Prayer: A Biblical Examination and Applications

By D.S.T. E. G. Sherman Jr. PHD.

This book is an eclectic study of some dimensions of prayer. It is a Bible-based analysis (KJV). While recognizing that the concept, prayer, is widely viewed with numerous contexts, this book is anchored in the Judeo-Christian perspective. It makes no claim to present a universally accepted definition of prayer, the appropriate time for prayer, place of prayer, nor the one to utter the petition. The book is rather a collection of sermons based on texts lifted from scripture found in the Bible. The intent of this book is to present a focused study on selected topics on prayer as found in the Bible and viewed within the Judeo-Christian religion. This book is a valuable resource for addition to the innumerable sources on the topic of prayer. It is focused on prayer based on the Bible (KJV). It excludes the many social foci—so often overshadowing meaning and utilization of prayer—what is prayer, when to pray, where to pray, the time to prayer, the day to pray, who should lead in prayer, how to know when prayer is answered! This book is an easy reading resource that requires no extensive formal nor religious education. It can be likened unto reading the newspaper, emails, magazines, or TV aids. However, its message has relevance for daily living, the ultimate transition and eternal existence. Thus, its many usages include personal study, Bible study classes, and evangelism.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781640820852

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Prayer:

A Biblical Examination and Applications

E. G. Sherman Jr., PhD, DST, DA

Copyright © 2017 E. G. Sherman Jr., PHD., D.S.T., D.A.

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2017

ISBN 978-1-64082-084-5 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64082-085-2 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my parents, the late Eugene Sherman, Sr. and Mary Martin Sherman, who were the first teachers in teaching my siblings—the late Willie Frank and James Lord—Larry Wendell, Mary Eunice, and Glory Nadine—to learn the childhood prayer. It was now lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. As we grew older, they introduced us to the Lord’s Prayer as recorded in Matthew 6:9–12. They later taught us to individualize our prayers. Dad and Mom always had a period of prayer before each of our daily family meals, then known as breakfast, dinner, and supper. Our early exposure to prayer continued in both the school and church settings.

The book is, also, dedicated to the countless persons for whom I have prayed within my ministry as pastor, teacher, counselor, at marriage ceremonies, in domestic crises, during family adversities, in hospital confinement at nursing homes, funerals, and crises in living.

Lastly, this book is dedicated to all who have chosen to read it and, hopefully, will gain confidence in the value of prayer in coping with the reality of daily living and preparing for the eternal transition when ye shall be no more. Such was the case of my beloved wife of thirty-nine years, Dr. Dolores E. Sherman, who underwent this inevitable transition on December 12, 2008.

Preface

This book on prayer is based on a compilation of sermons along with some lectures given in worships and/or seminars preached or delivered by this writer. It makes no attempt to claim to meet the academic/theological status required for textbooks. Instead, it is a collection of topics used to undergird messages used for sermons and/or lectures on the topic of prayer.

This encompasses no major divisions−i.e., old and new testaments (KJV) nor does it claim a historical anchor. Instead, it was structured in accordance to the time of uses for both sermons and lectures.

The ultimate intent of this book is to provide a pragmatic source for personal reading, family study, and evangelism rather than as a textbook for use in the study on prayer. Hopefully, it will be a source to help the reader(s) gleam insights on prayer.

Acknowledgment

Words of appreciation are extended to the members of Institutional First Baptist Church of Albany, Georgia, where this writer is pastor, the untold number of persons who view my weekly posted sermons on www.biblicalechoes02.com, and host of individuals who have and continue to purchase copies of this writer’s books at signing events, online, and even at the author’s office.

Introduction

Prayer is a channel by which humankind seeks to approach its supreme being(s). Prayer ranges from the individual petitioner to the cooperate form within group settings. While the individual prayer may be uttered at any time, the time for cooperate prayer varies among faith groups and denominations. Within the Abrahamic religions, the cooperate prayer times are as follows: Islam, Friday noon; Judaism, Saturday; Christianity, Sunday; and the Seventh-Day Adventist, Friday PM.

Prayer has been and continues to be a consoling force that enables the praying individual to cope with the problems and uncertainties in daily life. The prayer contents may include expressions of appreciation for past blessings; an utterance for direction, protection, or assistance in the attainment of a goal; or a mere articulation of adoration for the deity to whom it is directed.

Prayer can be silently uttered, audibly expressed, or written in the form of a note or letter. In terms of posture, prayer can be offered while standing upright, body bowed, kneeling, walking, or traveling by some mode of transportation. Its duration can range from momentarily to an extended period of fasting.

Prayer is different from psychological mind control (meditation) in that it is directed to a supreme being for succor; whereas, meditation is focused on the individual’s capacity to personally envision outcomes through the process of affirmation and/or denial.

Prayer is an often-recommended therapy in times of disasters, losses, prolonged illness, coping with death and bereavement.

As a pastor, teacher, and seminary professor, this writer has had over fifty years of experience praying with families, teaching others, and personal utilization of prayer. To share some of these experiences and hopefully offer guidelines for persons seeking to reinforce their prayer life, this booklet was compiled from sermons this author preached on prayer. As noted on the cover, it is entitled Prayer: A Biblical Examination and Applications.

Chapter 1

Prayer

Matthew 6:5–8

There are many different religions in the world. They have their supreme being, sacred book, rituals, and doctrines. The religions also embrace practices by which humankind can relate to the supreme being. This process is known as prayer, a recurring theme in the Holy Bible. Sadly, this glorious process is misunderstood, incorrectly viewed, and even taken too casually by professing Christians. To, hopefully, properly align our view with biblical teaching on prayer, the sermon has been entitled Prayer. It will entail three dimensions of prayer, namely, the nature of prayer, errors in prayer, and power in prayer.

As background for