prayers – Ministry of Grace Church

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1 Peter 3:12 – Blessing Eyes, Condemning Face

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Will

Because the eyes of the lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the lord is against those who do evil."

Truth to Learn

God is watching over and listening to His righteous children, but He frowns on those who aren’t.

Behind the Words

“Eyes” is from the Greek word ophthalmos, meaning “eye.” It is derived from the verb optanomai, meaning “to see.”

The Greek word epi, meaning “on, over, or upon” appears twice in this verse. The first time it is translated “on” and the second time it is translated “against.” The reason for this is explained below.

The word translated “righteous” is dikaios, which means “one who does right” or “one who is just.”

“Prayers” is from the Greek word dēomai, meaning “to make known one's particular need.”

The word “face” is translated from prosōpon, which is made up of pros, meaning “toward” and ōps (derived from optanomai, “to see”), referring to the area of the face around the eyes. Prosopon is nearly always translated “face.”

Meaning Explained

Today’s verse and the previous two verses are taken from the book of Psalms where it says:

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; the face of the LORD is against those who do evil … (Psalms 34:12-16a)

This demonstrates that even this common fisherman (Peter) had studied and memorized the scriptures of his day. Let us not use the excuse that the Bible is too complicated or too difficult to understand as our reason for not studying and memorizing it, since this common, uneducated fisherman was able to do it!

Isn’t it interesting that the Greek translation of this Old Testament passage used the same word (epi) for the eyes of the Lord being “on” the righteous and the face of the Lord being “against” evil doers. Here’s why. The Hebrews of that day believed that having God’s eyes on you indicated the presence of His blessing whereas having God’s face on (or over) you was an indication of His condemnation and coming wrath.

If you study the book of Romans, you will find that it is because of our faith in the blood of Jesus that we have been declared righteous by God. We have this righteousness credited to us the same way Abraham was declared righteous, because he believed God. Because we believe God’s message about His Son (He died in the cross to pay for our sins, and He arose from the grave), His eyes of blessing are on us. But those who reject God’s message regarding His Son will suffer His wrath because His face is over them watching all their faithless sin.

Application

Are God’s eyes on you or is his face against you? It all depends on your position in Christ. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His eyes are on you. Otherwise …

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 1:2 – Prayer Warriors

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Will

We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers,

Truth to Learn

Our ministry should be focused on what God will do for others.

Behind the Words

The words “We give thanks” are translated from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant” or “to give.” The basic meanings of this word include “to show oneself to be pleased or grateful” or “to give thanks.”

“Always” is from pantote, which is a compound word composed of pan, meaning “all” or “every” and tote, which literally means “the when,” but by usage it means “then.” So a completely literal translation of this word would be “every when,” that is, “at all times.”

“Making mention” is translated from poioumenoi mneian. Poioumenoi is the present participle of the verb poieō (to make), so it literally means “making.” Mneian is based on the verb mnaomai, meaning “to remember.” Thus mneian refers to “a remembrance.” So, Paul is literally saying “making a remembrance of you …”

The word translated “prayers” is proseuchē, which is made up of pros, meaning “to” or “toward” and a form of euchomai, meaning “to wish” or “to pray.” Proseuchē refers specifically to a prayer (or wish) expressed to God.

Meaning Explained

We see something here that is very characteristic of the Apostle Paul. He is a person of prayer as much as (perhaps even more than) he is a preacher. His letters often talk about how he remembers in his prayers, and is thankful for, those to whom he is writing (Romans 1:9; 1 Corinthians 1:4; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4; Colossians 1:3; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 1:4). We also see here an example of how often Paul is engaged in prayer (pantote = “every when”), that is, all the time. Based on what he has written to this church and others, Paul was constantly in prayer. Perhaps, he was not audibly praying at all times, but he seems to have been in constant communication with our Heavenly Father. He obviously practiced what he preached, for later in this very letter he admonishes his readers to “pray without ceasing” (1Thessalonians 5:17).

However, Paul was not a lonely prayer warrior. He states very clearly here that “We give thanks …” It appears that Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy spent time together praying about their ministry and praying for those to whom they ministered. These servants of God did not just preach the gospel to one group of people and then move on to preach to others, forgetting those to whom they ministered as soon as they were out of sight. No, they made constant remembrances of every church they had ministered to and probably remembered most of the people by name.

These faithful ministers were not focused on what God would do for them; they were focused on what God would do for others through them.

Application

Do you have a specific ministry within the church? If so, are you ministering to others for what you can get out of it, or are you ministering to others for what they can get from God? And, do you pray regularly for those to whom you minister?

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 1:16 – Giving Thanks

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Will

do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Truth to Learn

Thanksgiving is an important part of the Christian life.

Behind the Words

“Cease” is from the Greek word pauō, meaning “to stop” or “to pause.” It is expressed here in the middle voice (action done by the subject to the subject), so the meaning is “to stop myself.”

The words “giving thanks” are translated from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant a favor.” Eucharisteō carries the meaning “to be thankful or grateful.”

“Making” is from the verb poieō, which means “to make” or “to do.” It is expressed here as a present participle in the middle voice. So, it literally means “making myself.”

The word “mention” is from the noun mneia, which is from the verb mnaomai, meaning “to remember.” Thus, mneia refers to “a remembrance” or “a recollection.”

