Effectiveness of Prayer in the Bible and Christian Life

Prayer, in Christian understanding, is direct address to God, an intercourse of the soul with the divine ^[4]. It is not merely contemplation or meditation, but an active beseeching, pouring out of the soul, and drawing near to God ^[4]. The Bible presents prayer as a commanded practice, with numerous passages urging its observance ^[3].

The effectiveness of prayer is a significant theme in Scripture. James 5:16 states that "The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective" ^[7]. This verse, rendered in the Authorized Version as "effectual fervent prayer," emphasizes the power of a righteous individual's supplication ^[2]. The principle that the prayers of the righteous are effective is illustrated throughout the Bible, including examples such as Abraham's intercession for Sodom, Moses' prayers, and Jacob's wrestling with God ^[9]. The book of Job also conveys the effectiveness of a righteous person's prayer ^[9].

Scripture does not offer a theoretical explanation for the mystery of prayer's efficacy ^[1]. The perceived difficulty in understanding how prayer works often stems from two beliefs: that humanity lives under unalterable general laws, and that individuals are masters of their own destiny ^[1]. Despite these potential difficulties, the Bible consistently affirms that God hears and answers prayer ^[3]. For instance, Psalm 10:17 and 65:2 indicate that God listens, while Psalm 99:6 and Isaiah 58:9 affirm that God responds ^[3].

Prayer can be directed to God the Father, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit ^[3]. It is often understood to be offered through Christ ^[3]. The Bible describes various postures and expressions of prayer, including bowing the knees, looking up, lifting up the soul or heart, pouring out the heart or soul, calling upon the name of the Lord, and crying to God ^{[3, 4]}. These descriptions highlight the earnestness and depth of communication involved in prayer ^[10].

The effectiveness of prayer is linked to several factors. It presupposes a belief in God's personality, His ability, and His willingness to interact with humanity ^[4]. Hope plays a role, as it is rooted in God, in Christ, in God's promises, and in His mercy ^[5]. This hope is described as a work of the Holy Spirit, obtained through grace, the word of God, and faith ^[5]. The "Lord's Prayer," given by Jesus in Matthew 6:9-13, serves as a model of simplicity and a succinct expression of faith, contrasting with "vain repetition" ^[8]. This prayer addresses God as "Father," a common address for Jesus in prayer ^[8].

The favor of God is also connected to prayer. While Christ is the special object of God's favor, saints can obtain it, be encompassed by it, and be strengthened through it ^[6]. God's favor is given in answer to prayer ^[6]. The confidence or boldness in prayer that results from knowing one has eternal life is emphasized in 1 John 5:14 ^[12]. This confidence is tied to praying "according to his will," which, for a believer, aligns with their own will ^[12].

Even when individuals "know not what we should pray for as we ought," the Holy Spirit is understood to provide help in prayer ^[11]. This acknowledges human weakness and limited understanding regarding what is truly beneficial ^[11]. The concept of prayer is deeply interwoven with the Christian understanding of God's active involvement in the world and in the lives of individuals.

Sources

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 ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Effectual prayer — Occurs in Authorized Version, James 5:16. The Revised Version renders appropriately: "The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working", i.e., "it moves the hand of Him who moves the world."”
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”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Favour of God, The — Christ the special object of -- Lu 2:52. Is the source of Mercy. -- Isa 60:10. Spiritual life. -- Ps 30:5. Spiritual wisdom leads to -- Pr 8:35. Mercy and truth lead to -- Pr 3:3,4. Saints Obtain. -- Pr 12:2. Encompassed by. -- Ps 5:12. Strengthened by. -- Ps 30:7. Victorious through. -- Ps 44:3. Preserved through. -- Job 10:12. Exalted in. -- Ps 89:17. Sometimes tempted to doubt. -- Ps 77:7. Domestic blessings traced to -- Pr 18:22. Disappointment of enemies an assured evidence of -- Ps 41:11. Given in answer to prayer -- Job 33:26. Pray for -- ”
James “Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. -- James 5:16”
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).”
Job (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Job 22:29: 22:29 This difficult text probably conveys the effectiveness of a righteous man’s prayer. The principle (Pss 34:15, 17; 145:18; Prov 15:8, 29; Jas 5:16) is illustrated throughout Scripture (see, e.g., Gen 18:23-32; 19:29; 20:7, 17; 32:28; Exod 9:28-32; 17:11; 32:10-14; Rom 5:19).”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 141:1: Mercy to accept what we do well, and grace to keep us from doing ill, are the two things which we are here taught by David's example to pray to God for. I. David loved prayer, and he begs of God that his prayers might be heard and answered, Psa 141:1, Psa 141:2. David cried unto God. His crying denotes fervency in prayer; he prayed as one in earnest. His crying to God denotes faith and fixedness in prayer. And what did he desire as the success of his prayer? 1. That God would take cognizance of it: "Give ear to my voice; let me have a gracious audience." Those th”
Romans (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Romans 8:26: The apostle here suggests two privileges more to which true Christians are entitled: - I. The help of the Spirit in prayer. While we are in this world, hoping and waiting for what we see not, we must be praying. Hope supposes desire, and that desire offered up to God is prayer; we groan. Now observe, 1. Our weakness in prayer: We know not what we should pray for as we ought. (1.) As to the matter of our requests, we know not what to ask. We are not competent judges of our own condition. Who knows what is good for a man in this life? Ecc 6:12. We are short-sighted”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 5:14: the confidence--boldness (Jo1 4:17) in prayer, which results from knowing that we have eternal life (Jo1 5:13; Jo1 3:19, Jo1 3:22). according to his will--which is the believer's will, and which is therefore no restraint to his prayers. In so far as God's will is not our will, we are not abiding in faith, and our prayers are not accepted. ALFORD well says, If we knew God's will thoroughly, and submitted to it heartily, it would be impossible for us to ask anything for the spirit or for the body which He should not perform; it is this ideal state whic”

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