Dependence on God in Prayer and Action

Dependence on God is a foundational concept, particularly evident in the practice of prayer and the understanding of human action. Prayer itself is defined as direct address to God, an "intercourse of the soul with God" ^[1]. It can be oral or mental, spontaneous or formal, and involves "beseeching the Lord" or "pouring out the soul before the Lord" ^[1]. This act presupposes a belief in God's personality, ability, and willingness to engage with humanity ^[1].

Scripture commands prayer, as seen in Isaiah 55:6 and Matthew 7:7, and encourages believers to offer it to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit ^[4]. Access to God in prayer is granted through Christ and by the Holy Spirit, obtained through faith ^{[3, 4]}. This access is a privilege for believers, allowing them to approach God with confidence to obtain mercy and grace ^[3]. The Bible describes prayer using various metaphors, such as "bowing the knees" (Ephesians 3:14), "lifting up the soul" (Psalm 25:1), and "crying to God" (Psalm 27:7) ^{[4, 15]}. The psalmist David frequently expressed his desire for God and dependence on Him, stating, "Unto thee, O Lord! do I lift up my soul" ^[15].

The efficacy of prayer, though a mystery, is consistently affirmed in Scripture ^[2]. God hears and answers prayers ^[4]. For instance, Psalm 65:2 states that God hears prayer, and Psalm 99:6 indicates that He answers ^[4]. The Lord's Prayer, given by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13, serves as a model for prayer, emphasizing simplicity and addressing God as Father ^[12]. This contrasts with the "vain repetition of pagan prayers" ^[12].

Beyond prayer, dependence on God extends to all aspects of life and action. The concept of "calling upon the name of the Lord" signifies both prayer and a broader reliance on God ^[6]. This call is for help and implies a deep trust ^[6]. The apostle Paul, for example, instructs believers to "pray without ceasing," which Adam Clarke interprets as a constant awareness of dependence on God for every good thing ^[17]. This continuous sense of dependence should lead to frequent prayer ^[17].

Obedience to God is another key aspect of dependence. It is commanded in Deuteronomy 13:4 and is impossible without faith (Hebrews 11:6) ^[5]. Obedience includes heeding God's voice, obeying His law, and following Christ's commands ^[5]. Christ himself serves as the ultimate example of obedience, as seen in Matthew 3:15 and Philippians 2:5-8 ^[5]. This obedience is not merely an external act but stems from an inner reliance on God.

The biblical narrative consistently portrays individuals expressing their need for God. Psalm 63:1 declares, "God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water" ^[7]. Similarly, Psalm 70:5 states, "But I am poor and needy. Come to me quickly, God. You are my help and my deliverer. Yahweh, don’t delay" ^[9]. These passages highlight a profound recognition of human insufficiency and God's indispensable role. The psalmist also expresses waiting on the Lord and trusting in His word, indicating a patient and hopeful dependence ^{[10, 16]}.

The call to live a life worthy of one's vocation (Ephesians 4:1) implies that even daily actions are to be undertaken in conscious dependence on God ^[8]. This perspective is reinforced by the understanding that God orders certain aspects of life, such as the support of ministers (1 Corinthians 9:14) ^[11]. The peace that believers experience is also understood as a gift from the "Lord of peace," Jesus Christ, who is always present with His people (2 Thessalonians 3:16) ^{[13, 14]}. This peace is not dependent on outward circumstances but is an unbroken gift from God ^[14].

Sources

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”
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 ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
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”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Obedience to God — Commanded -- De 13:4. Without faith, is impossible -- Heb 11:6. Includes Obeying his voice. -- Ex 19:5; Jer 7:23. Obeying his law. -- De 11:27; Isa 42:24. Obeying Christ. -- Ex 23:21; 2Co 10:5. Obeying the gospel. -- Ro 1:5; 6:17; 10:16,17. Keeping his commandments. -- Ec 12:13. Submission to higher powers. -- Ro 13:1. Better than sacrifice -- 1Sa 15:22. Justification obtained by that of Christ -- Ro 5:19. Christ, an example of -- Mt 3:15; Joh 15:20; Php 2:5-8; Heb 5:8. Angles engaged in -- Ps 103:20. A characteristic of saints -- 1Pe 1:14. Saints ”
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”
Psalms “God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water. -- Psalms 63:1”
Ephesians “Ephesians 4:1 (Geneva1599) — I therefore, being prisoner in the Lord, praie you that yee walke worthie of the vocation whereunto yee are called,”
Psalms “But I am poor and needy. Come to me quickly, God. You are my help and my deliverer. Yahweh, don’t delay. -- Psalms 70:5”
Psalms “Psalms 130:5 (Geneva1599) — I haue waited on the Lord: my soule hath waited, and I haue trusted in his worde.”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 9:14: 9:14 the Lord ordered: See Matt 10:10; Luke 10:7; see also Gal 6:6; 1 Tim 5:17-18.”
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).”
2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: 3:16 The final prayer echoes Jesus’ blessing in John 14:27 (cp. Num 6:26) and contrasts with the situation these believers faced in Thessalonica (2 Thes 1:4-10; 1 Thes 2:14). Paul was always conscious of the Lord Jesus’ presence with his people (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:9).”
2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
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”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 130:5: Here, I. The psalmist engages himself to trust in God and to wait for him, Psa 130:5, Psa 130:6. Observe, 1. His dependence upon God, expressed in a climax, it being a a song of degrees, or ascents: "I wait for the Lord; from him I expect relief and comfort, believing it will come, longing till it does come, but patiently bearing the delay of it, and resolving to look for it from no other hand. My soul doth wait; I wait for him in sincerity, and not in profession only. I am an expectant, and it is for the Lord that my soul waits, for the gifts of his grace and th”
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.”

Ask Your Own Question