Cultivating a Heart of Dependence on God in Prayer
Cultivating a Heart of Dependence on God in Prayer
Prayer is a fundamental aspect of Christian life, described as "converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him" [2]. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate a heart of dependence on God through prayer, with various scriptures emphasizing its importance.
The act of prayer involves several key elements, including lifting up the heart and hands to God [3], pouring out the soul before the Lord [1, 2], and calling upon the name of the Lord [1]. These actions demonstrate a deep-seated dependence on God, acknowledging His sovereignty and provision in all aspects of life. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, prayer is "commanded" in various biblical passages, such as Isaiah 55:6, Matthew 7:7, and Philippians 4:6 [1].
The biblical basis for cultivating a heart of dependence on God in prayer is rooted in the understanding that God hears and answers prayer. Psalms 10:17 and 65:2 affirm that God hears prayer, while Psalms 99:6 and Isaiah 58:9 indicate that He answers [1]. This understanding fosters a sense of reliance on God, encouraging individuals to seek Him in prayer.
The Lord's Prayer, as recorded in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4, serves as a model for Christian prayer, emphasizing simplicity, humility, and trust in God's provision [6]. The prayer's focus on God's glory and kingdom, rather than solely on personal needs, helps cultivate a heart of dependence on God.
Various Christian traditions emphasize the importance of persistence and sincerity in prayer. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin's commentary on Philippians, highlights the need for prayer to be guided by the Holy Spirit [7]. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as seen in Matthew Henry's commentary on Psalms, stresses the importance of engaging oneself to trust in God and wait for Him in prayer [8].
In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the apostle Paul exhorts believers to "pray without ceasing," which, according to Adam Clarke, means feeling dependence on God at all times and being in the spirit of prayer [10]. This continuous dependence is also reflected in Colossians 4:2, where believers are encouraged to "devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving" [5].
The cultivation of a heart of dependence on God in prayer is further encouraged by the understanding that prayer is not merely a human act but is facilitated by the Holy Spirit. Jude 1:20 exhorts believers to "pray in the Holy Spirit," emphasizing the Spirit's role in guiding and empowering prayer [4, 9].
Sources
- 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”
- 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”
- Lamentations “Lamentations 3:41 (Geneva1599) — Let vs lift vp our hearts with our handes vnto God in the heauens.”
- Jude “Jude 1:20 (Webster) — But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying by the Holy Spirit,”
- Colossians “Colossians 4:2 (NASB) — Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;”
- 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).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 84.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1 1:26 3:22 9:6 9:6 9:6 14:13 Exodus 7:11 14:13 14:31 32:32 Leviticus 19:14 Deuteronomy 7:7-8 10:17 13:3 1 Kings 19:18 Job 4:18 Psalms 7:8 35:19 37:5 55:22 55:22 69:28 73:1-12 122:6 128:2 137:6 138:8 138:8 145:18 Proverbs 3:5 5:15 8:36 10:4 Ecclesiastes 9:3 Isaiah 11:4 26:9 30:15 30:21 33:22 42:1 45:23 48:11 50:5 53:1 55:11 55:13 60:2 60:2 60:2 64:8 Jeremiah 5:8 17:9 23:29 31:33 Ezekiel 11:20 Daniel 12:2 Hosea 1:10-11 Amos 9:36 Zechariah 14:8 Malachi 4:2 Matthew 5:11 5:14 5:15 ”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 25:1: Here we have David's professions of desire towards God and dependence on him. He often begins his psalms with such professions, not to move God, but to move himself, and to engage himself to answer those professions. I. He professes his desire towards God: Unto thee, O Lord! do I lift up my soul, Psa 25:1. In the foregoing psalm (Psa 25:4) it was made the character of a good man that he has not lifted up his soul to vanity; and a call was given to the everlasting gates to lift up their heads for the King of glory to come in, Psa 25:1. To this character, to this ca”
- Jude (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Jude 1:21: Keep yourselves in the love of God - By building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and praying in the Holy Ghost; for without this we shall soon lose the love of God. Looking for the mercy of our Lord - For although they were to build themselves up, and to pray in the Holy Ghost, and keep themselves in the love of God, yet this building, praying, and keeping, cannot merit heaven; for, after all their diligence, earnestness, self-denial, watching, obedience, etc., they must look for the Mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, to bring them to Eternal Life.”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 5:17: Pray without ceasing - Ye are dependent on God for every good; without him ye can do nothing; feel that dependence at all times, and ye will always be in the spirit of prayer; and those who feel this spirit will, as frequently as possible, be found in the exercise of prayer.”