Whatever you wish - as we are in Christ
we shall ask Christ centred, God-
glorifying prayers.
Phil 2:13 - for it is God who works in you
to will and to act in order to fulfill his
good purpose.
Rom 8:26-27
Monday 29 August 2011

17. 13
3. What is the scope of prayer? Jn 15:7
defines it;
In the same way, the Spirit helps
If you remain in me and my words remain
usyou,our weakness. We do not will
in in ask whatever you wish, and it
know what we ought to pray for,
be done for you.
but the in me -himself intercedes for
Remain Spirit you must be in Christ
for us to be heard
prayer through wordless groans.
And he who searcheswe are in Christ
Whatever you wish - as our hearts
knows the Christ centred, God-
we shall ask mind of the Spirit,
becauseprayers.
glorifying the Spirit intercedes for
Phil 2:13 - for it in God who works in you
God’s people is accordance with
to will and to act in order to fulfill his
the will of God.
good purpose.
Rom 8:26-27
Monday 29 August 2011

18. 14
4. The practice of prayer should
be given careful attention by
every believer - regular times of
prayer, no irreverent prayers, no
useless repetitions,
Matt 6:7-8 - And when you pray,
do not keep on babbling like
pagans, for they think they will be
heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them, for your Father
knows what you need before you
ask him. Jn 16:23 - In that day you
will no longer ask me anything. Very
truly I tell you, my Father will give
you whatever you ask in my name.
Monday 29 August 2011

19. 14
4. The practice of prayer should
be given careful attention by
Jude 20 - But you, dear friends, by
every believer - regular times of
building yourselves up in your most
prayer, no irreverent prayers, no
holy faith and praying in the Holy
useless repetitions,
Spirit,
Matt 6:7-8 - And when you pray,
Chafer states the order of Jn 16:23
do not keep on babbling like
and Jude 20 is important:
pagans, for they think they will be
We do not pray to Christ which
heard because of their many words.
abandons his mediation but
Do not be like them, for your Father
through Christ - and we do not
knows what you need before you
pray to the Spirit of God but by
ask him. Jn 16:23 - In that day you
him, otherwise it implies we are
will no longer ask me anything. Very
doing it in our own sufficiency
truly I tell you, my Father will give
you whatever you ask in my name.
Monday 29 August 2011

20. 15
E. The prayer of thanksgiving
“True thanksgiving is the voluntary
expression of heartfelt gratitude for
benefit received.”
Its effectiveness depends on the sincerity
and intensity depends on what value is
given to the received benefit - 2 Cor 9:11
This is not a payment for the benefit - but
a recognition in receiving, that we are
indebted to the giver - all thanksgiving is
closely related to praise and worship.
In this age we make sacrificial offerings of
thanksgiving to God.
Monday 29 August 2011

21. 16
Prayer is mentioned many times in
the OT, especially n the Psalms -
thanksgiving offerings are
mentioned in Lev 7:12-15
praise and thanksgiving seemed to
be prominent under Nehemiah,
Neh 12:12-40
The prophets anticipate
thanksgiving as a special part of
worship in the kingdom - Isa 51:3,
Jer 30:19
There is continual thanksgiving in
heaven - Rev 4:9, 7:12, 11:19
Monday 29 August 2011

22. 16
Whenever the living creatures give
glory, honor and thanks to him who
Prayer is mentioned many times in
sits OT,the throne and who lives -
the on especially n the Psalms for
ever and ever,
thanksgiving offerings are
...saying: in Lev 7:12-15
mentioned
praise and thanksgiving seemed to
“Amen! Praise and glory
be prominent under Nehemiah,
and wisdom and thanks and honor
Neh 12:12-40
and power and strength be to our
God prophetsand ever. Amen!”
The for ever anticipate
thanksgiving as a special part of
... saying:
“We give the kingdom - Isa 51:3,
worship in thanks to you, Lord
Jer 30:19
God Almighty, the One who is and
who was, becausethanksgiving in
There is continual you have taken
heaven - Rev 4:9, 7:12, 11:19
your great power and have begun
to reign.
Monday 29 August 2011

23. 17
OT thanksgiving involves
appreciating the Person of God
apart from all his benefits - Ps
30:4, 95:2, 97:12, 100:1-5, 119:62
Remember not to neglect this idea:
Ps 92:1 -It is good to praise the
LORD and make music to your
name, O Most High
Thanksgiving is mentioned 45x in
NT - for earthly and spiritual
blessings - both Christ and Paul
gave thanks for food - Matt 15:36,
26:27, Mk 8:6, 14:23 etc. Acts
27:35, Rom 14:6
Monday 29 August 2011

24. 18
Paul uses the phrase “thanks be
to God” in connection with;
Unspeakable gift 2Cor 9:15
Victory over the grave through
the resurrection, 1 Cor 15:57
Present triumph which is ours
through christ, Cor 2:14
Thanksgiving for believers
1Thess 1:2
For Titus 2Cor 8:16
In commanding thanks be given
for all men 1Tim 2:1
Monday 29 August 2011

25. 19
2 important features of NT thanksgiving:
1. It is connected to prayer without
ceasing - Heb 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us
continually offer to God a sacrifice of
praise—the fruit of lips that openly
profess his name.
2. Thanksgiving should be offered for all -
Eph 5:20 - always giving thanks to God
the Father for everything, in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thess 5:17-18 - pray continually, give
thanks in all circumstances; for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Monday 29 August 2011

26. 19
2 important features of NT thanksgiving:
1. It is connected to prayer without
ceasing - Heb 13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us
continually offer to God a sacrifice of
praise—the fruit of lips that openly
profess his name.
2. Thanksgiving should be offered for all -
Eph 5:20 - always giving thanks to God
the Father for everything, in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thess 5:17-18 - pray continually, give
thanks in all circumstances; for this is
God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Monday 29 August 2011

27. 20
Giving thanks always is not the same
as giving thanks sometimes!
If we accept Rom 8:28 - And we know
that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him, who have
been called according to his purpose.
Then thanks can be offered to God for
all things, (if we are Spirit filled, Eph
5:18)
Jonah 2:9 Daniel 6:20
Ingratitude is a sin - 10 lepers - Lk
17:11-19, 2 Tim 3:2 - People will be
lovers of themselves, lovers of money,
boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient
to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
Monday 29 August 2011