Hi friend, thank you so much for downloading this podcast and I truly hope you hear something that edifies encourage, equips, enlightens, and then gets you out there in the marketplace of ideas. But before you go, I want to tell you about this month's truth tool. It's called Have You Ever Wondered? And I absolutely love this topic because if you're like me, going out into the night sky and looking up and seeing a million stars, don't you just stop and think about God? And are you not in a moment of awe and wonder or looking out over the vast expanse of an ocean and you start thinking, what is man, that thou art mindful of him? And it makes you wonder about the magnificence of God? I think that sense of wonder was put there on purpose, and this wonderful book includes a composite of multiple authors who have written from their perspective as a scientist, or a historian, or a mathematician or an artist, on why they all have this sense of awe through the work that they do. In other words, the heavens declare the glory. And as it tells us in Romans, we are really without excuse because his handiwork is everywhere. And this book invites you to walk through the chapters written by people who all have a sense of awe and wonder when it comes to God through their various disciplines in life. It's an amazing book and it's yours. For a gift of any amount, just call 877 Janet 58. That's 877 Janet 58. Ask for a copy of Have You Ever Wondered? And we'll send it right off to you as my way of saying thank you, because we are listener supported radio. Or you can go online to in the market with Janet Parshall and you're also on the website, consider becoming a partial partner. Those are people who give every single month at a level of their own choosing. You always get the truth tool, but in addition to that, you get a weekly newsletter that includes my writing and an audio piece just for my partial partner. So 877 Janet 58 or the website in the market with Janet Parshall. Consider becoming a partial partner or asking for this month's truth tool. Have you ever wondered? And now please enjoy the broadcast. Hi, friends. This is Janet Parshall, and I want to welcome you to the best of. In the market. Today's program is prerecorded so our phone lines are not open. But I do hope you'll enjoy today's edition of the Best of In the Market with Janet Parshall.

Hi friend, thank you so much for downloading this podcast and I truly hope you hear something that edifies encourage, equips, enlightens, and then gets you out there in the marketplace of ideas. But before you go, I want to tell you about this month's truth tool. It's called Have You Ever Wondered? And I absolutely love this topic because if you're like me, going out into the night sky and looking up and seeing a million stars, don't you just stop and think about God? And are you not in a moment of awe and wonder or looking out over the vast expanse of an ocean and you start thinking, what is man, that thou art mindful of him? And it makes you wonder about the magnificence of God? I think that sense of wonder was put there on purpose, and this wonderful book includes a composite of multiple authors who have written from their perspective as a scientist, or a historian, or a mathematician or an artist, on why they all have this sense of awe through the work that they do. In other words, the heavens declare the glory. And as it tells us in Romans, we are really without excuse because his handiwork is everywhere. And this book invites you to walk through the chapters written by people who all have a sense of awe and wonder when it comes to God through their various disciplines in life. It's an amazing book and it's yours. For a gift of any amount, just call 877 Janet 58. That's 877 Janet 58. Ask for a copy of Have You Ever Wondered? And we'll send it right off to you as my way of saying thank you, because we are listener supported radio. Or you can go online to in the market with Janet Parshall and you're also on the website, consider becoming a partial partner. Those are people who give every single month at a level of their own choosing. You always get the truth tool, but in addition to that, you get a weekly newsletter that includes my writing and an audio piece just for my partial partner. So 877 Janet 58 or the website in the market with Janet Parshall. Consider becoming a partial partner or asking for this month's truth tool. Have you ever wondered? And now please enjoy the broadcast. Hi, friends. This is Janet Parshall, and I want to welcome you to the best of. In the market. Today's program is prerecorded so our phone lines are not open. But I do hope you'll enjoy today's edition of the Best of In the Market with Janet Parshall.

Here are some of the news headlines we're watching.

Here are some of the news headlines we're watching.

The conference was over. The president won a pledge.

The conference was over. The president won a pledge.

Americans worshiping government over God.

Americans worshiping government over God.

Extremely rare safety move by a man.

Extremely rare safety move by a man.

17 years. The Palestinians and Israelis negotiated.

17 years. The Palestinians and Israelis negotiated.

This is not over.

This is not over.

Hi, friends. Welcome to In the Market with Janet Parshall. I am thrilled we are going to spend the hour together, and we're going to take up a very important and quite frankly, a precious topic, and that is our ability to talk to God on a regular basis. I mean, do you love the fact that Scripture says we don't have to ask permission, set an appointment. Work through a handler that we can boldly approach. The throne of Grace should take your breath away. You know that prayer, when you think about it, is really a love language, is it not? This breathing in and out, this intimate connectedness with the unconditional lover of our soul? Now that's the good stuff. Now here's the problematic stuff. Why is it so many of us really dread prayer? We get distracted, we fall asleep. We think it's hyper formulaic. We can't quite figure out whether God is hearing our prayers. If he does, how do I know the answer? If he's sovereign, am I changing his mind? And if I'm not changing his mind, what's the purpose of prayer after all? So it really can be this precious linkage we have with the one who knows us so intimately. He knows the numbers of hairs on our head. Why is it also, at the same time, an onerous practice for so many people? That's what we're going to do this hour. We're going to try to help better understand prayer. And the reason we don't have our usual opening for doctor sandstorms is because this hour we're not taking questions. We're sitting at his feet and we are learning. After all, this is a man who knows the word inside out, upside down. Taught theology at Wheaton for several years. This is a man who founded Enjoying God Ministries. Executive director of the Convergence Church Network. Previously served as senior pastor of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City. A former professor, as I noted, and I want you to know that Doctor Saum speaks at churches and conferences around the world. He's the author of over 35 books, including Practicing the Power and Understanding Spiritual Gifts. He blogs regularly at Sam Storms. His new book, which is well, I've been thinking about this as I've been reading the book. It is theologically rich. It is one of the best and deepest books I've ever read on prayer. It's called Understanding Prayer Biblical Foundations, and Practical Guidance for Seeking God. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to think critically and biblically about the topic of prayer. Sam, the warmest of welcomes and you kind of hinted at the answer. The first question I wanted to ask you at the very beginning pages of your book, which is, you know, you've taught and preached for years and written for decades, and if you're going to approach the book on prayer, there has to be either a suggestion from an editor. And I think you're so much bigger than that that you can take it under advisement, but you're going to write about what's fire in your bones. But you also hint in the beginning that this is a tough book for you. In fact, you almost walked away from the project at one point. Tell me why.

Hi, friends. Welcome to In the Market with Janet Parshall. I am thrilled we are going to spend the hour together, and we're going to take up a very important and quite frankly, a precious topic, and that is our ability to talk to God on a regular basis. I mean, do you love the fact that Scripture says we don't have to ask permission, set an appointment. Work through a handler that we can boldly approach. The throne of Grace should take your breath away. You know that prayer, when you think about it, is really a love language, is it not? This breathing in and out, this intimate connectedness with the unconditional lover of our soul? Now that's the good stuff. Now here's the problematic stuff. Why is it so many of us really dread prayer? We get distracted, we fall asleep. We think it's hyper formulaic. We can't quite figure out whether God is hearing our prayers. If he does, how do I know the answer? If he's sovereign, am I changing his mind? And if I'm not changing his mind, what's the purpose of prayer after all? So it really can be this precious linkage we have with the one who knows us so intimately. He knows the numbers of hairs on our head. Why is it also, at the same time, an onerous practice for so many people? That's what we're going to do this hour. We're going to try to help better understand prayer. And the reason we don't have our usual opening for doctor sandstorms is because this hour we're not taking questions. We're sitting at his feet and we are learning. After all, this is a man who knows the word inside out, upside down. Taught theology at Wheaton for several years. This is a man who founded Enjoying God Ministries. Executive director of the Convergence Church Network. Previously served as senior pastor of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City. A former professor, as I noted, and I want you to know that Doctor Saum speaks at churches and conferences around the world. He's the author of over 35 books, including Practicing the Power and Understanding Spiritual Gifts. He blogs regularly at Sam Storms. His new book, which is well, I've been thinking about this as I've been reading the book. It is theologically rich. It is one of the best and deepest books I've ever read on prayer. It's called Understanding Prayer Biblical Foundations, and Practical Guidance for Seeking God. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to think critically and biblically about the topic of prayer. Sam, the warmest of welcomes and you kind of hinted at the answer. The first question I wanted to ask you at the very beginning pages of your book, which is, you know, you've taught and preached for years and written for decades, and if you're going to approach the book on prayer, there has to be either a suggestion from an editor. And I think you're so much bigger than that that you can take it under advisement, but you're going to write about what's fire in your bones. But you also hint in the beginning that this is a tough book for you. In fact, you almost walked away from the project at one point. Tell me why.

