I still remember the first time I approached the Book of Revelation without any grounding in Torah. It felt like stepping into a movie halfway through with the subtitles turned off — crazy images everywhere, but no context to anchor them. From beasts and bowls to the mysterious “triple six,” John’s visions seemed far beyond anything I could ever hope to understand.
Part of the frustration I experienced was that, in many Western churches, Revelation is rarely taught. Some pastors even discourage people from reading it, despite the book itself promising a blessing to those who do. Add to that a widespread neglect of the Old Testament in many churches—especially the Tanakh—and many believers are left trying to interpret the most symbol-rich book of the New Testament with half the library missing.
End-Time Curiosity With Old-Testament Amnesia
Trying to grasp Revelation without the Prophets and the Writings is like attempting to run a race blindfolded. So it’s no surprise that so many of us feel spiritually disoriented.
Contemplating the “end times” in a world that feels increasingly unstable has become almost unavoidable. With world-wide tensions rising and cultural norms collapsing, more people are asking what Scripture says about the times we’re living in. The Book of Revelation speaks directly into moments like this, but only when we read it the way John intended—through the lens of the Old Testament.
Understanding how to read this book changes everything—because Revelation was never meant to confuse believers, but to steady and strengthen us. With that in mind, here are seven things most readers miss when studying this awe-inspiring book.
Apostle John on Patmos
7 Insights That Bring Clarity to the Book of Revelation
1. Revelation is meant to inspire—not terrify.
John’s visions were given to strengthen the faithful, encourage endurance, and remind believers that Yeshua reigns, even when the world looks chaotic. It was written to encourage suffering believers that, despite the power of Rome, YHWH reigns and through Yeshua (the Lamb slain, and now resurrected) victory has already been won. It remains a description of the ongoing struggle between Eloah’s kingdom and forces of darkness that oppose every generation, with a call to faithfulness.
John reveals heavenly realities behind earthly events. In doing so he…
Emphasizes that YHWH still reigns over the nations
Powers that persecute His people (Rome/demonic spirits) are temporary
The promises of the Prophets are being fulfilled through Yeshua
Before diving into John’s apocalyptic book, it is essential to clear up a common misunderstanding about the word apocalypse. In Greek, the term simply means “unveiling” or “revealing”—a pulling back of the curtain so something hidden can be seen. But in modern Western culture, the word has been twisted to imply chaos, catastrophe, and end-of-the-world destruction. If we carry that distorted definition into Revelation, we start off with the wrong expectations.
2. Revelation shows history repeating until its final, glorious conclusion.
Patterns of rebellion, judgment, and restoration echo throughout Scripture and culminate in the triumph of the Lamb and those who belong to Him. Since many of us reflexively try to map out an end-times timeline when studying John’s writings, it helps to pause and consider how the biblical view of time differs from the Greek one.
Western perception of time is linear – going from the past into the present and out to the future. There is a ‘beginning’, an ‘end’, then Eternity. However, the Hebrew concept of time is cyclical.
In Hebraic thought, the cycles, rhythms and recurring historical patterns that move forward are more like a spiral traveling upward instead of a straight line.
According to author and Bible scholar Eitan Bar1:
This can be seen in the weekly rhythm of Shabbat, the annual cycle of feasts and festivals, and in prophetic literature where past events echo into the future. Events repeat – not identically, but thematically – with each cycle deepening in meaning and pointing toward ultimate fulfillment. Redemption, exile, return judgment, and renewal are themes that happen again and again throughout Scripture. […] This cyclical understanding is crucial when reading apocalyptic or prophetic texts like Revelation, because these texts are rarely linear timelines by symbolic portrayals of repeated patterns – cycles of human failure, diving intervention, and ultimate restoration.
3. Revelation reveals divine justice in the heavenly courtroom.
Much of Revelation is legal language—books opened, charges read, witnesses summoned—showing YHWH as the righteous Judge who sets all things right. Revelation’s structure aligns with the Covenant Lawsuit pattern also known as the rib (רִיב) pattern. The Hebrew word rib is associated with two Strong’s numbers: H7378 and H7379 and can mean dispute, accusation, legal case, quarrel, bring a charge or accuse. Both come from the same root and are used in passages where YHWH ‘brings a case’ or ‘contends’ with His people. This is a major theme in the Prophets.
Here is the Divine Lawsuit Structure:
Summons of Witnesses – Yah summons creation or nations to witness the covenant breach
Statement of the Plaintiff (YHWH) -Yah declares His grievance or lawsuit against Iisrael/Yehudah
Review of Covenant History – Yah rehearses his faithful acts and Israel’s rebellion (evidence phase)
Indictment (Charges brought) – Specific sins are named (idolatry, injustice, false worship, covenant unfaithfulness, etc)
Evidence and Witnesses Presented – The heavens, earth, or prophets testify to Yah’s charges
The Verdict Rendered – Yah declares the punishment or consequence
An Offer of Repentance and Restoration – Lawsuit ends with a call to repent and a promise of mercy
This rib structure appears in Hosea 4:1, Isaiah 1:4, Micah 6:3-5, Deuteronomy 32:1, Hosea 14:1, Micah 7:18-20, etc. Reread Revelation chapters 1-6 with this in mind and the book will already begin to take on new meaning.
4. Revelation reminds us to watch the signs of the times, not predict dates.
Revelation reminds believers to stay awake and discerning, but it strongly resists every attempt to force prophetic events into specific dates or rigid timelines. Much of the confusion surrounding this book comes from the habit of ‘date-setting’—people trying to crack an end-times “code” they imagine John embedded in the text.
It’s important to distinguish between date setting and speculative forecasting. Date setting claims or implies an exact time for a prophetic event—such as declaring, “Yeshua will return in 2030.” This is spiritually dangerous, as it directly conflicts with Yeshua’s own words that “no one knows the day or hour” (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32; Acts 1:7).
Speculative forecasting, on the other hand, is different. It involves observing prophetic patterns, world-wide trends, and Scriptural signs in order to discern the season or general nearness of events. Scripture not only allows this—it encourages it.
When ‘these things’ begin to happen, Yeshua tells us to “look up, for our redemption is drawing near”. (Luke 21:28) Knowing the exact timing is under the Father’s purview.
In other words, noticing blatant deception, moral collapse, and ethnic tension is not disobedience; it’s the kind of watchfulness Yeshua commanded.
5. Symbolism drives the message.
While some elements are literal, Revelation communicates truth primarily through imagery, metaphors, and symbolic patterns drawn from the rest of Scripture. In the argument for symbolism versus literalism, there are two camps: evangelicals, and those who embrace symbolism from a Second Temple Period2 Hebrew mindset.
Bar states:
Jewish apocalyptic literature is highly abstract–forcing nuanced interpretations that go beyond the literal. It makes apocalyptic literature especially powerful for conveying deep Spiritual truths. At the same time, it poses significant interpretative challenges, particularly for the average Western mindset, which tends to favor a straightforward, linear, analytical thinking and may be less familiar with the symbolic richness of the apocalyptic genre.
So why would John choose to use ‘confusing’ language?
To confuse the devil.
To ensure that he could effectively deliver his letter to the assemblies ‘under the radar’ of Roman imperial persecutors.
