Untimely Prayers

[Coliseum]

R. Wurmbrand was pondering in prison one day the following:

Moses asked God, “Let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan.” The Lord answered, “Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter” (Deuteronomy 3:25,26). Here is an instance not of an unanswered prayer, but of a prayer clearly refused. How does this fit with, “Ask and it will be given you”? Well, a little later, some 3,500 years (or, to use the biblical expression, “in those days”), Jesus was on Mount Tabor with His disciples and “Moses and Elijah appeared to them” (Matthew 17:3). Mount Tabor is in Canaan, beyond Jordan, in the Promised Land. So Moses’ request was finally granted, only with a few thousand years’ delay. Not much for one whose life is eternal.

We pray often, but it is always in God's good timing.

[Who me]

Most Christian pray that things happen, 'if it is your will' and in Jesus's name.

God is not a supernatural sugar daddy giving treats to cute requests, but an Almighty, Holy God with a plan for the world. We only get what is in accordance with his will.

It is why Romans 12:1+2 about getting bible biased brains is so important.

If your brain lacks thjat bias towards God you won't have a clue about what he wants of you.

[missmuffet]

27 minutes ago, Coliseum said:

R. Wurmbrand was pondering in prison one day the following:

Moses asked God, “Let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan.” The Lord answered, “Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter” (Deuteronomy 3:25,26). Here is an instance not of an unanswered prayer, but of a prayer clearly refused. How does this fit with, “Ask and it will be given you”? Well, a little later, some 3,500 years (or, to use the biblical expression, “in those days”), Jesus was on Mount Tabor with His disciples and “Moses and Elijah appeared to them” (Matthew 17:3). Mount Tabor is in Canaan, beyond Jordan, in the Promised Land. So Moses’ request was finally granted, only with a few thousand years’ delay. Not much for one whose life is eternal.

We pray often, but it is always in God's good timing.

Prayers are never untimely.

[unworthyservant]

3 hours ago, Coliseum said:

R. Wurmbrand was pondering in prison one day the following:

Moses asked God, “Let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan.” The Lord answered, “Enough of that! Speak no more to Me of this matter” (Deuteronomy 3:25,26). Here is an instance not of an unanswered prayer, but of a prayer clearly refused. How does this fit with, “Ask and it will be given you”? Well, a little later, some 3,500 years (or, to use the biblical expression, “in those days”), Jesus was on Mount Tabor with His disciples and “Moses and Elijah appeared to them” (Matthew 17:3). Mount Tabor is in Canaan, beyond Jordan, in the Promised Land. So Moses’ request was finally granted, only with a few thousand years’ delay. Not much for one whose life is eternal.

We pray often, but it is always in God's good timing.

You don't hear many folks these days speaking of the implications of Christ's transfiguration and this is an angle that I've not heard before so, thanks.

[Guest]

Our prayers are answered if they are according to God's will, not ours. We do not know what is best for us but God can see the big complete picture as no human ever can. 

[unworthyservant]

3 hours ago, missmuffet said:

Prayers are never untimely.

I guess untimely might have been a poor choice of words for the title but you must admit the point of the theory presented is pretty unique and worthy of consideration.

[unworthyservant]

3 hours ago, Who me said:

God is not a supernatural sugar daddy giving treats to cute requests, but an Almighty, Holy God with a plan for the world. We only get what is in accordance with his will.

That's why once you learn to pray for only those things that you truly believe are probably in accordance with His will, your answer rate will go up significantly.

[Sower]

1 John, 5; 14-15

 And this is the confidence(trust) that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
 

Hebrews 11:6  But without faith (confidence/trust) it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

James 5          The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Timing may be dependent upon  growth, maturity.  Faith/belief.
       Trust.

[saved34]

Your two examples are not templates for ‘untimely prayer’. They are representative of two important lessons. Moses as representing the Law was a type showing the Law can never take one to glory. It wasn’t designed for that. 

Gal 3:11  Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because "the righteous will live by faith."

Gal 3:12  The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, "The person who does these things will live by them."

 

Gal 3:21  Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

 

Of course Moses was a great saint of God, but I believe God’s response to Moses was a foreshadowing of the Law not being able to save do to the weakness of man.

 

As far as the Transfiguration, the disciples would have placed creatures or created beings on the same level as the Son of God. That is idolatry. Only the Lord Jesus is worthy. Only he purged our sins in his own blood. The Father was teaching them a hard lesson about this truth.

 

Heb 3:3  Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself.

Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

 

We can pray amiss, but there is no untimely prayer today as we are told to pray always and for all things. We are to bring every matter that pop up in our lives to God instantly.

 

1Th 5:17  pray continually,

Col 4:2  Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Eph 6:18  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.

 

Php 4:6  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Even in our ignorance of prayer the Holy Spirit stands in the gap and prays for us. He prays right prayers according  to God’s will and our needs.

 

Rom 8:26  In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

Rom 8:27  And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.

Prayer for the child of God is always at a meeting place of grace. No matter how ignorant or untimely, we are welcomed at his throne. 

 

Heb 4:16  Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

 

Edited September 22, 2019 by saved34