Developing a Close Relationship with God Through Prayer
Developing a close relationship with God through prayer is understood as a direct address to God, an "intercourse of the soul with God" [1]. This spiritual discipline is not merely contemplation or meditation but active communication, which can be oral or mental, spontaneous or formal [1]. Prayer is depicted in scripture through various actions, such as "beseeching the Lord" (Exodus 32:11), "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:15), and "drawing near to God" (Psalm 73:28) [1].
Prayer presupposes a belief in God's personal nature and His willingness to engage with humanity [1]. The Bible commands believers to pray, as seen in Isaiah 55:6, Matthew 7:7, and Philippians 4:6 [5]. It is directed to God the Father (Psalm 5:2, Matthew 4:10), to Christ (Luke 23:42, Acts 7:59), and to the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 3:5) [5]. Access to God in prayer is granted through Christ (John 14:6, Ephesians 2:13, Hebrews 10:19) and by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18) [4]. This access is obtained through faith (Romans 5:2, Ephesians 3:12) and follows reconciliation with God (Colossians 1:21-22) [4].
One of the most well-known examples of prayer is the Lord's Prayer, taught by Jesus to His disciples (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) [7]. This prayer serves as a model for how believers should pray, offering a succinct expression of faith and a pattern for addressing God [8]. It contrasts with "vain repetition" and emphasizes simplicity [8]. A notable aspect of Jesus' teaching on prayer is His consistent address to God as "Father," a practice less common in Jewish prayer at the time [8]. The Lord's Prayer encapsulates a wide range of spiritual needs within a few petitions, embodying "every possible desire of a praying heart" [7].
Communion with God, which prayer facilitates, is a central aspect of the Christian life [6]. It involves communion with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit [6]. Reconciliation with God must precede this communion (Amos 3:3), and holiness is considered essential for it (2 Corinthians 6:14-16) [6]. The obedient are promised this communion (John 14:23) [6]. Saints are depicted as desiring communion with God (Psalm 42:1), experiencing it in meditation (Psalm 63:5-6) and prayer (Philippians 4:6, Hebrews 4:16), and should always seek to enjoy it (Psalm 16:8) [6]. Biblical figures like Enoch (Genesis 5:24), Noah (Genesis 6:9), and Abraham (Genesis 18:33) are presented as examples of those who walked in close communion with God [6].
The act of prayer is often described with physical postures or emotional states, such as bowing the knees (Ephesians 3:14), lifting up the soul (Psalm 25:1), or pouring out the heart (Psalm 62:8) [5]. The Apostle Paul frequently requested prayer from others, asking believers to "strive together with me in the prayers for me unto God" (Romans 15:30, YLT) and to pray for opportunities to share the Gospel (Colossians 4:3) [2, 3].
The importance of the Holy Spirit in prayer is also emphasized. Believers are encouraged to pray "in the Holy Ghost" [10]. This means praying under the Spirit's influence, as prayer not guided by the Holy Spirit is less likely to reach God [10]. This spiritual guidance helps believers "keep yourselves in the love of God" [9]. While prayer is a means of building up faith, it does not merit salvation; rather, believers are to look for the "Mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, to bring them to Eternal Life" [9].
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”
- Romans “Romans 15:30 (YLT) — And I call upon you, brethren, through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in the prayers for me unto God,”
- Colossians “praying together for us also, that God may open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; -- Colossians 4:3”
- 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: Communion With God — Is communion with the Father -- 1Jo 1:3. Is communion with the Son -- 1Co 1:9; 1Jo 1:3; Re 3:20. Is communion with the Holy Spirit -- 1Co 12:13; 2Co 13:14; Php 2:1. Reconciliation must precede -- Am 3:3. Holiness essential to -- 2Co 6:14-16. Promised to the obedient -- Joh 14:23. Saints Desire. -- Ps 42:1; Php 1:23. Have, in meditation. -- Ps 63:5,6. Have, in prayer. -- Php 4:6; Heb 4:16. Have, in the Lord's supper. -- 1Co 10:16. Should always enjoy. -- Ps 16:8; Joh 14:16-18. Exemplified Enoch. -- Ge 5:24. Noah. -- Ge 6:9. Abraham. -- Ge 18:33. J”
- 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).”
- 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.”
- Jude (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Jude 1:20: Building up yourselves - Having the most holy faith - the Gospel of our Lord Jesus, and the writings of his apostles, for your foundation; founding all your expectations on these, and seeking from the Christ who is their sum and substance; all the grace and glory ye need. Praying in the Holy Ghost - Holding fast the Divine influence which ye have received, and under that influence making prayer and supplication to God. The prayer that is not sent up through the influence of the Holy Ghost is never likely to reach heaven.”