Biblical Definition and Purpose of Prayer

Scripture Foundation

The Bible provides a rich foundation for understanding prayer. In the Old Testament, we see the example of the psalmists, who cried out to God in times of joy and sorrow. For instance, Psalm 145:18 says, "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." This passage relates directly to the question of what prayer is by showing that prayer is an act of calling on God, who is near to those who call on him in truth. This connects to other passages, such as Jeremiah 33:3, which says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." This truth establishes that prayer is a means of communicating with a God who is both near and willing to reveal Himself to those who call on Him.

Building on this foundation, the New Testament teaches us about the importance of prayer in the life of a believer. In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus gives us the Lord's Prayer, which serves as a model for our own prayers. This passage demonstrates that prayer should include adoration, confession, and petition, and that it should be done in a spirit of humility and dependence on God. This directly relates to the question of what prayer is by showing that prayer is not just a mechanical act, but a personal and intimate conversation with God. This connects to other passages, such as Philippians 4:6, which says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." This truth establishes that prayer is a means of casting our anxieties on God and finding peace in His presence.

This connects directly to the question by showing that prayer is a vital part of the Christian life, and that it is a means of communicating with a God who is both near and willing to reveal Himself to those who call on Him. The passages together reveal that prayer is not just a ritual, but a living and dynamic conversation with God, who is always near to those who call on Him in truth. These passages together reveal that prayer is a means of deepening our relationship with God, and of finding strength and guidance in times of need. This scriptural foundation leads us to explore doctrinally how prayer is understood in the context of the Christian life.

Doctrinal Explanation

From these passages, we derive the specific doctrine that prayer is a means of communicating with God, who is both near and willing to reveal Himself to those who call on Him in truth. Theologically, prayer is understood as a vital part of the Christian life, and is rooted in the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. This means that all believers have direct access to God through Jesus Christ, and that we are called to approach God with confidence and humility. This connects to soteriology, as prayer is a means of deepening our understanding of God's salvation and of growing in our relationship with Him. This reveals Christ's work by showing that He is our mediator and intercessor, who makes it possible for us to approach God with confidence.

In practical terms, this means that prayer is not just a ritual, but a living and dynamic conversation with God. This means that we should approach prayer with a sense of reverence and awe, and with a willingness to listen to God's voice. This doctrine matters for daily Christian life because it reminds us that we are not alone, and that we have a God who is always near to us and willing to hear our prayers. So what? This means that we should prioritize prayer in our daily lives, and that we should approach it with a sense of expectation and faith. Notice how these connections work together: Because of our salvation, through Christ's work, in the context of the church, we can approach God with confidence and humility, and find strength and guidance in times of need.

This doctrine matters for daily Christian life because it reminds us that prayer is not just a means of getting what we want, but of deepening our relationship with God. Ask yourself: Where am I functionally denying this truth by neglecting prayer or approaching it with a lack of reverence? If you've believed the misconception that prayer is just a ritual, the correction looks like this: Instead of approaching prayer with a sense of duty, biblical truth produces a sense of longing and intimacy with God. As R.C. Sproul says, "Prayer is the means by which we commune with God, and it is the means by which we express our dependence on Him." The deepest implication of this doctrine is that prayer is a means of transforming our lives and our relationships, and of deepening our understanding of God's character and will. These theological truths now need pastoral application for hearts that wrestle with the practicalities of prayer.

Pastoral Insight

This question often reveals a struggle to understand the nature and purpose of prayer. The struggle behind this question typically stems from a sense of uncertainty or doubt about whether prayer is truly effective, or whether God is truly near. Deep, compassionate pastoral wisdom reminds us that prayer is not just a means of getting what we want, but of deepening our relationship with God. This means that we should approach prayer with a sense of reverence and awe, and with a willingness to listen to God's voice. In practical terms, this means that we should prioritize prayer in our daily lives, and that we should approach it with a sense of expectation and faith.

To apply this truth, begin each morning by setting aside a specific time for prayer, and use a journal to record your thoughts and reflections. When you feel anxious or uncertain, immediately turn to prayer, and ask God to give you peace and guidance. Over the next week, try to pray at the same time each day, and use a specific passage of Scripture as a guide for your prayers. Show how to implement in real-life contexts: When you're at work, take a few minutes to pray during your break, and ask God to give you wisdom and guidance. When you're with your family, pray together before meals, and ask God to bless your time together.

This truth is reinforced in the lives of believers who have experienced the transformative power of prayer. When a believer facing uncertainty applies this truth, it might look like setting aside a specific time each day to pray, and using a journal to record their thoughts and reflections. Consider how this plays out when someone struggling with anxiety turns to prayer, and asks God to give them peace and guidance. Ultimately, these struggles find their resolution in Christ, who is our mediator and intercessor, and who makes it possible for us to approach God with confidence. The gospel transforms this struggle by reminding us that we are not alone, and that we have a God who is always near to us and willing to hear our prayers.

Follow-up Questions:

1. What specific practice THIS WEEK will help you deepen your understanding of prayer, and how will you prioritize it in your daily life? Be concrete: When will you do it? Where? What will it look like?
2. How does the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers specifically connect to your understanding of prayer, and what difference does this connection make in how you approach prayer in your daily life?
3. Where might your heart be functionally denying the truth about prayer by neglecting it or approaching it with a lack of reverence, and what would repentance look like specifically?
4. How can you help someone struggling with doubts about the effectiveness of prayer by sharing the truth about God's character and will, and what would that conversation look like?
5. What specific spiritual discipline, practiced over the next month, would most help you internalize the truth about prayer, so that it becomes your instinctive response to uncertainty and anxiety?