Religion
What is the gift of prayer?
Ronald W. Holmes, Ph.D.
Special to Capital Outlook
It is common for people to receive gifts for special occasions such as birthdays, holidays, weddings or anniversaries. While these gifts are apropos for the event, the critical questions to be asked are: What is the gift of prayer? What is significant about the gift of prayer available to all humankind? On September 27, these questions were addressed at First Timothy Baptist Church’s Wednesday Night Bible Study.
Dr. Ronald Holmes was the facilitator for the bible study utilizing the book titled, Beyond the Sunday Sermon. Holmes noted that God has given us the gift of prayer to help us to navigate through life’s burdens, conflicts, disappointments, and hardships. Holmes cited that Jesus instructs us to always pray and not to faint (Luke 18:1); and when we pray say, “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven…” (Matthew 6: 9-10).
Regarding the lesson on the significance of the gift of prayer to all humankind, Dr. Holmes noted three key points: (1) the priesthood of Christ; (2) the preeminence of Christ; and (3) the provision of Christ. Holmes said we have a great high priest in Jesus who passed through the heavens and is on the right hand of God interceding for us when we are sad, broken, and depressed (Romans 8:24). Thus, we must be steadfast in our prayer, hold fast to our confession of faith, and believe that Jesus can answer our prayers when petitioned. Holmes said the proof is in St. Matthew 21: 22 that reads, “And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
In key point two, Dr. Holmes indicated the preeminence of Christ is that we have a great high priest who is superior and first in everything. He carried our burdens, was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). Further, Holmes noted that we have a great high priest who can be touched with a feeling of our infirmities (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus feels what we feel and hurts when we hurt. Our pain is his pain. He is always available to hear our concerns as recorded in Philippians 4: 6-7.
Regarding key point three, Dr. Holmes noted that Christ promises to supply all our needs as recorded in Philippians 4:19. Holmes indicated that we must come boldly to the throne of grace so we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). It is because Jesus conquered death and prepared a place for us that we must be prepared for his return.
In short, this bible study about the gift of prayer is to encourage and remind people of the benefits for praising, worshiping and knowing the Lord. He has made the gift of prayer available to all of us.
Next Wednesday night’s (October 4) lesson is, “Believing the Promise” from the book, Beyond the Sunday Sermon. To hear the lesson online from 7:00p.m. – 8:00p.m., you can go to the First Timothy Baptist Church’s website. The book can be purchased online from Amazon.com.
Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of 26 books and publisher of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper. Holmes is a former teacher, school administrator, test developer and district superintendent. He has written children’s books about the coronavirus, solar system, flowers, careers and school bullying. His adult books focus on religion, hazing, workplace bullying, bipolar disorders, issues in education and completing the dissertation.
