by John David Hicks, Evangelist\Bible Teacher © 1997
“Pastor, teach us the essentials of prayer and worship in a simple way so that we can remember it, just like Jesus taught His disciples.” To this end the use of the “hand” was developed and has been used with children, youth and adults in their private devotions as they pray for the people in their life.
1 John 5:14-15, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask we know that we have what we asked of him.” Psalm 67:5-6, “May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.”
I. THE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER
Some time ago I read how a nurse taught a very sick man how to pray. In so doing, she changed his life. This once discouraged, disheartened and miserable man became a person filled with joy and peace.
The nurse used her hand to teach him the steps of prayer. Our hands were created to hold things. They also touch, feel, and help us communicate through gestures. They can also help us remember things. That is why the principles of prayer and worship are easily remembered by the use of our hands.
There is deep satisfaction in bringing your loved ones and all mankind to God in prayer. Each of her fingers stood for someone. Her thumb was nearest to her, and it reminded her to pray for those who were nearest and dearest to her. The second finger is used for pointing. Those who teach us often point to us with this finger when they would ask us a question; therefore, her second finger stood for all her teachers in school and in the hospital.
The third finger is the tallest so it stood for VIP’S (Very Important People). This category includes the leaders in every sphere of life. As every pianist knows, the fourth finger is the weakest finger. The nurse used this finger to remind the man to pray for those who were weak, for people in trouble, or in pain.
Finally, the little finger is the smallest and the most unimportant. To the nurse it stood for herself and by using this finger it helped her to keep her life in perspective. This is a good way to remember the basics of prayer.
THE LEFT HAND OF PRAYER
(1) THUMB–PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE CLOSEST TO YOU: friends and family. Eph.6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Also, Matthew 7:11; 1 John 5:16
(2) POINTER–PRAY FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERS: Pastors, Evangelist, Teachers, Missionaries, Fellow Workers. Eph. 6:19-20, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Also, Col. 1:9-10; 4:3-4.
(3) TALL ONE–PRAY FOR THE V.I.P.’S (Very Important People) IN THE WORLD: Presidents, Kings, and our employers. 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” Also, 1 Sam. 12:23.
(4) THE WEAKEST–PRAY FOR THE WEAK AND HURTING IN THE WORLD: First pray for those that you know about, then read the newspaper for people in accidents, sickness and death in a family. Gal. 6:10, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Also, 1 Pet. 5:7; Ps. 34:4-5; Matt. 25:40; 2 Thess. 3:2-3; 3 John 1:2; Acts 20:35.
(5) LITTLE ONE–PRAY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR NEEDS: By confession–1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” And petition–Heb. 4:16, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Also, Col. 4:2; Eph. 3:16.
A prayerless life is a defeated life. In Luke 18:1, Jesus said, “…men ought always to pray and not to faint.” If you pray you won’t faint and be feeble in life. Pray is the mightiest force on earth. The line is drawn between success and failure with six words. “I don’t have time to pray.” But ultimately, with prayer, whose life will you change, and what circumstances will you influence today?
II. THE ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES OF WORSHIP.
The illustration of the hand works well for worship as well. The dictionary defines worship as respect or honor shown to a person or thing. In the Bible, the word for worship can also be translated as service and as the duties of an obedient slave.
Your ministry of worship to the Lord must proceed all other service and work you do. The Lord says in Ezek. 44:15, that your first function is to come near to me and minister to me in worship.
Jesus said in John 4:23b “…the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the father seeks.” We worship God both because of who He is, and for what He has done.
THE RIGHT HAND OF WORSHIP
(1) THUMB–THE CLOSEST TO YOU–STARTS WITH THANKSGIVING IN YOUR WORSHIP: By giving thanks for God’s goodness and graciousness to you and your loved ones. Name three blessings and express you thinks to god. If you are thankful you wont be selfish, if you are selfish you wont be thankful. Ps. 50:23, “He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” Also, Ps. 4:6; 1 Thess. 5:18; Ps. 100:4-5.
(2) POINTER–POINTS TO GOD WHO IS TO BE PRAISED: We should also praise God for who He is. Name three character qualities of God and praise Him for each of them. Ps. 113:3, “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised.” Also, Rom. 11:36; Ps. 145:1-3; Ps. 107:8.
(3) TALL ONE–THE AUTHORITY–THE BIBLE AS GOD’S WORD: This is where we get our strength and its our guidebook for life. Read it and obey it. Are you willing to do what God’s Word tells you to do, today? Ps. 119:10-11, “I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Also 1 Thess. 3:13; John 15:7; 1 Tim. 4:4-5.
(4) WEAKEST–THIS ONE NEEDS EXERCISE: In a physical way you need to claim the Lord’s presence and power by singing, kneeling, lifting your hands, clapping. This is putting into action your worship and will free your spirit. Neh. 8:6, “Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, Amen! Amen! Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.” Also, Phil. 4:4; Ps. 34:1; Acts 16:25; Ps. 35:27; Ps. 47:1, 6; Ps. 63:4; Ps. 105:6.
(5) LITTLE ONE–THAT’S ME AND MY NEED TO EXPAND MY RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THROUGH MEDITATION: In worship, I must think through what the Holy Spirit is saying to me. Take five minutes and meditate on a portion of God’s word. As your worship begins with thanksgiving it ends in listening to God throughout the day. James 1:25, “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it–he will be blessed in what he does.” Joshua 1:8, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
LET US PRAY AND WORSHIP THE LORD BY USING OUR HANDS!