Praying Effectively According to Biblical Principles
Biblical Principles for Effective Prayer
Praying effectively is a vital aspect of the Christian life, and the Bible provides numerous principles to guide believers in their prayer lives. According to the biblical account, prayer is a form of converse with God, involving direct address to Him [1]. The Bible commands prayer, instructing believers to "seek unto God and make supplication" (Job 8:5) and to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17, not directly quoted but referenced in [2]).
The Nature of Prayer
The biblical concept of prayer encompasses various aspects, including confession, supplication, and intercession. James 5:16 emphasizes the importance of confessing offenses to one another and praying for one another, highlighting the effectiveness of the "insistent prayer of a righteous person" [3]. The Psalms also provide insight into the nature of prayer, with Psalm 119:170 expressing the psalmist's desire for deliverance according to God's word [4].
Principles for Effective Prayer
Several biblical principles are essential for effective prayer. Firstly, prayer should be offered to God through Christ, as emphasized in Ephesians 2:18 and Hebrews 10:19 [2]. Secondly, believers are instructed to avoid "vain repetitions" in prayer, as warned in Matthew 6:7 [5]. Instead, prayer should be characterized by sincerity, humility, and persistence.
The Bible also highlights the importance of praying in the Holy Spirit. According to Adam Clarke, praying "in the Holy Ghost" involves holding fast to the Divine influence and making prayer and supplication to God under that influence [7]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown concur, noting that praying "in the Holy Ghost" is essential for praying aright [8].
The Role of Faith and Obedience
Faith and obedience are crucial elements in effective prayer. According to 1 John 5:14, confidence in prayer results from knowing that one has eternal life and is abiding in faith, praying according to God's will [9]. Matthew Henry emphasizes the importance of sanctification in prayer, noting that Jesus prayed for his disciples' sanctification through God's truth [10].
The biblical account also stresses the need for obedience to God's commands. Isaiah 1:17 instructs believers to "learn to do well, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, and plead for the widow". Obedience to God's commands is essential for effective prayer, as it demonstrates a willingness to align one's will with God's.
The Importance of Persistence and Watchfulness
Persistence and watchfulness are also vital in prayer. Jesus instructs his disciples to "watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation" (Mark 14:38) [6]. The Bible encourages believers to persevere in prayer, as exemplified in the Psalms, where the psalmist repeatedly cries out to God for deliverance [4].
Tradition and Interpretation
Various Christian traditions have interpreted these biblical principles in their understanding of effective prayer. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, emphasizes the importance of praying in the Holy Spirit and holding fast to the Divine influence [7]. The Presbyterian tradition, as represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, highlights the significance of praying according to God's will and abiding in faith [9]. The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as represented by Matthew Henry, stresses the importance of sanctification and obedience in prayer [10].
The biblical principles for effective prayer provide a foundation for understanding the nature and practice of prayer. By embracing these principles, believers can deepen their prayer lives and cultivate a more intimate relationship with God. As the biblical account demonstrates, effective prayer is characterized by sincerity, humility, persistence, and obedience, and is empowered by the Holy Spirit.
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”
- 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”
- 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”
- Psalms “Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word. -- Psalms 119:170”
- Matthew “In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. -- Matthew 6:7”
- Mark “Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -- Mark 14:38”
- 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.”
- 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”
- 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”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 17:17: The next thing he prayed for for them was that they might be sanctified; not only kept from evil, but made good. I. Here is the petition (Joh 17:17): Sanctify them through thy truth, through thy word, for thy word is truth; it is true - it is truth itself. He desires they may be sanctified, 1. As Christians. Father, make them holy, and this will be their preservation, Th1 5:23. Observe here, (1.) The grace desired - sanctification. The disciples were sanctified, for they were not of the world; yet he prays, Father sanctify them, that is, [1.] "Confirm the work of s”