Authority and Sovereignty in Prayer Life and Practice
Prayer is understood as direct communication with God, involving the soul's intercourse with the divine through address rather than mere contemplation [3]. It can take various forms, including oral or mental, occasional or constant, and ejaculatory or formal [3]. The practice of prayer is commanded in Scripture, with passages like Isaiah 55:6, Matthew 7:7, and Philippians 4:6 urging believers to pray [5].
The authority in prayer stems from God's absolute sovereignty, which is His right to act according to His own will [2]. This divine sovereignty means that God's power is extensive, reaching to all things He wills and even to more than He has willed [10]. Scripture does not offer a theoretical explanation for the mystery of prayer's efficacy, but it does present prayer as a means through which God hears and answers [1, 5]. For instance, 1 Kings 8:45 speaks of God hearing prayer and supplication from heaven and maintaining the cause of those who pray [6, 7].
The Bible describes various postures and expressions of prayer, such as bowing the knees (Ephesians 3:14), looking up (Psalm 5:3), lifting up the soul (Psalm 25:1), and pouring out the heart or soul (Psalm 62:8, 1 Samuel 1:15) [3, 5]. Prayer is to be directed to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, and offered through Christ [5].
Jesus provided a model for prayer, often referred to as "the Lord's Prayer" (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) [8]. This prayer is a succinct expression of faith and a model of simplicity, contrasting with the "vain repetition of pagan prayers" [9]. It embodies a wide range of spiritual needs in a humble and condensed form [8]. The concept of "effectual prayer" is also noted, with James 5:16 (Authorized Version) referring to it, and the Revised Version translating it as "The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working," suggesting it influences divine action [4].
God's omnipresence and omnipotence are foundational to the understanding of prayer, as He fills heaven and earth with His presence, providence, and power [11]. This understanding underpins the belief that God is able and willing to engage in direct communication with humanity [3].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — The object of this article will be to touch briefly on-- + The doctrine of Scripture as to the nature and efficacy of prayer; + Its directions as to time, place and manner of prayer; + Its types and examples of prayer. + Scripture does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer. The difficulty of understanding real efficacy arises chiefly from two sources: from the belief that man lives under general laws, which in all cases must be fulfilled unalterably; and the opposing belief that he is master of his own destiny, and need ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Effectual prayer — Occurs in Authorized Version, James 5:16. The Revised Version renders appropriately: "The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working", i.e., "it moves the hand of Him who moves the world."”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
- 1 Kings “then hear in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. -- 1 Kings 8:45”
- I Kings “I Kings 8:45 (LITV) — then hear their prayer and their supplication in Heaven, and maintain their cause.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lords Prayer — the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples. (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) "In this prayer our Lord shows his disciples how an infinite variety of wants and requests can be compressed into a few humble petitions. It embodies every possible desire of a praying heart, a whole world of spiritual requirements; yet all in the most simple, condensed and humble form, resembling, in this respect, a pearl on which the light of heaven plays."--Lange. "This prayer contains four great general sentiments, which constitute the very soul of religion,--sentiments which”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:19: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly,.... This is the conclusion of the apostle's prayer, in which the power of God is celebrated, a perfection which is essential unto God, and is very large and extensive; it reaches to all things, to every thing that he wills, which is his actual or ordinative power; and to more things than he has willed, which is his absolute power; and to all things that have been, are, or shall be, and to things impossible with men; though there are some things which God cannot do, such as are contrary to his nature, inconsisten”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 23:24: (Psa 139:7, &c.; Amo 9:2-3). fill heaven and earth--with My omniscience providence, power, and essential being (Kg1 8:27).”