Probably Janet, for the same reason that everybody struggles with this issue like you just mentioned. Excuse me? I, um, you know, I've, I've wrestled with the question of unanswered prayer. I've wrestled with the question of, well, won't God do this for me even though I don't ask him to? Um, we get so easily distracted. I'm very I'm very influenced by two things that Paul said, basically the same thing he said in Romans 1530. He is appealing to the Roman believers to, he says, struggle together with me in prayer. I think really If Paul recognized that prayer was a struggle, then he says it again in Colossians chapter four, verse 12, where he talks about Epaphras who has struggled with you in his prayers. And I think prayer is a struggle. It's a battle. It's a fight. You mentioned several of the reasons we get distracted. We think we don't have enough time for it. Uh, we've we've been disappointed by the fact that in the past, when we prayed for something and it didn't come to, it didn't come about, or we're suffering and God hasn't healed us, or, uh, the enemy wants to to invade our lives and convince us that prayer is a a fruitless and futile endeavor. And you know, why would you think that God would listen to you? I mean, who are you? You know, all of those kinds of accusations and those, uh, that opposition just puts a damper on all of us. And we just think, is it really worth the effort? And then there's this there's this underlying theological error which says, well, God's going to do what God's going to do regardless of what I ask him to do. You know, he's sovereign. He'll accomplish his will, irrespective of my participation in the implementation of that will. And I think all of those reasons are kind of combined to create the challenge that I had. I really questioned when I wrote this book, am I even competent to write this? I'm not a great prayer warrior. I mean, I think I'm better at it now than I used to be, thank the Lord. But I still find myself so easily justifying just quitting. That's the easiest thing about prayer. Just quit and everything will turn out all right. Even if you don't ask God to do things for you. And that mentality is paralyzing to the life of prayer. And I think all of those factors played a role in why I struggled to even justify writing this book. Plus, the fact that there are a lot of other books out there that are really good on this subject.

Probably Janet, for the same reason that everybody struggles with this issue like you just mentioned. Excuse me? I, um, you know, I've, I've wrestled with the question of unanswered prayer. I've wrestled with the question of, well, won't God do this for me even though I don't ask him to? Um, we get so easily distracted. I'm very I'm very influenced by two things that Paul said, basically the same thing he said in Romans 1530. He is appealing to the Roman believers to, he says, struggle together with me in prayer. I think really If Paul recognized that prayer was a struggle, then he says it again in Colossians chapter four, verse 12, where he talks about Epaphras who has struggled with you in his prayers. And I think prayer is a struggle. It's a battle. It's a fight. You mentioned several of the reasons we get distracted. We think we don't have enough time for it. Uh, we've we've been disappointed by the fact that in the past, when we prayed for something and it didn't come to, it didn't come about, or we're suffering and God hasn't healed us, or, uh, the enemy wants to to invade our lives and convince us that prayer is a a fruitless and futile endeavor. And you know, why would you think that God would listen to you? I mean, who are you? You know, all of those kinds of accusations and those, uh, that opposition just puts a damper on all of us. And we just think, is it really worth the effort? And then there's this there's this underlying theological error which says, well, God's going to do what God's going to do regardless of what I ask him to do. You know, he's sovereign. He'll accomplish his will, irrespective of my participation in the implementation of that will. And I think all of those reasons are kind of combined to create the challenge that I had. I really questioned when I wrote this book, am I even competent to write this? I'm not a great prayer warrior. I mean, I think I'm better at it now than I used to be, thank the Lord. But I still find myself so easily justifying just quitting. That's the easiest thing about prayer. Just quit and everything will turn out all right. Even if you don't ask God to do things for you. And that mentality is paralyzing to the life of prayer. And I think all of those factors played a role in why I struggled to even justify writing this book. Plus, the fact that there are a lot of other books out there that are really good on this subject.

Yes. But on that point, did you preach a series on prayer? Does this come out of your years of being in the pulpit or in the classroom? Because when I say theologically rich, that's just not being cavalier with terms. What you do is you really throw out the entire book, study various prayers, and use them as an archetype for us to be able to study what prayer does, the efficacy of prayer, what prayer is all about. Did you do that as a singular research project, or did it really come out of your years of teaching and preaching?

Yes. But on that point, did you preach a series on prayer? Does this come out of your years of being in the pulpit or in the classroom? Because when I say theologically rich, that's just not being cavalier with terms. What you do is you really throw out the entire book, study various prayers, and use them as an archetype for us to be able to study what prayer does, the efficacy of prayer, what prayer is all about. Did you do that as a singular research project, or did it really come out of your years of teaching and preaching?

It came out of the latter, out of my years of teaching and preaching. So when I thought about doing this, I went back and I looked at everything that I had preached when I preached through the Gospel of Matthew and Mark, and particularly John, uh, I looked at the prayers in the early church in the book of acts. When I preached through acts, I did it in Romans, did it in Second Corinthians, Ephesians, all of the New Testament letters that I had preached through. Uh, James, you know, when I preached through the, uh, the book of James, probably 2 or 3 times over the last 50 years, and all of these texts just kind of coalesced into this unified approach to the subject of prayer. So one of the things about this book and I mentioned this in the introduction, unlike a lot of books, you don't have to read this cover to cover chapter by chapter, because each chapter is pretty much a standalone, and you can just benefit from it, because I ask questions in the chapter titles and whatever issue it is you're struggling with, I'll look at all the text of Scripture that I think are relevant for that. So I think the only chapters that really kind of have to tie together are the ones that I did on James, and you kind of have to read those in sequence, but anybody, anything else, people can just pick it up and just say, well, here's my struggle. Oh, there's a chapter that addresses that. I'll read that one.

It came out of the latter, out of my years of teaching and preaching. So when I thought about doing this, I went back and I looked at everything that I had preached when I preached through the Gospel of Matthew and Mark, and particularly John, uh, I looked at the prayers in the early church in the book of acts. When I preached through acts, I did it in Romans, did it in Second Corinthians, Ephesians, all of the New Testament letters that I had preached through. Uh, James, you know, when I preached through the, uh, the book of James, probably 2 or 3 times over the last 50 years, and all of these texts just kind of coalesced into this unified approach to the subject of prayer. So one of the things about this book and I mentioned this in the introduction, unlike a lot of books, you don't have to read this cover to cover chapter by chapter, because each chapter is pretty much a standalone, and you can just benefit from it, because I ask questions in the chapter titles and whatever issue it is you're struggling with, I'll look at all the text of Scripture that I think are relevant for that. So I think the only chapters that really kind of have to tie together are the ones that I did on James, and you kind of have to read those in sequence, but anybody, anything else, people can just pick it up and just say, well, here's my struggle. Oh, there's a chapter that addresses that. I'll read that one.

