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Biblical Definition and Purpose of Prayer

Prayer, in its biblical sense, is understood as direct communication with God, an interaction where the human soul engages with the divine not merely through contemplation but through direct address [1]. This communication can take various forms, including oral or mental expressions, spontaneous ejaculations, or more formal and constant practices [1].

Biblical Descriptions and Commands

Scripture describes prayer using a variety of vivid metaphors and actions. It is depicted as "beseeching the Lord" (Exodus 32:11), "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:15), "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chronicles 32:20), and "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5) [1]. Other descriptions include "drawing near to God" (Psalm 73:28), "bowing the knees" (Ephesians 3:14), "looking up" (Psalm 5:3), "lifting up the soul" (Psalm 25:1), and "lifting up the heart" (Lamentations 3:41) [3]. The act of "calling upon the name of the Lord" is also frequently used to describe prayer, signifying a cry for help and an act of worship (Genesis 4:26; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:12) [5, 3]. One example of this is found in Psalm 102:1, which begins, "O Lord, heare my prayer, and let my crye come vnto thee" [6]. Similarly, Psalm 16:1 (Latin Vulgate) opens with "Exaudi, Domine, justitiam meam; intende deprecationem meam. Auribus percipe orationem meam, non in labiis dolosis" [8].

The Bible explicitly commands believers to pray. Passages such as Isaiah 55:6, Matthew 7:7, and Philippians 4:6 instruct individuals to engage in prayer [3]. The object of prayer is primarily God the Father (Psalm 5:2; Matthew 4:10), but it is also directed to Christ (Luke 23:42; Acts 7:59) and the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 3:5) [3]. Prayer is to be offered "through Christ" (Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:19) [3].

The Nature and Efficacy of Prayer

Prayer presupposes a belief in God's personality, His ability, and His willingness to interact with humanity [1]. While Scripture does not offer a theoretical explanation for the "mystery" of prayer's efficacy, it consistently affirms that God hears and answers prayers [4, 3]. Psalm 10:17 and 65:2 state that God hears, and Psalm 99:6 and Isaiah 58:9 affirm that God answers [3].

The efficacy of prayer is not presented as a means to alter unchangeable general laws, nor does it imply that humans are masters of their own destiny apart from God [4]. Instead, it is understood within the framework of God's sovereignty and grace. Answers to prayer are given by God (Psalm 99:6; 118:5) and by Christ (John 14:14) [7]. These answers can be immediate (Isaiah 65:24; Daniel 9:21, 23), delayed (Luke 18:7), or even different from the petitioner's specific request (2 Corinthians 12:8, 9) [7]. Sometimes, answers exceed expectations (Jeremiah 33:3; Ephesians 3:20) [7]. These promises of answered prayer are particularly emphasized in times of trouble (Psalm 50:15; 91:15) [7]. Those who seek God with all their heart and wait upon Him are said to receive answers (Jeremiah 29:12, 13; Psalm 34:4) [7].

The Lord's Prayer as a Model

Jesus provided a model for prayer in what is commonly known as the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) [2]. This prayer is not intended for "vain repetition" but serves as a succinct expression of faith and a guide for how to pray [10]. It compresses a wide variety of needs and requests into a few petitions, embodying a "whole world of spiritual requirements" in a simple and humble form [2].

The Lord's Prayer begins by addressing God as "Father," a practice Jesus frequently employed, contrasting with the more rare use of this address by Jews of his time [10]. The petitions within the prayer include:

This model prayer emphasizes humility, dependence on God, and a focus on God's glory and purposes before personal needs [2, 10].

Conditions and Contexts for Prayer

Prayer is not merely a ritual but an act of worship that involves the heart and conduct. Proverbs 15:8 indicates that while the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, the prayer of the upright is God's delight, linking prayer with righteous living [12]. Isaiah 26:16 describes prayer as a "whispered prayer" or "secret sighing" to God, suggesting intimacy and earnestness [13].

