Some years ago I (Eddie) contacted prayer leader Ron Gaynor from Atlanta, Georgia, to ask him to prepare a Bible lesson on 1 Kings 18.

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1 Section 4: The God to Whom We Pray Lesson Twenty-Three: How Does Your Prayer Life Compare? Some years ago I (Eddie) contacted prayer leader Ron Gaynor from Atlanta, Georgia, to ask him to prepare a Bible lesson on 1 Kings 18. "Ron," I said, "would you please prepare a lesson for us concerning Elijah and the false prophets?" He said, "Eddie, I don t know what you mean." "Ron, surely you know the story of Elijah and the four hundred fifty false prophets of Baal mentioned in 1 Kings 18?" "Eddie, those weren t false prophets." "Of course they were, Ron." "No they weren t. They weren t false prophets. They were prophets of a false god." Ron then explained to me the process the four hundred fifty prophets went through trying to get Baal to answer them. They took the bull given them and prepared it. They called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. They shouted. They danced around the altar they had made. They endured Elijah s taunting. They shouted louder. They slashed themselves with swords and spears until their blood flowed. They frantically prophesied until the time for the evening sacrifice. They ultimately laid down their very lives for their false god. Then Ron challenged me. "Eddie, you know the true and living God. How does your prayer life compare with theirs?" That s a probing question, isn t it? The first commandment God gave man was, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Exod. 20:3, KJV). Yet today, men and women worship other gods around the world. In fact, the Hindus worship more than three hundred million gods! Curiosity caused me (Eddie) to walk into an idol shop in Madras, India. There, perched on a small platform, sat an elderly man holding a large piece of hardwood with his feet while he chopped away on it with a hammer and chisel. "What are you doing?" I asked him through my interpreter.

2 He looked up with a smile and said, "I am carving a god." "Which god are you carving?" I questioned. He pointed to a smaller one on a display shelf nearby. "This one," he replied. "And just what does this god do?" I asked him. "He is the god of prosperity," he proclaimed. With a frantic look on my face, I leaned in close and fervently said, "Quick, finish him!" "Why? What s the hurry?" he asked me curiously through the interpreter. I pointed out the glass door to the lepers lying on the sidewalks and the beggars in the streets. "Hurry and get him finished so he can do his job and help these poor people." I will never forget the look on his face. He pondered what I said and looked back at me with eyes that spoke, "That really makes sense." We ve seen people around the world walk or even crawl into shrines, sacrificially give their money, burn incense and pray to gods that will never hear and answer them. The demons behind these man-made idols are bent on only one thing. That is "to steal and kill and destroy" people (John 10:10). Read Acts 19:26. What did the apostle Paul say about the idols "made with human hands" that he saw in the city of Ephesus? Read 1 Corinthians 8:4. What did Paul tell the Corinthians about man-made idols? Idols and Idol Worshipers God s Word discloses the following truths about idols and idol worship: Those who worship idols actually worship demons. (Read 1 Corinthians 10:20; Revelation 9:20.) Idols are mute, blind, deaf and cannot walk. (Read 1 Corinthians 12:2; Revelation 9:20.) Idols pollute what they touch. (Read Acts 15:20.) Idols defile the land. (Read Jeremiah 7:30 31.) Idol worshipers are deceived. (Read 1 Timothy 4:1.) The children of Israel were exiled because of idols. (Read Acts 7:43.) We are to have nothing to do with idols. (Read Acts 15:29; 2 Corinthians 6:16 17; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 1 John 5:21.) Praying in Jesus name Throughout Scripture, when we pray we are encouraged to approach God and make our requests in Jesus name. We have four grown children. When they were young, we gave them

3 assignments to do. But to suggest that they do it in our name would add weight to the assignment. For example, if we were to say, "Robert (our eldest son), when you go to the hardware store, tell Mr. Jones that your dad, Eddie Smith, says thanks for loaning him the yard blower," the weight of Eddie s name adds credibility to Robert s statement. In Micah 4:5 we read, "All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever." Remember, you represent Christ in your daily walk. Renowned conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, suggesting that we should be careful of what we say, is known for his phrase, "Words mean things." Well, names mean things as well. Here are the meanings of some names that appear in Scripture: Adam "earthy" Abraham "father of a great multitude" Deborah "of the honey bee" Issac "laughter" Jabez "pain" Hannah "grace" Isaiah "the salvation of the Lord" John "the beloved" In the New Testament, Jesus picks up on this theme. In John 14:13 14 we read, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (Read also John 16:23 24, 26.) Names do matter, as the following story suggests. Many years ago the Berlitz family founded the language schools that are now famous around the world. They were purchased by the Crowell-Collier Publishing House, which now operates the Berlitz School of Languages of America, Inc. The Berlitz family is no longer involved. Now there is litigation between the publisher and the grandson of the founder over whether he can use his own name as a self-employed writer and travel expert. The litigation even involves the use of the Berlitz name by Mrs. Berlitz and the children. The publisher contends that Mr. Berlitz cannot write without being guilty of unfair practices. The name, the publisher claims, "has become a unique and valuable property" owned by his company. The episode is not funny to either party. Mr. Berlitz contends that a name cannot be bought. Perhaps, though, there is a moral here for each of us. Our name represents what we are. Its value cannot be calculated in dollars and cents. Read Proverbs 18:10. What does the name of the Lord provide for us? Read Mark 16: What does the name of Jesus give us the authority to do?

