The upcoming fall feasts of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Succoth (Tabernacles), this year falling on Oct. 2, 11, and 16, become even more important as we see the unfolding of End Time events, and the imminent return of Jesus drawing near. Jesus will fulfill the fall feasts just as He fulfilled the spring feasts of Israel.
As Israel and Jews and Christians around the world observe the feast days ahead, it is at a time when Israel, as a nation, observes its 68th year. Daniel, the prophet, describes the major events of 69 weeks of years, so we must consider this time in the history of Israel to be significant.
As the feasts approach, prayer becomes a vital preparation for all of us.
The disciples knew that there was something powerful about Jesus in prayer that they desired to know. Even after they had returned triumphantly telling Jesus that the demons were subject to them, Jesus informed them that there was something greater in which to rejoice:
"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Lk. 10:20
It was immediately following this, that the disciples noticed the special time of prayer that Jesus experienced. They asked him to teach them about it (Lk. 11:1-4):
"And He said unto them, "When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name."
Jesus instructed them to speak directly to our Father in heaven. It is not prayer, according to the teaching of the rabbis, unless it is spoken to God. The Israelites sought to escape from direct communication with God when God descended upon Sinai. They begged Moses that they should not talk to God, but rather Moses do so for them:
"...let not God speak with us, lest we die." Ex. 20:19
Many believers also pray to others, rather than praying to God, Himself. However, Jesus did not teach this, as we can see above. By using the address "Father", He also emphasized having an intimate, loving, familial relationship with God, as a child with a father.
Jesus continued teaching:
"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." Lk. 11:2
We recognize that the purpose of prayer is to agree with God's will. His will is His Word-they never contradict each other. We recognize that His will should be in our mouths, rather than our own.
"Give us, day by day, our daily bread." Lk. 11:3
We attest by our mouths that God sustains and provides us with all we have need, not only the physical bread for food, but the spiritual bread of life, His Son, His Word. Jesus asks His disciples, "If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish, give him a serpent?...if ye then,...know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" Lk. 11:11-13
He will not ignore our needs, as we ask Him.
"And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive everyone that is indebted to us." Lk. 11:4
We come to God asking for that mercy blood of Jesus that cleanses us of sin, and resurrects (redeems) us from death. Even though by our own efforts, we are not righteous, we can approach Him with confidence knowing that we have been rescued from this condition by our Savior.
Equally important, as we rely upon His forgiveness of us, we must also forgive others. How can we come before Almighty God bearing unforgiveness towards others? How can we come before Him without first examining our own hearts? Let us approach with a reverent heart, a humble heart "...forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Eph. 4:32)
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Lk. 11:4
Let us know that there isn't one of us who is beyond temptation. Temptation comes with every thought, word, and deed. Jesus says that we need the help of our Father to guide us away from these evil things.
Jesus told us that when we see the signs of the end begin to happen, "...look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Lk. 21:28
We certainly see the signs of the end of this age all around us. As we prepare for the feasts, we are also preparing for the nearness of our redemption. All creation is waiting and groaning for this redemption, through which we manifest as the sons of God. We ourselves, along with the rest of creation, "groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies." Rom. 8:19-23
We have been sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of redemption. The communications out of our mouths, and the thoughts of our hearts should reflect this Seal, and not grieve Him. (Eph. 4:29-32).
Prayer, as a type of communication acceptable to the Holy Spirit, reaffirms our seal in Him as we await that redemption. The word "pray" in Hebrew is spelled with the letters pe, lamed, lamed. Pe means to open the mouth, to command, to speak, a beginning. Lamed, which is used twice in the word for emphasis, means a shepherd's staff, to teach, to learn, to urge forward, tongue. As Jesus taught about prayer, it is as much a preparation, and an affirming, as it is a petition.
As scripture emphasizes the communications out of our mouths as all creation awaits the soon-coming redemption, or resurrection, of our bodies, God talks about "tabernacling" with our mouths:
"And the LORD said unto him (Moses), "Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing or the blind? have not I the LORD? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." Ex. 4:11-12
This is the very definition of the letters of the Hebrew word "pray".
The communication that should be in our mouths, as Jesus and Paul taught their disciples, is the same communication that God instructed Joshua:
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night...Have I not commanded thee?...For the LORD thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." Josh. 1:8-9
God promises that as His Word is in our mouths, He is in our mouths.
Daniel told us that in the Latter Days:
"... the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits...and they shall be wise that shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they shall turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Dan. 11:32, 12:3
We desire to do exploits for God, even turning many to righteousness. What greater exploit can there be than to open our mouths in prayer being led, taught, and urged forward by the Shepherd's staff, with the promise of God that He is with us, and with our mouths? It is the prayer out of our mouths that prepares creation and ourselves for these fall feasts, and the soon-coming Redemption.
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