PRAYER

What is prayer?

2 CHRONICLES 7:14   The Lord said, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven." 

PSALM 140:6   I said to the Lord, "You are my God!" Listen O LORD, to my cries for mercy!

Prayer is conversation with God. It is simply talking with God and listening to him, honestly telling him your thoughts and feeling, praising him, thanking him, confessing sin, and asking for his help and advice. The essence of prayer is humbly entering the very presence of almighty God.

PSALM 38:18   I confess my sins; I am deeply sorry for what I have done.

1 John 1:19   If we confess our sins to him. he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us.

Prayer often begins with a confession of sin. It is through confession that you demonstrate the humility necessary for open lines of communication with the almighty, holy God.

1 SAMUEL 14:36   The priest said, "Let's ask God first."

2 SAMUEL 5:19   David asked the LORD, "Should I go out to fight the Philistines?"

Prayer is asking God for guidance and waiting for his direction and leading.

MARK 1:35   Before daybreak the next  morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.

Prayer is an expression of an intimate relationship with your heavenly Father, who makes his own love and resources available to you. Just as you enjoy being with people you love, you enjoy spending time with God the more you get to know him and understand just how much he loves you.

1 SAMUEL 3:10   The LORD came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Speak, your servant is listening." 

Good conversation also includes listening, so make time for God speak to you. When you listen to God, He will make his wisdom known to you.

PSALM 9:1-2   I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done. I will be filled with joy because of you. I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Through prayer you praise your mighty God.

Does the Bible teach a "right" way to pray?

1 SAMUEL 23:2   David asked the LORD, "Should I go...?"

NEHEMIAH 1:4   For days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.

PSALM 18:1   I love you, LORD; you are my strength.

PSALM 32:5   Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

EPHESIANS 6:18    Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Throughout the Bible effective prayer includes elements of adoration, fasting, confession, petition, and persistence

MATTHEW 6:9-13   Jesus said, "Prayer like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgive those who sin against us. And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one."

Jesus taught his disciples the prayer is an intimate relationship with the Father that includes a dependency for daily needs, a commitment to obedience, and forgiveness of sin.

NEHEMIAH 2:4-5   The king asked, "Well, how can I help you?" With a quick prayer to the God of heaven, I replied. 

Prayer can be spontaneous.

Does God always answer prayer?

PSALM 116:1-2   I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!

1 Peter 3:12   The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.

God listens carefully to every prayer and answers it. His answer may be yes, no, or wait. Any loving parent gives all three of these responses to a child. God's answering yes to every request would spoil you and be dangerous to your well-being. Answering no to every request would be vindictive, stingy, and damaging to your spirit. Answering wait to every prayer would be frustrating. God always answers based on what he knows is best for you.

JAMES 5:16   The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

1 JOHN 5:14-15   He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And...he will give us what we ask for.

As you maintain a close relationship with Jesus and consistently study his Word, your prayers will be more aligned with his will. When that happens, God is delighted to grant your requests.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:8-9   Three different times Paul begged the Lord to take the thorn in his flesh away. Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness."

Sometimes, like Paul, you will find that God answers prayer by giving you something better than you asked for.

JOHN 14:14   Jesus said, "Ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.


Jesus' name is not a magic wand. Praying in Jesus' name means praying according to Jess' character and purposes. When you pray like this, you are asking for what God already wants to give you.

EXODUS 14:15   The LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!"

Effective prayer is accompanied by a willingness to obey. When God opens a door, walk through it!

Promise from God  PSALM 145:18   The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.