MY HOUSE WILL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER by Craig Peters

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1 MY HOUSE WILL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER by Craig Peters For My House will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples. Isaiah 56:6 Introductory Thoughts Prayer is the most important, yet least understood aspect of True Worship. Of course, being the least understood, the preeminent importance of prayer is also not recognized by today s majority. For many, prayer is a dry, lifeless duty which must be endured because, after all, This is what a believer is supposed to do. Our prayer to hwhy is that the current study will help anyone with such a mindset to break free from the mental bondage which this misguided notion perpetuates. Those who continually draw near to hwhy with their hearts will eventually experience many things during times of prayer: His love, His sovereignty, His righteousness, His acceptance, His peace, and His joy. These things are very real and very tangible spiritual blessings and none of them are, by any means, dry or lifeless. In the study on Azazel and Yom Kippur, 1 we discussed the wrongful elevation of Bible study in today s modern worship. Not understanding, or perhaps not long contemplating, the many Scriptures which bear on this matter, a committed brother in the faith wrote a response to that article erroneously objecting that we put down Bible Study somewhat effectively in favor of fasting and prayer. 2 Yet nothing could be farther from the truth: Bible study was not put down in any way. Later in this study, we will revisit this unfounded allegation, and at that point in our sojourn, it will have already become evident how a true, proper understanding of prayer only serves to elevate and advance Bible study. 1 See The Numerical Progression of Azazel Through Tehillim, a study in the series Ha Misparim LaDebarim: The Numbers of the Words. 2 This was some while ago, on 7/24/2008. Other evidence shows many, if not most, individuals and most congregations place more emphasis on Bible study than on prayer: Why have prayer services so often been relegated to a mere once-per-week status in the majority of today s congregations? And why is the prayer service so poorly attended? Why do well-meaning believers pay to attend teaching seminars? Why is it that times of fasting and prayer are so often frowned upon as fanatical, when the true prophets and apostles of old knew this to be the means by which one truly seeks and finds hwhy? And why is it that prayer does not characterize today s worship services even though hwhy clearly stated His House will be called a house of prayer? That is even necessary to ask such questions shows how far we have diverged from the Faith which the Messiah came to established. And the spiritual symptoms behind the lack of prayer in today s worship are symptoms which exhibit the lack of understanding still ruling in the minds of so many well-meaning, but clearly misdirected believers. All evidence indicates the many mistaken views surrounding prayer are far from isolated. Thus, the present study will seek to scripturally address these commonplace errors and the imbalanced emphasis seen throughout much of today s worship. And for the sake of those who promote the vital importance of Bible study (as do we), it will be important for us to consider how giving preeminence to prayer will actually support our cause in promoting effective study of Scripture with long lasting, even eternal results. t s r q u p e o n m l k y j x z w h d g b a 1

2 Regarding prayer, what did hwhy say would be the one thing that characterized His House? Did hwhy say, My House will be called a house of Bible study for all peoples? If a Scripture can be found which asserts such a thing, then we should most certainly believe and comply. However, as our opening text shows, 3 this is simply not the case: hwhy stated His House would be called a house of prayer for all peoples. This statement from the mouth of hwhy shows us that prayer would be the one thing which characterized His Dwelling Place. And many Scriptures show us that men of true faith, and certainly those seen throughout the written record of sacred history, have always known this to be the case. There is definitely a spiritual problem when believers exalt the importance of Bible study over and above the importance of prayer, yet this is usually the case in the lives of most contemporary followers of the Messiah: 4 During most weekly worship services, most Feast observances, most retreats, most unity conferences, and during most any other time believers congregate, the one thing that characterizes the gathering is typically Bible study and horizontal, human-to-human conversation. 5 Among those who possess great zeal to serve their Creator, study of the Word 6 is that which receives the most time and the most attention, and study of Scripture is the facet of worship which has been elevated to the highest place in the minds of most well-meaning, but misled believers. 7 The present article will show that this approach not only reveals a grave spiritual error, but that it has led/is leading to increasing disarray amongst those who have given their lives to follow the Messiah. With the main emphasis having been placed on Bible study, one would expect that, if this were really the method 3 Isaiah 56:6 4 At least those living in the USA: There are reports of some groups of humble believers in other lands who know (have known) their spiritual poverty and their great, continual need for the Presence of hwhy in prayer. 5 The exception here, of course, would be the weekly prayer meeting which is customary in some churches. However, these meetings are often held but once a week, and they are often marked by an extreme lack of zeal reflected in their pitifully low attendance. 6 (i.e., the Scriptures) 7 That this has been the case is further attested to by the fact that, upon encountering the real truth of the issue, sincere but misled believers will often defend/promote Bible study over prayer. prescribed by hwhy, then all believers today would be in unity. 8 Yet unity escapes us. Why? Unity escapes us because most have failed to obey the Messiah by engaging in continual seasons of prayer characterized by asking, seeking, and knocking. 