Prayer is communication with God. It is talking to God and listening to Him. Prayer allows us to connect with our Creator and have a personal relationship with Him. The Bible has a lot to say about prayer and teaches us how to pray effectively. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles about prayer:
Prayer is Commanded
The Bible makes it clear that prayer is not optional for the believer. We are commanded to pray. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to “pray without ceasing.” Luke 18:1 says we “ought always to pray.” God wants us to come to Him in prayer constantly throughout the day. It should be a regular habit, not just a last resort.
Prayer Develops our Relationship with God
Prayer allows us to know God intimately. The more we pray, the closer we draw to Him. It develops our love for Him and transforms us to be more like Jesus. When we spend time in God’s presence, we begin to see things from His perspective. Prayer changes our hearts and minds to match God’s heart.
Prayer is Powerful
Prayer releases God’s power. He is omnipotent and able to do the impossible. James 5:16 says the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective. When we pray according to God’s will, He wants to answer in miraculous ways. Prayer can unleash breakthroughs, healings, salvation for others, and victory in spiritual warfare against the enemy. God’s power is activated through prayer.
God Answers Prayers
God promises to hear and answer our prayers. 1 John 5:14-15 tells us that when we ask according to God’s will, He hears us. God may answer in different ways, including “yes,” “no,” or “wait.” But we can come to Him with confidence knowing He cares about our needs. He invites us to cast all our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7).
Prayer Requires Persistence
Sometimes God answers prayer immediately. But other times we need to persist in prayer over a long period. Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow to illustrate the need to keep praying and not give up (Luke 18:1-8). Our persistence shows our faith in God. He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Prayer Requires Faith
We must have faith that God hears and will answer our prayers. James 1:6-7 says to ask in faith, without doubting. Faith is what pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). It shows we trust His power and His goodness, even when we cannot physically see the answer yet. The heroes of faith continued believing despite their circumstances (Hebrews 11).
Pray According to God’s Will
God answers prayers that align with His will. 1 John 5:14 says that if we ask for anything according to His will, He hears us. We grow in understanding God’s will by studying the Bible. The Holy Spirit guides us in how to pray correctly. Part of maturity in prayer is praying what God wants, not just our own desires.
Pray in Jesus’ Name
Jesus taught us to pray to the Father in His name: “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14). Praying in Jesus’ name means coming to God on the basis of Jesus’ finished work, not our own merit.
Pray with a Clean Heart
God cares about the condition of our heart when we come to Him. Unconfessed sin blocks our prayers from being answered (Psalm 66:18). We should examine our hearts and repent of any sin before praying (Psalm 139:23-24). But we can boldly approach God’s throne of grace when our hearts are cleansed by Jesus (Hebrews 4:16).
Pray Specifically
We should pray about our specific needs, desires and situations, not just vague generalities. The Bible gives many examples of believers praying for specific things. Hannah prayed for a child (1 Samuel 1). Hezekiah prayed for healing from sickness (2 Kings 20). Be honest with God about what you want and need. He cares about the details.
Pray with Thanksgiving
When we pray, it is important to spend time thanking God for who He is and what He has done. The Psalms include many examples of prayers that begin with thanksgiving and praise. Thanking God demonstrates humility, faith and gratitude. It reminds us of truths about Him and all we have to be thankful for.
Pray Regularly
Prayer should be part of a daily routine, not just a crisis response. Daniel had a habit of praying three times a day, even when it was illegal (Daniel 6:10). The Psalms talk about praying morning, noon and night. Having regular times set aside for prayer helps us remember to do it. It makes it part of the rhythm of life.
Pray Simply
Jesus condemned the religious leaders for long, showy public prayers intended to impress others (Matthew 6:5-8). Our prayers do not have to use complex language. God cares more about the sincerity of our hearts. We can simply talk to God like a friend. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know what to pray (Romans 8:26-27).
Pray Humbly
Prayer is an act of humility and surrender to God. We acknowledge through prayer that we are dependent on God and need Him. The tax collector in Jesus’ parable prayed a simple, humble prayer and was justified by God (Luke 18:9-14). Arrogance and pride block our prayers, but humility attracts the grace of God (James 4:6).
Pray Privately
It’s important to have a personal, private prayer life in addition to public prayer. Jesus said to go into an inner room, shut the door and pray privately to our Father in secret (Matthew 6:5-6). These quiet, personal times of prayer develop intimacy with God. Unhurried solitude allows us to listen to His still, small voice.
Pray Continually
We are told to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This means cultivating an ongoing attitude of prayer. Rather than limiting prayer to set times and places, we can pray short, spontaneous prayers throughout the day. We can talk to God while working, thinking or waiting. The Holy Spirit prompts us with what and who to pray for.
Pray for Others
Part of our calling is to intercede for others through prayer. We see many examples of this in the Bible. Abraham prayed for Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:22-33). Job prayed for his friends who had wronged him (Job 42:10). Paul frequently prayed for the churches he started and the people in them. Praying for others demonstrates selfless love.
Pray the Scriptures
We can pray God’s Word back to Him. The Psalms are prayers that were inspired by the Holy Spirit and recorded in Scripture. We can make these divinely-inspired prayers our own. Praying Scripture helps us keep our prayers focused on God’s truth rather than wandering thoughts or emotions.
Pray in the Spirit
Praying in the Spirit refers to praying under the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. He intercedes through us, teaching us what and how to pray. Speaking in tongues is one way to pray in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:2, 14-15). As we yield to Him in prayer, He prays through us according to God’s perfect will.
These principles give a broad overview about what the Bible teaches regarding prayer. In summary, prayer is vital to the Christian life. God desires that we communicate with Him regularly about all aspects of our life. As we pursue intimacy with God through prayer, He transforms us, meets our needs, and accomplishes His purposes on earth.