The Mechanics of Prayer

ISBN 981-00-8036-0

168 pages
Published 1996
By Rev Jedidiah Tham

EXTRACTS From The Book . . . .

• Foreword by Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj
• Foreword by Rev. Dr. Daniel O.C
• Chapter 2 - The Beauty of Prayer
• Chapter 4 - Parables of Prayer

FOREWORD

By Bro. Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj

I am honoured to write the Foreword for this book, Mechanics of Prayer, written by our dear brother Rev. Jedidiah Tham.

Sometimes it's just not good enough to know how to drive. If the car breaks down for some reasons, just knowing how to drive will not get the car working. But some knowledge of the mechanics of a car will get it to work. Likewise, knowing how to pray plus a knowledge of the operation of activating prayer, would cause our prayer life to be vibrant, active and alive.

The author and his family have been acquainted with me for several years. I have found them to be sincere believers who love the Lord Jesus with all their heart. The Lord God has given Rev. Jedidiah Tham a unique teaching ministry, in which he imparts revelatory knowledge of the Word through simple and practical workshops. This book is also interspersed with that flavour and aroma.

I believe this book will be a valuable aid to boost the prayer life of every believer.

Sadhu Sundar Selvaraj 
Jesus Ministries

By Rev. Dr. Daniel O.C. Agomoh

This book is a challenge to the prayerless and an encouragement to the prayerful. I call this book "A VITAL TOOL IN A CHRISTIAN'S TOOL-BOX". This book not only gives an account of the personal experiences of the author but it also points directly to the simplicity and down-to-earth basics on how a Christian can begin the prayer journey.

Prayer is a vital study and tool, although most Christians who prepare for the ministry neglect it. Thereby, they lack the most powerful weapon the world has ever known. There is no effective Christian life without an effective prayer life and the foundation of any ministry will collapse if prayer is neglected. Many Christians, even in Bible colleges today, have been deceived into thinking that prayer should not be taught. Thus they keep their hearers or students in costly ignorance. This book has vividly brought the concept and necessity of prayer to the understanding of the common man.

The author is known to me for many years. A teachable servant of God, he hungers for the deeper things of God. Beloved, re-examine your prayer life now. I pray that this book will challenge you to revolutionise your prayer life into a higher dimension in Jesus' Name. Amen. Remain blessed and rapturable.

Rev. Dr. Daniel O.C. 
Agomoh Charis Global Vision, Singapore.

CHAPTER 2 - The Beauty of Prayer

Lessons from Genesis

One morning, as I was meditating deeply on this subject, the Holy Spirit said, "Son, I want to unveil to you the mystery of prayer in the book of Genesis." I was so thrilled. For the next half hour, the Lord God through the Holy Spirit, taught me about the marvelous truths of prayer. In this chapter, the numerous hidden insights are shared as brief pointers rather than a teaching by itself.

The Holy Spirit revealed the beauty and essence of prayer. He said, "Son, I have provided every good thing for Adam to enjoy in the Garden of Eden. The creation of Eden reveals the wonderful nature of God. All the blessings found within the garden was a direct indication of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 107:8,9)." Adam experienced the presence of God in the Garden of Eden and with His presence came the blessings. The ultimate purpose or essence of prayer is to enter into God's presence and commune with Him. When God who is our Heavenly Father delights in us, He will surely grant the request of our prayers and give good gifts to us (James 1:17).

God was fond of Adam as he was God's prized creation formed by His very own hands in His own image. He loves us as much as He loved Adam. Likewise, when God grants your prayers, it is because He loves you. When He does not, it is also because He loves you as represented by the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Prayer is a channel through which Father God can shower His goodness upon His children.

Root of Poverty

The following insight unravels the question, "Why should we pray?" The Divine Counselor said, "Many of God's children receive blessings in life without even asking. Likewise Adam didn't need to ask for all things that were freely given to him in the garden. However, there are some graces reserved only for those who pray. If Adam had asked God for the best and blessed fruit, God would have shown him directly the Tree of Life and freely granted him to eat the fruit of that tree. Adam missed that gracious blessings because he didn't ask." Likewise, we are given many precious promises in life to enjoy (2 Peter 1:4), yet we still miss some of these blessings at times. My friend, there are seven short words that describes the reason for the poverty and powerlessness among most Christians. "Ye have not because ye ask not" - the neglect of prayer (James 4:2KJV).

"Often times men pray to the Father in My Name, but do not abide in Me; that is, they take My Name into their mouths and on their lips, but not into their hearts and lives. That is the reason why they do not obtain what they pray for. But when I abide in them and they in Me, then whatever they ask from the Father they shall receive." (John 15:7) - Sundar Singh

CHAPTER 4 - Parables of Prayer

Royal Morning Glory

Let us examine the spiritual significance of the Morning Glory plant as enlightened by the Holy Spirit. The common Morning Glory is an annual vine native to tropical America. It has a hairy stem, broad heart-shaped leaves and showy, funnel-shaped purple flowers. These purple flowers signify royalty and is shaped like trumpets. In the Old Testament, only the priest has the right to sound the trumpet (Numbers 10:8; Joshua 6:4; 1 Chronicles 5:12). So the Morning Glory symbolizes the royal priesthood of all believers.

This plant is sometimes known as the blue dawn flower. Generally, its flowers open for a few hours in the morning, The Morning Glory opens every day to welcome the early morning sun. Likewise, God's people as priests should come into His presence daily to fellowship with the "Son" of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2). The Psalmist said, "I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help..." (Psalm 119:147). "So he left Asaph and his brother there before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister before the ark regularly, as every day's work required." (1 Chronicles 16:37). Indeed, we need to have a daily prayer habit. Note carefully, the last five words: "as every day's work required." It is the responsibility of every priest cum believer to burn incense of prayer daily before His throne.

The Morning Glory emits a slight fragrance. The main Greek word for prayer, proseuche signifies the 'pouring out from within our inner being.' The "flower" of prayer will pour out (emit) the sweet fragrance of incense before God.

Have you ever observed the opening of the Morning Glory or any other flower? It usually opens at dawn and closes at night. The period of dawn to dusk at evening represents the two realms of light and darkness. When we choose to walk in the realm of light (love, righteousness, holiness or peace), we shall experience the rich fellowship of His presence in prayer (1 John 1:6,7). We will possess the desire and the interest for prayer as well as the ability to pray. We must avoid "opening" ourselves to the wrong influences of darkness or unrighteousness. Once our hearts are defiled, we will have  a bad conscience. Whenever fellowship between God and us are interrupted, the flow of prayer will be hindered. Subsequently, we will dislike praying and we will not even have the slightest inclination, desire or mood to pray.

The flowers of the Morning Glory are slightly tilted upwards. These blooming flowers reflect the open fellowship between the Lord and the believer in prayer. These flowers are laid bare to the light of the sun. There is nothing hidden. The light exposes the inner parts of the flowers. Likewise, we must allow the light of the Lord to deal with the inner chambers of our hearts. When our lives are exposed like an open book before the Lord, immediately we must confess  our sins. When there is purity within, the heart will then be inclined to pray...