Symbolic language is often viewed as superior to literal expression because it communicates on multiple levels at once.3
6. The Old Testament holds the interpretive keys.
Nearly every symbol in Revelation echoes Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. Without the Tanakh, most of the imagery remains mysterious. John’s visions are saturated with imagery from the Prophets and the Psalms, not replacing their message but advancing it into its fuller, climactic expression.
In his book The Old Testament in Revelation, Dr. Michael Heiser repeatedly states that Revelation is filled with Old Testament echoes, and we can’t make sense of the book unless we recognize them. He insisted that we pay attention to where those allusions come from, what they meant originally, and how John reworks them in his visions. He also warned that John’s use of Scripture is more complicated than simply checking cross-references. Even with hundreds of Old Testament links, none of them are straightforward, word-for-word quotes.
7. Revelation uses covenant-courtroom language from start to finish.
From scrolls and seals to bowls and verdicts, the book follows the pattern of ancient covenant lawsuits—Heaven’s legal proceedings brought into full view.
The entire book unfolds like a heavenly legal proceeding put on full display. John shows us the courtroom itself—complete with the throne at the center, the twenty-four elders seated around it like a council, the living creatures acting as witnesses, books opened, charges leveled, verdicts rendered, and judgments executed. Far from random symbolism, these elements reflect the ancient covenant-lawsuit pattern woven throughout the Torah and the Prophets.
These are the “courtroom visuals” Revelation uses:
The throne — the seat of the Judge (Rev. 4:2)
Twenty-four elders — a heavenly council (Rev. 4:4)
Living creatures — witnesses to His judgments (Rev. 4:6–8)
Books opened — legal records/testimony (Rev. 20:12)
Scroll with seals — a formal legal document (Rev. 5:1)
Accusations against assemblies — charges brought, evidence presented (Rev. 2–3)
Angelic proclamations — announcements of verdicts (Rev. 14:6–7)
Bowls of wrath — the execution of judgment (Rev. 16)
As we step back from these seven guiding principles, one truth becomes unmistakable: Daniel is the backbone of Revelation. John’s visions build directly on Daniel’s prophetic framework—its beasts, kingdoms, heavenly court scenes, and cycles of human rebellion and divine justice. Without Daniel’s foundation, much of Revelation’s imagery hangs in midair; with Daniel in place, the symbolism becomes anchored, coherent, and unmistakably rooted in the story YHWH has been telling all along.
But even with these connections, we must remember that Revelation was never intended as a formula for calculating the timing of the “end,” the exact moment of the resurrection, or any so-called rapture scenario. Scripture consistently resists attempts to pin prophetic events to dates or timetables. Instead, it calls us to readiness, faithfulness, discernment, and hope.
Revelation isn’t a code to crack—it’s a call to covenant loyalty rooted in the same prophetic tradition that shaped Daniel. It reveals YHWH’s sovereignty, the victory of the Lamb, and the assurance that no matter how chaotic the world becomes, His purposes are unfolding with perfect precision. When we read Revelation with the Torah, the Prophets, and Daniel as our foundation, we find not speculation—but strength. Not fear—but clarity. Not panic—but perseverance.
2 The Second Temple Period refers to the era in Jewish history between the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple after the Babylonian exile and its destruction by Rome. This was a span of about 586 years. Revelation, in particular, is deeply influenced by Second Temple imagery, symbolism, and worldview.
3 Symbolic language is often seen as more powerful than literal expression because it conveys meaning on multiple levels at the same time and can communicate effectively across different cultures and languages, though its full meaning still depends on biblical context.
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A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard — Aaron’s beard — coming down on the collar of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, coing down upon the mountains of zion. For there Adonai commanded the blessing — life forevermore!Psalm 133:1-3 TLV
Though several weeks have gone by, I still look back at the Gospel Worth Dying For/Prophecy Vine Sukkot 2025 with such joy. As it has been for us the past three years, it was a wonderful time of fellowship, learning, and being out in Yah’s creation together. We’ve made such precious friends that feel like family. When we get together each year to celebrate this Great Feast on the creator’s calendar, it’s like a big reunion. It is truly a picture of what it will be like in the Kingdom — brothers and sisters dwelling together in unity while learning together, worshipping together, and sharing life together.
GWDF/PV Sukkot 2025 Family Photo
But in all honesty, I was not looking forward to Sukkot earlier this year.
With all of the strife and contention, arguments and judgment that we see on the online Torah community, my heart has been feeling a bit jaded. It seems that everybody has an opinion about something, and everybody thinks their opinion is right. Scripture can be interpreted 50 different ways, and rather than adopting the Hebrew mentality of truth unfolding, we’ve fallen into the Greek/western mentality of the need to be right, instead of seeing this walk of faith as our own unique journey: our of Egypt and into the Promised Land.
There are many contentions out there as to whether or not this or that part of the law is the most important. But thankfully, our Messiah showed us:
“But the Pharisees, when they heard that Yeshua had silenced the Sadducees, gathered together in one place. And testing Him, one of them, a lawyer, asked, “Teacher, which is thegreatest commandment in the Torah?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love Adonai your Godwith all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first andgreatest commandment. And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire Torah and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.””
Matthew 22:34-40 TLV
I like to think of those first two Commandments, as the coat rack, or pegs in the wall on which to hang everything else. Whether we focus on the calendar, clean eating, or any other part of Yah’s righteous instructions, they will not hold up if they are not hung on those first twoCommandments: love our Heavenly Father, and love his children.
In another version of this story, the lawyer asks Messiah, ”and who is my neighbor?”
“But wanting to vindicate himself, he said to Yeshua, “Then who is my neighbor?” Yeshua replied, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was attacked by robbers, who stripped him and beat him. Then they left, abandoning him as half dead. And by chance, a kohen was going down that road; but when he saw the man, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan who was traveling came upon him; and when he noticed the man, he felt compassion. He went up to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oliveoil and wine. Then setting him on his own animal, he brought him to a lodge for travelers and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him. And whatever else you spend, upon my return I will repay you myself.’ Which of these three seems to you a neighbor to the one attacked by robbers?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy to him.” Then Yeshua said to him, “Go, and you do the same.””
Luke 10:29-37 TLV
I know many of us have heard the story often, but it’s worth it to have another look. Both the Levi and the Kohen, who knew the law, acted upon it, and we’re esteemed highly in Israel, did not stop to help the man. Some say that perhaps they had good reasons, not wanting to become unclean. But we see that our Messiah was willing to touch the “untouchable “ and the “unclean“ to show them the love and compassion of the Father. But a Samaritan, who was literally an enemy of the Israelites, kept the most important of the laws. For those of us and Torah, we may compare this to the some of the Christian denominations we disagree with, or even a secular/political group with whom we hold offense.
But Yahusha used this as an example to show those who thought they were righteous in their own eyes that compassion and mercy are the closest to the Father’s heart. Keeping those first two commandments are essential and this Samaritan man did that better than the ones who were considered “holy.”
Paul puts it this way…
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels but have not love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all that I own and if I hand over my body so I might boast but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 TLV
Our Elohiym is love! Not just a word, but in action. It’s meeting people where they’re at, and teaching them in patience and love. He is truly long suffering towards each of us, but sadly, we often aren’t to one another.
On the Last Great Day of the feast, we shared a time of testimonies, worship, and words of encouragement. One of our brothers got up and shared so eloquently the heart of what I had been feeling all week:
One day it won’t matter what calendar we’re on, or whether we do this or don’t do that, because one day we will all be one “ECHAD”. We will speak the same language and be in perfect unity.
