The word “earnest” (sophroneo) stresses a clearheaded sensibility that allows a person to appraise a situation and act appropriately. In other words, this is a prayer that is full of determination and seriousness, something that really runs deep in your heart! Earnest praying is learning to walk in prayer. You will find that the eternal God of the universe wants to bring His power into your impossible situation. (2) : a set order of words used in praying. 2 : the act or practice of praying to God or a god kneeling in prayer. It originates with the King James version, and is actually translated from a single Greek word, energeo (ἐνεργέω), a cousin to our word for energy. Peter has already mentioned how a Christian husband’s prayer can be productive (1 Peter 3:7) and how God’s ears are attentive to the prayers of those who seek His ways (1 Peter 3:12), so here Peter sees this as part of accomplishing God’s purposes in the lives of believers as the end of time draws closer. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. Jesus often told His disciples to persevere in their praying. The Author's Earnest Cry and Prayer. You can look at the Wesley brothers, Jonathan Edwards, back to the Reformation, or you can go over to Korea today, where God is moving marvelously, and you'll find hundreds of thousands of people in churches at four or five in the morning, praying earnestly, daily, and corporately. God is the same way. We pray, “O God, save my child!”, That's what this word “earnestly” is saying: We need to come to God like we mean it. How did this church in Acts 12 respond? There are several principles of prayer in this passage. In chapter 4, they were beaten up, thrown into prison, and then let out. Affirmative Prayer is a five step formula that aligns us with the creative process and organizes our thinking by creating a mold that reflects our desired feeling state or outcome. Due to the meaning of the word “earnest” (clear-minded), Peter is cautioning us against giving way to end time frenzy and panic. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect." Imagine being a brand-new, multiplying church with the entire Roman army against you, and 16 soldiers surrounding your leader-who happens also to be in chains. Being earnest is the opposite of speaking our prayers mindlessly into the air. Bibliography Information. earnest synonyms, earnest pronunciation, earnest translation, English dictionary definition of earnest. At other times you need to thank God for what He has done or confess a sin that you have committed. This command to pray earnestly, immediately follows a reminder that “the end of the world is coming soon” (1 Peter 4:7a). Man is more powerful when he is in prayer than when he is behind the most powerful guns. “Dad, can we go get ice cream?” She would ask me 50 times. You'll never see God's power until you start praying specifically the earnest desires of your heart. Elijah’s earnest prayer was just a simple declaration of faith: “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word” (1 Kings 17:1). From time to time I hear about believers who quit their jobs, relocate to an isolated area, join a group of survivalist, or move to another country because they believe the end of the world is coming or some type of judgment by God is coming. This word has basically the same meaning as ektenos, except with this word the intensity of earnestness is greater. Because the leadership said they must give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. James 5:16; Eph. When God revealed Himself to Cornelius, he was praying. The test of whether you really want something is whether it means enough to you to come back to God over and over again, stretch your soul out, and honestly pray: “O God, will You save my dad?” “Will You heal my marriage?” “Will You bring my child back to You?” “Will You restore so-and-so's body?” “Will You put this company back on its feet?” “Will You use me here?”. Out of a prayer meeting. [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible. A crucial aspect of the church's earnest prayer was its corporate nature. They had elders and deacons. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." The early church did, and so will we. We need to know Who we're really talking to, and then earnestly-with our soul stretched out before God-to say, “God, hear our cry.”. Write specific things down and put them before the throne of God. Pray in light of Christ’s return (1 Peter 3:7). He is talking to the body of Christ as a whole. What men think is earnest prayer, God says it's just a prayer. The word appears in the New Testament only in Luke 22:44, where it describes the way Jesus prayed just … But it was fundamentally, as we seen in verse 5, an earnest prayer, “ektenos.” Only use of that word in Acts. The phrase, "effectual fervent," has been a well-known expression used in relationship to prayer for centuries. After 3½ years without rain, Ahab and Elijah met face-to-face, and a contest was arranged to determine whether Baal or God should be worshipped. 