PRAYER AND ITS POWER, PART 1

By Dr. Lee Warren, B.A., D.D.

(c) Jan.-Feb. 1993 PLIM REPORT

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Does modern man need to pray for anything with all his technological innovations and knowledge? Do we need a script or words from a prayer book to pray? When and how do we pray? Why are all prayers not answered? Can we pray for the dead? These and other questions are an enigma and mystery to the psyche of modern day man. In this secular society where science claims to be able to explain all things and have no limits, it is worshipped as a DEITY. Those things science cannot explain, such as Spirit, are perceived as no more than a figure of mans imagination or his primitive superstitions.

This is the state and condition of modern day man with his new religion, science, that is unable and incapable of explaining his spiritual and psychological needs or instincts to serve a Higher Power far more superior than man. From his very inception man has always believed in a Creator or Supreme Being of his imagination, as proven by the many archaeological finds of primitive cultures. Thus modern man remains in as much of a quandary about his Maker and the Architecture of the Universe in its totality, His ultimate Purpose, and mans place and destination in it, as his primitive ancestors.

Man cant understand prayer without first understanding Spirit.

Man cannot answer these questions or any others because he fails to understand what Spirit (God) is, how it operates, and his own spiritual makeup. Until these questions are answered and knowledge is acquired with irrefutable proof, man will continue to be bound in this quagmire of doubt, ignorance, despair, and hopelessness spiritually and psychologically. The natural history of man shows that as his medical knowledge increased, his anxieties of plagues such as Smallpox, Bubonic plague, Polio, etc., decreased because a cure for these diseases were found by him. Also famines have less devastation on modern man than they did on his primitive counterpart because of the newly acquired knowledge of the principles of agriculture, irrigation, weather patterns, and meteorology. Thus as mans physical knowledge of his environment increases, he is better able to cope or overcome the various physical adversities and calamities. Likewise man must receive a knowledge of Spirit, if he hopes to overcome the myriad of spiritual and psychological problems he faces today. Hosea, a prophet or seer of Israel, said that Israel perished for a lack of knowledge (Hos. 4:6).

How does the dictionary and the Bible define prayer?

Before beginning this investigation, prayer must be defined. The American Heritage Dictionary states prayer is "a reverent petition, hope, thought or need, made to God or a deity." Thus we see by definition that prayer is a form of communion with a deity. The Messiah or Master said ...Men ought always pray, and not faint. (Lk. 18:1) and after teaching his disciples how to pray the so-called Lords Prayer (Mt. 6:3-13) he stated in Matt. 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Hence the Messiah was instructing his disciples on the absolute necessity of prayer for through it mankind petitions the Heavenly Father and sees His operation within themselves.

You make assumptions when you pray.

Both the definition of prayer and the Messiahs own words of instruction presupposes three assumptions:

1. The existence of a Supreme Creator far superior than Man.

2. Some type of faith and trust in this Creator whether it be the true Creator or one of an individuals imagination.

3. Circumstances that arise in our life from time to time that need the aid or power of the Supreme Creator.

This shows and proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that man is not captain of his own ship or master of his own destiny.

How do we pray lawfully and wisely?

Now if we hope to understand the principle of prayer and its operation so that it can be used lawful and wisely, one first must realize, understand, and know that there is:

An inseparable relationship between the Creator (Elohim or God) within our heart and mind, whether we are conscious of it or not. This means that we must have a knowledge and understanding of the spiritual and psychological makeup of man, by a divine three-fold tabernacle Pattern, if we hope to understand the purpose and the effectiveness of prayer.

Secondly, we must realize and understand that Elohim is the Archetypal (Original) Pattern of the Universe with a Law therein and the natural or the physical realm is a type and shadow or reflect (Rom. 1: 19-20), not the reality, of the Spirit.

This is part one of a two part series on "The Power of Prayer." Part one will deal with the inseparable relationship between Elohim (God) and man, the structure of man by the divine tabernacle pattern, and seat of authority of the Soul or mind. Part two of "The Power of Prayer" will deal with the ceremonies of prayer of the Israelites under the law and their spiritual reality, so that we can see the power of prayer in ourselves.