“I pray not on behalf of these only, but also for those who believe in Me through their message, that they all may be one. Just as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You, so also may they be one in Us, so the world may believe that You sent Me. The glory that You have given to Me I have given to them, that they may be one just as We are one— I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them as You loved Me.” John 17:20-23 TLV
This was one of the last recorded prayers that we have from our Messiah. It wasn’t that they might be on the same calendar, or agree on the same foods, or even keep the Shabbat perfectly. It was that we would be one.
And I couldn’t have said it better myself. Sukkot is a time to truly live the Kingdom now, and that means living in unity and love with one another. We don’t have to agree on everything, but we can be humble, learning to listen, and sharing what the Father is showing us in humility.
And that’s what I love about this group. The core members/leaders walk in it so well. Rather than saying “this is the way it is” we can say things like “this is what I’m learning”. Or “this is what the Father is showing me.” And learn to listen to others by saying things like “I didn’t know about that, tell me more”. Or, “that’s an interesting perspective. Thank you for sharing that with me.”
Our Messiah was great at asking thought-provoking questions, and listening: leading others to truth without forcing them. And this is why I think the crowds flocked to Him so much. He was relatable. He wasn’t high and mighty like the Pharisees and temple leaders. He was gentle and patient. Yes, He did rebuke when it was needed, but He was long-suffering and full of love, like a good Shepherd.
“This is My commandment, that you love one another just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this: that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13 TLV
Are we willing to follow His example? Are we willing to lay down our need to be first, right, and exalted? How can we in humility value others above ourselves? It’s in the small interactions and encounters. It’s in the things that we post on social media, or don’t post. And it’s in the arguments that we are willing to let go of to hear another side.
Yahusha answered “no the sapling will grow strongly. From the tree will arise another teaching and come out of this, a confusion of beliefs, each striving for its own advantage. There will be unprofitable, doctrines and viciousness, cruelties, and intolerance, with many persecutions, all done in my name. They will corrupt and falsify my teachings to serve their own ends. (Matthew 24:10-12, Mark 13:21- 23.) Hypocrisy will rule in the hearts of men, and you will even follow the beliefs of their own hearts. These things must be, for they reside in the natures of men. But under the rule of Elohim, they will be changed.” The Book of the Natsarim 22:82
One of my friends and I sat around the campfire during midrash one of the last evenings and conversation came up about what’s missing in the Torah community. My friend asked why I thought we didn’t see signs and wonders in the Torah movement like they did another ones. And quite bluntly, I said, because we’re not great at love. Love is the first two Commandments, and from it truly flows the power and movement of the Ruach Ha’Kodesh (Holy Spirit). These other groups that see signs and wonders, and we have been a part of them in the past, lived in such love and admiration for the Father and one another, that the spirit was able to move. We truly enter in like innocent children.
Sadly, we can be focused so much on correcting the righteousness of others and living by the letter of the law, that we forget the spirit of the law, which is love.
Years ago, the Holy Spirit spoke to me so clearly and said “you can’t argue anyone into the Kingdom, you can’t convince them into the kingdom, you can’t persuade them into the Kingdom. The only way you can get other others into the Kingdom is to love them. You can love people into the kingdom.”
That hit me like an arrow to the heart. And it’s been something that I go back to again and again to correct and remind myself the purpose of it all.
The more we are unified, the greater works we will see. This doesn’t mean we have to agree on everything, but we can with one heart and one mind pursue the most important things, the weightier matters of Torah, which is compassion, mercy, grace, and love. We see what a unified community can do both in the tower of Babel and in the Book of Acts.
There are many parts, but one body. And each of us have a piece of the puzzle. Some of us are really good at eating clean and abstaining from any questionable foods. Some great at staying out of “Babylon’s system” or stewarding the resources they have so that they are only used in ways to glorify the Father. Some of us are great at hospitality and service. Some have a heart for evangelism and helping the poor and needy. But none of us have it all right, and all of us need each other to be complete. This is what we need to get right in order to really walk in the power of the Set Apart Spirit.
As our brother Vince said “one day we will all be ECHAD”. The Messiah will straighten us all out, one way or another. But in the meantime, we have an opportunity to align with the heart of the Torah, and live the Kingdom now. Sukkot is a taste of that life to come and our dear brother Jay encouraged us all on the last day with that message. To take the heart of the Kingdom, the heart of the fellowship and love of Sukkot with us into our day-to-day lives.
I still have a small memento from the week sitting in the middle of our dining room table. It’s a vase with the leafy branches and lemons in it. We are living Tabernacle, and precious stones, being built up as a fortress of safety and security that others can run into.
As we enter into the winter season, a time of rest and reflection, may we pray and ask Yahuah to purify our hearts and align them with his Kingdom.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up—just as you in fact are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 TLV
Life in community means carrying one another’s burdens, rejoicing together in times of joy and standing shoulder to shoulder in times of trial. Today, we invite you to come alongside one of our own.
Our dear sister Tarra Parks, a devoted wife and mother, is prayerfully navigating a serious medical setback. Her husband Will Parks has shared a heartfelt update on their journey — a glimpse into both the challenges they are facing and the ways we as a community can lift them up.
We encourage you to read Will’s message posted below, and pray for their family. Please consider how you might join us in supporting them during this season.
A Message from Will Parks
We don’t love to mix business with personal personal matters, but today we’re humbly asking for your prayers, your support, and your grace.
Recently, Tarra received news that doctors suspect a malignant tumor. As you can imagine, it’s been a whirlwind of emotion and uncertainty. We’re choosing to move forward with faith and pursue an intensive natural healing program to give her the best chance at full restoration and healing. It’s a path aligned with everything we believe in—but it comes at a high financial cost.
A GoFundMe has been set up on our behalf, to help cover the expenses of this life-saving journey. It’s not easy for us to ask, especially from a community that has already given us so much love and support through our business. But we know that healing is not something we’re meant to walk through alone.
We believe in the power of prayer and community. One of the many blessings of owning a small business is the ability to connect and build relationships with our customers. If you’ve had the chance to connect with Tarra, first, let me say, you’ve filled her bucket. She is a relational person through and through. She loves the opportunity to bless others and be an encouragement. She loves to share the knowledge and wisdom she’s received through much prayer and seeking. I know words of encouragement would really bless her right now. We are humbled just to know that you’ve taken the time to read this.
If you feel led to give, pray, or simply share this with someone who might be moved to help, we are deeply grateful. Your generosity—no matter the form—is a reminder that we are surrounded by kindness. Thank you for walking with us in faith and hope.
Will Parks
As a community, we believe no one should walk through challenging times alone. Your prayers, words of encouragement, and acts of generosity can make a real difference for Tarra, Will, and their children in the days ahead.
For ongoing updates from Tarra, visit Tarras CaringBridge and send her personal messages of encouragement and more. CaringBridge.com is a free, nonprofit platform where people facing health challenges can share updates, receive encouragement, and coordinate support from their community. It serves as a private hub for family and friends to stay connected, offer prayers, and provide practical help during difficult times.You can also make financial contributions to off set medical bills.
Thank you in advance for your kind support. Above all, please keep the Parks family in your prayers – for strength, comfort, and healing that only Yahuah can provide.