9 We will see that the lack of prayer so starkly characteristic of most individuals and most congregations in our days is also the reason we lack true understanding of the Scriptures and, in turn, true unity. And a wrong emphasis will also lead to an erroneous and undesirable result. So what has been the overall outcome of this improper exaltation surrounding the pursuit of Bible knowledge? In elevating Bible study above prayer, the result has been nothing more than denominational idolatry. People today so often exhibit more allegiance to the knowledge, or teaching, of a particular denomination, or alliance, than their allegiance to the Most High and His Word. As a result, it is just as Sha ul wrote to Timothy: Multitudes of sincere people are ever learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 10 And why is this? Quite simply, the knowledge of their particular denomination/affiliation is accepted over and above the clear statements of Scripture. Thus, their trust in man 11 ultimately keeps them from trusting in and obeying hwhy. And as the last 2000 years of New Covenant history shows, widespread division has always ensued and it has, heretofore, largely prevailed: Believers do not walk in unity because they are divided over so many doctrinal issues which keep them at a permanent impasse. And does this idolatry-based disunity magnify the Most High and His Messiah who prayed His brothers would all be one? 12 Of course, this lack 8 (Or at least a great many more would be in unity than we see presently!) 9 Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11: Timothy 3:7 11 Jeremiah 17:5-6, Revelation 3:11 12 John 17: We see the words of the Messiah in this text as the outworking of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-5): If hwhy is One (and He is), then His people should be one in and through His love. Said another way, those who are at one with Him, will also be at one with each other. But due to the lack of prayer, and due to the lack of fasting-derived humility (all done in His Name), few are truly at one with the Most High. Thus follows the disunity which is so 2

3 of unity does not bring honor to hwhy and His Messiah, and apart from repentance, it will further cause those who are guilty of such denominational idolatry to disinherit the Kingdom. 13 So all those who place great importance on studying the Word of hwhy, and all those who want to know and understand His ways more than anything else on earth, all such believers must be willing to face a critical question: Will you obey hwhy by making the necessary changes that will markedly heighten your current understanding of the ancient paths which He has revealed to us in the Scriptures? If the answer to this question is Yes, then this article is for you. Since study of Scripture is such a critical part of our spiritual walk, 14 we must first realize and internalize: No one can better understand the Word of hwhy than those who have dwelt in His Presence through prayer. Those who, through prayer, continually access the Throne of hwhy are also those who have the light of His Presence. And in His Light, we will see the light of His Word far better than if we studied the Scriptures for thousands of years apart from continual prayer and Spirit-led fasting: For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. Psalm 36:9, ISRV But even if accessing the Presence of hwhy did not hold the promise of such a result (yet it does!), should we not still choose to seek Him wholeheartedly, continually abiding in Him through prayer, that we might number among those who are rewarded for having heard the Word of Elohim and kept it? 15 t s r q u p e o n m l k y j x z w h d g b a widespread today and which has largely prevailed throughout the last 2000 years of New Covenant history. 13 1Corinthians 6:9-10, Galatians 5: (Study is an important aspect of True Worship; it is just not the most important.) 15 Luke 11:28, James 1: The Messiah Speaks Opposing the merchants and moneychangers whose policy of overpricing was making it so very difficult for the poor to righteously access worship in the Set Apart Place eswhy drove them out: He condemned their practice of price-gouging as nothing more than underhanded robbery: 45 And entering into the Temple, He began to cast out those that were selling and buying in it; 46 saying to them: It is written, My House will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers. Luke 19:45-46 In stating prayer to be the main characteristic of the House of hwhy, our Messiah was quoting part of a Scripture spoken by hwhy through Yeshayahu (Isaiah), the prophet: 6 Also the foreigners that join themselves to hwhy, to minister to Him, and to love the Name of hwhy, to be His servants, every one that keeps the Shabbat from profaning it, and holds fast My Covenant; 7 even them will I bring to My set apart mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer: their burnt-offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted upon My altar; for My House will be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Isaiah 56:6-7 In this text, hwhy calls His House a house of prayer not once, but twice indicating the great importance of the statement. The lesson here for every individual and every congregation is this: If anything hinders the House of hwhy from being a house of prayer, then it is also something which needs expunging! If prayer is not the main characteristic of our lives and our worship, then something has been set up in the heart which has been exalted above the Most High. 16 While the incident of His cleansing the Temple is immensely significant, it is not the only indication that prayer was, and remains, the thing of greatest importance in the mind of the Messiah. Master, Teach Us What did the first followers of the Messiah ask Him to teach them? Did they request of Him, Master, teach us to study? Or did they request of Him, Master, teach us to read Hebrew? No, 16 Ezekiel 14:3-5,7, 20:16