How is man inseparably linked with Elohim (God)?

To understand the inseparable relationship of Elohim within man, the spiritual makeup of man must be understood by the three-fold tabernacle pattern. Now Elohim transformed into a tabernacle pattern in a vision to Moses, atop Mt. Sinai, to show that it is the definition of Himself (Ex. 24:9-10; 25:40). This tabernacle pattern explains the inner structure, nature, and the function of Elohims spiritual embodiment or ghostly form, who is Spirit (Jn. 4:24). Now the three-fold tabernacle consists of three compartments: 1. Most Holy Place; 2. Holy Place; 3. Court Round About. It testifies to the structure of the Godhead or Supernal nature (1. the Father, 2. the Word or Son, 3. Holy Spirit, 1 Jn. 1:5-7) and must be used to investigate the spiritual makeup of man (see Diagram 1, p. 6).

Man is three-fold with 9 attributes.

The ancient sages, wise men and holy scriptures (1 Thess. 5:23) realized that man is made up three-fold: 1. Spirit - Pneuma 2. Soul - Psyche; 3. Body - Soma. The physical body is nothing more than a shell for the soul, which is the ESSENCE of man. The soul is the spiritual embodiment or the immaterial, ghostly form of a man composed of nine spiritual attributes of Yahweh, the Source and Substance of all things. This is comparable to the cloud that filled the tabernacle (Exo. 40:34-35; Jas. 4:14). The soul is composed of nine major attributes: 1. Intelligence, 2. Wisdom, 3. Knowledge, 4. Beauty, 5. Love, 6. Justice, 7. Foundation, 8. Power, and 9. Strength. The Spirit is the life principle, or law within the soul that governs the consciousness or mind. It is the invisible higher power.

Now the soul of man or the spiritual embodiment is the offspring of Elohim, the Creator, and is made in His likeness and image. The soul was also imbued or created with a consciousness or mind of sufficient intellectual capacities to reason, and an instinct to seek after and to serve Him. The mind was created to perceive and contemplate the manifestations of the invisible spiritual principles of Yahweh. It perceives on a mental and spiritual level through ideas, thoughts, visions, revelations, dreams, etc., and on a physical level through the physical senses. Other mental faculties imbued within the man are will, feeling, memory, imagination, intention, etc.

Pray to a higher power within the soul.

The soul or spiritual embodiment (true temple) was created with a mind or consciousness to serve and worship the creator, so prayer is an appeal or petition to the Higher Power within us which is an integral part of our consciousness. Some may say this sounds like double talk because the distinction between the mind and Spirit (the Principle or Law) within is not clear. What must be understood is even though the souls consciousness or mind is spiritual, with its so-called mental faculties, desires, and feelings, it is not the ultimate authority or power within.

The apostle Paul said Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of Elohim (God)." (Rom. 8:26-27). Paul also wrote: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of Elohim (God): the powers that be are ordained of Elohim (God). Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of Elohim (God): and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (Rom. 13:1-2)

What is the division between soul and Spirit?

Without the use of the three-fold tabernacle pattern it is impossible to rightly divide between Spirit and soul. Now the Apostle Paul clearly states that there is a division between the two in Heb. 4:12, For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. This division between the soul and Spirit must be understood for two reasons;

1) It shows that our Heavenly Father, Yahweh Elohim (Spirit), resides within our soul (not above the sun, moon and stars), is the governing principle or law, and is always ever present, whether we are conscious of it or not. The direction of prayers should be within rather than without. So when praying we should not look up into the physical ethereal sky to have our prayers answered.

2) It is the Spirit within the soul that is the true and only intercessor. All prayers are carried out according to His eternal purpose, pattern, and plan, and not our misguided and self centered will or mind.

Dr. Henry C. Kinley states the division between soul and Spirit as follows:

"...Yahweh Elohim brought forth both man and animal from Mother Earth. Elohim breathed in them the Breath of Life or the Spirit entered into them, a DIVISION between body and soul..., and they becaem living creatures... Finally, the Divine Law,..being the Throne of Yahweh or seat of authority...was imbued in the mind of both animal and man establishing an instinct to care for their offspring, to multiply and replenish and earth. This shows a DIVISION BETWEEN Soul and Spirit,..." (Elohim the Archetype Original Pattern of the Universe, p. 66).

Spirit guides the soul.

Spirit is the Higher Power (Rom. 13:1-2), Law or Principle within the soul, that guides the consciousness or mind. Job verifies this for he stated But he (Elohim -God) is within one mind, who can turn him, and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him (Jb. 23:13-14). The Master said it was ...the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works (Jn. 14:10)". Using the tabernacle pattern Yahweh said He would dwell in the Most Holy Place in a cloud, TYPIFYING SPIRIT, located above the mercy seat of the Ark of Covenant between the wings of the cherub (Lev. 16:2; Ezk. 1:1-3 compare Matt. 17:1-9). The high priest saw Elohim take on form within the cloud. Moses also heard His voice from a cloud speak from off the mercy seat (Ex. 25:22; Num. 7:89).

This is the voice that directs our conscious and gives us visions and revelations, as was shown to Moses and the high priest in the tabernacle pattern. In fact, various prophets describe seeing Elohim in a cloud in a vision within their tabernacle. This is not their imagination, but the higher power.

It must be understood by all truth seekers that the tabernacle in the wilderness was built by the Israelites in accordance to the pattern shown to Moses in the mount. It is symbolic of mans physical body which is the visible representation of the soul. The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians assembly the following: What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of Elohim (God), and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify Elohim (God) in your body, and in your spirit, which are Elohims (Gods) (1 Cor. 6:19 - 20).

Elohim, the head, directs and is inseparably linked to the body.

Ezekiel (Ezk. 1st chap.), Daniel (Dan. 10:4-8), and other prophets, saw and heard Elohim and the whole angelic host appear in a vision within a cloud of fire. Now the Apostle John in his panoramic vision, in A.D. 96, on the Isle of Patmos, wrote in the book of Revelation that every eye shall see the Messiah Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye (minds eye) shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. (Rev. 1:7)". The apostle Paul said the Messiah is the Head of the Assembly And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; ...(Col. 1:18). The Great Master Yahshua the Messiah, Elohim in a body, teaching his disciples and Israel is another example of the Higher Power making itself known to the mind or consciousness of men.

In plain simple terms mans mind or consciousness is a receiver of messages and the Spirit is the transmitter and source. Our Heavenly Father Yahweh and his Son Yahshua the Messiah are not a Universal or Subconscious Mind. The traditional concept of a mind is far too limited and inadequate to describe Spirit, the infinite source and substance. Yahweh is the man (Isa. 54:5); the creatures, both angels and humans, are the woman or bride (Eph. 5:23-32). Websters New Collegiate Dictionary defines male and female as follows. "Male (adj) designed for fitting into a corresponding hollow part. Female (adj) designed with a hollow into which a corresponding male parts fits" By the definition you can see that the two are inseparably linked.

The ark of the covenant symbolizes the mind.

Thus the mind can be symbolically represented, as the two archangels that over shadowed the ark of the Covenant looking into and receiving instruction from the Cloud, symbolic of Spirit. The entire angelic host gathered around His throne awaits his instruction, direction, and guidance (Dan. 7:9-11). The writings of Moses, Job, Paul, and the words of the Messiah confirm and prove that man has a consciousness or mind and that there is a higher power within the man dictating to it (Exo. 25:22; Num 7:89; Job 23:13; John 14:10; Rom. 13:1). Further proof of this in the scriptures can be seen with the Israelites migration out of Egypt.

The cloud communicated to Israel.

A Phenomenal Cloud led Israel out of Egypt, gave them light by night for forty years in the Wilderness, sat atop Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19 - 20th chap.), and spoke the law to the congregation of Israel, making itself the head and Israel the body. It is quite evident that something must have been in each Israelite that heard this voice from the cloud, whether they thought it was their conscious or mind. That voice was the power that frightened the body of Israel, and caused them to vibrate beyond all sensibility showing them He was the Higher Power and not their imagination (Exo.19:16-19).

This communication between the Cloud, Yahweh, and Israel was by divine vision, revelation, and so-called telepathy. If anyone there had not been in the congregation of Israel, they wouldnt have seen or heard anything for this took place in the Israelites hearts and minds, just as a dream is seen only by the one who dreams it.