4 Read John 14: What did Jesus say He would do if we pray in His name? When we pray in His name, we are praying: 1. With His authority When we pray with Jesus authority we are acknowledging His divinity. He is God! Furthermore, we are actually claiming Calvary s victory for our need. You might say that we are drawing from His "heavenly bank account" by utilizing the power of attorney He has given us. 2. For His sake When we pray in Jesus name, we are using His name as a reference. But more than that, we are praying in His place. For us to pray what He would otherwise have prayed, we must pray according to His will and His character. We cannot do this unless we know His Word. As we immerse ourselves in His Word and walk in obedience to Him, we have communion with His Spirit, which results in ourselves and our prayers being conformed to His image. 3. In relationship with Him When we pray in Jesus name, we are praying on the basis of our relationship with Him. In Acts 19:14 16 we read an interesting story of the seven Sceva brothers, preacher s kids (sons of a Jewish chief priest). They attempted to do deliverance ministry in Jesus name, without having a personal relationship with Jesus. Bad idea! One day an evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" With that, the man who had the demonic spirit jumped on them, overpowered them and "gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding." The name of Jesus is the gateway through which true prayers must enter heaven. His name is the "pass key" that opens heaven s account. Concerning His name, revivalist Wesley Duewel encourages us to: Remind yourself of what His Name represents. Delight yourself in His precious Name. Express your love for Him by using His Name. Believe on His Name. Bring forth your requests in His Name. Use the authority of His Name. Rebuke Satan in His Name. Sanctify your prayers in His Name. Get His assistance by using His Name. Use Jesus Name as a shelter. Do everything in the Name of Jesus. Think about it

5 How has God related to you in the following roles? Master Teacher Lord Daddy We worship an idol any time we put something on someone else before God. What are some of the "idols" worshiped by people today? When we pray, we have the privilege of praying in God s authority. Describe the results of a time when you prayed in God s authority rather than in your own. Write a prayer to God, telling Him what His name means and has meant to you. Your time with God Wow! Just think of it! We can talk with the almighty God of the universe. We don t have to wait for an appointment or a future date, but we can talk with Him right now. We ve learned the different names for God. Just like our grandson Adriel, you can call God your Abba, Father! Set aside a time when you can pray to God by referring to all of His names that you can think of. As you do, your heart will lift, and your spirit will soar. Look in the Bible for some of His names, and call them aloud. Names like Abba, Alpha and Omega, the Door, the Lily of the Valley, the Bread of Life, Savior, Messiah, the True Vine, Counselor, Prince of Peace, Christ (the Anointed), Lamb of God, Redeemer, Rock of our salvation, Lord of the harvest, Lion of the tribe of Judah and others. What stumbling blocks hinder your development in prayer? Confess them to the Lord. Be transparent with God. Remember that the important issue about prayer is not what you call God, but that you do call on Him. Call on Jesus now, won t you? Lord Jesus, You are so magnificently complex and yet so profoundly simple. It is my great and overwhelming privilege to call on You. You are not a dead god, like Buddha or Vishnu, but You, O living God, are interceding for me this very moment. Father, I love You and praise You for pulling me out of the darkness and giving me so great salvation. Jesus, I love being Your friend. Thank You for the incredible sacrifice You made on the cross. I can t even imagine the pain You suffered, but I am deeply grateful. Show me how to love You more. Holy Spirit of God, teach me the Scriptures. Reveal the ways of God to me. Show me how to love people as Jesus does. In Jesus name, amen.

6 Have a blessed week, Eddie and Alice "America s prayer coaches" ======================================== Intercessors, like "spiritual defense attorneys," plead the cases of others in prayer before God's throne. Eddie and Alice present their readers fresh insights into effective intercessory prayer as they view it through "another lense." Spiritual Advocates: How to plead for justice, stand in the gap, and make a difference in the world by praying for others, may be their most unique book yet! For more info, or to order goto: ======================================== Enroll in this free 52Week School of Prayer at It s based on Eddie and Alice's book, Drawing Closer to God's Heart: A Totally Practical Non-Religious Guide to Prayer. It s offered with generous permission from Strang Communications, the publisher. For more information or to order the book visit: