Journal: Conservative Theological Journal
Volume: CTJ 02:5 (Jun 1998)
Article: Prayer and the Sovereignty of God
Author: Dan Pinto

---

CTJ 2:5 (June 1998) p. 176

Prayer and the Sovereignty of God

Dan Pinto

Professor of Biblical Studies
Tyndale Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, TX

Introduction

Christianity is going out with a whimper instead of a bang as the end of the twentieth century draws near. The vitality and influence that the Church once had on its membership and community is all but a dim glimmer when compared to the vigor and excitement that the Church experienced as this century began. The dedication of faith, duty and honor that was held in such high esteem by our grandparents and great grandparents has been blurred and compromised by our parents. Our generation has been still more negligent, even to the point of forsaking the “faith” that has been entrusted to us.

The steadfastness of our faith, and validity of our witness, has been eroding because we have forsaken the elementary truths of the faith. As our attention turned from God to more materialistic pursuits, our faith has grown cold. We have pursued every technological advancement believing these temporal wonders can give us future hope, and neglected the only One who can give us hope.

This inept faith has been acknowledged by many of our brothers. The solution that has been offered is that the Church needs revival. Many evangelists and preachers have proclaimed 2 Chronicles 7:14 as the solution to our distress. “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” This verse has been the banner of many a revival service. Yet, we continue to see more of the world influencing the Church. There are numerous reports of revival services but few reports of genuine repentance. We do not hear of many who are humbly praying, but we have seen an increase in the worship of God becoming more entertaining. One comes to the conclusion that God’s people either do not want to seek God’s face and pray or we have forgotten how to approach the Lord through genuine prayer. If we want to see our generation experience

CTJ 2:5 (June 1998) p. 177

genuine revival we must come back to this essential truth; we must humble ourselves before Almighty God and pray.

God’s Purpose for Prayer Defined

It is sad to see that prayer, one of the most precious opportunities God has given man to experience, has been misused and misrepresented by the very people with whom He seeks to commune. Our prayers are not humble, they are demanding. There is an attitude of arrogance instead of reverence. We do not approach God with the idea of our minds being changed; we ...

visitor : : uid: ()