“Prayers” is from proseuchē, which is made up of pros, meaning “to or toward” and a form of euchomai, meaning “to make a wish.” Proseuchē, therefore, is a wish or a desire expressed toward God.

Meaning Explained

In order to get the full impact from today’s verse we must combine it with the previous verse:

Because of this, I also, having heard of the faith of those among you in the Lord Jesus, which you show toward all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, making remembrance of you in my prayers.

As we saw in the previous verse, the church in Ephesus continued to grow, demonstrating their faith to all Christians. This so pleased the Apostle Paul that he continually gave thanks to God for the believers in the Ephesian church.

Paul here demonstrates that he practices what he preaches. He told the church at Thessalonica:

pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1Thessalonians 5:17-18)

Prayer is a critically important part of our relationship with God. In the New Testament alone, prayer is mentioned more than 130 times. Jesus mentions it more than fifty times and Paul mentions it more than forty times. Jesus is said to be praying about fifteen times and Paul mentions himself praying about fifteen times as well. If it was that important to them, it should be just as important to us.

Application

Many Christians think of prayer as asking God for something. Indeed, we are told to make our requests known to God, but we are also told to thank Him. In fact, giving thanks is mentioned about fifty times in the New Testament. It is far more important than asking for something. Giving thanks demonstrates your recognition that God has already done something for you. It is an active indication of the strength of your faith. How many times have you prayed to God for something and then forgot to thank Him when He answered your prayer? Let’s take some time right now to thank God for what He has already done!

In God's service, for His glory,

1 Thessalonians 1:2 – Prayer Warriors

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Will

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

Truth to Learn

Our ministry should be focused on what God will do for others.

Behind the Words

Meaning Explained

These faithful ministers were not focused on what God would do for them; they were focused on what God would do for others through them.

Application

In God's service, for His glory,

Ephesians 1:16 – Giving Thanks

Posted on August 18, 2011 by Will

Ephesians 1:16 – Giving Thanks

do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:

Truth to Learn

Thanksgiving is an important part of the Christian life.

Behind the Words

The words “give thanks” are translated from the Greek verb eucharisteō, which is made up of eu, meaning “good” or “well” and a form of charidzomai, meaning “to grant a favor.” Eucharisteō carries the meaning “to be thankful or grateful.” It is expressed as a participle; thus it means “giving thanks.”

“Making” is from the verb poieō, which means “to make” or “to do.” It is expressed here as a present participle in the middle voice. So, it literally means “making myself.”

The word “mention” is from the noun mneia, which is from the verb mnaomai, meaning “to remember.” Thus, mneia refers to “a remembrance” or “a recollection.”

Meaning Explained

In order to get the full impact from today’s verse we must combine it with the previous verse:

Therefore I also, having heard of the faith of those among you in the Lord Jesus, which you show toward all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, making remembrance of you in my prayers.

Paul here demonstrates that he practices what he preaches. He told the church at Thessalonica:

pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1Thessalonians 5:17-18)

Application

In God’s service, for His glory,

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1 Peter 3:7 – Understanding Co-Heirs

Posted on January 13, 2009 by admin

1 Peter 3:7

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

Truth to Learn

Though our wives are our equal, joint heirs of God, we husbands have a greater responsibility than they do in the marriage relationship.

Behind the Words

The word translated “understanding” is gnosis, which means “knowledge or understand.” We are to live with them in a knowing, or understanding, way.

“Honor” is translated from timē, meaning “value, esteem, or honor.” It refers to something that we consider of great worth.

The word “vessel” is from the Greek word skeuos, referring to “something which can be filled.” It is a reference to our very being, which can be filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 9:15, God refers to Saul (later called Paul) as a chosen vessel.

“Heirs together” is from sugklēronomos, meaning “those who inherit together.” We have an equal inheritance with our wives.

The word translated “hindered” is ekkoptō, which literally means “to cut out.” By application it refers to something that has been made ineffective or nonexistent.

Meaning Explained

Okay, men, this is where Peter drops the other shoe and it falls squarely on our toes. Earlier he started off this third chapter with “Likewise” as he talked to wives, and he now starts off with the same connective as he talks to husbands. He is not connecting this with what he said to wives; rather he is connecting this to his previous message on how to humbly live within society as a witness of God’s grace.

Peter tells us to dwell together with our wives knowingly, in an understanding way. We are to put effort into understanding their feelings and emotions and living in such a way as to take these things into account. Our responsibility in the marriage relationship is actually much greater than that of our wives. They are to voluntarily place themselves under our authority, but we are to be ever mindful of them. We are to give them special honor and we are to recognize that they are physically weaker, treating them as precious because of it. Also, the Apostle Paul says we are to love them:

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, (Ephesians 5:25)

This word for “love” is agapaō, the self-sacrificing, unconditional consideration for another, having more concern for their welfare than our own. If we don’t treat our wives with proper respect and loving care, Peter tells us that our prayers may become ineffective.

Christianity is the only major religion that places women in a position of equality with men with respect to the promises and blessings of God. We husbands are to model that to our wives, and to the world.

Application

Let me ask you men, does it sometimes feel like God is not listening to your prayers? Could it be the result of your not treating your wife with understanding and honor?

In God’s service, for His glory,

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