The brain directs the body.

The physical body scientifically proves that the soul must have a higher power dictating to it. Now the brain is the Higher Power in the body that directs, dictates, and communicates with the whole physical body. Since the physical body is the temple or tabernacle (1 Cor. 6:19-20), the brain correlates with the Ark of the Covenant and the Cloud in the tabernacle. In fact just as the high priest saw a vision of Elohim in a cloud, physical vision takes place in the brain. The images the eye sees are formed in the occipital lobe or the back part of the brain.

There is an inseparable relationship between the brain and the physical body to show forth that there is an inseparable relationship between Soul and Spirit. Anatomically or structurally the brain has depressions and convolutions liken unto a cloud and two halves (left and right hemispheres) liken unto the two Archangels on either end of the Ark of the Covenant. Thus we see that the brain is the seat of authority for the physical body, the visible temple, so the invisible soul must also have a head (Holy Spirit) to direct it through the mind or consciousness.

Master gland governs the body.

Within the brain the Pituitary Gland, the master gland of the body, is located just above the roof of the mouth. This typifies the two tables of stones on which the Ten Commandment Law were written and placed in the Ark of the Covenant. Seven hormones are secreted from one lobe of the pituitary gland and three from the other lobe, as seven laws were written on one table of stone and three on the other. The law written on stones governed Israel from their conception to maturity. Likewise, the pituitary gland governs the bodys growth, reproduction, and metabolism by secreting some ten hormones. Hormones are simply chemical messages or laws, produced by various glands in the body that tell the cells in the body what to do.

Spirit governs the soul.

The Spirit directs the soul and is the true seat of authority that governs our minds or consciousness whether we are aware of this or not. It is the Spirit that governs our spiritual growth, reproduction, and the rate we digest or understand spiritual principles (metabolism), just as the Pituitary Gland controls this in the physical body. It is obvious that the Spirit is an integral part of the Soul, as the brain is an integral part of the physical body. Now before we explain prayer, the student must understand the difference between the Spirit and the mind. No one has seen a functioning human being without a brain. Likewise, no mind can function without the Spirit therein.

All man-made organizations  have a head

As we proceed to examine mans organizations we find they also have a head. Now every nation or country has a capitol or head from which laws emanate to govern the states or provinces. Washington D. C. is the capitol of the United States of America, Peking is the capitol of China, and Moscow is the capitol of Russia. Under the law, Jerusalem was the place where the law of Moses dwelled in the temple and from which the body of Israel was governed. Every major business corporation has a headquarters where laws and polices are formed to govern the rest of the body. This principle, a law proceeding out from a head to govern the body, must hold true within the spiritual realm.

Spirit dwells hidden within the soul

This Higher Power, Yahweh, is far more superior in INTELLIGENCE, POWER, LOVE, ETC., than mans finite mind even though HE dwells hidden within it. The truth seekers of the earth plane must understand and know that Elohim operates within the consciousness or mind, and is undetectable by the soul. He reveals Himself to it only by visions and revelations (Num. 12:6; Jb. 33:14-16). It is the Spirit that has the power to hide himself or reveal himself to a mans mind. Now David wrote a song about Yahweh hiding himself How long wilt thou forget me, O Yahweh (LORD)? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me (Psa. 13:1)? The Messiah hid Himself from Israel because they believed not the miracles He performed (John 12: 36-37). The mind or consciousness is unable to comprehend or perceive Our Heavenly Father Yahweh in His pure ontological state of existence, for in this state He has no shape nor form. Only through the Son, Yahshua the Messiah, who is the form, is the Father revealed (John 1:18; 5:37). Now if the Messiah hides Himself from a man's consciousness or mind, the man truly is walking in darkness!

