God's View on Self-Devaluation and Name-Calling in Prayer
God's View on Self-Devaluation and Name-Calling in Prayer
The concept of self-devaluation and name-calling in prayer is rooted in biblical teachings and has been interpreted by various Christian traditions. In prayer, believers are encouraged to humble themselves before God, acknowledging their limitations and sinfulness.
The biblical basis for self-devaluation in prayer is seen in passages like Daniel 9:18, where the prophet prays, "My God, turn your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies' sake" [1]. This verse illustrates the practice of approaching God with humility, recognizing one's own unworthiness, and relying on God's mercy.
In the Reformed tradition, John Calvin emphasizes the importance of humility in prayer, stating that "we must be wholly intent on prayer, and... borne and raised above ourselves" [4]. Calvin also notes that prayer should be "framed as becomes those who are entering into converse with God" [4]. This highlights the need for reverence and a proper understanding of God's character when praying.
The practice of calling upon God's name in prayer is also significant. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, "Calling upon the name of the Lord" is a biblical expression that signifies prayer [2]. This is supported by various scriptures, including Genesis 12:8, Psalm 116:4, and Acts 22:16 [2]. The use of God's name in prayer is not merely a formal invocation but an expression of faith and recognition of God's character and covenant promises.
In the context of self-devaluation, Calvin warns against boasting or relying on one's own righteousness. He cites Jeremiah 9:23-24, where the prophet emphasizes that one's boast should be in knowing the Lord [3]. This underscores the importance of humility and recognizing God's sovereignty in all aspects of life, including prayer.
The early Church Fathers also addressed the issue of self-devaluation in prayer. Hippolytus, in his treatise on the Lord's Prayer, notes that believers are allowed to call God "Father," a privilege granted through Christ [6]. This familial relationship with God encourages believers to approach Him with confidence and humility.
Charles Hodge, representing the Reformed (Old Princeton) tradition, defines prayer as "the converse of the soul with God" and highlights its various aspects, including reverence, gratitude, and submission to God's authority [5]. This understanding of prayer underscores the need for a proper attitude of humility and recognition of God's majesty.
The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, emphasizes the exclusion of boasting in prayer and the importance of ascribing all glory to God [7]. Henry's commentary on Psalm 115:1 notes that believers should not assume glory for themselves but instead attribute all merit to God.
Sources
- Daniel “My God, turn your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies’ sake. -- Daniel 9:18”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 68: Lord have I righteousness and strength, even to him shall men come.” Observe, that the thing required is not simple confession, but confession confirmed by an oath, that it might not be imagined that any kind of fictitious humility might suffice. And let no man here allege that he does not glory, when without arrogance he recognizes his own righteousness; such a recognition cannot take place without generating confidence, nor such confidence without begetting boasting. Let us remember, therefore, that in the whole discussion concer”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 75: framed as becomes those who are entering into converse with God. This we shall accomplish in regard to the mind, if, laying aside carnal thoughts and cares which might interfere with the direct and pure contemplation of God, it not only be wholly intent on prayer, but also, as far as possible, be borne and raised above itself. I do not here insist on a mind so disengaged as to feel none of the gnawings of anxiety; on the contrary, it is by much anxiety that the fervor of prayer is inflamed. Thus we see that the holy servants of God”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 73: § 20. Prayer. Prayer is the converse of the soul with God. Therein we manifest or express to Him our reverence, and love for his divine perfection, our gratitude for all his mercies, our penitence for our sins, our hope in his forgiving love, our submission to his authority, our confidence in his care, our desires for his favour, and for the providential and spiritual blessings needed for ourselves and others. As religion, in the subjective sense of the word, is the state of mind induced by the due apprehension of the character of God and”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 5: Hippolytus, Cyprian, Caius, Novatian — ON THE LORD'S PRAYER. (part 7): house for ever, but the son abideth ever."(6) 11. But how great is the Lord's indulgence! how great His condescension and plenteousness of goodness towards us, seeing that He has wished us to pray in the sight of God in such a way as to call God Father, and to call ourselves sons of God, even as Christ is the Son of God,-a name which none of us would dare to venture on in prayer, unless He Himself had allowed us thus to pray! We ought then, beloved brethren, to remember and to know, that when we call God Father, ”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 115:1: Sufficient care is here taken to answer both the pretensions of self and the reproaches of idolaters. I. Boasting is here for ever excluded, Psa 115:1. Let no opinion of our own merits have any room either in our prayers or in our praises, but let both centre in God's glory. 1. Have we received any mercy, gone through any service, or gained any success? We must not assume the glory of it to ourselves, but ascribe it wholly to God. We must not imagine that we do any thing for God by our own strength, or deserve any thing from God by our own righteousness; but all ”