Tuesday, November 11, 2008

A Method for Prayer

In my Sanctification class we have been reading Matthew Henry's A Method for Prayer: Freedom in the Face of God. Matthew Henry (1662-1714) wrote a commentary on the whole bible that is easily found online. If you're looking for a free online commentary that is trustworthy, you can google Matthew Henry Commentary.
He wrote a book that lays out a biblical method for prayer. I have described it as type of resource for prayer. Henry outlines a biblical model for prayer and then fills the bulk of the book with prayer. It isn't a long treatise on what prayer is, or how to pray more effectively or fervently. It doesn't promise you that God will answer your prayers for health and wealth. Instead, it lays out a model of prayer (Adoration, Confession, Petition, Thanksgiving, Intercession, and Conclusion) and Henry uses Scripture as the content of the prayer.
Henry's prayers are full of Scripture. It isn't that Henry quotes some Scripture. The prayers are full of Scripture, meaning that there is room for nothing other than Scripture. Henry only adds his own words to connect on verse to another.
Here is a little sample that I think is very appropriate given the current political events:
Chapter 5 12.3.7.4 For the magistrates, the judges, and justices of the peace in the several counties and corporations
Make those that rule over us just, ruling in the fear of God; and let those that judge remember that they judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with them in judgment, that therefore the fear of the Lord may be upon them. Make them able men, and men of truth, fearing God, and hating covetousness, that judgment may run down like a river, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Enable our magistrates to defend the poor and fatherless, to do justice for the afflicted and needy, to deliver the poor and needy, and to rid them out of the hand of the wicked, and let rulers never be a terror to good works, but to the evil.

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