Biblical Prayer:
Purpose, Practice, and Transformation
Introduction
Prayer, a fundamental aspect of the Judeo-Christian tradition, serves as a means of communication between humanity and God. It encompasses various forms, from supplication and thanksgiving to intercession and adoration. Understanding prayer from a biblical perspective involves exploring its purpose, practice, and transformation across the Old and New Testaments, examining Jesus' teachings on the subject, and discerning God's current expectations and guidance regarding prayer.
The Purpose of Prayer
Prayer's primary purpose is to foster a relationship between God and humanity. It is an avenue for expressing dependence, seeking guidance, confessing sins, and offering praise. Prayer allows believers to align their will with God's, seeking His kingdom and righteousness. As stated in Philippians 4:6, prayer serves to alleviate anxiety, offering a channel for presenting requests and thanksgiving to God.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Phillippians 4:6
Prayer in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, prayer is depicted as a central element of the lives of the faithful. The patriarchs, prophets, and kings frequently engaged in prayer, seeking God's direction and intervention. For instance, Abraham interceded for Sodom (Genesis 18:23-33), Moses prayed for the Israelites (Exodus 32:11-14), and David composed numerous prayers, many of which are recorded in the Psalms.
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes: Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it. And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake. And he said unto him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there. And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake. And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake. And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
Genesis 18:23-33
And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
Exodus 32:11-14
Old Testament prayers were often communal and involved formal rituals, such as sacrifices and offerings. The Temple in Jerusalem served as a focal point for communal prayer, and specific times and occasions were designated for prayer, such as the daily offerings and the Day of Atonement.
Prayer in the New Testament
The New Testament introduces a more personal and direct approach to prayer, reflecting the new covenant established through Jesus Christ. Prayer becomes more intimate, emphasizing a personal relationship with God. Jesus' own practice of prayer, often retreating to solitary places to commune with the Father (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16), serves as a model for believers.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mark 1:35
And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Luke 5:16
Jesus' Teachings on Prayer
Jesus' teachings on prayer are profound and transformative. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructs His followers on the attitude and manner of prayer, emphasizing sincerity and humility (Matthew 6:5-8). The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) encapsulates the essence of prayer, addressing God as Father, seeking His will, requesting daily sustenance, and asking for forgiveness and deliverance from evil.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Matthew 6:5-8
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Matthew 6:9-13
Jesus also teaches about the importance of persistence in prayer, illustrated by the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) and the friend at midnight (Luke 11:5-8). He assures believers of God's willingness to respond to their prayers, likening God's responsiveness to that of a loving parent (Matthew 7:7-11).
And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Luke 18:1-8
And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Luke 11:5-8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Matthew 7:7-11
Differences Between Old and New Testament Prayer
The transition from the Old to the New Testament brings notable changes in the practice and understanding of prayer. The Old Testament often associates prayer with specific locations, such as the Temple, and formal rituals. In contrast, the New Testament emphasizes the accessibility of God to all believers, irrespective of location, and highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and empowering prayer (Romans 8:26-27).
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27
Furthermore, the New Testament expands the scope of intercession. While the Old Testament features notable intercessors like Moses and Samuel, the New Testament presents Jesus as the ultimate intercessor (Hebrews 7:25) and encourages all believers to engage in intercessory prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:25
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
God's Current Expectations and Guidance Regarding Prayer
Today, prayer remains a vital component of a believer's life, with God inviting His followers to approach Him with confidence and trust. Key aspects of contemporary Christian prayer include:
Faith and Trust
Believers are encouraged to pray with faith, trusting in God's wisdom and timing (James 1:6-8).
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
James 1:6-8
Persistence and Patience
Persistent prayer is valued, with an understanding that God's answers may not always align with immediate expectations (Luke 18:1-8).
Gratitude and Praise
Prayer should include elements of thanksgiving and praise, acknowledging God's goodness and sovereignty (Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Philippians 4:6
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Alignment with God's Will
Effective prayer seeks to align with God's will, as exemplified by Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39).
And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Matthew 26:39
Intercession
Christians are called to pray for others, including leaders, fellow believers, and even enemies (1 Timothy 2:1-2, Matthew 5:44).
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44
Conclusion Prayer, as depicted in the Bible, is a dynamic and evolving practice that remains central to the life of faith. From the formal and communal prayers of the Old Testament to the personal and Spirit-led prayers of the New Testament, believers are encouraged to engage in sincere, persistent, and faith-filled communication with God. Jesus' teachings provide a comprehensive guide to prayer, emphasizing humility, persistence, and trust. Today, God's expectations for prayer continue to reflect these timeless principles, inviting believers into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him through prayer.