Do you know Sam reading the book? I'm so glad to hear you say that. And I was delighted to read it in the introduction to is that this is such a powerful and very broad and deep, rich dive into the subject of prayer. I'm just going to say publicly, I'm so grateful for our friendship because I finally gave myself a break and said, Janet, you don't have to cover the whole book in one conversation. So based on the fact that you kindly come back again and again and again, I'm going to spread conversations about this book over a long period of time, because there's just so much here. But when we come back, we're going to start digging into prayer back after this. Have you ever wondered why music moves us so deeply, or why beauty takes our breath away? My Truth Tool this month is a thought provoking book that explores those moments of wonder we all encounter. It's called Have You ever Wondered? Consider how ordinary aspects of life point to the extraordinary biblical truths. Ask for your copy of. Have you ever wondered when you give a gift of any amount to in the market, call eight 7758. That's eight 7758 or go to in the market with Janet Parshall. Doctor Sam Storm says a brand new book out shouldn't surprise any of us. He's a prolific author. He's written dozens and dozens of books. But this one, well, from my perspective and I read an awful lot of books. As you well know, this is one of the best I've read on the subject of prayer. It's over 336 pages long. And Doctor Sam Storms, in his inimitable style, just examines what the word has to say, and then looks at various prayers and scripture as a tutorial on how we can pray and to better understand the nature of prayer. Again, it's called understanding, prayer, biblical foundations, and practical guidance for seeking God. So, Sam, if I may, let me go back to starting point principles and being the outstanding teacher that you are, I'm not surprised that what you did is take out your pruners and wanted to cut away some bramble bushes and our thinking about prayer. So I'm so thankful you started by asking the question why prayer? And does prayer really change things? So let me go to the second part first, which is this is this question in and of itself, which is why I made the comment before the break. I'm glad I don't have to rush through covering everything that's in this book, because there's so much. But this question really goes to the question of the sovereignty of God. So if God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, if he's all knowing and he already knows, you know, the beginning from the end. And I really I mean, the arrogance, I think to myself, Jenny, you're never going to change God's mind. So if if his nature is unchangeable. And yet I'm called to pray, help me understand the dynamic between, uh, a failed mortal addressing an immortal king who is sovereign and knows all things. So why engage in the activity of prayer? Because he's not going to change his mind, is the answer. Hint that it's about changing me and not changing him?

Do you know Sam reading the book? I'm so glad to hear you say that. And I was delighted to read it in the introduction to is that this is such a powerful and very broad and deep, rich dive into the subject of prayer. I'm just going to say publicly, I'm so grateful for our friendship because I finally gave myself a break and said, Janet, you don't have to cover the whole book in one conversation. So based on the fact that you kindly come back again and again and again, I'm going to spread conversations about this book over a long period of time, because there's just so much here. But when we come back, we're going to start digging into prayer back after this. Have you ever wondered why music moves us so deeply, or why beauty takes our breath away? My Truth Tool this month is a thought provoking book that explores those moments of wonder we all encounter. It's called Have You ever Wondered? Consider how ordinary aspects of life point to the extraordinary biblical truths. Ask for your copy of. Have you ever wondered when you give a gift of any amount to in the market, call eight 7758. That's eight 7758 or go to in the market with Janet Parshall. Doctor Sam Storm says a brand new book out shouldn't surprise any of us. He's a prolific author. He's written dozens and dozens of books. But this one, well, from my perspective and I read an awful lot of books. As you well know, this is one of the best I've read on the subject of prayer. It's over 336 pages long. And Doctor Sam Storms, in his inimitable style, just examines what the word has to say, and then looks at various prayers and scripture as a tutorial on how we can pray and to better understand the nature of prayer. Again, it's called understanding, prayer, biblical foundations, and practical guidance for seeking God. So, Sam, if I may, let me go back to starting point principles and being the outstanding teacher that you are, I'm not surprised that what you did is take out your pruners and wanted to cut away some bramble bushes and our thinking about prayer. So I'm so thankful you started by asking the question why prayer? And does prayer really change things? So let me go to the second part first, which is this is this question in and of itself, which is why I made the comment before the break. I'm glad I don't have to rush through covering everything that's in this book, because there's so much. But this question really goes to the question of the sovereignty of God. So if God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, if he's all knowing and he already knows, you know, the beginning from the end. And I really I mean, the arrogance, I think to myself, Jenny, you're never going to change God's mind. So if if his nature is unchangeable. And yet I'm called to pray, help me understand the dynamic between, uh, a failed mortal addressing an immortal king who is sovereign and knows all things. So why engage in the activity of prayer? Because he's not going to change his mind, is the answer. Hint that it's about changing me and not changing him?

Well, yeah, that's that's oftentimes that's how people answer that question. They say no, prayer doesn't change God. Prayer changes me. Or they might say that prayer doesn't change things. It implements things or something to that effect. This is you're right. This is the issue between the sovereignty of God and human responsibility. And my, the best way I know how to answer this is with what I think. If people read the 330 some odd pages, if they come away with one statement that is seared into their minds. It is this we should never presume that God will do for us. Apart from prayer, what the Bible says he will only do for us in response to prayer.

Well, yeah, that's that's oftentimes that's how people answer that question. They say no, prayer doesn't change God. Prayer changes me. Or they might say that prayer doesn't change things. It implements things or something to that effect. This is you're right. This is the issue between the sovereignty of God and human responsibility. And my, the best way I know how to answer this is with what I think. If people read the 330 some odd pages, if they come away with one statement that is seared into their minds. It is this we should never presume that God will do for us. Apart from prayer, what the Bible says he will only do for us in response to prayer.

Mhm.

Mhm.

Wow. I think that that is that reveals, I think, a mindset of Christians. I alluded to it in our first segment where people have this idea, well, look, God is good, God is great, God is sovereign. He's going to do whatever he wants, regardless of what little old, puny me has to say about it. And so we think I don't need to pray he'll pull it off. That's that's his job. He's God. And I think that is horribly presumptuous because God has. And this again, is the challenge to us all. God has chosen to suspend the accomplishment of his sovereign will on the prayers of his people. Now, I can't resolve the mystery there. I don't know how to make complete logical sense of that. But the fact of the matter is, we need to remember that our prayers that God would do something are as much a part of his sovereign ordination as is the thing that we hope will come to pass as a result of them. So prayer is one of the means by which God accomplishes his purpose. So I don't I don't want to sound, uh, I don't want to sound mean when I say this, but when people say, uh, why should I pray if God is sovereign is going to do what God wants to do? That's really an that's not a valid statement. That's bad, that's unbiblical. The Bible never asks that question. It never addresses that issue. What it says is that James chapter four, you have not because you ask not. Now, if somebody wants to push back and say, wait a minute, Sam, maybe I don't have because it wasn't God's will for me to have. Well, maybe that's true, but that's not how we're to respond to a text like that. How are we to respond? We're to respond by asking Because we don't have. Because we didn't ask. That doesn't mean if we ask, we'll always get what we want. Because God is wiser than we are. He knows what is best for us, not ourselves. So this this tension between us, you know, the God's sovereignty going to accomplish his purpose. Let me let me get you said this is a theological book. So let me get theological for a second. Um, God's decreed purpose, his decreed will, the will that he has that we call the secret will of God, the sovereign will of God, the things that he has ordained from eternity past, such as the incarnation of Christ, the resurrection, uh, the second coming of Jesus, the final judgment. No amount of prayer, by no amount of people will change or alter God's purpose in accomplishing those things. We know that's true, but God's sovereign will is oftentimes in fact, most times it's secret. We don't know what is God's will in this respect or that respect. And so our responsibility is to respond to his revealed will. Like, um, you know, in the Lord's Prayer. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Um, so, you know, uh, second Corinthians or first Thessalonians chapter four, this is the will of God for you, even your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality. So we pray for the implementation of that will, the one that is revealed to us. Here's what God wants. Here's what he desires. That sometimes is different from what he decrees. But we can't base our decision either to pray or not to pray on that. We can't say, well, um, I think God's sovereign purpose is to accomplish X or Y, therefore I don't have to pray about it. That is just it's arrogant, it's sinful, it's presumptuous, and we need to stop thinking in those terms. We need to remember again, we have not because we ask not. We we must not let our lives be governed by this idea that since God is God and he's he is, uh, good and gracious and generous, he's going to do for me whatever he wants to do, whether or not I ask. And I just think the answer to that is no, he isn't. He has suspended the bestowal of his blessings on the petitions and the intercession of his people. So I know that's hard for people to reconcile, but there's no way to get around the clear teaching of Scripture in that regard.

