Learning to Pray from Isaiah
We have spent a large part of the year in Isaiah. As the book draws to a close, we continue to God’s commitment to saving His people, and dealing with sin totally. Isaiah 63-64 gives us a wonderful picture of a God who is faithful and does “praiseworthy acts” on behalf of Israel (Isa 63:7-9). In all their their affliction he was afflicted. God was sorrowful over the suffering of his people, even though it was their own sin that brought it on (Isa 63:9).
Our Care Groups have also been studying this passage, and in a recent study, they spent some time looking at how Isaiah 63:7-64:12 records for us Isaiah’s prayer of faith, as the prophet intercedes with God on behalf of the people. It also sets a clear pattern for us in our prayer. Prayer is an important part of our life as Christians, and it’s also helpful for us to learn from God’s Word how we can pray to Him. This is a structure that we can adopt, and it also prompts us to think about the focus of our prayers. This material has also been adapted from “Teaching Isaiah” by David Jackman.
In prayer we talk to God about God (Isa 63:7-14). Isaiah spoke of God’s faithfulness towards Israel (Isa 63:7-9), their faithlessness towards Him (Isa 63:10) and their longing for something better (Isa 63:11-14). Here, Isaiah recounts Israel’s history and how that has also revealed God’s character and nature. Do we talk to God about God?
We also cry to God to intervene (Isa 63:15–64:3). What is the basis of our cries? Firstly, we go to Him because He is our Father (Isa 63:15-17a). Secondly, Isaiah also recognises their state — they are His servants (Isa 63:17b-19). Isaiah laments both the sins of the people and the discipline of the Lord. The prophet knows that human hearts will naturally stray from God’s ways and become hardened in sin, unless God intervenes with His sovereign grace. The prophet in his prayer, pleads with God to stop His people’s straying, for it is this very thing that has led to God’s righteous judgments on Israel — the trampling of God’s sanctuary by Israel’s wicked enemies.
Finally, they turn to God because He rules the world (Isa 64:1-3). It is this God that hte prophet asks to come down, to return to His people and restore their covenant relationship. In doing so, the nations will be able to see and tremble at His presence. Do we cry out to God to intervene as we look at the fallen condition of humankind?
In prayer, we also acknowledge and recognise before God our true problem (Isa 64:4-7). God has revealed His righteous demands (Isa 64:4-5a) but Israel has sinned in disobedience (Isa 64:5b-6). Therefore, it is only right and inevitable that God keeps His distance (Isa 64:7). Do we recognize and confess our own sinfulness?
Finally, we turn back to God in total dependence (Isa 64:8-12). Isaiah teaches us to submit to His lordship (Isa 64:8), appeal for His mercy (Isa 64:9) and seek His compassion (Isa 64:10-12). Do we realize and acknowledge our total dependence on God?