Prayer and the Sovereignty of God in Theology
Prayer is defined as converse with God, an interaction of the soul with the divine through direct address [2]. It can take various forms, including oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal [2]. Scripture describes prayer 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) [2]. The act of prayer presupposes a belief in God's personality and His willingness and ability to engage in such communication [2].
The Bible commands prayer (Isaiah 55:6; Matthew 7:7; Philippians 4:6) and indicates it should 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) [6]. Access to God in prayer is granted through Christ (John 14:6; Romans 5:2; Ephesians 2:13) and by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18) [5]. This access is obtained through faith (Romans 5:2; Ephesians 3:12) [5]. God is depicted as hearing and answering prayers (Psalm 10:17; 65:2; 99:6; Isaiah 58:9) [6]. The prayers of God's people are understood to reach God's presence, indicating that He hears them and is prepared to act [9].
The concept of God's sovereignty refers to His absolute right to act according to His own good pleasure (Daniel 4:25, 35; Romans 9:15-23; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 4:11) [4]. This divine sovereignty does not negate the efficacy of prayer. While Scripture does not offer a theoretical explanation for the "mystery" of prayer's efficacy, it acknowledges the tension between God's unalterable general laws and human agency [1]. Despite God's ultimate control, believers are encouraged to pray for various outcomes, including the advancement of God's kingdom, the spread of the Gospel, and their own spiritual well-being [10]. For instance, Paul asks believers to pray "that the word of the Lord may have free passage and be glorified" (2 Thessalonians 3:1) [7].
Jesus taught his disciples a model prayer, often called the Lord's Prayer, which encapsulates a wide range of spiritual needs in a simple form (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) [3, 8]. This prayer serves as a model of simplicity, contrasting with "vain repetition" [8]. The act of prayer is also described metaphorically as "bowing the knees" (Ephesians 3:14), "lifting up the soul" (Psalm 25:1), and "pouring out the heart" (Psalm 62:8) [6].
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: 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: 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sovereignty — Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Rom. 9:15-23; 1 Tim. 6:15; Rev. 4:11).”
- 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”
- II Thessalonians “II Thessalonians 3:1 (Geneva1599) — Furthermore, brethren, pray for vs, that the worde of the Lord may haue free passage and be glorified, euen as it is with you,”
- 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).”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 8:3: 8:3-4 The prayers of God’s people ask for God’s ultimate justice and judgment (6:10-11; see also 5:8; Ezra 9:5-6; Ps 141:2; Dan 9:21). The mixture of incense and prayers that reaches God’s presence shows that God hears their prayers (see Rev 6:9-11) and is prepared to act.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 21:22: And all things whatsoever,.... Not only miracles, but any other thing which may be for the honour of God, the interest of religion, the spreading of the Gospel, the enlargement of the kingdom, of Christ, their own spiritual good, and the welfare of immortal souls, ye shall ask in prayer, believing. Munster's Hebrew Gospel reads it, "in prayer, and in faith"; and the Arabic version renders it, "in prayer with faith"; both to the same purpose, and aptly express the sense of the words, which design the prayer of faith; or that prayer which is put up in the strength o”