About Maker’s Mark Herbals
Maker’s Mark Herbals honors the bounty of God’s creation. Tarra and Will Parks craft faith-driven herbal remedies and wellness products that honor the Creator’s design, harnessing nature’s gifts to support the body’s God-given ability to heal. Visit makersmarkherbals.com
During the 1992 Vice Presidential debates, retired Admiral James Stockdale1 captivated the audience by opening with two thought-provoking questions: “Who am I and Why am I here?” These questions were both relevant and timely, especially considering that most voters didn’t know who the Reform Party candidate was at the time.
While the reasons may vary, it is important to recognize that the questions raised by Stockdale are universal, often surfacing at various stages in our lives. As each of us embarks on a journey to define our personal identity we seek to understand our life’s purpose. What are we truly meant to do with our lives?
However, discovering biblically sound answers to these pressing questions can be challenging without a solid foundation of faith. Without faith in Yeshua, our lives can feel empty, devoid of meaning and purpose.
By laying down his life willingly, Yeshua went from suffering servant to High Priest. His priesthood is the means by which he will ultimately present believers to the Father as spotless, blameless, and worthy of citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. The door has been opened for humanity to connect with our Redeemer and comprehend this unmerited gift the Father has for every individual through Yeshua.
As a result, those who choose to believe in the promises of the Messiah will find themselves better equipped to answer the questions “Who am I and Why am I here?” with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
Finding Life’s Purpose Begins with Faith and Obedience
When the Father sent Yeshua, He articulated a purposeful goal – redeem humanity from the penalty of sin. Our goal should be to avail ourselves of this magnanimous offer of eternal life.
As was mentioned, the starting point for discovering our true identity and purpose for our life lies in knowing our Messiah. This is not a ‘casual acquaintance’ type of relationship. The art of ‘knowing’ someone implies intimacy borne out of shared experiences – good times and bad.
And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith YHWH.
Jeremiah 9:3
The nation of Israel had a veiled understanding of the Truth that persisted up to the first coming of Yeshua. Although the Prophets and other righteous men and women desired to open their eyes, their attempts remained mostly fruitless.
You see, Truth can only be discovered and understood in the repository of Eloah’s Word – the Scriptures. Truth can only be unlocked by the Set Apart Spirit – the Ruach HaKodesh.
The word used for truth in Jeremiah 9:3 is emunah (Strong’s H530). It can be translated literally as ‘firmness’, or figuratively as ‘security’; moral fidelity. Truth always trumps tradition.2 But the people of Israel were destined to remain in a state of perpetual spiritual blindness because they were not valiant for the truth.
According to the Biblical Illustrator,3 “valour for the truth is most signally displayed by a consistent, prayerful, and persevering obedience to all its requirements.” Truth is real, not an esoteric concept. You have to desire it badly enough that you are committed to obediently persevering in your efforts to grab hold of it through study and faith.
When Pilate asked “What is truth?”4 Yeshua did not even bother to answer him, since it was asked from a heart of contempt. If the Roman Prefect (governor of Judea) had been sincere, no doubt Yeshua would have taken the time to explain.
Theologian Albert Barnes on the subject of ‘truth’:
“This question had long agitated the world. It was the great subject of inquiry in all the schools of the Greeks. Different sects of philosophers had held different opinions, and Pilate now, in derision, asked him, whom he esteemed an ignorant fanatic, whether he could solve this long-agitated question. He might have had an answer. If he had patiently waited in sincerity, Jesus would have told him what it was. Thousands ask the question in the same way. They have a fixed contempt for the Bible; they deride the instructions of religion; they are unwilling to investigate and to wait at the gates of wisdom; and hence, like Pilate, they remain ignorant of the great Source of truth, and die in darkness and error.”
One of the best definitions of truth I ever read was this: truth is when your words and deeds match. Truth is inextricably tied to integrity. In John 17:17, Yeshua explains that Yah’s Word embodies truth and that the Almighty El sets apart individuals through this Truth for a sacred purpose in a world that opposes believers in the Gospel.
In an effort to shore up the faith of certain Hebrew converts to the Gospel (post resurrection), the author of the letter to the Hebrews had to remind them of several important biblical truths:
Yeshua is the author and finisher of faith.
Life’s trials are necessary for maturity.
Our confession must be evident in our lifestyle.
We should not downplay the significance of obedience.
Our salvation is tied to Yahuah’s purpose for creating us.
Yeshua, the Author and Finisher of our Faith
We are known by the company we keep. The characteristics and behaviors of Yeshua should be reflected in our own character, behaviors, and values.
Therefore, we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, putting aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, let us run with patient endurance the race that has been set before us, fixing our eyes on Yeshua, the author and finisher of faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of Eloah.
Hebrews 12:1-2
As we seek to follow Yeshua, it is essential that we match His behavior. We need to set aside sin, doubt, rebellion, and anything that hinders our spiritual well-being. It’s important to endure trials with grace, choosing to refrain from complaining. By bearing our individual crosses with integrity, we become living testimonies of Yeshua’s faithfulness to His Father’s calling and purpose.
Life’s Trials Are Necessary for Maturity
Sometimes I wish I could have a conversation with my 20 year old self. I would tell her “Girl, stop freaking out about your near-empty refrigerator or how you’re going to pay for next month’s car payment!” Looking back at my life I realize that all that worrying was so pointless.
Then again, I must confess that even today – depending on the crisis – I have moments of fear and doubt concerning the future. (This was especially true during the period leading up to last November’s Presidential elections.) But each time I am tempted to slip back into those old habits, the Ruach reminds me of Yeshua’s sermon on the mount:
For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, what you will eat, and not for your body, what you will wear. Is your life not more than food and your body more than clothing?
Matthew 6:25
Keep this in mind: The past is finished. The future doesn’t exist. The present (now) is the only ‘real’ existence Yah & Yeshua inhabit.
…for the nations5 seek after all these. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow, because tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:32-34
Our faith must be tested through trials. Trials bring us to a place of spiritual maturity.
Our brother James wrote: “Consider it all joy, my brothers, whenever you encounter various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacing in nothing.”
When we endure rough times we learn patience. But we must let patience complete its work by allowing it to become fully developed, unhindered. Patiently waiting for anything does not give us license to complain, murmur, or act out emotionally. While waiting for our answers to prayer, we do not have the right to question Yah’s character or motives in allowing certain things to happen.
When we try to circumvent the waiting process, we sabotage Yah’s timeline and blessings are delayed.
Our attitude should be to read what the Word says and do it. We must leave the outcome to Yah, knowing that whatever happens will always be for our good and His glory.
Our ‘Confession’ Must Be Evident In Our Lifestyle
No one appreciates a hypocrite—especially a believer who constantly criticizes others for faults they themselves possess. The term “hypocrite” originates from a Greek word that translates to “play actor.” In ancient times, a hypocrite was an individual who wore a mask and feigned to be someone else.
Yeshua compared hypocrisy to building a house on shaky ground.
But why do you call me ‘Master, Master,’ and do not do what I say? Everyone who is coming to me, and is hearing my words and is doing them I shall show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock. And when a flood came, the stream burst against that house, but was unable to shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But the one hearing and not doing, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream burst, and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.
