OPINION: HARRY MARTINEZ: A model for prayer

Apr. 24—When prayers are being recited, one often hears the words "Our Father who art in Heaven." This is the opening phrase of what is commonly called the Lord's Prayer. It was given by Jesus to his disciples as a model for prayer. In its context, it will be the prayer of Israel during the time of Jacob's Trouble called the Tribulation.

When teaching his disciples, Jesus revealed that things were changing in the spiritual world. The Messiah, God with us, promised throughout the Old Testament, had come and was dwelling among men. He had come in fulfillment of the prophecy ... "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, "Here I am, I have come — it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." (Ps 40:6-8 NIV). God becoming flesh was of such importance that the writer of Hebrews quoted this prophecy and referenced it to the Person of Christ ... "Then I said, 'Here I am — it is written about me in the scroll — I have come to do your will, O God" (Heb 10:7 NIV).

With the incarnation a reality, Jesus told His disciples of a change in the manner that prayers would be directed ... "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete" (John 16:23-24 NIV).

Note the key words "in my Name." Prior to the birth of the Church, all prayer was directed to the God of Israel, the pre-incarnate Christ. However, a "new day" was coming when prayer would be addressed to the Father in my Name. Direct access to the Father was graphically pictured when the curtain at the entrance to the holy of holies was torn in two. An individual who had placed their faith in Christ as Savior would have direct access to God the Father.

This signaled a new approach in prayer. A future day was coming when those who had placed their faith in Christ would direct their prayers to ... "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name" (Matt 6:9b KJV). Jesus set the example ... "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him" (John 17:1-2 NIV).

Paul followed the Lord's model in his prayers. "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better" (Eph 1:17 NIV). "In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Eph 3: 14-18 NIV).

All believers in Christ have the privilege of addressing the Father ... "So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it" (Heb 4:16 NLT).