Prayer and Dependence in Evangelism through Cultural Examples

Prayer is understood as direct communication with God, an "intercourse of the soul with God" ^[3]. It can take various forms, including oral or mental, occasional or constant, and formal or ejaculatory ^[3]. Scriptural descriptions of prayer include "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) ^[3]. Other depictions involve physical postures such as bowing the knees (Ephesians 3:14) and looking up (Psalm 5:3), or internal states like lifting up the soul (Psalm 25:1) and pouring out the heart (Psalm 62:8) ^[5]. Matthew Henry notes that David often began his psalms with professions of desire and dependence on God, not to sway God, but to motivate himself to live up to those professions ^[8].

Prayer presupposes a belief in God's personality and His willingness to engage in communication ^[3]. It is commanded in scripture (Isaiah 55:6; Matthew 7:7; Philippians 4:6) and is to be offered to God (Psalm 5:2; Matthew 4:10), to Christ (Luke 23:42; Acts 7:59), and to the Holy Spirit (2 Thessalonians 3:5), always through Christ (Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:19) ^[5]. God is depicted as hearing and answering prayers (Psalm 10:17; 65:2; 99:6; Isaiah 58:9) ^[5].

Intercessory prayer, specifically praying on behalf of others, is a significant aspect of Christian practice. Christ Himself set an example of intercessory prayer (Luke 22:32; 23:34; John 17:9-24) ^[2]. The New Testament commands believers to offer intercessory prayers for various groups, including kings and those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2), ministers (2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 1:19), the Church (Psalm 122:6; Isaiah 62:6-7), all saints (Ephesians 6:18), and indeed all people (1 Timothy 2:1) ^[2]. Specific examples include praying for masters (Genesis 24:12-14), servants (Luke 7:2-3), children (Genesis 17:18; Matthew 15:22), friends (Job 42:8), fellow countrymen (Romans 10:1), the sick (James 5:14), and even persecutors (Matthew 5:44) and enemies (Jeremiah 29:7) ^[2].

The efficacy of prayer is a topic Scripture addresses without offering a theoretical explanation for its mystery ^[4]. The difficulty in understanding prayer's efficacy often arises from the tension between belief in unalterable general laws governing human life and the belief that individuals control their own destiny ^[4].

The Lord's Prayer, given by Jesus, serves as a model for Christian prayer, emphasizing simplicity in contrast to the "vain repetition of pagan prayers" (Matthew 6:7-8) ^[6]. It is similar in form to the Jewish qaddish prayer ^[6]. A notable aspect of Jesus's prayer life was his frequent address to God as "Father," a practice rare among Jews of his time ^[6]. The petition "may your name be kept holy" in the Lord's Prayer reflects the understanding that God's name can be profaned by the sin of His people (Isaiah 29:22-24; Ezekiel 39:7) ^[6].

The concept of dependence in evangelism is implicitly linked to prayer, as prayer itself is an act of dependence on God. The call to "call on the Lord" (Psalm 99:6; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:12-13) is often associated with salvation and a pure heart (2 Timothy 2:22) ^[7]. The practice of "praying in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 8:26; Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20) highlights dependence on the Spirit to guide what and how one prays ^[9]. This spiritual guidance is crucial for effective prayer and, by extension, for evangelistic efforts that rely on divine enablement rather than solely human effort. The "communication of thy faith" (Philemon 1:6) can be understood as the imparting of faith and its fruits to others, which is made "effectual by" (or "in") the thorough knowledge of Christ ^[10]. This suggests that the outward expression of faith in evangelism is rooted in an inward, Spirit-led understanding and dependence.

Early rising for devotion, as exemplified by Christ (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38; John 8:2) and numerous biblical figures like Abraham, Jacob, Joshua, and David ^[1], can be seen as a cultural example of diligence and dependence. This practice, often associated with seeking God, underscores a commitment to spiritual priorities before daily tasks ^[1]. While not directly about evangelism, it illustrates a broader principle of prioritizing spiritual life, which would naturally extend to dependence in sharing faith.

Sources

Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
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: 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”
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 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 2:22: 2:22 those who call on the Lord: Cp. Ps 99:6; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; 9:14, 21; 22:16; Rom 10:12-13; 1 Cor 1:2. • with pure hearts: Cp. 1 Tim 1:5.”
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 (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jude 1:20: Resuming Jde 1:17. building up yourselves--the opposite to the "separate themselves" (Jde 1:19): as "in the Holy Ghost" is opposed to "having not the Spirit." on--as on a foundation. Building on THE FAITH is equivalent to building on Christ, the object of faith. praying in the Holy Ghost-- (Rom 8:26; Eph 6:18). The Holy Spirit teaches what we are to pray for, and how. None can pray aright save by being in the Spirit, that is, in the element of His influence. CHRYSOSTOM states that, among the charisms bestowed at the beginning of the New Testament d”
Philemon (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philemon 1:6: That--The aim of my thanksgiving and prayers for thee is, in order that the, &c. the communication of thy faith--the imparting of it and its fruits (namely, acts of love and beneficence: as Heb 13:16, "to communicate," that is, to impart a share) to others; or, the liberality to others flowing from thy faith (so the Greek is translated, "liberal distribution," Co2 9:13). effectual by--Greek, "in"; the element in which his liberality had place, that is, may be proved by acts in, &c. acknowledging--Greek, "the thorough knowledge," that is, the exp”

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