Luke 6:46-49 TS2009
In the Scriptures, hypocrites were also known as wolves in sheep’s clothing and people who engaged in worship based on tradition and not Yah’s Word. John the Immerser challenged religious hypocrites to produce fruits worthy of repentance.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! And do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! Already now the ax is positioned at the root of the trees; therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance, but the one who comes after me is more powerful than I am, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Matthew 3:7-12
Therefore he was saying to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! And even now the ax is positioned at the root of the trees; therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Luke 3:7-9
We must examine our lives and take care that our behavior matches our confession.
We Should Not Downplay the Significance of Obedience
Yeshua learned obedience through the things he suffered. So why do we think that we can avoid suffering as we strive to be obedient? Whenever you push back against evil in obedience to the Word you can expect to suffer.
Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.
Hebrews 5:8
As we disciple under the direction of our Savior and High Priest Yeshua, we must remember that while he walked the earth as a man, he endured the same tests that we must endure. He had to resist sin. In resisting he also suffered. So Yeshua is not asking us to do something he himself did not do
Although he was the Son of The Most High and aware of his exalted status, he still learned through sinless experience what obedience demanded – suffering. His experiential perspective on life as a human was something the angels had trouble grasping.
Our Salvation is Tied to Yahuah’s Purpose for Creating Us
Paul told Timothy that believers have been called and redeemed to a holy life because of Yahuah’s purpose and favor which was gifted to us in Messiah.
So do not be ashamed of the witness of our Master, nor of me his prisoner, but suffer hardship with me for the Good News according to the power of Elohim, who has saved us and called us with a set-apart calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and favor which was given to us in Messiah Yeshua before times of old, but now revealed by the appearing of our Savior Yeshua Messiah, who indeed abolished death and brought life and incorruptibility to light through the Good News…
2 Timothy 1:8-10 TS2009
The notion of ‘purpose’ is sprinkled throughout the Scriptures. Job said, “I know you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” ( Job 42:2)
Proverbs 19:21 states: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is Yah’s purpose that prevails.”
In Paul’s letter to those at Philippi, we learn that it is Elohim who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His purpose.”
According to the Oxford dictionary, the word purpose can be defined as “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.” A coffee cup is designed as a receptacle for a hot beverage. Books are communication devices whereby ideas are transmitted via language through the printed word.
In the Bible, one of the key verses that emphasizes man’s duty or purpose to love Yahuah is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Specifically, Deuteronomy 6:5 states: “You shall love the Yahuah your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Additionally, in the New Testament, Yeshua reiterates this commandment in Matthew 22:37, where He says: “You shall love the Yahuah your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
These passages highlight the importance of loving Yahuah as a fundamental aspect of faith and duty.
But Wait. There’s More.
On our way to fulfilling our purpose in life, we must contend with obstacles in the form of malevolent people or challenging circumstances that will test our resolve.
It is interesting to contemplate why our tests and trials often revolve around difficult people. That narcissistic spouse, unreasonable boss, or mercurial friend may have been allowed to enter our orbit to help mold and shape us so we can achieve Yah’s purpose for our life.
If you think this is a preposterous notion, consider the role Pharaoh played during the time of Mosheh and Aaron. In the book of Exodus we are told that it was Yah Himself who raised him up for a purpose.
But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. Exodus 9:16
Elohim kept Pharaoh standing, permitting him to live and hold out until His own purpose was accomplished. His purposes were:
To overthrow Egyptian deities, proving that YHWH was the only true El.
To punish Israel’s oppressor.
To confront the sovereign’s pride.
To effect the deliverance of the captives.
When we engage with challenging individuals and address them according to biblical principles, two outcomes arise: we show unbelievers that the Bible’s guidance on living is a practical resource in our faith journey, and we gain a deeper insight into how suffering shapes us into the individuals Yah intended us to become. In this way, Yah’s purpose for our lives is fulfilled.
The roadmap has been given us by our Redeemer. It is up to us as his disciples to choose this day who we will serve – the world’s ideas on how to find purpose in life or Yah’s.
I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live.
Deuteronomy 30:19
And if it seems evil to you to serve YHWH choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve YHWH.
Joshua 24:15
Serving Yahuah with sincerity and truth can only come from a heart that is freely and willingly devoted. This is the invitation that Joshua extends, just as Moses did before him. It is the sole path to discovering and fulfilling our purpose in life.
Postscript: Stoicism vs. the Gospel.
How will you be remembered after you die? Will people remember you as a mighty warrior for the Kingdom or someone who was a believer in name only?
At the start of this article, Vice-Admiral James Stockdale was mentioned for posing two questions: “Who am I and Why am I here?” Although he was treated by the media as a punchline and by history as a footnote, Stockdale lived a remarkable life as a soldier. Even so, history mostly remembers him as a stoic. There is no information to suggest he was a believer in Yeshua or regarded the Bible. His United States Naval Academy biography states that he “lectured extensively on the stoicism of Epictetus and on those character traits which serve one best when faced with adversity.”
Stoicism will not save us from the second death. Only belief in the Messiah and adherence to Yah’s Word will.
Footnotes:
1 US Naval Academy article on Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale.
2 Mark 7:13 “Nullifying the Word of Elohim through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such traditions you do.” TS2009
3 The Biblical Illustrator: A collection of commentaries on every verse of the Bible, compiled by Joseph S. Exell.
4 John 18:38
5 The word for nations is the Greek term ‘ethnos’, (Strong’s G1484) translated as race, tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Hebrew) one (usually by implication pagan): – Gentile, heathen, nation, people.
6 James 1:2-4
7 Philippians 2:13 Some translations of the Greek word eudokia (Strong’s G2107) read “good pleasure” instead of purpose.
Often in preparation for effective prayer we see prayer and fasting coupled together. In Acts 13:2-3, the early church in Antioch is described as a community of believers who are worshiping Yahuah and fasting. During this time, the Holy Spirit instructs them to set apart Barnabas and Paul for the work that they are called to do. Following this divine guidance, the church members pray, lay hands on them, and send them off on their mission. This passage highlights the importance of prayer, fasting, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer, coupled with fasting, as an effective way to pray is evident throughout both Old and New Testament writings. In Acts 14:23, Paul and Barnabas employed prayer and fasting in appointing elders for the church.
Exodus 34:28 mentions that Moses neither ate bread nor drank water while he was on Mt Sinai for an additional 40 days1 receiving the covenant. The Prophet Ezra declared a fast for himself and the people as they prayed for a safe journey back to Jerusalem from Babylon. (Ezra 8:21-23)
After hearing of the condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah mourns and fasts, then prays for the repentance of Israel’s sins and for restoration of the scattered nation. (Nehemiah 1)
In addition to humbling through fasting and prayer, here other important prerequisites for effective prayer that are important to study and consider:
Repentance of Sins (2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 66:18)
Faith and Trust in Yah (Hebrews 11:6, James 1:6, Proverbs 3:5-6)
Obedience to Yahuah’s Torah (Deuteronomy 28:1-2 and 1 John 3:22 “And we receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.”)
Forgiveness (Mark 11:25 “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”)
Persistence and Perseverance (Luke 18:1) “Pray and never give up”; and (1 Thessalonians 5:17) “Pray continually.”
Righteousness (James 5:1) “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Eliminating Distractions (James 5:16) “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
The Importance of Purification and Cleanliness
Throughout the scriptures, we are encouraged to maintain a state of cleanliness and purity, reflecting the nature of the Most High and His Son. The following verses highlight the profound connection between spiritual purity and the effectiveness of our prayers.