1 Thess. English Standard Version ... and such is also the meaning of the present passage--the prayer of the just, pleading, striving fervently, hath power with God, even like Israel of old, and shall prevail (Genesis 32:28). Whether she wanted ice cream. This publication provides a practical collection of helpful statements to enrich and deepen our prayer life and communion with our Lord. Peter wrote, “Be earnest and disciplined in your prayers.” That “your” is plural. In chapter 3, the first miracle happened when Peter and John were on their way to a prayer meeting. This is my second installment of four on this study of earnest prayer—which are excerpts from my book Principles of Prayer. Our beloved leader, mightily used by God, is in prison. God’s Word tells us, “The end of the world is coming soon. Earnest Prayer: a study of the Greek word ektenos. It's translated in 1 Peter 1:22 as deeply or fervently, and it's used in Luke 22:44 where Jesus prays “in anguish” and “more earnestly” in the Garden of Gethsemane. Because as a parent, what do you want to know? Required fields are marked *. We are to focus our minds and attention toward the Lord when we pray. Earnest praying protects the believer from impulsive reactions, emotional drifting, and an unbalanced life and ministry. If you will bring your specific, earnest pleas into the fellowship, you will discover a God Who truly cares about each and every desire of your heart. Prayer definition, a devout petition to God or an object of worship. 1 Peter 4:7earnest prayingend timesPrayer, Your email address will not be published. 4:11; 2 Thess. The Author's Earnest Cry And Prayer To the Right Honourable and Honourable Scotch Representatives in the House of Commons.^1 1786 Type: Poem Dearest of distillation! Why? Pray on your knees. There are times you need to simply praise the Lord and tell Him how great and wonderful He is. The definition of ‘earnest’ is ~ resolute, serious, sincere imply having qualities of depth and firmness, earnest implies having a purpose and being steadily and soberly eager in pursuing it. It is the secret of spiritual power.” The atmosphere of prayer and devotion throughout the day is an important part of spiritual life—especially in these last moments of Earth's history. What God Considers an Earnest Prayer A powerful prayer doesn’t have to be long, difficult or prayed in a certain posture. To be earnest implies that we are not praying by rote or just going through the motions. (a friend, your pastor, the church, a spouse or child, someone at work or school). In chapter 1, Jesus told His disciples to wait and to pray. Jesus had called His weary disciples to be earnest in prayer as well - so that they would not fall into temptation. When they came back to the church, they prayed for more effectiveness, and the ground shook. In chapter 2, Pentecost came while they were praying. b : an earnest request or wish. last and best- -How art thou lost!- Parody on Milton Ye Irish lords, ye knights an' squires, They were united in their earnestness. They didn't have any armies or weapons. Your email address will not be published. In fact, this is confirmed and double-confirmed, doubly-confirmed in the context of James 5 because before, it talks about Elijah. Earnest praying helps you face life realistically, even in light of all the disasters and wickedness that comes with the end times (1 Timothy 4:1-5). Even though you can and should pray earnestly on your own, it is just as important to earnestly pray with others. Sounds like an impossible situation, doesn't it? noun (1) Definition of earnest (Entry 2 of 3) 1 : a serious and intent mental state a proposal made in earnest. THE last lecture referred principally to the confession of sin. This prayer is based on God’s Word. Text.--The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.--James v. 16. Earnest definition, serious and zealous in intention, purpose, or effort: an earnest worker. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. And as the appointed time for the work of redemption drew ever closer, the Lord Jesus is found on His face beseeching the Father: if you are willing, remove this cup from Me.. nevertheless, He submissively continues.. Pray often. Why? They said, “We have an impossible situation. My daughter was very persevering when she was young. Define earnest. It can just be a simple declaration made in faith. adj. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. Rather, you keep your nose to the grindstone and continue your work with an ongoing sense of purpose and urgency” (218). Peter was in prison, and Herod had probably ordered his execution for the next day. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].. Read full chapter One form of Scriptural praying is using God’s Word as a guide for praying. What would bring specific joy to your heart?” Parents who care about their child's heart will want to fulfill their child's desires. In the New Testament the word is used to signify the pledge or earnest of the superior blessings of the future life. Ahab gathered 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel to erect an … Find or lead a group of believers in praying clearly, scripturally, and faithfully for other believers and those yet to come to Christ. How does hearing someone pray scripturally and intelligently impact you? Do a quick review of Acts and you'll be amazed at the consistency of the theme. 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