Wow. I think that that is that reveals, I think, a mindset of Christians. I alluded to it in our first segment where people have this idea, well, look, God is good, God is great, God is sovereign. He's going to do whatever he wants, regardless of what little old, puny me has to say about it. And so we think I don't need to pray he'll pull it off. That's that's his job. He's God. And I think that is horribly presumptuous because God has. And this again, is the challenge to us all. God has chosen to suspend the accomplishment of his sovereign will on the prayers of his people. Now, I can't resolve the mystery there. I don't know how to make complete logical sense of that. But the fact of the matter is, we need to remember that our prayers that God would do something are as much a part of his sovereign ordination as is the thing that we hope will come to pass as a result of them. So prayer is one of the means by which God accomplishes his purpose. So I don't I don't want to sound, uh, I don't want to sound mean when I say this, but when people say, uh, why should I pray if God is sovereign is going to do what God wants to do? That's really an that's not a valid statement. That's bad, that's unbiblical. The Bible never asks that question. It never addresses that issue. What it says is that James chapter four, you have not because you ask not. Now, if somebody wants to push back and say, wait a minute, Sam, maybe I don't have because it wasn't God's will for me to have. Well, maybe that's true, but that's not how we're to respond to a text like that. How are we to respond? We're to respond by asking Because we don't have. Because we didn't ask. That doesn't mean if we ask, we'll always get what we want. Because God is wiser than we are. He knows what is best for us, not ourselves. So this this tension between us, you know, the God's sovereignty going to accomplish his purpose. Let me let me get you said this is a theological book. So let me get theological for a second. Um, God's decreed purpose, his decreed will, the will that he has that we call the secret will of God, the sovereign will of God, the things that he has ordained from eternity past, such as the incarnation of Christ, the resurrection, uh, the second coming of Jesus, the final judgment. No amount of prayer, by no amount of people will change or alter God's purpose in accomplishing those things. We know that's true, but God's sovereign will is oftentimes in fact, most times it's secret. We don't know what is God's will in this respect or that respect. And so our responsibility is to respond to his revealed will. Like, um, you know, in the Lord's Prayer. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Um, so, you know, uh, second Corinthians or first Thessalonians chapter four, this is the will of God for you, even your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality. So we pray for the implementation of that will, the one that is revealed to us. Here's what God wants. Here's what he desires. That sometimes is different from what he decrees. But we can't base our decision either to pray or not to pray on that. We can't say, well, um, I think God's sovereign purpose is to accomplish X or Y, therefore I don't have to pray about it. That is just it's arrogant, it's sinful, it's presumptuous, and we need to stop thinking in those terms. We need to remember again, we have not because we ask not. We we must not let our lives be governed by this idea that since God is God and he's he is, uh, good and gracious and generous, he's going to do for me whatever he wants to do, whether or not I ask. And I just think the answer to that is no, he isn't. He has suspended the bestowal of his blessings on the petitions and the intercession of his people. So I know that's hard for people to reconcile, but there's no way to get around the clear teaching of Scripture in that regard.

Mhm. Mhm.

Mhm. Mhm.

I have so many things to say in reaction to what you just said. Let me go to first. This is again why I'm so glad we're going to take our time walking through this book Sam. So rather than a position of passivity what the way you just explained it and I think there's so much truth in what you just said, is it moves me into a clearing call for action. If, in fact, so much is there and active into what God's will is, his perfect will is is predicated on whether or not his people will respond in prayer. It's an encouragement for me not to be lackadaisical in my prayer life, but to be faithful and to pray within the parameters of God's will, as noted in Scripture. So that's a challenge. It really goes to the heart of that question, why pray for the reason that you just explained and then we come back? Is this too simplistic to say that not understanding again, my role as a mortal and his divine sovereignty is that somewhere in the same area as the difference between election and free will, or is that too simplistic? In other words, I don't know, I still gospel, I still share the gospel back after this. Doctor Sam Storms is with us, founder of Enjoying God Ministries and executive director of the Convergence Church Network. He has a brand new book out and boy is great. It's called Understanding Prayer Biblical Foundations and Practical Guidance for Seeking God. And it is noted before 336 pages long. I don't say that to push you away from the book. I encourage you to read it because that's how deeply theologically I'm going to say it again, rich and wonderfully researched, this is. And so I'm not going to rush through my conversations with Sam on this book. Every single section is worth our doing. Some deep diving and some thinking. So my question was cryptic, Sam, because I was up against a break. So let me see if I can say it in a better way. So I don't understand the interesting mystery of election and free will. In other words, God already knows who's going to accept or reject him. Free will says you have the choice to reject or accept. All I know is I'm called to go and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't know who God knows, I just know in obedience I'm supposed to do it because that's what my father's asked me to do. I see a little parallel between that and this idea of God being sovereign. And what difference does it make if I pray? I don't know what God's perfect will is. So in obedience I do it because I'm asked to do it, but I leave the outcome to him. I just make sure I'm praying within the parameters of his will as articulated in His Word. Is that right or wrong?

I have so many things to say in reaction to what you just said. Let me go to first. This is again why I'm so glad we're going to take our time walking through this book Sam. So rather than a position of passivity what the way you just explained it and I think there's so much truth in what you just said, is it moves me into a clearing call for action. If, in fact, so much is there and active into what God's will is, his perfect will is is predicated on whether or not his people will respond in prayer. It's an encouragement for me not to be lackadaisical in my prayer life, but to be faithful and to pray within the parameters of God's will, as noted in Scripture. So that's a challenge. It really goes to the heart of that question, why pray for the reason that you just explained and then we come back? Is this too simplistic to say that not understanding again, my role as a mortal and his divine sovereignty is that somewhere in the same area as the difference between election and free will, or is that too simplistic? In other words, I don't know, I still gospel, I still share the gospel back after this. Doctor Sam Storms is with us, founder of Enjoying God Ministries and executive director of the Convergence Church Network. He has a brand new book out and boy is great. It's called Understanding Prayer Biblical Foundations and Practical Guidance for Seeking God. And it is noted before 336 pages long. I don't say that to push you away from the book. I encourage you to read it because that's how deeply theologically I'm going to say it again, rich and wonderfully researched, this is. And so I'm not going to rush through my conversations with Sam on this book. Every single section is worth our doing. Some deep diving and some thinking. So my question was cryptic, Sam, because I was up against a break. So let me see if I can say it in a better way. So I don't understand the interesting mystery of election and free will. In other words, God already knows who's going to accept or reject him. Free will says you have the choice to reject or accept. All I know is I'm called to go and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't know who God knows, I just know in obedience I'm supposed to do it because that's what my father's asked me to do. I see a little parallel between that and this idea of God being sovereign. And what difference does it make if I pray? I don't know what God's perfect will is. So in obedience I do it because I'm asked to do it, but I leave the outcome to him. I just make sure I'm praying within the parameters of his will as articulated in His Word. Is that right or wrong?