Psalm 24:3-4: “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.”
Isaiah 1:15-16: “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.”
James 4:8 – “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” Did you know that scripture indicates that if we do not keep Yahuah’s commandments our prayers are an abomination to him?
Proverbs 28:9 – “He who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, Even his prayer is an abomination.”
Here are a few other supporting verses:
Psalm 66: 18 – “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear me.”
Proverbs 15:8 – The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: But the prayers of the upright is his delight.”
Zechariah 7:11-13 – “But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder; they closed their ears so they could not hear. They made their hearts like a rock so as not to obey the law or the words that the Lord of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore great anger came from theLord of Hosts. Just as He had called, and they would not listen, so when they called, I would not listen,” says the Lord of Hosts.”
Isaiah 1:15 – “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of Blood!”
Isaiah 59:2 – “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins havehidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”
Micah 3:4 – “Then they will cry out to the Lord, but he will not answer them. At thattime he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done.”
John 9:31 – “We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godlyperson who does his will.”
1 Peter 3:12 – “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
So believers can now see, effective prayer involves:
1. Repentance of Sins and the Acceptance of the Gospel of Yahusha Messiah’s death, burial, resurrection, His esteem title as the Son of Yahuah, His esteem and honor as the High Melchizedek priest in heaven sitting at the right hand of the father interceding on our behalf.
2. Faith and Trust in Yahuah and His son Yahusha
3. Cleanliness (Ensuring One Isn’t Unclean or Defiled)
4. Obedience to God’s Commands
5. Forgiveness of others who have sinned against us
6. Striving to live a Righteous life: Remember don’t ever let anyone tell you can’t be righteous, because to say we can’t achieve a righteous walk would be declaring Yahuah a liar. And we know that Yahuah does not lie and that he is not asking his children to do something impossible.
7. Fasting in Humility
8. Eliminating Distractions and focusing on Yahuah when we pray, as we persist and persevere through our prayer life. “Pray Continually” — (a) Praying aloud, not just in our minds (b) Praying through song as David did may be another effective method.
The Impact of Effective Prayer on Our Lives
Effective prayer is important to believers because it ensures that our prayers and petitions to Yahuah are aligned with His will. We all should all strive for our prayers to be sincere and meaningful, rather than selfish, prideful, misguided, angry, vengeful, or disconnected from Yah’s plan. It is essential to remember that Yah has given us the beautiful gift of choice, often referred to as free will. By focusing on effective prayer, we can deepen our relationship with Him and seek to fulfill His purposes in our lives. Amein!
“But if it doesn’t please you to worship Yahuah, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family (my house), we will worship Yahweh.”
Joshua 24:15
So, we do indeed have a choice.
Keeping the freedom to make choices in mind, it’s clear that we pray because we desire something; we seek a solution or relief from our problems. Mature believers recognize the importance of praying in alignment with the Father’s will and in a righteous manner. This means we should avoid asking for material possessions out of selfishness. For example, it’s perfectly reasonable for a family to pray for a larger home if their current living space is no longer adequate due to growth. However, this request differs significantly from seeking a bigger house out of vanity or covetousness.
Keeping the freedom to make choices in mind, it’s clear that we pray because we desire something; we seek a solution or relief from our problems. Mature believers recognize the importance of praying in alignment with the Father’s will and in a righteous manner. This means we should avoid asking for material possessions out of selfishness. For example, it’s perfectly reasonable for a family to pray for a larger home if their current living space is no longer adequate due to growth. However, this request differs significantly from seeking a bigger house out of vanity or covetousness.
Yahuah knows our hearts and our needs, Amein!
Recall the petitions that Avraham made on behalf of the city of Sodom, as he bargained with Yahuah regarding the destruction of that wicked city. He pleaded that if Yah could find just ten righteous people, He would spare it. Avraham could have chosen to remain silent, but instead, he voiced his concerns, and Yahuah heard his petitions, considered them, and agreed to the terms. It was not counted against Avraham as sin for asking.
Ultimately, however, ten righteous people were not found, and the city was still destroyed. Yet, Avraham’s heart of compassion drove him to intercede, and Yahuah listened and responded to his pleas. Likewise, Moses wrestled with Yah and interceded on behalf of the children of Israel as we read earlier in Exodus 32:11-14. Hallelujah!
Another more important reason we should desire to have an effective prayer life, is simply to foster a deeper relationship with our heavenly Father.
When we wholeheartedly dedicate ourselves to Yahuah and His Son, Yahusha, and discipline ourselves to follow Yahuah’s Torah—His Laws, Commands, and Instructions—without hesitation, we commit to serving Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. In doing so, we will see positive results: our prayers will be heard and be effective in our lives and in the lives of the people we pray for. Our prayers will be more effective in opposing evil spirits, powers, and principalities that we pray against, as well as in seeking protection and deliverance from them. Halleluyah!
A note of caution: please don’t mistake the intent of this study or misinterpret scripture. I’m not implying that every request we make in prayer will be granted, nor am I promoting any false prosperity gospel ideas. Even Paul prayed for healing from his ailment, but he accepted that the answer was no, demonstrating maturity and faith in accepting Yahuah’s decisions.
I am not implying that we won’t face persecution, stress, danger, or even death. Stephen, the first martyr, lived righteously and had what I would consider an effective prayer life, yet he still died for his faith. However, look at what his death inspired. Look at the example he set by giving forgiveness toward those who murdered him. Stephen is notably remembered for his ultimate sacrifice for the faith. His actions emboldened Christians to standfast in the face of persecutions and for centuries has inspired believers to fear no men and to stand for truth no matter what.
Remember, always pray that Yahuah’s will be done in all things. As I mentioned earlier, sometimes prayers are answered in many miraculous ways.
Examples of Effective Prayer
Let’s be honest, answered prayer in today’s world seldom makes it onto the evening news. They are likely never reported or are buried on purpose because the enemy – Ha’Satan – wants believers to remain uninformed, weak, and ineffective in their spiritual and prayer life. The evil one does not want us praying for healing of one another, he does not want us casting out demons, and he does not want us to raise the dead. But these prayers are answered today. Here are a few instances I have found of prayers being answered in amazing ways:
Miraculous Provision
George Müller was a Christian evangelist and the director of the Ashley Down orphanage in Bristol, England. He is known for his unwavering faith and reliance on prayer. Müller never asked for financial support, but instead, he prayed for God to provide for the needs of the orphanage. One famous story recounts how, one morning, there was no food for the children. Müller prayed, and shortly after, a baker knocked on the door with enough bread to feed everyone. Then, a milkman whose cart had broken down nearby offered the milk to the orphanage, ensuring the children had a complete meal.
Miraculous Resurrection
In 2001, Nigerian pastor Daniel Ekechukwu was declared dead after a car accident. His body was taken to a mortuary, where it remained for two days. His wife, believing in the power of prayer, insisted on taking his body to a church where Reinhard Bonnke was preaching. After intense prayer, Daniel reportedly came back to life, astonishing doctors and witnesses.
Miraculous Recovery
In 2015, John Smith, a teenager from Missouri, fell through ice and was underwater for 15 minutes. He was declared dead for over an hour. His mother, Joyce, prayed fervently at his bedside, and miraculously, his heart started beating again. Despite the grim prognosis, John made a full recovery, which doctors could not explain.
