Prayer is the bridge that connects believers to God, an essential channel of communication for the Christian life. The Bible teaches that praying with faith opens the door to receiving God’s blessings:
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (Matthew 21:22)
In this study, we will explore what prayer is, its biblical meanings, its significance as a divine command, the benefits of persistent prayer, and the principles for effective prayer.
What is Prayer?
Prayer is the means by which believers communicate with the Lord, expressing praise, gratitude, supplications, and intercession. The Bible uses various terms to describe prayer, each revealing an aspect of our relationship with God:
- Calling on God:I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. (Psalm 17:6)
- Calling on the Name of the Lord:Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord. (Genesis 4:26)
- Crying Out to the Lord:I cry aloud to the Lord; he answers me from his holy mountain. (Psalm 3:4)
- Lifting Up the Soul to the Lord:To you, Lord, I lift up my soul. (Psalm 25:1)
- Seeking the Lord:Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
- Approaching the Throne of Grace:Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
- Drawing Near to God with Faith:Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22)
Prayer as a Divine Command
Many may not realize that prayer is a divine command, a mandate for Christians to live in constant communion with God. The Bible urges us to pray continually:
Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. (1 Chronicles 16:11)
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)
Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of prayer as protection against temptation:
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41)
Prayer is the means through which God communicates with believers, strengthening our relationship with Him. Only through prayer do we maintain a vibrant and active connection with the Creator.
Blessings of Prayer
God’s blessings and the fulfillment of His promises are poured out on those who seek Him in prayer. A clear example is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, which occurred after the disciples persisted in prayer in the upper room:
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)
Constant prayer is essential to receiving God’s promises, whether for spiritual strength, healing, or the fulfillment of His divine purposes.
Perseverance in Prayer
We do not always receive immediate answers to our prayers. The Bible teaches us to persevere, persistently presenting our requests with faith:
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually come and attack me!’” And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:1-8)
The Christian who perseveres in prayer receives, for God’s Word assures us that persistence coupled with faith moves the heart of God.
Intercessory Prayer
The apostle Paul frequently requested prayers on his behalf, recognizing that his ministry depended on the support of his brothers and sisters in Christ:
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. (Romans 15:30)
Intercessory prayer is vital for the growth of God’s Kingdom. We must continually pray for missionaries, pastors, churches, and the manifestation of God’s power on Earth, asking that His purposes be fulfilled.
Prayer and Healing
The Bible teaches that prayer offered in faith can bring healing, according to God’s will:
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. (James 5:15)
While God still heals today, healing depends on our faith and God’s sovereign will. Even if the answer is not immediate, we must persevere in prayer, trusting that God will act in His perfect timing.
Requirements for Effective Prayer
For prayer to be effective, certain biblical principles must be observed:
1. Faith
Faith is the foundational requirement for answered prayer. Jesus taught:
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)
Jesus replied, “If you believe, everything is possible for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
We must approach God with a heart full of faith, confident in His ability to answer:
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:22)
2. Praying in Jesus’ Name
All prayer must be offered in the name of Jesus, in harmony with His character and will:
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:13-14)
3. According to God’s Will
Effective prayer aligns with God’s will. Jesus provided the example in the Lord’s Prayer:
This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’ (Matthew 6:9-10)
We must pray and live in accordance with God’s good, perfect, and pleasing will for our prayers to be heard.
Methods of Effective Prayer
The Bible presents various methods for praying effectively:
- Praise and Worship: Begin prayer by praising and worshiping God sincerely.
- Confession of Sins: Confessing known sins is vital for the prayer of faith.
- Supplications for Needs: Present specific needs to God.
- Intercession: Pray for others with a sincere heart, interceding for their needs.
Prayer can take many forms:
- Silently or aloud.
- With personal words or using Scripture.
- Mentally or through the Spirit.
- Through inexpressible groans or songs to the Lord.
Physical Postures in Prayer
The Bible shows that there is no single posture for prayer. People prayed in various positions, such as:
- Standing.
- Sitting.
- Kneeling.
- Lying down.
- Bowed to the ground.
- Prostrate.
- With hands raised to heaven.
What matters is entering God’s presence with an open heart; physical posture is secondary. Nothing hinders us from praying except ourselves.
The Importance of Prayer for the Church
The church depends on the prayers of every believer, and each believer depends on the prayers of others. Constant prayer is essential for the growth of God’s Kingdom and the fulfillment of His purposes on Earth. Prayer fosters intimacy with God, serving as the key to making the invisible visible and the only way to dialogue with God and hear His voice.
Conclusion: The Power of Prayer
Prayer is more than a religious act; it is the essence of the Christian life, a divine command, and the means by which we experience God’s promises. By praying with faith, perseverance, and alignment with God’s will, we receive blessings, strength, and guidance. May we live in constant prayer, seeking God wholeheartedly and interceding for the advancement of His Kingdom.
