Impact of Sovereignty on Prayer Life and Practice
The concept of God's sovereignty significantly influences the practice and understanding of prayer among Christians. According to Reformed tradition, the sovereignty of God is not a deterrent to prayer but rather a foundation for it. Calvin's commentary on Philippians emphasizes the importance of prayer in the life of a believer, highlighting the biblical encouragement to call upon God [3].
The biblical basis for prayer is rooted in various passages that encourage believers to seek God fervently. For instance, the Psalmist expresses a deep commitment to prayer, stating, "As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me" [8]. This confidence in prayer is grounded in the understanding that God is sovereign and actively involved in the lives of believers. The practice of prayer is not limited to personal petitions but also involves intercession for others and expressions of thanksgiving.
The Lord's Prayer, as recorded in Matthew 6:9-13, serves as a model for Christian prayer, emphasizing simplicity, reverence, and trust in God's sovereignty [2]. The prayer's focus on God's name being hallowed and His kingdom coming underscores the priority of God's glory and reign in the life of the believer. This perspective is echoed in the writings of the Psalmist, who prays for God's blessing and the knowledge of God among the nations [9].
The relationship between God's sovereignty and prayer is complex, as it involves the interplay between divine providence and human agency. While some might view God's sovereignty as limiting the efficacy of prayer, Reformed and Puritan traditions interpret it as a motivation for prayer. According to Matthew Henry, prayer is a means by which believers can express their dependence on God and align their will with His sovereign purposes [7].
The practice of prayer is also linked to the believer's identity and their relationship with God. In Philippians 4:23, the apostle Paul closes his letter with a benediction, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit," emphasizing the spiritual nature of the Christian life and the importance of invoking God's presence [5].
In 2 Thessalonians 3:16, Paul prays for the believers to have peace, invoking the "Lord of peace" to be with them always. This prayer reflects the understanding that God's sovereignty is a source of peace and comfort for believers amidst challenges [6].
The biblical encouragement to call upon God is reiterated in various passages, including 2 Timothy 2:22, which exhorts believers to "pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" [4]. This call to prayer is not limited to individual devotion but is also a communal practice, as seen in the early Christian community.
The sovereignty of God in prayer is not about diminishing human responsibility but about grounding prayer in the reality of God's character and purposes. As Sirach 38:39 notes, the prayer of the righteous is effective, and their work is blessed by God [1].
Sources
- Sirach “Sirach 38:39 (DRC) — But they shall strengthen the state of the world, and their prayer shall be in the work of their craft, applying their soul, and searching in the law of the most High.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 84.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1 1:26 3:22 9:6 9:6 9:6 14:13 Exodus 7:11 14:13 14:31 32:32 Leviticus 19:14 Deuteronomy 7:7-8 10:17 13:3 1 Kings 19:18 Job 4:18 Psalms 7:8 35:19 37:5 55:22 55:22 69:28 73:1-12 122:6 128:2 137:6 138:8 138:8 145:18 Proverbs 3:5 5:15 8:36 10:4 Ecclesiastes 9:3 Isaiah 11:4 26:9 30:15 30:21 33:22 42:1 45:23 48:11 50:5 53:1 55:11 55:13 60:2 60:2 60:2 64:8 Jeremiah 5:8 17:9 23:29 31:33 Ezekiel 11:20 Daniel 12:2 Hosea 1:10-11 Amos 9:36 Zechariah 14:8 Malachi 4:2 Matthew 5:11 5:14 5:15 ”
- 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 2:22: 2:22 those who call on the Lord: Cp. Ps 99:6; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; 9:14, 21; 22:16; Rom 10:12-13; 1 Cor 1:2. • with pure hearts: Cp. 1 Tim 1:5.”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 4:23: (Gal 6:18). be with you all. Amen--The oldest manuscripts read, "Be with your spirit," and omit "Amen." Next: Colossians Introduction”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
- Jeremiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Jeremiah 32:16: We have here Jeremiah's prayer to God upon occasion of the discoveries God had made to him of his purposes concerning this nation, to pull it down, and in process of time to build it up again, which puzzled the prophet himself, who, though he delivered his messages faithfully, yet, in reflecting upon them, was greatly at a loss within himself how to reconcile them; in that perplexity he poured out his soul before God in prayer, and so gave himself ease. That which disturbed him was not the bad bargain he seemed to have made for himself in purchasing a field tha”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 55:16: In these verses, I. David perseveres in his resolution to call upon God, being well assured that he should not seek him in vain (Psa 55:16): "As for me, let them take what course they please to secure themselves, let violence and strife be their guards, prayer shall be mind; this I have found comfort in, and therefore this will I abide by: I will call upon God, and commit myself to him, and the Lord shall save me;" for whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord, in a right manner, shall be saved, Rom 10:13. He resolves to be both fervent and frequent in this du”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 67:1: Ps 67 In this anonymous prayer for God’s blessing, the psalmist addresses the knowledge and worship of God among the nations (cp. 64:9; 65:8). The prayer requests that God’s name be kept holy and that his kingdom come (cp. Matt 6:9-13). 67:1-2 This prayer is based on the priestly blessing found in Num 6:24-26. God’s goodness to Israel affects his reputation among the nations (see Ps 96:1-3).”