“We have heard of the pride of Moab—
how proud he is!—
of his arrogance, his pride, and his insolence . . .
When Moab presents himself,
when he wearies himself on the high place,
when he comes to his sanctuary to pray,
he will not prevail.”
(Isaiah 16:6-12).
When Jesus spoke to people about praying, he used the Greek word aetio (to ask). “Ask and it will be given to you (Matthew 7:7).”
Aetio suggests the attitude of a suppliant, the petition of one who is lesser in position than the one to whom he prays.*
*adapted from Vines Complete Expository Dictionary.
The One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy . . . revives the spirit of the lowly and the heart of the contrite (Isaiah 57:15).
Though High and Holy, he responds to humble prayer.
If you pray, “Lead me by your truth and teach me (Psalm 25:5).
Then you should know, “The Lord leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way (Psalm 25:9 bold mine).”
Humility in prayer, and in life, are essential to God’s leading through prayer.
It is a solemn thing to speak with God.
When we enter his presence we should say to ourselves: “I am on holy ground. This is no other than the gate of heaven. If I do not mean what I say, I am trifling with God. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”*
*J. C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer, p.25.
Want to be learn humility? Pray with praise.
Boast only in the Lord.
Constantly speak his praises.
Tell of God’s greatness.
(from Psalm 34:1-2).
Guard against pride when you pray.
God opposes the proud but favors the humble (James 4:6).
We pray because we can’t live well without God.
A Blog on Prayer 