The Apostle Paul encourages believers to be "anxious about nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6) [14]. This passage highlights the importance of combining prayer with thanksgiving, even amidst affliction [14]. The "supplication" mentioned here refers to specific, earnest entreaty [14].

Biblical examples of prayer often occur in times of distress, as seen in Psalm 102:1, which is titled "A prayer of the afflicted, when he shall be in distresse, and pour forth his meditation before the Lord" [6]. King Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8:30 demonstrates a plea for God to "Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive" [9]. This illustrates prayer as a means of seeking divine attention, mercy, and forgiveness.

The concept of "calling on the Lord" is also linked to a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22), indicating that the disposition of the one praying is significant [11]. This aligns with the idea that God regards the worship and deeds of the righteous differently from those of the wicked [12].

Sources

  1. 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”
  2. 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”
  3. 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”
  4. 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 ”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Call — (1.) To cry for help, hence to pray (Gen. 4:26). Thus men are said to "call upon the name of the Lord" (Acts 2:21; 7:59; 9:14; Rom. 10:12; 1 Cor. 1:2). (2.) God calls with respect to men when he designates them to some special office (Ex. 31:2; Isa. 22:20; Acts 13:2), and when he invites them to accept his offered grace (Matt. 9:13; 11:28; 22:4). In the message of the gospel his call is addressed to all men, to Jews and Gentiles alike (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15; Rom. 9:24, 25). But this universal call is not inseparably connected with salvation, although it leav”
  6. Psalms “Psalms 102:1 (Geneva1599) — A prayer of the afflicted, when he shall be in distresse, and pour forth his meditation before the Lord. O Lord, heare my prayer, and let my crye come vnto thee.”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Answers To — God gives -- Ps 99:6; 118:5; 138:3. Christ gives -- Joh 4:10,14; 14:14. Christ received -- Joh 11:42; Heb 5:7. Granted Through the grace of God. -- Isa 30:19. Sometimes immediately. -- Isa 65:24; Da 9:21,23; 10:12. Sometimes after delay. -- Lu 18:7. Sometimes differently from our desire. -- 2Co 12:8,9. Beyond expectation. -- Jer 33:3; Eph 3:20. Promised -- Isa 58:9; Jer 29:12; Mt 7:7. Promised especially in times of trouble -- Ps 50:15; 91:15. Received by those who Seek God. -- Ps 34:4. Seek God with all the heart. -- Jer 29:12,13. Wait upon God.”
  8. Psalms “Oratio David. Exaudi, Domine, justitiam meam ; intende deprecationem meam. Auribus percipe orationem meam, non in labiis dolosis. -- Psalms 16:1”
  9. I Kings “I Kings 8:30 (BSB) — Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.”
  10. 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).”
  11. 2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 2:22: 2:22 those who call on the Lord: Cp. Ps 99:6; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; 9:14, 21; 22:16; Rom 10:12-13; 1 Cor 1:2. • with pure hearts: Cp. 1 Tim 1:5.”
  12. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 15:8: The sacrifice [and] prayer--are acts of worship. way . . . followeth . . . righteousness--denote conduct. God's regard for the worship and deeds of the righteous and wicked respectively, so stated in Psa 50:17; Isa 1:11.”
  13. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 26:16: visited--sought. poured out-- (Psa 62:8), as a vessel emptying out all its contents. prayer--literally, "a whispered prayer," Margin, "a secret sighing" to God for help (compare Jer 13:17; Deu 8:16).”
  14. Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 4:6: Translate, "Be anxious about nothing." Care and prayer are as mutually opposed as fire and water [BENGEL]. by prayer and supplication--Greek, "by the prayer and the supplication" appropriate to each case [ALFORD]. Prayer for blessings; and the general term. Supplication, to avert ills; a special term, suppliant entreaty (see on Eph 6:18). thanksgiving--for every event, prosperity and affliction alike (Th1 5:18; Jam 5:13). The Philippians might remember Paul's example at Philippi when in the innermost prison (Act 16:25). Thanksgiving gives effec”
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