Miraculous Healing
Barbara Snyder was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was in the final stages of the disease. She was bedridden and had lost the ability to breathe on her own. After receiving prayer from her church community, she experienced a sudden and complete healing. She was able to walk and breathe without assistance, leaving her doctors baffled.
Reverend Thomas Kendall & Maori Chiefs, oil painting by James Barry 1820
Miracles Witnessed by Early Catholic Missionaries in Africa
In the early 20th century, Catholic missionaries in Africa often reported miraculous events among the local tribes. One notable account involves missionaries who shared the Gospel with a tribe, teaching them about Jesus’ miracles. When the missionaries returned months later, they found the tribe practicing what they had learned—casting out demons, healing the sick, and even raising the dead. However, the missionaries, unfamiliar with such manifestations, discouraged these practices, fearing they were forms of local magic.
John G. Lake, a missionary to South Africa in the early 1900s, documented numerous miracles, including healings and resurrections. Lake’s ministry was marked by extraordinary events, such as the healing of the sick and casting out of demons, which resonated deeply with the local African communities.
As we can see, Yahuah still answers prayers. These prayers were certainly effective because they involved, steadfast faith, belief in the power of Yahuah, and were coupled with a righteous walk.
Preacher Charles Spurgeon had this to say about the nature of prayer:
“True prayer is neither a mere mental exercise nor a vocal performance. It is far deeper than that – it is a spiritual transaction with the Creator of Heaven and Earth.”
“Prayer should not be regarded as a duty which must be performed, but rather as a privilege to be enjoyed, a rare delight that is always revealing some new beauty.”
Brothers and sisters, seek guidance and effective prayer examples from the Scriptures. We are to be mimickers of Yahusha. We know Yahusha mimics the Father in heaven and does all things according to His will. Yahusha followed the examples set in the Torah and the Prophets, and we should do the same in our prayer life and approach to prayer.
We should equip ourselves for effective prayers in various circumstances, as highlighted in several passages above. This is especially important concerning spiritual warfare and other significant matters. We should all routinely engage in prayer, fasting, maintaining cleanliness, purification, and humility. We can metaphorically wear sackcloth and ashes by publicly and visibly demonstrating deep remorse, humility, and a sense of mourning and deep anguish in our prayers to our Heavenly Father. Many of us understand this connection to the Day of Atonement, and we see above it applies in a multitude of dire situations.
Hopefully you can see why striving for an effective prayer life is important to us, the lives of those around us, and to our connection to Yahusha and our heavenly Father Yahuah.
The main thing I hope and pray is that we all keep working and striving for an effective prayer life, to be the light to the world that Yahuah has called us to be as his children. If we pray and it seems like our prayers aren’t being heard or answered, may we never give up, may we keep striving to prays as the prophets prayed, as Yahusha prayed, and keep turning back to the Scriptures for guidance in achieving this goal of effective prayers.
Never give up, keep trying, and remain persistent. The Scriptures tell us to pray without ceasing. All day, every day, all the time! Halleluyah, and Amein!
Lastly, recall at the beginning of this study I ask you to write down in your study notes a list of your current prayers, and specifically how you are saying the prayer to Yah. Now, having considered the topics covered in this study, revisit those prayers and determine how you might reword the prayers to be more effective. But most importantly, consider what preparations you should do first before presenting your petition to the Father more effectively.
Prayers are answered today, all the time, all around the world, and we must keep trying, keep praying, keep petitioning Yahuah, in fear, respect, faith, and in patience – never doubting. We must always pray in accordance with His will. May Yahuah’s will be done in all things even when we don’t understand.
Thank you for honoring me by reading through this study. I hope it has blessed you and that it helps in your pursuit of achieving a more effective prayer life. All glory and honor be to the Most-High Yahuah!
“Hear, O Yisra’ĕl: יהוה our Elohim, יהוה is one! “And you shalllove יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your might.”
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Shalom.
Footnotes
1 In Exodus 24:18, it states that Moses was on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights when he received the tablets of the law. Adding these two periods together gives a total of 80 days of fasting: 40 days from Exodus 24:18 and 40 days from Exodus 34:28.
Prayer is a familiar practice for many of us, often woven into the fabric of our daily lives. For some, it’s a ritual performed multiple times throughout the day. But what motivates us to pray?
I understand why I pray. I seek constant forgiveness and guidance to navigate life’s challenges and difficulties. I pray for the protection of those I love, as well as those I may not. I communicate with Yahuah to express my love and respect for Him, and to show my gratitude for sending His son, Yahusha, who laid down His life for my sins and rose again triumphantly as the Messiah and high Melchizedek priest, interceding for me at the right hand of the Father.
I offer my thanks, fully aware that I do not deserve even a fraction of His grace and forgiveness. Yet, His word assures me that He loves and cares for me. Who am I to receive such kindness?
I pray in gratitude for the food and provisions in my life. (Philippians 4:19) I seek discernment and wisdom as I study Scripture. I also pray for the courage to speak before a crowd of believers, many of whom possess far greater knowledge than I do. Most importantly, I ask for the Ruach HaKodesh to speak through me, delivering Yahuah’s message rather than my own.
The Prophet Isaiah eloquently captures Yahuah’s faithfulness to all who are considered ‘the remnant of Israel’—those who place their prayerful trust in Him:
I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and save you.
Isaiah 46:4
Examples of Effective Prayer
Of course we know that in Matthew 6:9-13 Yahusha taught us to pray – commonly referred to as the Lord’s Prayer. However, this is not the only approach we should take in prayer. In verse five of Matthew 6, Yahusha admonished us to be authentic.
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathens do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Matthew 6:5-8
So it is okay to pray in other ways and for specific purposes. Other notable prayers you may recall from the Bible are:
Yahusha’s prayer prior to his crucifixion:
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
Matthew 26:39
Hannah’s prayer for a child:
In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
1 Samuel 1:10-11
Solomon’s prayer for wisdom:
Now, Yahuah my Elohim, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
1 Kings 3:7-9
David’s prayer of personal repentence:
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”
Psalm 51:1-2
Daniel’s prays for the repentance of Yah’s people:
“I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: ‘Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws.”
Daniel 9:4-5
Before we dive into our study on effective prayer, take a few minutes of your time to make a list of current prayer requests. Note specifically your approach to the Father. Put this aside for now, as we will revisit this later in Part 2 of this article.
Effective Prayer Requires Preparation
It is essential to examine certain specific preparations mentioned in scripture and explore how they relate to effective prayer.
Synopsis: Jesus encounters a large crowd and finds His disciples arguing with some scribes. A man approaches Him, explaining that his son is possessed by a spirit that causes severe physical convulsions and has made him unable to speak. The man had asked Jesus’ disciples to cast out the spirit, but they were unsuccessful. Jesus expresses frustration at the lack of faith among the people and asks for the boy to be brought to Him. When the boy is presented, he convulses violently. The father shares that this has been happening since childhood and pleads for help, expressing doubt in his belief. Jesus reassures him that all things are possible for those who believe. The father cries out for help with his unbelief. Jesus then commands the unclean spirit to leave the boy, and despite the boy appearing dead after the spirit’s departure, Jesus lifts him up, restoring him to life. After He went into a house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out? ” And He told them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting .”
