A little more about the Amidah before we launch into various sections of this prayer.
The Amidah is written in three sections
- Praise = 3 Benedictions
- Petition = 12 (or 13) Benedictions
- Thanksgiving = 3 Benedictions
As I write about the Amidah, we will begin with the first section which includes Benedictions 1-3. This section is about praise of God. It is always good to begin our time of prayer with praise. Praise and Adoration help us to consider the one to whom we address our petitions. We are speaking to the God of the Universe. We are praying to a God who is able to not only answer our prayers, but He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." (Ephesians 3:20) We are speaking to the Creator, the Eternal God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We speak to the Holy One. As we offer praise, we ready our minds and hearts so we might approach the throne of Grace and pray in the right manner.
The first three Benedictions are:
- Avot = Ancestors
- Gevurot = Powers
- Kedushat Ha-shem = The Name
Some have connected these three with the Lord's Prayer. Consider the following:
- Avot = Ancestors - Our Father
- Gevurot = Power - Who art in heaven
- Ha-shem = Name - Hallowed be Thy Name
I think these designations will help us understand each of the three praises in the Amidah.
Although today there are words written which people read and follow (some pray this prayer three times per day), in the days of Jesus it was not done this way. The teachers of the Mishna wanted each person to pray with all their heart and with all their soul and with all their strength.
"Rabban Gamaliel says: A man should pray the Eighteen [Benedictions] every day. R. Joshua says: The substance of the Eighteen. R. Akiba says: If his prayer is fluent in his mouth he should pray the Eighteen, but if not, the substance of the Eighteen. R. Eliezer says: He that makes his prayer a fixed task, his prayer is no supplication. R. Joshua says: He that journeys in a place of danger should pray a short prayer, saying, ‘Save, 0 Lord, the remnant of Israel; at their every cross-road let their needs come before thee. Blessed art You, 0 Lord, that hear prayer!’" (Mishna, Benedictions 4.3-4)
More will be written as I look at the three Benedictions (and those which come after) in future posts.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Amidah Prayer
I am always looking for ways to encourage people in prayer or to enrich our prayer life as I lead prayer meeting at our church on Wednesday nights. Our current session is looking at the morning and evening prayers of the Jewish people known as the Amidah or the “Standing Prayer.”
The first reference to the Amidah is found in the Mishnah and dates back to near the time of Jesus. “Rabban Gamaliel says: A man should pray the Eighteen [Benedictions]’ every day. R. Joshua says: The substance of the Eighteen. R. Akiba says: If his prayer is fluent in his mouth he should pray the Eighteen, but if not, the substance of the Eighteen.” The origin of the Amidah could go back to the time of Ezra.
The idea behind this series is that often we are very limited in our prayer life, offering supplication only for immediate needs that come to mind. This prayer, the Eighteen Benedictions (Shmoneh Esreh) will help to expand our prayer life reminding us of other areas to include as we pray.
To me it seems that an early version of the Amidah is found in the book of Ephesians. Following is the order of these Benedictions:
1. Avot ("Ancestors") - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
2. Gevurot ("powers") - who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
3. Kedushat ha-Shem ("the sanctification of the Name") - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
4. Binah ("understanding") - In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
5. Teshuvah ("return", "repentance") - In him we have redemption through his blood,
6. Selichah (“forgiveness”) - the forgiveness of sins,
7.Geulah ("redemption") - in accordance with the riches of God's grace
8. Refuah ("healing")
9. Birkat HaShanim ("blessing for years [of good]") - that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
10. Galuyot ("diasporas") Prayer for reunion of Israel - And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
11. Birkat HaDin ("Justice") - to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment
13. Tzadikim ("righteous") Prayer for the righteous and proselytes - --to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
14. Bo'ne Yerushalayim ("Builder of Jerusalem") - In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
15. Birkat David ("Blessing of David") Prayer for the Messianic King - in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
16. Tefillah ("prayer") Prayer for the hearing of prayer. - And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
17. Avodah ("service") Prayer for the restoration of Temple service. - Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
18. Hoda'ah ("thanksgiving") Thanksgiving for G-d's unfailing mercies. - For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
19. Sim Shalom ("Grant Peace") Grant Peace - I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I will write more on this as I develop our Prayer times on Wednesday Nights.
The first reference to the Amidah is found in the Mishnah and dates back to near the time of Jesus. “Rabban Gamaliel says: A man should pray the Eighteen [Benedictions]’ every day. R. Joshua says: The substance of the Eighteen. R. Akiba says: If his prayer is fluent in his mouth he should pray the Eighteen, but if not, the substance of the Eighteen.” The origin of the Amidah could go back to the time of Ezra.
The idea behind this series is that often we are very limited in our prayer life, offering supplication only for immediate needs that come to mind. This prayer, the Eighteen Benedictions (Shmoneh Esreh) will help to expand our prayer life reminding us of other areas to include as we pray.
To me it seems that an early version of the Amidah is found in the book of Ephesians. Following is the order of these Benedictions:
1. Avot ("Ancestors") - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
2. Gevurot ("powers") - who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
3. Kedushat ha-Shem ("the sanctification of the Name") - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
4. Binah ("understanding") - In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will-- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
5. Teshuvah ("return", "repentance") - In him we have redemption through his blood,
6. Selichah (“forgiveness”) - the forgiveness of sins,
7.Geulah ("redemption") - in accordance with the riches of God's grace
8. Refuah ("healing")
9. Birkat HaShanim ("blessing for years [of good]") - that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
10. Galuyot ("diasporas") Prayer for reunion of Israel - And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,
11. Birkat HaDin ("Justice") - to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment
13. Tzadikim ("righteous") Prayer for the righteous and proselytes - --to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
14. Bo'ne Yerushalayim ("Builder of Jerusalem") - In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,
15. Birkat David ("Blessing of David") Prayer for the Messianic King - in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
16. Tefillah ("prayer") Prayer for the hearing of prayer. - And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.
17. Avodah ("service") Prayer for the restoration of Temple service. - Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
18. Hoda'ah ("thanksgiving") Thanksgiving for G-d's unfailing mercies. - For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
19. Sim Shalom ("Grant Peace") Grant Peace - I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I will write more on this as I develop our Prayer times on Wednesday Nights.
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