Prayer's Impact on Daily Conversations with God
Prayer is understood as direct communication with God, an "intercourse of the soul with God" that involves direct address rather than mere contemplation [1]. This communication can take various forms, including oral or mental, occasional or constant, and can be ejaculatory or formal [1]. Biblical texts describe 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) [1].
The practice of prayer is fundamental to maintaining communion with God. As Matthew Henry notes, "It is by the word and prayer that our communion with God is kept up. God speaks to us by his law, and expects we should hear him and heed him; we speak to him by prayer, to which we wait for an answer of peace" [10]. This reciprocal relationship is highlighted in Abraham's interaction with God concerning Sodom, where God's revelation prompted Abraham to pray on behalf of the city [11].
The New Testament frequently emphasizes the importance of consistent prayer. Paul, for instance, prayed "night and day" for the Thessalonians, desiring to see them and complete their faith [4]. He also requested prayers from the Colossians, asking that God would provide an opportunity to share the mystery of Christ [2]. Similarly, Paul expressed his prayer for others to become like him, "except for these bonds" [3]. The Psalmist also speaks of prayer as a continuous act, stating, "In the night his song shall be with me: a prayer to the God of my life" [8].
Prayer is commanded in scripture (Isaiah 55:6; Matthew 7:7; Philippians 4:6) and is directed towards God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit [6]. Access to God through prayer is made possible "by Christ" and "by the Holy Spirit," and is obtained through faith [7]. The Lord's Prayer, taught by Jesus, serves as a model for believers, offering a succinct expression of faith and a pattern for addressing God as Father [5, 9]. This prayer compresses a wide range of spiritual needs into a few petitions, embodying "every possible desire of a praying heart" [5].
The efficacy of prayer is a core belief, with scripture indicating that God hears and answers prayers [6]. Those whose lives align with Jesus' teachings can ask for anything, as their prayers are guided by his word, leading to answers that glorify God [12]. However, if God's word is disregarded, prayers may not be accepted and can even be considered an "abomination" [10].
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”
- 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”
- Acts “Paul said, “I pray to God, that whether with little or with much, not only you, but also all that hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these bonds.” -- Acts 26:29”
- I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 3:10 (BBE) — Night and day requesting God again and again that we may see your face and make your faith complete.”
- 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”
- 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: 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”
- Psalms “Yahweh will command his loving kindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me: a prayer to the God of my life. -- Psalms 42:8”
- 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).”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 28:9: Note, 1. It is by the word and prayer that our communion with God is kept up. God speaks to us by his law, and expects we should hear him and heed him; we speak to him by prayer, to which we wait for an answer of peace. How reverent and serious should we be, whenever we are hearing from and speaking to the Lord of glory! 2. If God's word be not regarded by us, our prayers shall not only not be accepted of God, but they shall be an abomination to him, not only our sacrifices, which were ceremonial appointments, but even our prayers, which are moral duties, and wh”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 18:23: Communion with God is kept up by the word and by prayer. In the word God speaks to us; in prayer we speak to him. God had revealed to Abraham his purposes concerning Sodom; now from this Abraham takes occasion to speak to God on Sodom's behalf. Note, God's word then does us good when it furnishes us with matter for prayer and excites us to it. When God has spoken to us, we must consider what we have to say to him upon it. Observe, I. The solemnity of Abraham's address to God on this occasion: Abraham drew near, Gen 18:23. The expression intimates, 1. A holy conc”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 15:7: 15:7 Those whose lives are in harmony with Jesus may ask for anything because their prayers are controlled by his word. Their prayers will be answered and bring glory to God (14:10-13).”