Topical Bible: The Scriptures: Saints: Pray to be Taught

Bible > Topical > The Scriptures

◄ The Scriptures: Saints: Pray to be Taught ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Scriptures emphasize the importance of seeking divine instruction and guidance through prayer. The saints, as followers of God, are encouraged to pray for understanding and wisdom in their spiritual journey. This practice is rooted in the acknowledgment of human limitations and the recognition of God's infinite wisdom and knowledge.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous examples and exhortations for believers to pray for divine teaching. In Psalm 25:4-5 , David prays, "Show me Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You." This passage highlights the desire for God’s guidance and the reliance on His truth as a source of salvation and direction.

Similarly, in Psalm 119:33-34 , the psalmist petitions, "Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding that I may observe Your law and follow it with all my heart." Here, the request for teaching is linked to the commitment to obedience, demonstrating that divine instruction is sought not merely for knowledge but for faithful living.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

In the New Testament, the role of the Holy Spirit as a teacher is emphasized. Jesus, in His discourse with the disciples, promises the coming of the Holy Spirit who will teach and remind them of His teachings. In John 14:26 , Jesus states, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." This assurance underscores the continuous presence of divine instruction through the Holy Spirit, who enlightens and guides believers in truth.

Apostolic Prayers for Wisdom and Understanding

The apostles also model prayers for spiritual insight and understanding. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently prays for the churches to receive wisdom and knowledge from God. In Ephesians 1:17-18 , Paul writes, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints."

Practical Application for Believers

For believers, praying to be taught by God is an essential aspect of spiritual growth and maturity. It involves a humble acknowledgment of one's need for divine wisdom and a commitment to align one's life with God's will. This prayerful pursuit of knowledge is not merely for personal edification but is intended to equip the saints for service and to foster a deeper relationship with God.

In summary, the Scriptures encourage the saints to earnestly seek God's teaching through prayer, relying on the Holy Spirit and the wisdom imparted through the Word of God. This practice is foundational for living a life that honors God and fulfills His purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:12,13,33,66
Blessed are you, O LORD: teach me your statutes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Twenty-First Article they Absolutely Condemn, Because we do ...
... ought to be brought forward when we pray. ... the most insignificant matters concerning
the saints, concerning their ... governments [as in the Holy Scriptures it is ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 26 the twenty-first article.htm

The Recipient of Prayer in Its Four Moods
... by anyone to stand in the scriptures as spoken ... to God, therefore, during their prayers,
saints acknowledge His ... scrupulous about prayer ought not to pray to one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter x the recipient of.htm

The Kingdom Given to the Saints at the Resurrection of the Just.
... symbol includes, with the martyred saints, those who ... Polycarp related agreeable to
the scriptures." Following such a ... a custom for Christians to pray that they ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the kingdom given to the.htm

The Lord's Prayer. Our Father who Art in Heaven.
... Therefore we read in the Scriptures that He is angry also with those who were smitten
for their sin ... Paul, then I would pray. ... Paul or of the most holy saints. ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/the lords prayer our father.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... construction, warrant the conclusion that some real saints had been ... son of perdition
is lost, according to the scriptures. ... thou didst send me.9. I pray for them ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture li perseverance of saints.htm

Some Scriptures for Daily Practise.
... SOME SCRIPTURES FOR DAILY PRACTISE. ... thereunto with all perseverance and supplication
for all saints." Eph.6 ... is not those who have plenty of time to pray that do ...
/.../orr/how to live a holy life/some scriptures for daily practise.htm

The Holy Spirit Our Helper in Prayer
... We are enjoined in the Holy Scriptures to "pray in the Holy Ghost ... of the Spirit,
because He maketh intercession for the saints according to ... "To pray with all ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the reality of prayer/xiv the holy spirit our.htm

The Letter of Saint Polycarp,
... to me"only, as it is said in these Scriptures, "be angry ... a portion and share [400]
among his saints, and to ... raised him from the dead." [402] ?^3"Pray for all ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of saint polycarp.htm

Now Follows the Practice of Piety in Dying for the Lord.
... 5. That the holy Scriptures have God's authority (Romans 9:17 ... 9. That we must not
pray unto any, but to God ... 14; viii.15, 27), therefore not to saints and angels ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/now follows the practice of.htm

The Redeemer's Return is Necessitated by the Supplications of the ...
... The Redeemer taught His saints to look forward to the ... with God's interests and purposes,
and to pray for the ... It is clear from a number of Scriptures that the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/ix the redeemers return is.htm