In my last post I dealt with some New Testament prayer ... a better way to pray in comparison to the old covenant prayers we pray as brain-washed Christians.
Don't blame me!
Blame Paul!
There is a difference between the New Testament and the old covenant (which you were never part of, unless you were an Israelite) and there is a different way to pray.
You are an heir in the kingdom of God. Now pray like you are!
Jesus explained the difference between an old covenant prayer and a New Testament prayer in John 16:23-24:
And in that day ye shall ask (erōtaō) me nothing.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask (aiteō) the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Hitherto have ye asked (aiteō) nothing in my name
ask (aiteō), and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full (plēroō).
Again ...
Hitherto have ye asked (aiteō) nothing in my name: ask (aiteō), and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
Notice the two different words for ask? (We'll get to that in a minute)
What is the day that Jesus uses to separate the two asks?
The day that the full price was paid completely, once and forever!
Jesus explained to his disciples what He meant when He said A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
He explained to them the fullness and purpose of His death on the cross, his resurrection and the outpouring of His spirit. So that the joy of mankind may be complete.
The finished work of Christ!
His will for us is to be satisfied in the most complete sense of the word. Plēroō - to make replete, finish, verify, to accomplish, to make perfectly full.
... and the asking part?
In the Greek there is more than one word for ask (prayer).
When Jesus uses the first ask, it is the word erōtaō meaning here to ask a favour, beg, beseech, desire, intreat, pray; to question, ascertain by inquiry. This was the old covenant way to pray through begging, travailing and consuming yourself.
So, Jesus says in that day (after the cross) we will beg Him nothing ...
When Jesus uses the word ask again (after that day), He now continuously uses a different Greek word - aiteō. The word has an all together different meaning. It means to strictly demand something due!
Aiteō is from a root Greek word that essentially means that which is strictly a demand of something due.
When Jesus says something, its good to focus
Instead of begging like the old covenant way, following that day, we can now demand something already there for the taking!
Jesus is talking about restored, New Testament, dominion authority. He says we can now demand (and command) something (like health, prosperity, protection, etc.), that He had taken upon Himself and accomplished, and which is now due to us (as heirs). Because He overcame and emerged victoriously, we are now in a position after that day, to lay claim of all His goodness and provision!
Can you see the finished work of the cross there?
In that day ... is today?
Let me paraphrase as I did once before into simple English.
Jesus says in this day (today) you will no longer beg Me, but as an absolute truth I tell you, when you will demand whatever is due (provided for by My finished work on the cross and beyond), the Father, in My Name, He will give to you. And you joy will be absolute!
What then about Paul's prayer?
Paul prays New Testament prayers all the time.
Paul prays that our minds be blown as we become aware and discover our authority in Christ in the revelation of what He had accomplished for us ...
He prays in Ephesians 3:14-21:
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Master Yahushua the Messiah, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory,
to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That the Messiah may dwell in your hearts by faith;
That ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height and to know the love of the Messiah, which passeth knowledge,
That ye might be filled with all the fulness of יהוה.
Now unto him that is able (dunamai) to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power (dunamai) that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the assembly by the Messiah Yahushua throughout all ages, world without end. amein.
... and he means what he says, emphasizing the authority we have by asking (aiteō) exceeding abundantly above all
Exceedingly abundantly above all - above, in excess and far beyond our elaborate demands
This word says to Him Who has power (dunamai) far above, in excess and beyond (above - the excessively-over-the-top beyond) what we ask (aiteō - the root Greek word that essentially means that which is strictly a demand of something due) or pray for ... according with the power (dunamis) (the same Spirit that raised Jesus from death) that works inside of us ...
Does the Power work in you?
The same Power ...
Aiteō-Power ...
Jesus said it!
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
So ...
It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John 16:7
And He did!
Therefore ...
... ask (aiteō), and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16:24
See the promise there?
HalleluYAH!