The mind is a vessel wherein Spirit is revealed

Without some form or image, the mind cannot comprehend or conceive an abstract principle for it is invisible and seen only in manifestations. The student must understand and know that an image, manifestation, sign, etc., is a symbol representing some abstract principle and not the reality. Again reiterating, the mind is a vessel whereby the Spirit or Principle can make itself known unto men by visions and revelations (Num. 12:6). Until we receive a revelation from the Spirit within, we think that our mind is the seat of authority or the master of our own destiny. Now this represents someone that is spiritually and psychologically dead. The Apostle Paul called this state and condition carnal mindedness (Rom. 8:6). Thus true consciousness is an inward awareness and faith in the Spirit within. This is not the outward consciousness of the external world as perceived through the physical senses and academically trained mental faculties. Now mans consciousness must develop faith and confidence in this inseparable Spirit law or principle within if it is to evolve unto perfection and glorification in ages throughout eternity.

What are the divine differences between soul and mind?

The student of metaphysics must understand that soul and mind are both immaterial, or spiritual, and used synonymously, but they can be rightly divided (II Tim. 2:15) from a divine standpoint. The soul has the form of the physical body, but it is invisible and incorporeal. The mind has no shape or form and is used to refer to various mental attributes, such as will, reason, feeling, imagination, etc. In short, the mind is the seat of authority for the soul and it is the mind that communicates, perceives, and understands the higher power.

An analogy must be given to illustrate the difference. The brain or nervous system in the physical body dictates to it as the mind or consciousness does to the soul. So we see that a soul or spiritual embodiment has a seat of authority, the mind or consciousness, just as every physical body has a brain.

Both the soul or the mind are not to be confused with the Creators infinite Power and intelligence, even though they are His offspring. The difference between a baby or child and a mature adult is growth and development, so it is with the soul (Child) and the Creator Yahweh Elohim (Adult). The physical body grows externally or outwardly while the soul grows inwardly, spiritually, and psychologically within the mind or consciousness. A souls growth is manifested through the development and production of the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) such as faith, patience, longsuffering.

Spirit Causes the mind to grow and develop.

It must be understood that the Spirit or principle (Law) in the soul doesnt grow, but causes growth and development in the mind or consciousness. Just as the hormones dont grow, but spark the growth of the cells. So the mind is limited, initially, because it needs a stimulus for growth. Likewise the childs body and his knowledge of this world is limited without the pituitary gland providing a growth hormone and his parents guiding him mentally. The mind is the seat of reason of mans mental faculties. Even though these faculties are spiritual in nature they have their physical counterpart located in the brain. Man has some recognition of his own existence, sensations, thought, and awareness. Consciousness is usually defined from a physical standpoint or is a type and shadow of the true consciousness that is spiritual. Now true consciousness from a divine standpoint is a state and condition where we are aware, cognizant and recognize the Spirit within our mind or soul based on a knowledge and understanding of the three-fold tabernacle pattern. In the above chart we compare the tabernacle pattern with mans spiritual makeup, the three states of matter, the Godhead, and the physical body to understand the inseparability of the soul of man with Spirit.

Yes, we definitely need to pray!!!

In conclusion, our need to pray becomes quite apparent once we realize that creatures, both angels and men, don't control our own destiny, but are subject to the Spirit within us, the higher power (Rom. 13:1-2), that dictates to our minds and causes all things to be according to his will, . We don't know what adversities or obstacles tomorrow will bring, nor if we will be alive tomorrow to face them, nor the state and condition of our health if we are alive tomorrow. Upon realizing the inseparable relationship between the Creator and his creatures, we should not pray for material things, but to be in harmony with His will.

Dr. Kinley in Elohim the Archetype Original Pattern of the Universe in the section on prayer, Vol. IV, p. 112 states: "Paradoxical as it may seem, words are not always adequate to express the realized influence to the Holy Spirit on the heart of man, sufficiently for him to expose by utterance the exact content of his mind...Here, as in all other cases, the action of the Holy Spirit on the soul of Man, is to HIM WHO UNDERSTANDS what the same "Spirit Law" of nature is to things so-called inanimate, and is the power which harmonizes the will of the individual action with the Universal Will of Yahweh."

In other words, no woman, no matter how voluptuous she looks in a bikini, will wear it outside in the winter. Why? Because the Spirit within her mind has harmonized her reasoning to know it is wiser to wear more and warming clothes in colder weather. Likewise, the Spirit within us can harmonize our minds spiritually and psychologically in adverse conditions.

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