Key: The disciples were unable to drive out the unclean spirit because they had not spent time praying and fasting prior to the encounter.
Another one of my favorites is Elihjah’s prayer on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18:20-38:
Synopsis: The prophet Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel to demonstrate the power of the true God. He challenges them to a contest: each side will prepare a bull for sacrifice and call upon their deity to send down fire to consume it. The prophets of Baal go first, calling out and performing rituals all day without any response from Baal. Elijah then prepares his altar, drenches it with water, and prays to the Lord. God answers Elijah’s prayer by sending fire from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and even the water in the trench around the altar. This event leads the people to proclaim that the Lord is the true God.
Keys: There are several key components tied to effective prayer in action here. In verse 24 the prophet drew a line between the One True Elohim – YHWH– and the false gods and priests of Baal. This is a very important distinction that will impact our prayer lives. In verses 30-33 Elijah called the people near as he took the time to repair the altar of worship that had been neglected. This neglect served as a metaphor for the deterioration of the people’s faith. In repairing the altar, Elijah was obeying the requirements of the Law (Leviticus 1:9) which were binding on Israel. Yahuah’s commands are also binding on us. Lastly, in verses 36-37 Elijah reminded the people of their heritage by invoking the names of the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Israel) who in times past were also witnesses to YHWH’s miraculous power (often by fire) on their behalf. He was able to perform this amazing thing on Mt. Carmel because he acted according to Yah’s word.
Here are a few other examples of effective prayer from scripture to examine for this study:
Yahusha’s prayer for Lazarus to be raised from the dead in John 11:41-44
Peter’s rescue from prison in Acts 12:5-17 (Here it doesn’t quote the prayer but in verse 5 it reads “So Kĕpha was indeed kept in prison, but prayer was earnestly made to Elohim on his behalf by the assembly.”)
Paul and Silas’ rescue from prison in Acts 16:25-26 (Again, here it doesn’t quote the prayer but in verse 25 it reads “And at midnight Sha’ul and Silas were praying and singing songs to Elohim, and the prisoners were listening to them.” )
While there are numerous examples to explore in this study, I think these examples are particularly relevant and worth considering.
Understanding Effective Prayer: What It Looks Like and How It Works
Growing up in Oklahoma with a mother who had unwavering faith in the power of prayer, I learned early on that when severe weather approaches, we pray against the storm, rebuking it and commanding it to be calm and still, just as Yahusha did. I am grateful to have witnessed storm after storm dissipate as it neared our home, all thanks to our prayers. Praise Yahuah!
Let’s consider what effective prayer really looks like in our lives. You may be familiar with the examples listed below. However, when reading through them this time around, pay particular attention to small details and hints presented in the text, which point us toward achieving effective prayer.
What are some passages that discuss prayer in a higher level of detail? We will begin with James 5:13-19, which focuses on prayers that target specific needs.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:13-16
At the end of this section of scripture, James uses Elijah as an example of what effectual prayer can accomplish.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
James 5:17-18
The Method of Effective Prayer
Now we will focus on the ‘method’ presented in 2 Chronicles 7:14 which leads to achieving the desired result in one’s prayer life.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Realize you are ‘His people called by His name → Humble yourself → Seek His face (meaning seek his torah/ways in earnest) → Turn away from wicked ways (meaning truly repenting from sins and sinning no more = Yahuah hearing you (your prayers) from heaven = Forgiveness of one’s sins and healing of the land.
Self Realization of Identity + Work + Faith + Learning + Difficult lifestyle changing work = Yah actually hearing prayer = Forgiveness and Healing.
I won’t break down the subsequent examples listed below in this way, but hopefully this gives a visual of how to identify key points, key words, and methodologies of achieving more effective prayer, in your personal studies.
• 1 Kings 8:22-53 – Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication: Here we see King Solomon’s extensive prayer at the dedication of the temple, highlighting the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and Yah’s faithfulness.
• Daniel 9:1-19 – Daniel’s Prayer for His People: Daniel’s pours out his heart in confession, repentance, and supplication for the people of Israel, humbly seeking and seeking God’s mercy.
• Mark 11:24 – Highlights the importance of faith in Yahuah, believing that He is able to accomplish things that appear impossible with infinite ease.
• Philippians 4:6-7 – Emphasizes that there is to be such confidence in Yah as to free our mind from anxiety, and such a sense of dependence on Him as to keep it calm.Everything is in reference to the supply of our wants and our spiritual condition.Supplication is a mode of prayer which arises from that sense of need or want. Thanksgiving is the heart condition necessary as we make our requests known.
• 1 John 5:14-15 – The confidence referred to here is that which relates to the answer to prayer. The sense is that one of the effects of believing on Messiah is that we have the assurance that our prayers will be answered. We must remember also that Yah has not promised to grant anything that is contrary to His will. The expression ‘according to His will’ is a) in accordance with what He has declared He is willing to grant and b) limits the answer to prayer to what He sees to be best for us and our situation.
• John 17 – Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer: This entire chapter is a beautiful prayer by Yahusha, where he prays for Himself, His disciples, and all believers.
•• In Ephesians 1:15-19 , Paul highlights a heart full of thanksgiving, asks for wisdom and revelation of knowledge and that the Ephesians would have enlightened minds to know the ‘hope of His calling’ for their lives.
Daniel in the Lion’s Den
One prayer many are familiar with is from Daniel 9:1-20. Often referred to as a prayer for his people, Daniel’s Prayer is a shining example of how confession and humility can be the catalysts for powerful prayer. Here is the preamble, and the prayer in its entirety, for you to review and analyze in your devotional time:
In the first year of Darius, the son of Ahasuerus, a Mede by birth, who was ruler over the kingdom of the Chaldeans: In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the books according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet that the number of years for the desolation of Jerusalem would be 70. So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes, prayed to the Lord my God and confessed:
Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but this day public shame belongs to us: the men of Judah, the residents of Jerusalem, and all Israel — those who are near and those who are far, in all the countries where You have dispersed them because of the disloyalty they have shown toward You. 8Lord, public shame belongs to us, our kings, our leaders, and our fathers, because we have sinned against You.
Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord our God, though we have rebelled against Him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by following His instructions that He set before us through His servants the prophets. All Israel has broken Your law and turned away, refusing to obey You. The promised curse written in the law of Moses, the servant of God, has been poured out on us because we have sinned against Him. He has carried out His words that He spoke against us and against our rulers by bringing on us so great a disaster that nothing like what has been done to Jerusalem has ever been done under all of heaven.
Just as it is written in the law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not appeased the Lord our God by turning from our iniquities and paying attention to Your truth. So the Lord kept the disaster in mind and brought it on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all He has done. But we have not obeyed Him.
Now, Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand and made Your name renowned as it is this day, we have sinned, we have acted wickedly. Lord, in keeping with all Your righteous acts, may Your anger and wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become an object of ridicule to all those around us.
Therefore, our God, hear the prayer and the petitions of Your servant. Show Your favor to Your desolate sanctuary for the Lord’s sake. Listen, my God, and hear. Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city called by Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You based on our righteous acts, but based on Your abundant compassion. Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act! My God, for Your own sake, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by Your name.
In Part II of “Effective Prayer: A Torah Perspective”, we will explore how prayer preparation results in an impactful and meaningful life and why it is important.
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