No, that's exactly right. And in fact, what I would and I you know, in past programs we've done together, Janet, that question is raised about the sovereignty of God and human responsibility and what I try to communicate, what I tried to communicate then, and what I'll try to communicate now, is the Bible does not give us an answer to that tension. It doesn't say, well, here's how they're reconciled. You've misunderstood the issue. It's not as problematic as you think. That's just not in the scriptures. God leaves that in the area of mystery, and we just simply have to say, um, God, like at the end of Romans 11, he is infinitely wise. Who can understand his ways or his judgments? So let me give you a concrete example of this. So in Romans nine, Paul talks about the sovereignty of God and salvation. He says, for example, um, that it doesn't. This is in verse 19, um, excuse me verse. Yeah. Verse 19 or 16. So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who has mercy. And then he goes on to say, uh, he has mercy on whom he wills, and he hardens whom he wills. And you would think, well, okay, Paul, if that's the case, then I don't I can't tell God to do this or that. I can't appeal to him to intervene in the life of, of of a friend or a spouse or a child, to change his or her heart. And yet just a few verses later in Romans chapter ten, verse one, Paul says, brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them, that is, for my Jewish brethren, is that they may be saved. And I think, wait a minute, Paul, you just said that whether they are saved or not is depends on God. He decides whom to on whom he has mercy and he decides whom he hardens. But now you're saying that you're praying for all your Jewish brothers and sisters according to the flesh, that God would save them? How do you reconcile that, Paul? And of course, the answer is silence.

No, that's exactly right. And in fact, what I would and I you know, in past programs we've done together, Janet, that question is raised about the sovereignty of God and human responsibility and what I try to communicate, what I tried to communicate then, and what I'll try to communicate now, is the Bible does not give us an answer to that tension. It doesn't say, well, here's how they're reconciled. You've misunderstood the issue. It's not as problematic as you think. That's just not in the scriptures. God leaves that in the area of mystery, and we just simply have to say, um, God, like at the end of Romans 11, he is infinitely wise. Who can understand his ways or his judgments? So let me give you a concrete example of this. So in Romans nine, Paul talks about the sovereignty of God and salvation. He says, for example, um, that it doesn't. This is in verse 19, um, excuse me verse. Yeah. Verse 19 or 16. So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who has mercy. And then he goes on to say, uh, he has mercy on whom he wills, and he hardens whom he wills. And you would think, well, okay, Paul, if that's the case, then I don't I can't tell God to do this or that. I can't appeal to him to intervene in the life of, of of a friend or a spouse or a child, to change his or her heart. And yet just a few verses later in Romans chapter ten, verse one, Paul says, brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them, that is, for my Jewish brethren, is that they may be saved. And I think, wait a minute, Paul, you just said that whether they are saved or not is depends on God. He decides whom to on whom he has mercy and he decides whom he hardens. But now you're saying that you're praying for all your Jewish brothers and sisters according to the flesh, that God would save them? How do you reconcile that, Paul? And of course, the answer is silence.

Yes, exactly.

Yes, exactly.

Even attempt to reconcile it. He says, I live. I live according to the truth of both of those propositions. Yes, God is sovereign. Ultimately, all praise and honor go to him. It is not dependent on man to run or to will, but on God who has mercy. Oh, but I am going to pray that God's mercy would be poured out in saving grace on all these individuals that I know don't love Jesus. So, you know, I know people want us to be more specific and precise and nail this issue down so they can get on with other things in life. But the Bible doesn't do that, and I think that's intentional. I think there would probably be a lot of arrogance and passivity on our part if we knew the answer to that question. I think we would go to 1 or 2 extremes. We would say, well, the salvation of individuals is entirely dependent on me and how persuasive I am in sharing the gospel, or whether they get saved, has nothing to do with my efforts and my evangelism. God's going to do what God's going to do. Those two extremes are not allowed in God's Word. They are both condemned. We have to embrace both. You know, Paul, at the in the opening of Romans nine, he says, I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. And then he goes right into this treatise on God's sovereignty and salvation and says, But I'm praying for them. I pray that God would open their eyes to the truth of the gospel. So it is a mystery. It's one that we can't resolve. I've long ago given up any hope of finding an airtight, logically coherent answer to that. I know they're not contradictory because God does all things perfectly. But it's one of the great issues when we finally are in his presence. And we can ask that question.

Even attempt to reconcile it. He says, I live. I live according to the truth of both of those propositions. Yes, God is sovereign. Ultimately, all praise and honor go to him. It is not dependent on man to run or to will, but on God who has mercy. Oh, but I am going to pray that God's mercy would be poured out in saving grace on all these individuals that I know don't love Jesus. So, you know, I know people want us to be more specific and precise and nail this issue down so they can get on with other things in life. But the Bible doesn't do that, and I think that's intentional. I think there would probably be a lot of arrogance and passivity on our part if we knew the answer to that question. I think we would go to 1 or 2 extremes. We would say, well, the salvation of individuals is entirely dependent on me and how persuasive I am in sharing the gospel, or whether they get saved, has nothing to do with my efforts and my evangelism. God's going to do what God's going to do. Those two extremes are not allowed in God's Word. They are both condemned. We have to embrace both. You know, Paul, at the in the opening of Romans nine, he says, I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. And then he goes right into this treatise on God's sovereignty and salvation and says, But I'm praying for them. I pray that God would open their eyes to the truth of the gospel. So it is a mystery. It's one that we can't resolve. I've long ago given up any hope of finding an airtight, logically coherent answer to that. I know they're not contradictory because God does all things perfectly. But it's one of the great issues when we finally are in his presence. And we can ask that question.

Yes.

Yes.

Amen. And you use the word. When you were talking, I thought, not only is it a privilege, is it a blessing? I mean, the idea of being able to walk into a throne room. You know, I've been in some throne rooms, and you just don't touch the king. He talks to you before you talk to him. All of the mumbo jumbo that goes dealing with an earthly king. And yet I'm talking to the King of kings, and I'm told I can run right in there and lay my requests at his feet. So there's this intimacy. There's this air of holiness, and then there is this mystery. And I think we deny the mystery part at our own peril, because we don't understand. We don't have all the answers, but God asks us to do it, invites us to do it. So do it in one section of the book. Virion. Early in the beginning you talk about otherwise. And I love this section because we must pray otherwise. So let me give you an example. I'm always talking about Paul tutoring his young protégé, Timothy talking about praying for those in authority. Maybe it's because I'm in Washington DC, and it's a pretty mandatory prayer around here, but you say that if we don't pray for those, I urge you that with supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. Now you hear the music. So let me ask you on the other side. So there's that directive from Paul to Timothy, likewise to us. Why must we pray that prayer? What's the otherwise? And there's a whole bunch of you discuss as well. I'd love for you to touch on some of those. This is we're not even into the full first chapter yet. Do you see how much richness when I use this word? I don't use it in a cavalier fashion. As I was reading it, I thought, every one of these ideas is so wonderfully fruitful. It was for me and the way I look at prayer and why prayer is designed to do what it's done, and the guidance we have in Scripture regarding prayer. I thought this is a treasure. Understanding prayer, biblical foundations, and practical guidance for seeking God. Doctor Sam Storms brand new book. More after this. We can all safely say that society seems to be decaying before our eyes, and in the market, we're tackling the issues head on from a biblical perspective, so you'll know how to influence and occupy a Scripture says become a partial partner today and support in the market. As a benefit, you'll receive exclusive resources every week prepared just for you. Call 877 Janet 58 or go online to in the market with Janet Parshall dot. Org. It is always time well spent when we spend it with Doctor Sam Storms. He is founder of Enjoying God Ministries and executive director of the Convergence Church Network. He previously served as senior pastor of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City and is a former professor. He speaks at churches and conferences around the world. He's the author of over 35 books. And now we add one more to that number. It's called Understanding Prayer Biblical Foundations, and Practical Guidance for Seeking God. It's right there on our information page, you can click on the link to discover how you can get your copy. Also, I have a link to his website. As you know from our wonderful frequent conversations with Doctor Storms, he's a kind of Library of Congress when it comes to resources as you're trying to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. So check that out. But also the brand new book. Well worth your time. Simply one of the best I've read on prayer in a long time. So early on in the book. Just to repeat, for those who are just joining us, you have a section called otherwise really addressing the question why pray? And as one of the examples that you give, it's the first Timothy two one and two, where Paul is encouraging Timothy for us to pray for those in authority. Otherwise what?