4 but they well could have, because the record indicates they were uneducated men! 17 Even so, such an education was not their hearts intent. So what was their greatest spiritual desire? Somehow, there was something about their Messiah that impressed them far more than anything else. Something about their Messiah told them they fell terribly short and that they needed His help in going forward. So what was the thing they were compelled to know? And it came to pass, that as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, one of His disciples said to Him, Master, teach us to pray, as Yochanan also taught his disciples. Luke 11:1 On so very many occasions, eswhy broke away from the crowd, and even from his friends, to partake in those times of refreshing 18 that only come through solitary prayer in the Presence of hwhy: And in the morning, rising a great while before day, He went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up to a mountain by Himself to pray: and when the evening had come, He was there alone. Matthew 14:23 This explains why eswhy was anointed with the oil of joy above His companions. 19 Because He was continually drawing near to the Presence of hwhy, the Messiah was continually filled with joy in the Spirit. And this is just what we would expect since David wrote of the joy which may only be experienced in the Presence of hwhy: In Your Presence is fullness of joy! Psalm 16:4 This is why prayer is far from a dry, lifeless duty: When one truly draws near and clings to the Most High, 20 there is life, joy, love, and peace. Because there is fullness of joy in His Presence, the Spirit produces the fruit of joy 21 in the lives of those who continually draw near to the light- and lovefilled Presence of hwhy. This explains why the fruit of the Spirit is elsewhere called the fruit of light! 22 True joy is given by the Spirit to those who abide in the Messiah, 23 to those who continually draw near to the Presence of hwhy and His Throne of favor. 24 And what did hwhy Himself say would be the demeanor of all those who would receive blessings in His house of prayer? Even them will I bring to My set-apart mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer Isaiah 56:7 hwhy stated those who came to abide in His house of prayer would be blessed with joy. This is yet more confirmation that fullness of joy is only obtainable in His Presence. Likewise, the apostle Yochanan (John) wrote of abiding in the Messiah 25 through continual prayer; and he also wrote of the resulting joy! 3 That which we have seen and heard, we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son, eswhy the Messiah. 4 And we write these things to you, that your joy may be full. 1John 1:3-4 Anyone who begins to experience the authentic love, joy, and peace which are found in His Presence will never again see prayer as a heavy and mundane spiritual obligation. Abiding in the reality and joy of His light- and love-filled Presence, they will be released from the legalism of feeling duty-bound to pray. His Presence is surely our greatest need, but blessed are those who learn that His Presence is also our greatest joy! There are so many spiritual blessings which our Heavenly Father wishes to bring forth for us from His storehouses endless treasuries which are filled with the riches of wisdom and knowledge! 26 Times of refreshing come forth from His 17 Acts 4:13 18 Psalm 16:11, Acts 3:19 19 Psalm 45:6-7, Hebrews 1: Deuteronomy 4:4, 10:20, 11:22, 13:4, 30:20 21 Galatians 5:22 (among which joy is the second listed) 4 22 Ephesians 5:14 (per the ASV, Darby, NASB, and Rotherham versions) 23 John 15: Hebrews 4:16 25 John 15: Psalm 16:11, Colossians 2:2-3, Matthew 13:52

5 Presence, 27 but apart from drawing near, we can never be blessed with those gifts 28 that reveal His Son 29 and magnify His Name. 30 The Transfiguration The Transfiguration is still another remarkable indication regarding the importance of prayer. 1 And after six days eswhy took Kepha, Ya acob, and Yochanan, his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain apart, 2 and was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His clothing was white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2 But this account does not give us the whole story! Luke indicates what the Messiah was doing when the Transfiguration occurred: 28 And it came to pass after these words, about eight days, that taking Kepha, and Yochanan, and Ya acob, He went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered and His clothing was dazzling white. Luke 8:28-29 The Ruach ha Qodesh indicating that, just as the Messiah 31 was transfigured in the Presence of hwhy, even so, His followers are transformed as they draw near to the light- and love-filled Presence of hwhy: 17 Now hwhy is the Spirit: and where the Spirit of hwhy is, there is liberty. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the splendor of the Master, are transformed into the same image, from splendor to splendor, even as from hwhy the Spirit. 2Corinthians 3:17-18 More than anything else, prayer and mediation in the Presence of hwhy transform us, spiritually, into His image. Being continually transformed in this manner and possessing increasingly more of His mindset we are then exceedingly more capable of knowing and understanding His written Word in the Spirit. As a result, our times of Scripture 27 Acts 3: James 1:17, 1Corinthians 12:4-12, Ephesians 4: Galatians 1:15-16, 4:19, Colossians 1:27, Philemon 1:6, Hebrews 13:21 30 John 17:6, 26, Exodus 3: And Mosheh! Exodus 34: study will be abundantly more fruitful, and we will be mining the riches of true wisdom and true knowledge, as opposed to accepting and formulating false doctrines and man-made opinions. A Prophet Mighty in Deed and Word After His resurrection, the Messiah was seen by two believers on the road to Emmaus. As they spoke to eswhy of the Savior, their account of the Messiah s life contained a very significant and gripping statement: 18 And one of them, named Cleopas, answering said to Him, Do you alone sojourn in Yerushalayim and not know the things which have come to pass there in these days? 19 And He said to them, What things? And they said to Him, The things concerning eswhy the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before Elohim and all the people Luke 24:18-19 Note, once more, this commendation, and note the order! The Messiah of Yisrael was a prophet mighty in deed and word before Elohim and all the people. It is important to note here two things: 1. Deed precedes word. 2. Before Elohim precedes before the people. Through fasting and prayer, the Messiah showed Himself mighty in deed(s) before the Most High. Hence, at the time of temptation, He was also mighty in word: His spoken word prevailed as He uttered the truth of the Torah and opposed the schemes of the Devil. And upon coming forth from those forty days of being mighty before Elohim, 32 the Messiah returned in the power of the Spirit. 33 He was then mighty in deeds and words before all the people: 34 The Messiah was soon seen doing many works of power, including healing the sick and afflicted. 35 Might in words only comes in the Spirit after one has been mighty in deeds. And such might must first be before Elohim; only afterwards 32 Luke 4:1-13, 24:19, 2Corinthians 10: Luke 4:14 34 Luke 4: Luke 5:1-10, 12-14, 16-26; 6:6-10, 17-19; 7:1-22

