What does the Bible have to say about prayer?
1) The very first mention/idea of prayer (communicating with God) was in Genesis 4:26.
“And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then people began to call on the name of the LORD.
They wanted to make their petition of praise and thanks to God for granting them another son. The use of the word ‘began’ suggests that this is the first time this form of communing with God had ever happened.
2) Why should we pray? What does the Bible say on this topic?
- The Lord instructs us to pray. It is a form of obedience and helps us to do the following:
To know the will of God, to stay connected to Him, to help purify us, to help His words stay in us, to stay alert, overcome temptation, to never give up, to pray about all things according to His will so they can be granted.
- Prayer develops our relationship with God. It helps us turn our relationship with God into a personal one, a one-on-one relationship. Just like all other relationships in our life, we have to work on them, develop them and nurture them.
- Here are a few scriptures on why we should pray:
Matthew 7:7, Matthew 26:41, Luke 18:1, John 15:7, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Timothy 2:8, Matthew 6:7.
3) What should our prayers sound and look like?
- A) Your prayers don’t have to be fancy. You don’t have to worry about trying to impress others by what you say in your prayers. In fact, God is pretty specific about doing just the opposite.
Matthew 6:7, Ecclesiastes 5:2
- B) When you don’t know what to say … the Holy Spirit living in you does! Amen!!!
Romans 8:26-27
- C) Should I sit, stand, kneel, bow, lay face down, eyes open, eyes closed, quietly, out loud, with people, alone, inside or outside?
The answer is all of the above!
There is no “right or wrong way” when it comes to the correct posture of prayer. God does however; tell us that there is a time to pray with others and a time to pray alone. God also tells us that there is a time to pray in hiding and a time in public.
Below is a short list of Scriptures on the posture of prayer and when to pray alone and with others:
- On our knees- 1 Kings 8:54
- Bowing- Exodus 4:31
- On our faces- 2 Chronicles 20:18 and Matthew 26:39
- Standing- 1 Kings 8:22
- Praying Alone- Matthew 6:6, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:15-16 and Luke 6:12
- Praying Together- Zechariah 13:9, James 5:16, Matthew 18:19, Luke 1:10 and Acts 1:14
- Inside-Matthew 6:6
- Outside- Mark 1:35 and Luke 6:12
It seems like any place, any time, with or without other people, eyes open or closed, kneeling, bowing, sitting, standing, or flat on the ground as long as we are not rambling or repeating our words over and over again … God will listen!!!
- D) Is there anything that we need to do when we pray?
Yes, there are some things listed in the Bible that help determine if our prayers are “successful” or reasons why they might be considered “unanswered”. Yes, sometimes our prayers will not be answered and here is why. It’s not that God doesn’t care or isn’t listening is could be because of one of these reasons:
Successful Prayers Require:
- A Humble heart- 2 Chronicles 7:14
- Righteousness- James 5:16
- Faith- Matthew 7:7 and Mark 11:24
- Obedience- 1 John 3:22
- Wholeheartedness- Jeremiah 29:13
Some Causes for Hindered Prayers:
- It’s not according to HIS will. Prayers MUST be in accord with God’s divine will. – John 5:14, Deuteronomy 3:26 and Ezekiel 20:3
- Disobedience – Deuteronomy 1:45 and 1 Samuel 14:37
- Secret Sin – Psalm 66:18
- Indifference – Proverbs 1:28
- Neglect of Mercy – Proverbs 21:13
- Self-indulgence – James 4:3
- Instability or Doubt – James 1:6-7
- Iniquity – Isaiah 59:2 and Micah 3:4
- Estrangement from others – 1 Peter 3:7
4) Does God Hear our prayers?
Based on everything that you have read so far, what do you think? Still needing more conformation? Ask and you shall receive! Yes, God hears and answers our prayers. Here are the last few examples that I will leave you with before closing in … you guessed it … Prayer!
- “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles” – Psalm 34:17
- “He will call upon me, and I will answer Him: I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” – Psalm 91:15
- Matthew 7:11, 1 Samuel 1:27, Psalm 4:3, Psalm 18:6, Proverbs 15:29, Isaiah 38:5, Isaiah 58:9, Luke 11:9, Jonah 2:7, Hebrews 5:7.