Amen. And you use the word. When you were talking, I thought, not only is it a privilege, is it a blessing? I mean, the idea of being able to walk into a throne room. You know, I've been in some throne rooms, and you just don't touch the king. He talks to you before you talk to him. All of the mumbo jumbo that goes dealing with an earthly king. And yet I'm talking to the King of kings, and I'm told I can run right in there and lay my requests at his feet. So there's this intimacy. There's this air of holiness, and then there is this mystery. And I think we deny the mystery part at our own peril, because we don't understand. We don't have all the answers, but God asks us to do it, invites us to do it. So do it in one section of the book. Virion. Early in the beginning you talk about otherwise. And I love this section because we must pray otherwise. So let me give you an example. I'm always talking about Paul tutoring his young protégé, Timothy talking about praying for those in authority. Maybe it's because I'm in Washington DC, and it's a pretty mandatory prayer around here, but you say that if we don't pray for those, I urge you that with supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. Now you hear the music. So let me ask you on the other side. So there's that directive from Paul to Timothy, likewise to us. Why must we pray that prayer? What's the otherwise? And there's a whole bunch of you discuss as well. I'd love for you to touch on some of those. This is we're not even into the full first chapter yet. Do you see how much richness when I use this word? I don't use it in a cavalier fashion. As I was reading it, I thought, every one of these ideas is so wonderfully fruitful. It was for me and the way I look at prayer and why prayer is designed to do what it's done, and the guidance we have in Scripture regarding prayer. I thought this is a treasure. Understanding prayer, biblical foundations, and practical guidance for seeking God. Doctor Sam Storms brand new book. More after this. We can all safely say that society seems to be decaying before our eyes, and in the market, we're tackling the issues head on from a biblical perspective, so you'll know how to influence and occupy a Scripture says become a partial partner today and support in the market. As a benefit, you'll receive exclusive resources every week prepared just for you. Call 877 Janet 58 or go online to in the market with Janet Parshall dot. Org. It is always time well spent when we spend it with Doctor Sam Storms. He is founder of Enjoying God Ministries and executive director of the Convergence Church Network. He previously served as senior pastor of Bridgeway Church in Oklahoma City and is a former professor. He speaks at churches and conferences around the world. He's the author of over 35 books. And now we add one more to that number. It's called Understanding Prayer Biblical Foundations, and Practical Guidance for Seeking God. It's right there on our information page, you can click on the link to discover how you can get your copy. Also, I have a link to his website. As you know from our wonderful frequent conversations with Doctor Storms, he's a kind of Library of Congress when it comes to resources as you're trying to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. So check that out. But also the brand new book. Well worth your time. Simply one of the best I've read on prayer in a long time. So early on in the book. Just to repeat, for those who are just joining us, you have a section called otherwise really addressing the question why pray? And as one of the examples that you give, it's the first Timothy two one and two, where Paul is encouraging Timothy for us to pray for those in authority. Otherwise what?

Otherwise, the church will experience hardship and face obstacles that hinder the fulfilling of our calling. Paul makes it clear, he urges, that supplications and prayers be made in order that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. So the only conclusion I. Excuse me. Allergies in Oklahoma. Hit me again. Um, it seems as if Paul is saying. And he does this in many places, not just Paul, but Jesus as well. If you do not pray for those in authority, there's a very good possibility that your life won't be peaceful and quiet and godly and dignified, because you will find your governmental leaders in opposition to you. So yeah, this this otherwise principle really hit home to me because, you know, we were talking earlier about the sovereignty of God and human responsibility. I would say for the majority of my adult Christian life, I emphasize the sovereignty of God more than my responsibility. And I think after reading the New Testament and the Old Testament as well, and digging into this issue, I've, I've kind of made the shift. It's not that I overemphasize responsibility and diminish God's sovereignty. I've just come to recognize it in a fresh way. And that's why this word otherwise came to mind. So, for example, Jesus says, whatever you ask in my name, this will I do in order that the father may be glorified in the son. Well, I guess that must mean if I don't pray, otherwise God won't be glorified. Or, uh, until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, in order that your joy may be full. So if we don't pray, we don't get joy. Uh, there's so many of these statements. I mean, Paul on several occasions prays or asks that the Thessalonians and the Colossians pray that the word of the Lord may spread and be honored, and that God would give them an open door and boldness. Otherwise, if we don't pray for that, there won't be open doors. There won't be clarity of proclaiming the truth. Um, you know, you think of, uh, James chapter five. Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. So why should we pray? Because otherwise they won't be healed. Doesn't mean that every prayer for healing will will come about as we hope that it will. But it almost, almost definitely means that if we don't pray, they won't be healed. So seeing these these statements, these purpose statements in especially in the ministry of Jesus, pray in order that God may be glorified, pray in order that your joy may be full. Well, those are I don't know any Christian who would say that those are unimportant or second and negligible and can be neglected. So it's that emphasis on the role that prayer plays in the implementation of God's purposes that has gripped me and driven me to write this book more so than any other motivation.

Otherwise, the church will experience hardship and face obstacles that hinder the fulfilling of our calling. Paul makes it clear, he urges, that supplications and prayers be made in order that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. So the only conclusion I. Excuse me. Allergies in Oklahoma. Hit me again. Um, it seems as if Paul is saying. And he does this in many places, not just Paul, but Jesus as well. If you do not pray for those in authority, there's a very good possibility that your life won't be peaceful and quiet and godly and dignified, because you will find your governmental leaders in opposition to you. So yeah, this this otherwise principle really hit home to me because, you know, we were talking earlier about the sovereignty of God and human responsibility. I would say for the majority of my adult Christian life, I emphasize the sovereignty of God more than my responsibility. And I think after reading the New Testament and the Old Testament as well, and digging into this issue, I've, I've kind of made the shift. It's not that I overemphasize responsibility and diminish God's sovereignty. I've just come to recognize it in a fresh way. And that's why this word otherwise came to mind. So, for example, Jesus says, whatever you ask in my name, this will I do in order that the father may be glorified in the son. Well, I guess that must mean if I don't pray, otherwise God won't be glorified. Or, uh, until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, in order that your joy may be full. So if we don't pray, we don't get joy. Uh, there's so many of these statements. I mean, Paul on several occasions prays or asks that the Thessalonians and the Colossians pray that the word of the Lord may spread and be honored, and that God would give them an open door and boldness. Otherwise, if we don't pray for that, there won't be open doors. There won't be clarity of proclaiming the truth. Um, you know, you think of, uh, James chapter five. Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. So why should we pray? Because otherwise they won't be healed. Doesn't mean that every prayer for healing will will come about as we hope that it will. But it almost, almost definitely means that if we don't pray, they won't be healed. So seeing these these statements, these purpose statements in especially in the ministry of Jesus, pray in order that God may be glorified, pray in order that your joy may be full. Well, those are I don't know any Christian who would say that those are unimportant or second and negligible and can be neglected. So it's that emphasis on the role that prayer plays in the implementation of God's purposes that has gripped me and driven me to write this book more so than any other motivation.

Wow. Wow.

Wow. Wow.

So good to hear. Let me go back to James five, 13 and 14 because again, I think I want to get rid of some of the stumbling blocks, which allows us then to go deeper into other areas. So you just touched on this. If anyone among you, is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Now you said something I want to extrapolate out so people heard it. It's not necessarily saying. And this goes to the bigger question of does God care? Does he hear my prayers? And why should I pray? I don't think he answers. Or when I ask for something, when I think it's the right and good thing to do, that sick person get healed. And he didn't. Well then that goes to not only the sovereignty of God, but the character of God. He can't be a loving God because he didn't heal this person I was praying for. But you said something important that I want to make sure our friends heard, which is, I don't know if a person is going to be healed. That is the sovereign will of God. But what you're challenging us to think about is not praying at all. Does what in the situation does prohibit God from healing a person? I mean, there is, again, it's that interesting tension between active and passive in our relationship with God.