6 may one be mighty in deeds and word before all the people. This is why believers can study Scripture until they are blue in the face and still not have a powerful grasp of the Word: 36 Might in His Word, and powerful revelations in the Spirit, only come from time and grade in fastingderived humility. Fasting and prayer are those deeds which much be done before Elohim 37 where there will never be any acknowledgement or any recognition from any man. And those who have set their love on the Most High do not need, or seek, the approval or recognition of man. 38 After He Had Ascended After His resurrection, the Messiah was seen by His followers for forty days: During this time, He spoke to them many things concerning the Kingdom of Elohim. 39 After eswhy had ascended, we read this about the spiritual activity of that group of approximately 120 believers: 14 These all continued with one accord, in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Miriam, the mother of eswhy, and with His brothers 15 (the number of the names together were about a hundred and twenty) Acts 1:14,15 (partial segment) So having walked with eswhy for some three years, and having been taught by the Messiah for forty days after His resurrection, what was the main emphasis and the main spiritual work of these believers after their Savior had ascended into the heavens? How obvious that prayer was their mainstay! And why not? They still longed for the Presence of their Messiah! And they would have that Presence through prayer 40 and through walking by the Spirit. While still with them, one of the greatest things the Messiah spoke of was taking up one s stake and daily following Him. 41 Prayer is a selfless activity which draws absolutely no attention to self, provided one is being led of the Spirit. 42 So in placing the greatest emphasis on prayer, and in making it the main spiritual work, we see how these disciples 36 As did Stephen! Acts 6: Matthew 6:5-6, Romans 2:28-29, 1Corinthians 4:3-4, Galatians 1:10, 5:24 39 Acts 1:3 40 1John 1: Luke 9:23, Mark 8:34, Matthew 16:24 42 Matthew 6:5-6 6 understood the meaning of dying daily 43 in their service to the Most High and His Messiah! It clearly shows how the first century believers fulfilled their life mission to follow Him daily: To walk as He walked, 44 they made prayer the main spiritual work! And so, following His Example, they continued in prayer with one accord. 45 And the immense blessings that soon followed are a record of spiritual history at its greatest! 46 First of All So our Messiah taught the supremacy of prayer: His Example gave prayer the place of absolute preeminence because His relationship with the Father was the most important part of His life. Accessing the Presence of His Father, and spending time with Him, was more important to eswhy than anything else. And the Savior taught that prayer would be the one thing which characterized the House of hwhy. Should we, then, be surprised to see the emissary Sha ul taught the very same thing? When writing to Timothy, Sha ul spoke of the preeminence which believers should give to prayer the central hub of True Worship: 1 I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men: 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all reverence and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of Elohim our Savior 8 I desire, therefore, that the men pray in every place, lifting up set apart hands, without wrath and disputing. 1Timothy 2:1-3,8 Prayer was to be the ongoing order of the day; prayer was to be the preeminent, spiritual work for every believer. Like hwhy and His Messiah, we notice that Sha ul was giving the foremost preeminence to prayer. But the emissary s instruction still continues through many lines, and his directives include other things: The Role of Women, 1Timothy 2: Corinthians 15:31, 2Corinthians 4:10-11, Philippians 2:5-8, 3:10, Luke 9:23, Mark 8:34, Matthew 16:24 44 John 21:22, 1John 2:4-6, 4:17 45 Acts 2:14 46 Acts 2:1 Revelation 22:21

7 The Qualifications of an Elder, 1Timothy 3:1-7 The Qualifications of a Deacon, 1Timothy 3:8-13 After these things, Sha ul arrives at the conclusion of this discourse a teaching which began with his words, First of all. Let us hear the summary of his extensive instructions: 14 These things I write to you, expecting to come to you shortly: 15 but if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the House of hwhy, which is the Assembly of the Living Elohim, the pillar and ground of the truth. 1Timothy 3:14-15 In this lengthy instruction, Sha ul related to Timothy how the Assembly of the Living Elohim should operate; he taught what things should be done in the House of hwhy. We read of Sha ul instructing Timothy (who was an elder), regarding how to lead the people of hwhy in the House of Elohim. But the emissary s discourse began with these clear words: I exhort, therefore, that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men 1Timothy 2:1 In keeping with the words of the Messiah, and in accordance with the Word of hwhy through Yeshayahu (Isaiah), Sha ul was stating prayer to be the thing of first and foremost importance in the House of hwhy! And so he taught Timothy the very first thing that should occur in a worship service is a time of extensive, all-inclusive, intercessory prayer for all men. Yet as we look today across the landscape of the Savior s adherents, prayer is simply not the thing that characterizes the House of hwhy. Visitors to most houses of worship might emerge and characterize their experience as having been in a house of singing, or in a house of worship, or in a house of Bible study, but seldom would (or could) anyone ever characterize the time by saying he or she had been in a house of prayer: Few congregations engage in worship which is permeated and typified by prayer Yet the Scriptures indicate prayer is the one thing which will characterize the House of hwhy. And such times of prayer must not be mechanical and 7 rote: Prayer must be driven by hearts filled with worship, humility, reverence, and thanksgiving. We must continually look to hwhy, even during our times of public worship. I have been a part of many worship settings in many areas of the country, and most services were very uplifting, but there has never been a meeting which is permeated by prayer. Nor was there ever a service which began with a time of extensive, earnest prayer according to the order of worship set forth by the apostle Sha ul in the first century. 47 May all of our readers determine to teach the truth of the Word on this matter, and to be examples to their fellow believers, so that this presently imbalanced situation will no longer prevail among the people of the Most High. The Warning From Hebrews: Do Not Harden Your Hearts One of the most important concepts seen in the book of Hebrews is that of drawing near to hwhy. The author of this book 48 repeatedly mentions drawing near to hwhy in prayer, as an essential, all-important aspect of the True Faith: Continually drawing near to the Throne/Presence of hwhy, through the blood of the Messiah, is a concept seen, emphasized, and repeated throughout the letter of Hebrews. The writer of Hebrews tells us the Messiah sends forth the heavenly messengers to minister to those who trust Him; 49 and he tells us eswhy came to destroy the works of the Devil; 50 he tells us the Messiah gives help to assist those who are tempted, so that they may have His power to overcome. 51 But this same writer also tells us the Messiah cannot do these things unless the believer is abiding in Him through prayer: Through prayer in the Name of eswhy, we must continually draw near to the Presence of hwhy to have His help. And this was nothing less than what the Messiah taught about abiding in Him through prayer: 47 1Timothy 2: (originally written as a letter) 49 Hebrews 1: Hebrews 2: Hebrews 2:17-18

8 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, except it abides in the vine; so neither can you, except you abide in Me. 5 I am the Vine, you are the branches. He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit: for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If a man does not abide in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, 52 and My words abide in you, 53 ask whatsoever you will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:4-7 When speaking through the prophets of old, hwhy refers to prayer as entering into His rest. 54 The author of Hebrews did likewise; thus, the context of his words shows that giving diligence to enter into His rest requires continual prayer; it requires us to continually draw near with a heart of reverence and gratitude: 11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience. 12 For the Word of Elohim is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. 14 Having, then, a great High Priest, who has passed through the heavens, eswhy the Son of Elohim, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but One that has been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the Throne of favor, that we may receive kindness, and may find favor to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:11-16 The above Scripture provides us with an inescapable conclusion: A believer is not giving diligence to enter His rest, unless that one is also continually drawing near, through prayer, to the Throne/Presence of hwhy. This, then, also explains that prayerlessness is largely what it means to neglect so great a salvation. 55 The text of Hebrews 4:16 (cited just above) mentions drawing near to the Throne of hwhy in our time of need. So when is this time of need? When we are sick, hurt, or injured? When we have financial needs? Only during times of temptation? It is when someone we know is in trouble? No, our time of need is far more than all these things combined! Our time of need is continual: Our time of need never ceases as long as we are clothed in this tabernacle of human flesh! A bit later in Hebrews, we read of eswhy and His times of prayer: 7 Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared; 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. Hebrews 5:7-8 The Messiah knew His time of need continued as long as He was in this present life, as long as He dwelt in a tabernacle of human flesh. And this Scripture indicates eswhy overcame through His prayers offered before hwhy. But we read nothing here about Bible study! The Messiah overcame by drawing near to the Most High: He overcame by dwelling in the secret place of the Most High! 56 In the days of His flesh, means: throughout His lifetime! And this fits precisely with the context of Hebrews 4:16: 16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the Throne of favor, that we may receive kindness, and may find favor to help us in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 The implication here is inescapable: Those who do not draw near will also not receive the needed help to overcome sin and the world. So we see that those who fail to continually draw near to the Throne of hwhy are also those who are not giving diligence to enter into His rest. 57 And they will not receive kindness and favor to help in their time of need. Those who do not don the armor of 52 (i.e., through continual prayer) 53 (i.e., through continual meditation) 54 Isaiah 28:12, 30:15, Jeremiah 6: Hebrews 2:3 56 Psalm 91:1, Matthew 6:4,6,18 57 Isaiah 28:12, 30:15, Jeremiah 6:16, Matthew 11:28-30

