Prayer: What does Johann Gerhard say? (Week 7)
Join us as Pastor Ricky Jacob explores the 400-year old writings of Johann Gerhard and his thoughts on prayer.
Start at the beginning: Week 1
Gerhard wrote: There are four immovable truths on which our confidence to pray rests. Because of these, we may be certain that our heavenly Father mercifully hears our prayers. The truths on which our certainty rests are God's omnipotent kindness, God's unfailing truthfulness, Christ's intercession as our mediator, and the Holy Spirit's testimony.
On these four truths our hearts rest confidently and securely so we will not waver in prayer nor doubt that God favorably hears our prayers. "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). None of us should take our prayers lightly. God, to whom we pray, does not take them lightly. Before they pass over our lips, He commands them to be written in His book. We must hope, without doubt, for one of two things: Either our heavenly Father will give to us what we ask, or He will give to us that which He knows to be most beneficial for us.
Martin Luther summed up his teaching on this petition: 'Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,' in this way: The good and gracious will of God is done even without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also. How is God’s will done? God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which do not want us to hallow God’s name or let His kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die.
Gerhard taught the following benefits of prayer:
• [Prayer] grants knowledge of the secret things of God and acquires His gifts.
• It is a shield for our defense and a faithful messenger of the ambassador.
• [Prayer] is a joy for the heart and a jubilation for the mind.
I close with this thought from Johann Gerhard:
Whoever is truly a child of God through faith will, with childlike trust, address his or her heavenly Father every day in prayer. The one in whose heart the Holy Spirit has made His home will, as a spiritual priest, daily offer to God this incense of prayer.