So good to hear. Let me go back to James five, 13 and 14 because again, I think I want to get rid of some of the stumbling blocks, which allows us then to go deeper into other areas. So you just touched on this. If anyone among you, is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Now you said something I want to extrapolate out so people heard it. It's not necessarily saying. And this goes to the bigger question of does God care? Does he hear my prayers? And why should I pray? I don't think he answers. Or when I ask for something, when I think it's the right and good thing to do, that sick person get healed. And he didn't. Well then that goes to not only the sovereignty of God, but the character of God. He can't be a loving God because he didn't heal this person I was praying for. But you said something important that I want to make sure our friends heard, which is, I don't know if a person is going to be healed. That is the sovereign will of God. But what you're challenging us to think about is not praying at all. Does what in the situation does prohibit God from healing a person? I mean, there is, again, it's that interesting tension between active and passive in our relationship with God.

Well, you're exactly right. Again, we can't presume one way or the other. We can't say, well, for example, let's say that we pray for somebody who's suffering and nothing happens in that very moment. Does that mean we cease praying? Maybe God wants us to pray a second time and a third. Maybe he wants to mobilize the entire church or a small group to regularly pray for a person. And God does that because it magnifies his mercy and his sovereignty, and it also creates a greater sense of dependency in our hearts on who God is and what he chooses to do. Or it may be that God doesn't heal the person at all. Well, there are factors that we can't all explain. I mean, there are numerous reasons for that. Maybe the presence of a demon, maybe unbelief. It may be that God is using that affliction to sanctify them. I mean, if Romans 828 is true, and I believe it is, we must recognize that in the end, if God does not answer my prayer for something to happen, it's because he's working through that particular circumstance for my greater good. So, you know, that whole, um, that whole story or that whole narrative in James five is so important. And I think one thing that helps me and I hope this will help others. Unfortunately, our English versions don't show this, but it says in verse 15, after he says, let the call for the elders and pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And this says, and the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. What the what the English translation doesn't show is that the definite article precedes the word faith. It's literally. And the prayer of the faith will save the one who is sick. Now, I can't be dogmatic about this, but I think Paul's referring to the spiritual gift of faith. I think he's saying whether or not God chooses to heal this person when you pray for them, is dependent upon whether or not he has granted you, or one of the elders who's praying the spiritual gift of faith, which is, as I define it, that extraordinary surge of confidence that God's going to do something right now for which I have no biblical warrant. You know, I tell the story in the book of how that happened with me and a little three week old baby when I was pastoring in southern Oklahoma. And, uh, we prayed for this child who had a life threatening liver affliction. And I suddenly found myself incapable of doubting. I knew that God was going to heal that kid. Now people say, well, that happened every day with you, Sam. I'm 74 years old. It's happened once. One time. I wish I could say it happens every day. It doesn't. God is sovereign over to whom he gives. And when he gives the gift of faith. But I think that's explains this passage a great deal. God must grant the faith that he requires for a person to be healed in a miraculous way. Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't. But regardless, it's interesting. After this, as you know in verse 16, Paul or James goes on to say, therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. So it's not just prayer by the elders, it's every Christian praying for one another. And by the way, isn't that interesting that he seems to suggest that mutual confession of our sins is very much required for prayers to be answered. So when I pray for people who are sick and hurting, I always ask them. I said, let me ask you something. Is there a relationship in your life? An incident in the past or present in which you were deeply wounded by somebody and you have not yet forgiven them? Can you? Can you identify that? And almost all of them will say, well, yeah, I got several of those. Have you forgiven them? Well, no, because they don't understand what forgiveness is usually. And James seems to be saying, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. So that's another factor that enters into whether prayers are answered or not.

Well, you're exactly right. Again, we can't presume one way or the other. We can't say, well, for example, let's say that we pray for somebody who's suffering and nothing happens in that very moment. Does that mean we cease praying? Maybe God wants us to pray a second time and a third. Maybe he wants to mobilize the entire church or a small group to regularly pray for a person. And God does that because it magnifies his mercy and his sovereignty, and it also creates a greater sense of dependency in our hearts on who God is and what he chooses to do. Or it may be that God doesn't heal the person at all. Well, there are factors that we can't all explain. I mean, there are numerous reasons for that. Maybe the presence of a demon, maybe unbelief. It may be that God is using that affliction to sanctify them. I mean, if Romans 828 is true, and I believe it is, we must recognize that in the end, if God does not answer my prayer for something to happen, it's because he's working through that particular circumstance for my greater good. So, you know, that whole, um, that whole story or that whole narrative in James five is so important. And I think one thing that helps me and I hope this will help others. Unfortunately, our English versions don't show this, but it says in verse 15, after he says, let the call for the elders and pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And this says, and the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. What the what the English translation doesn't show is that the definite article precedes the word faith. It's literally. And the prayer of the faith will save the one who is sick. Now, I can't be dogmatic about this, but I think Paul's referring to the spiritual gift of faith. I think he's saying whether or not God chooses to heal this person when you pray for them, is dependent upon whether or not he has granted you, or one of the elders who's praying the spiritual gift of faith, which is, as I define it, that extraordinary surge of confidence that God's going to do something right now for which I have no biblical warrant. You know, I tell the story in the book of how that happened with me and a little three week old baby when I was pastoring in southern Oklahoma. And, uh, we prayed for this child who had a life threatening liver affliction. And I suddenly found myself incapable of doubting. I knew that God was going to heal that kid. Now people say, well, that happened every day with you, Sam. I'm 74 years old. It's happened once. One time. I wish I could say it happens every day. It doesn't. God is sovereign over to whom he gives. And when he gives the gift of faith. But I think that's explains this passage a great deal. God must grant the faith that he requires for a person to be healed in a miraculous way. Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't. But regardless, it's interesting. After this, as you know in verse 16, Paul or James goes on to say, therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. So it's not just prayer by the elders, it's every Christian praying for one another. And by the way, isn't that interesting that he seems to suggest that mutual confession of our sins is very much required for prayers to be answered. So when I pray for people who are sick and hurting, I always ask them. I said, let me ask you something. Is there a relationship in your life? An incident in the past or present in which you were deeply wounded by somebody and you have not yet forgiven them? Can you? Can you identify that? And almost all of them will say, well, yeah, I got several of those. Have you forgiven them? Well, no, because they don't understand what forgiveness is usually. And James seems to be saying, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. So that's another factor that enters into whether prayers are answered or not.

You talk about not just the power of prayer which you've been discussing, but the urgency of prayer. What do you mean when you use the word urgency? And why is there an urgency to prayer?

You talk about not just the power of prayer which you've been discussing, but the urgency of prayer. What do you mean when you use the word urgency? And why is there an urgency to prayer?

Well, I hope, I hope I'm not sounding redundant here, but it's because God has chosen to suspend the blessings upon his people when they ask him. You know, that is one of those there's I think it's in Isaiah 30 or 33, I can't remember exactly. Um, yeah. It's in Isaiah 33. Fascinating statement. Um, where basically, uh, the prophet says, um, Lord, we wait for you, um, come and and help us and heal us and do this. And it says, the Lord says, I will do it when you cry out to me when you make the appeal to me. So the urgency is, um, again, coming back to otherwise. Otherwise, if we don't pray right now, when the Lord lays that burden on our heart, we may lose the opportunity to see him act in an incredibly powerful way. Um, let me give one other example. I think this is one of my favorites in all of Scripture, and I have an entire chapter on this in the book is Paul's prayer at the end of Romans 15 when he he says, I appeal to you, uh, strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf. So Paul saying, I'm striving, I'm struggling. Would you join me in that in order that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints? And the amazing thing, Janet, is that when you read acts chapter 21, they prayed that and God answered. And Paul was delivered from his enemies in in Judea, and his offering to them was acceptable. So here are these people in Rome, praying for the the acceptance and the endorsement of Paul in Judea. And it happened.