9 light, by continually drawing near to the Presence of hwhy in prayer, will not stand in the evil day. 58 The context of Psalm 95 shows us likewise: Those who do not continually draw near to hwhy are hardening their hearts, and so they are neglecting so great a salvation. 59 In this same letter to the Hebrews, its Messianic author contrasted those who continually draw near, in prayer, with those who harden their hearts by refusing to do so: 7 therefore, even as the Set Apart Spirit says, Today, if you will hear His voice, 8 harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, as in the day of the trial in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers tried Me by proving Me, and saw My works forty years. 10 Therefore, I was displeased with this generation, and said, They do always err in their heart: and they have not known My ways; 11 as I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter into My rest. Hebrews 3:7-11 But this teaching is not at all detached from the original context of the Scripture being cited: 60 the context of Psalm 95 clearly relates to bowing down before hwhy in prayer and worship: 6 Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before hwhy our Maker. 7 For He is our Elohim, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice, 8 harden not your heart, as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the wilderness; 9 when your fathers tempted Me, proved Me, and saw My work. 10 Forty years long was I grieved with that generation, and said, It is a people that do err in their heart, and they have not known My ways. 11 Therefore, I swore in My wrath, that they would not enter into My rest. Psalm 95:6-11 Continually bowing before hwhy answers the question of worship and allegiance: Are we placing Him above all else? 61 Are we setting our love upon Him, abiding in His Presence, and desiring to hear His voice? 62 If this is the nature of our praying, then we are fulfilling one of the most important aspects of the Shema the 58 Ephesians 6:13, Psalm 32:6 59 Hebrews 2:3 60 (i.e., Psalm 95:6-11) 61 Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Exodus 20:3 > Psalm 81:10 62 Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (Genesis 26:4-5), Psalm 91:14 9 command which the Messiah tells us is greater than every other commandment in the Torah! 63 Continually bowing before hwhy answers the question of need: Do we see our deep, spiritual need and our inability to do His will apart from the leading of the Spirit? 64 Continually bowing before hwhy answers the question of gratitude: Are we grateful for the life-breath He has given us? 65 Are we grateful for His many blessings, and are we grateful for the difficulties which He allows us to face in His sovereignty? 66 Continually bowing before hwhy answers the question of service: Are we offering petitions before Him for others who do not know Him? Are we praying for those in need? Are we, as intercessory priests, fulfilling His will by praying for all men? 67 And are we fulfilling the role of a priest by offering prayer for those fellow believers who want to do His will, for those who want His Kingdom to entirely permeate their lives? 68 And are we praying for the loving kindness of hwhy to subdue the will 69 of those who will yet be drawn to His Messiah? 70 A Royal Priesthood Let us give more attention to this priestly, intercessory aspect of prayer. Faith in eswhy has given believers the opportunity to partake in the Messiah s royal priesthood. 71 If we wish to ultimately qualify for a priestly position in the coming Kingdom, 72 we must know (and live) the answer to this question: 63 Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Matthew 22:35-38, Mark 12: Matthew 5:3. Proverbs 18:23 says, The poor makes entreaties. Those who do not make entreaties before hwhy simply have not learned, or acknowledged, their spiritual poverty, and this is why so many congregations and so many individuals are not given to, and do not yearn for, unbroken seasons of prayer. 65 Daniel 5: Thessalonians 5:17-18, Psalm 69:30-31, 107:22, 116:17, Jonah 2:9, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 2:7, 4:2 67 1Timothy 2:1 68 Ephesians 6:18 69 Psalm 117:2 (the literal Hebrew here reads: His loving kindness/chesed has prevailed over us), Romans 2:4 70 John 12:32 71 Revelation 1: Revelation 5:10, 20:4-6

10 What are the implications and the responsibilities of being part of a royal priesthood? 73 The priests were intercessors before hwhy regarding those things which pertain to men: For every high priest taken from among men is established for men in things of Elohim, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. Hebrews 5:1 This was in reference to the ha coheyn ha gadol, the Great Priest, yet through the prophet Malachi, the Spirit referred to all of His priests as messengers of hwhy of hosts: 4 And you will know that I have sent this commandment to you, that My covenant may be with Levi, says hwhy of hosts. 5 My covenant with him was of life and peace, and I gave them to him that he might fear; and he feared Me, and stood in awe before My Name. 6 The Torah of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. 7 For the priest s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the Torah from his mouth; for he is the messenger of hwhy of hosts. Malachi 2:4-7 We note that true priests upheld the Torah, 74 while those who had fallen away, declined from the Law and failed to teach Yisrael to keep the Shabbat and to uphold the other commandments of hwhy. 75 At times, such fallen priests even opposed the faithful prophets who had not fallen away, or forsaken the Torah! 76 The very same thing is now occurring in our days. 77 Our Messiah qualified for the priesthood because, during His time on earth, He made intercession for the transgressors: 4 Surely He has borne our sicknesses, and He carried our pain 12 yet He bore 73 1Peter 2:9 74 Leviticus 10:8-11, Deuteronomy 4:1,14, 5:31-6:9, Ezra 6:9-10, Matthew 5:17-20, Acts 24:14, Romans 3:31 75 Jeremiah 2:8, Ezekiel 22:26, Malachi 1:6-8, 2:1-8, Zephaniah 3:4 76 Jeremiah 1:18, 26:8-15, Amos 7: Sha ul warned the time would come when the teachings of the Torah would not be tolerated, being rejected by those who desire to reap the various rewards of advocating carnal, anti-torah precepts. 2Timothy 4: the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:4,12 While the 53 rd chapter of Isaiah is speaking of the Messiah s sufferings, death, and resurrection, He also spent far more than the last few hours of His life interceding for those sheep in His care. We will study more surrounding His times of prayer in a moment. Those who have made it their life s mission to follow eswhy, to seek first the Kingdom of Elohim and His righteousness, all such believers have been given the greatest privilege and opportunity in this life time: the honor of following our Messiah by interceding, in prayer, for the spiritual benefit of others. True Ministry Far be it from me that I should sin against hwhy in ceasing to pray for you, but I will instruct you in the good and right way. The Prophet Samuel Intercession is a two-way process: When we offer prayer to hwhy on behalf of others, He can then use us in their lives to bring spiritual blessings and benefits. Prayer makes the believer a vessel prepared, 78 because it establishes the heart to seek hwhy. 79 Apart from a ministryservice built on a foundation of prayer, any service we provide to others is only an effort in our own strength, an effort in the flesh; and these labors will not ultimately be blessed with the lasting results which are worthy of a reward before the Judgment Seat of the Messiah. 80 Thanks be to hwhy, He has given us a number of examples of men who were priests, or who operated in a priestly-servant fashion to make the ancient paths of the Torah known to those who sought the Most High. Mosheh The prophet Mosheh prayed/interceded for Yisrael many times. In what may be one of his most memorable instances, this man of Elohim even expressed his willingness to be blotted out of 78 2Timothy 2: Chronicles 30: When Hezekiah prayed for those who prepared their hearts to seek hwhy, we must realize the word prepare, first means establish in the Hebrew language. 80 2Corinthians 5:10

11 the Book of Life (thus, willingly surrendering his right to the First Resurrection 81 ): And now, if You would forgive their sin, but if not, please blot me out of Your book which You have written. Exodus 32:32 In Deuteronomy 9:7-29, Mosheh gives an extended account of some of his most critical times of intercession for the people of Yisrael. Samuel Samuel the priest prayed for the people of Yisrael on many occasions, and he has left us a remarkable example. In one case, his ministry of intercession fulfilled a prophecy made by his mother, Channah. In her exultation over Samuel s birth, this prophetess indicated hwhy would thunder from the heavens upon his enemies: The adversaries of hwhy shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven He will thunder upon them: hwhy will judge the ends of the earth; and He will give strength to his king, and exalt the horn of His anointed. 1Samuel 2:10 82 Years later, after her son had become a priest over Yisrael, this Scripture was remarkably fulfilled by Samuel s intercession for the people: 7 And when the Philistines heard that the children of Yisrael were gathered together to Mizpah, the princes of the Philistines went up against Yisrael. And when the children of Yisrael heard it, they 81 For the sake of his fellow Yisraelites, Sha ul would have willed the same for himself, if it would bring salvation to others. Romans 9:3 These two men are further proof of the truth of Reconciliation: Are we to suppose that either Mosheh or Sha ul were willing to relegate themselves to an eternal torment in the Lake of Fire? Hardly; especially since no such thing exists! And for those who believe in annihilation, are we to suppose that either Mosheh or Sha ul were willing to relegate themselves to being eternally decimated, forever turned to ashes to never again know existence? By no means; however, these men were willing to surrender the Great Reward of bodily salvation in the First Resurrection! 82 This text will have one of its greatest fulfillments when hwhy thunders out of heaven upon the inhabitants of the Earth in these Last Days. Revelation 4:5-5:14, 8:5-13, 10:1-7, 11: In great, burning wrath, He will judge the ends of the earth and punish those who walk in anti-torah lawlessness. Psalm 119:126, Isaiah 24:1-6, 2Peter 3:10-12, Revelation 16:8 11 were afraid of the Philistines. 8 And the children of Yisrael said to Samuel, Cease not to cry to hwhy our Elohim for us, that He will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. 9 And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering unto hwhy: and Samuel cried to hwhy for Yisrael; and hwhy answered him. 10 And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Yisrael; but hwhy thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and troubled them; and they were smitten down before Yisrael. 1Samuel 7:7-10 On a later occasion, the people of Yisrael realized their sin in asking for a king, and they requested Samuel s intercession. In part of his answer, he shows the priestly order of true ministry: Far be it from me that I should sin against hwhy in ceasing to pray for you, but I will instruct you in the good and right way. 1Samuel 12:24 It is important to see that Samuel s prayers for Yisrael were in advance of His teaching them: prayer had the preeminence over Bible study. Both were very important, but prayer must precede and accompany the teaching. Prayer was the first priority. eswhy the Messiah We believe the Messiah individually prayed for many of those He healed. While we have no direct scriptural proof of this, eswhy did say (in a context of healing the sick) that He only did what He saw His Father doing! 83 We believe the Messiah certainly saw the Father doing great works in the Spirit during those times He drew near to hwhy in prayer. So it is not unreasonable to expect the Messiah saw the Father healing the afflicted as eswhy offered supplications on their behalf. We also know eswhy prayed for His immediate followers, 84 and watched over His flock (in prayer) by night. 85 The Good Shepherd laid down His life for the sheep, 86 and a significant part of that involved offering continual prayers for their 83 John 5: Luke 22:31-32, John 17: Genesis 31:38-40, Luke 2:8 >> Matthew 14:23-33, Luke 6:12-13, John 17: John 10:11,14-15, 27-30

12 spiritual nourishment and protection. eswhy would later speak of this prayer-service (the hidden aspect of His ministry that made Him mighty before Elohim 87 ) which He rendered by continually watching in prayer on behalf of His disciples: While I was with them, I kept them in Your Name which You have given Me: and I guarded them, and not one of them perished, except the son of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled. John 17:12 eswhy guarded His sheep by continually watching over them in prayer, and those prayers kept His sheep in the Name/Spirit/power of hwhy. Those who aspire to be true shepherds of the flock must know that prayer and prayer alone will be the thing which protects the sheep from the spiritual enemies of their souls. Of this watching in prayer, Sha ul wrote: Obey your leaders, and be submissive; for they watch over your souls as those that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not grief, for this is unprofitable for you. Hebrews 13:17 Finally, in those last moments before His death on the Tree, the loving heart of the Messiah continued to pour out prayer and compassion for those who mocked and abused Him. 88 First Century Apostles Gave Priority to Prayer It has always bothered me since the day those words were first spoken: One elder of a certain congregation actually accused the apostles of being pompous! Here is the written account (given by Luke) which led to this man s off-base deduction: 1 Now in these days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a murmuring of the Hellenists against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 And the twelve called the multitude of the disciples to them, and said, It is not fitting that we should forsake the word of Elohim and serve tables. 