Well, I hope, I hope I'm not sounding redundant here, but it's because God has chosen to suspend the blessings upon his people when they ask him. You know, that is one of those there's I think it's in Isaiah 30 or 33, I can't remember exactly. Um, yeah. It's in Isaiah 33. Fascinating statement. Um, where basically, uh, the prophet says, um, Lord, we wait for you, um, come and and help us and heal us and do this. And it says, the Lord says, I will do it when you cry out to me when you make the appeal to me. So the urgency is, um, again, coming back to otherwise. Otherwise, if we don't pray right now, when the Lord lays that burden on our heart, we may lose the opportunity to see him act in an incredibly powerful way. Um, let me give one other example. I think this is one of my favorites in all of Scripture, and I have an entire chapter on this in the book is Paul's prayer at the end of Romans 15 when he he says, I appeal to you, uh, strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf. So Paul saying, I'm striving, I'm struggling. Would you join me in that in order that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints? And the amazing thing, Janet, is that when you read acts chapter 21, they prayed that and God answered. And Paul was delivered from his enemies in in Judea, and his offering to them was acceptable. So here are these people in Rome, praying for the the acceptance and the endorsement of Paul in Judea. And it happened.

I mean, that changed the course of history for the church.

I mean, that changed the course of history for the church.

Exactly. And exemplifies the power of prayer. Doctor Sam storms our guest his brand new book, Understanding Prayer. More after this. Doctor Sam Storms is with us with a brand new book. It's called Understanding Prayer Biblical Foundations and Practical Guidance for Seeking God. And can I point out to you that this wonderful conversation thus far hasn't taken us out of the first chapter of the book, which is, again, why I'm so thankful for Sam's regular appearances on this broadcast, so we can take all the time necessary to really do a deeper dive and a greater understanding of this precious privilege known as prayer. Which takes me to the word intercessory. Tell me what that means, why we have a directive from Scripture to do that, and then how that ties in to Andrew Brunson's being held in prison in Turkey.

Exactly. And exemplifies the power of prayer. Doctor Sam storms our guest his brand new book, Understanding Prayer. More after this. Doctor Sam Storms is with us with a brand new book. It's called Understanding Prayer Biblical Foundations and Practical Guidance for Seeking God. And can I point out to you that this wonderful conversation thus far hasn't taken us out of the first chapter of the book, which is, again, why I'm so thankful for Sam's regular appearances on this broadcast, so we can take all the time necessary to really do a deeper dive and a greater understanding of this precious privilege known as prayer. Which takes me to the word intercessory. Tell me what that means, why we have a directive from Scripture to do that, and then how that ties in to Andrew Brunson's being held in prison in Turkey.

Oh, yeah. Um, we at Bridgeway, when I was still there, we had a prayer meeting every Wednesday from noon to one. And for the gosh, it was almost a year and a half that he was imprisoned in Turkey. We made prayer for his release, the central feature of what we did. And I know there are countless churches, probably hundreds of churches around the country in the world who did the same thing. And I think, you know, I can't can't prove it. But I think, uh, from what I know of Scripture, that when we get to heaven, we're going to discover that God said I orchestrated that such that my bringing about his release in the way that it happened was in response to your prayers for him. So intercession, um, is specifically praying for another individual. It's inter it's placing yourself into their life, bringing their burdens to God, and saying, Lord, I need you to act on their behalf. I need you to do for them what they otherwise can't do for themselves. And I think one of the important passages on this that I go into in detail in the book is from Luke chapter 11, where Jesus says, if you being good. I mean, if you being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit and good things to those who ask? I mean that those three words. How much more so important? Um, so I think about, you know, I'm looking through my out my office here, and I see my little two and a half year old grandson playing out there with my wife. And I think I'm I'm a depraved person. I'm a sinner who needed the grace of Jesus. But I'd do anything in my power for that little kid, and I'm not going to go over and offer him a, you know, hide behind my my hand, behind my back, say, hey, I got a cookie for you. And when he reaches back there, he gets a scorpion. I would never do that. How much more will your father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? So we have to ask. We have to plead with him to do that.

Oh, yeah. Um, we at Bridgeway, when I was still there, we had a prayer meeting every Wednesday from noon to one. And for the gosh, it was almost a year and a half that he was imprisoned in Turkey. We made prayer for his release, the central feature of what we did. And I know there are countless churches, probably hundreds of churches around the country in the world who did the same thing. And I think, you know, I can't can't prove it. But I think, uh, from what I know of Scripture, that when we get to heaven, we're going to discover that God said I orchestrated that such that my bringing about his release in the way that it happened was in response to your prayers for him. So intercession, um, is specifically praying for another individual. It's inter it's placing yourself into their life, bringing their burdens to God, and saying, Lord, I need you to act on their behalf. I need you to do for them what they otherwise can't do for themselves. And I think one of the important passages on this that I go into in detail in the book is from Luke chapter 11, where Jesus says, if you being good. I mean, if you being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit and good things to those who ask? I mean that those three words. How much more so important? Um, so I think about, you know, I'm looking through my out my office here, and I see my little two and a half year old grandson playing out there with my wife. And I think I'm I'm a depraved person. I'm a sinner who needed the grace of Jesus. But I'd do anything in my power for that little kid, and I'm not going to go over and offer him a, you know, hide behind my my hand, behind my back, say, hey, I got a cookie for you. And when he reaches back there, he gets a scorpion. I would never do that. How much more will your father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? So we have to ask. We have to plead with him to do that.

Amen. Again, I'm not going to rush through any of this. So we've just talked about God and the sovereignty and praying within the parameters of his will, and knowing that there is an urgency to prayer and how intercessory prayer works. But then you talk about the things that do change when we pray. What are those?

Amen. Again, I'm not going to rush through any of this. So we've just talked about God and the sovereignty and praying within the parameters of his will, and knowing that there is an urgency to prayer and how intercessory prayer works. But then you talk about the things that do change when we pray. What are those?

Well, the things that can change and do change, I think, are the things that are the revealed will of God in Scripture. So by reveal I mean their explicitly stated in the Word of God. He says, this is my desire. This is my will, my wish for you. And those things are dependent upon our praying them into reality. And God wants us to do that. So, you know, I come back to, uh, let's just I mentioned it earlier, first Thessalonians four. This is the will of God, your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality. Well, we know that many Christians don't abstain from sexual immorality. They indulge in it. And yet we know. So we know. In that sense, God's will is not accomplished. But it is our responsibility to pray that the Holy Spirit, who lives in each believer, would strengthen us to resist temptation to commit that sin. Excuse me again. So that's what I think is the emphasis of God's word. And, uh, let me just say one other thing about this. Um, because this may be my last comment about the book. Not everybody's going to like everything that I write about in this book, because I do go after a few sacred cows and I slay them with one, you know, swipe of the sword of God's Word. One of them being Matthew 18 and the statement, wherever 2 or 3 are gathered in my name, there I am among them, and I'll do it for them. I just encourage people to read my chapter on that and to realize that in context that's talking about church discipline. And the 2 or 3 who ask and agree are the 2 or 3 who bring the complaint against the sinning brother and the two who come along as witnesses. It's by the evidence of 2 or 3 witnesses. That's the 2 or 3 that he's talking about. Now, having said that, I think it's wonderful when Christians join together in prayer. When they agree with one another, they bring their petitions to the throne of grace. I think that is very, very important. And I just don't think Matthew 18 is talking about that. So it's so important that we really read God's Word in context and not just pull a verse out and live by it, but look at what precedes and what follows so we'll know precisely what Jesus was talking about.