3 But seek out for yourselves, brothers, seven men from among you of good report, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will continue steadfastly in prayer and in the ministry of the Word. Acts 6:1-4 We cannot overlook the order set forth in this last sentence: Prayer preceded the ministry of the Word. Both are important, but prayer must continually precede (and then accompany) any effective ministry effort. And we cannot help but compare these words of the apostles with those great words of the prophet Samuel: Far be it from me that I should sin against hwhy in ceasing to pray for you, but I will instruct you in the good and right way. 1Samuel 12:24 The words of Samuel are not identical to the words of the apostles, but all these men of faith are clearly in unity over one thing: placing prayer above and before the ministry of the Word. So we assert the apostles of the Lamb were not being pompous in any way. They did not ignore the need to care for hungry, dependent widows! 89 They set forth other faithful men to fulfill these physical necessities. And in actuality, the apostles were being rather wise in avoiding the arena of food and eating altogether! The Word of hwhy indicates they would surely be fasting often after the Messiah had ascended into the heavens. 90 Frequent fasting was another hidden aspect of the prayer-service which these humble men rendered to the believers in the first century. In stepping away from anything related to food-service, these men were, of spiritual necessity, avoiding the distraction of food to remain set apart for the priestly service of prayer and teaching. And why would they do anything except give preeminence to prayer, since that is what they had seen their Messiah doing while He was walking among them? The Emissary Sha ul Imagine having continual, heartfelt prayer for people you have never even met! Most believers do well to offer earnest prayer for the significant others in their lives, but what about those who may seem less significant? Are we remembering them with earnest petitions to hwhy for their 87 Luke 24:19, 2Corinthians 10: Matthew 5:44, Mark 11:25, Luke 23: James 1:27 90 Matthew 9:14-15, 2Corinthians 6:5, 11:27

13 spiritual well-being? The following is what the emissary wrote about his prayers for those believers in Colossae and Laodicea, including those he had never personally met: 1 For I would that you know what great conflict I have for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 that their hearts may be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the secret of Elohim, and of the Father, and of the Messiah. Colossians 2:1-2 We note that Sha ul s word for prayer in this text is conflict: This apostle was actually warring in prayer for the spiritual well-being of the individuals in these congregations. Once more, this connects us with his words to the Corinthians: 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through Elohim to the casting down of strongholds) 2Corinthians 10:3-4 And it is further evidence that we may only put on the armor of light by praying in the Spirit. But we must not miss the point: Here was a man who knew that his prayers were the ultimate, most powerful way (really, the only way!) to minister spiritual benefit to people in distant lands, some of whom he had never even met! We see only love and service in the priestly heart of one who would intercede for people he had never met. Of course, the apostle s subsequent letter(s) brought the anointing of the Spirit to those for whom he prayed. Yet, once more, we see prayer as having the preeminence over teaching and study of the Scriptures: and such prayer-service was rendered in advance of the emissary s teachings! In many other places, Sha ul wrote words of encouragement which convey to us that prayer was not only the mainstay all his other ministry work, but prayer was, far and away, in the forefront of his work as a true shepherd of hwhy: 15 Therefore, I also, after I heard of your faith in the Sovereign eswhy, and love to all the set-apart ones, 16 cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the Elohim 13 of our Sovereign eswhy the Messiah, the Father of splendor, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the splendor of His inheritance in the set-apart ones, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe Ephesians 1: We always give thanks to Elohim for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Sovereign eswhy the Messiah, in the sight of Elohim and our Father 1Thessalonians 1: Therefore, we also pray always for you, that our Elohim would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 that the Name of our Sovereign eswhy the Messiah may be honored in you, and you in Him, according to the favor of our Elohim, and of the Sovereign eswhy the Messiah. 2Thessalonians 1:11-12 But we are bound to give thanks always to Elohim for you, brothers, beloved by the Sovereign, because Elohim has, from the beginning, chosen you to salvation, through being set apart of the Spirit, and belief of the truth 2Thessalonians 2:13 I thank my Elohim, always making mention of you in my prayers Philemon 1:4 And when the Galatians had spiritual problems, Sha ul wrote that his earnest prayers for them were tantamount to a woman travailing in labor: 19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until the Messiah is formed in you Galatians 4:19 Prayer for others is completely selfless: We are unnoticed by all others, 91 including those we so serve. Bearing the burden of others in prayer will prepare our hearts and will often lead to the power and working of the Spirit which enables us to 91 (except hwhy, Matthew 6:6)