The Power of Prayer in Christian Love Development
Prayer is understood as direct communication with God, an "intercourse of the soul with God" that can be oral or mental, constant or occasional [3]. It is a means through which Christians seek to grow in various spiritual aspects, including love. The apostle Paul, for instance, prayed that the Philippian believers' "love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment" [1]. This highlights a connection between prayer and the development of love, suggesting that love is not static but can increase through divine intervention sought in prayer.
Christian love, often described as agape, is characterized by its enduring nature, its faith in all things, and its hope in all things [2]. This kind of love is not merely an emotion but an active principle [5]. It is commanded by God and Christ, and it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit [5]. The development of love for God is also produced by the Holy Spirit and is a response to God's love for humanity [4].
Prayer plays a role in fostering both love for God and love for fellow human beings. Believers are exhorted to "keep yourselves in the love of God" by "praying in the Holy Ghost" [8]. This suggests that prayer, guided by the Holy Spirit, is essential for maintaining and deepening one's love for God. Furthermore, the development of love is often linked to spiritual growth in general, as seen in exhortations to "grow in grace" [9]. This growth encompasses an increase in spiritual gifts and internal grace, which can be fostered through prayer and the use of spiritual disciplines [9].
The Lord's Prayer, given by Jesus, serves as a model for prayer, emphasizing simplicity and addressing God as Father [6]. This intimate form of address can strengthen the relationship with God, which in turn nurtures love. Paul's prayers for believers often included requests for their love to increase, demonstrating his belief in prayer's efficacy in this area [7]. For example, he prayed for the Thessalonians to "increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men" [7]. This indicates that prayer is seen as a channel through which God works to cultivate and expand love within individuals and communities.
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] Philippians 1:9 — And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 13:7 (BBE) — Love has the power of undergoing all things, having faith in all things, hoping all things.”
- 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: Love to God — Commanded -- De 11:1; Jos 22:5. The first great commandment -- Mt 22:38. With all the heart -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Better than all sacrifices -- Mr 12:33. Produced by The Holy Spirit. -- Ga 5:22; 2Th 3:5. The love of God to us. -- 1Jo 4:19. Answers to prayer. -- Ps 116:1. Exhibited by Christ -- Joh 14:31. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 5:11. Should produce Joy. -- Ps 5:11. Love to saints. -- 1Jo 5:1. Hatred of sin. -- Ps 97:10. Obedience to God. -- De 30:20; 1Jo 5:3. Perfected in obedience -- 1Jo 2:5. Perfected, gives boldness -- 1Jo 4:17,18. God, faith”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Man — Is of God -- 1Jo 4:7. Commanded by God -- 1Jo 4:21. Commanded by Christ -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; 1Jo 3:23. After the example of Christ -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; Eph 5:2. Taught by God -- 1Th 4:9. Faith works by -- Ga 5:6. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22; Col 1:8. Purity of heart leads to -- 1Pe 1:22. Explained -- 1Co 13:4-7. Is an active principle -- 1Th 1:3; Heb 6:10. Is an abiding principle -- 1Co 13:8,13. Is the second great commandment -- Mt 22:37-39. Is the end of the commandment -- 1Ti 1:5. Supernatural gifts are nothing without -- 1Co 13:1,2. The greates”
- 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).”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 3:12: Make you to increase and abound in love - They had already love to each other, so as to unite them in one Christian body; and he prays that they may have an increase and an abundance of it; that they might feel the same love to each other which he felt for them all.”
- Jude (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Jude 1:21: Keep yourselves in the love of God - By building up yourselves on your most holy faith, and praying in the Holy Ghost; for without this we shall soon lose the love of God. Looking for the mercy of our Lord - For although they were to build themselves up, and to pray in the Holy Ghost, and keep themselves in the love of God, yet this building, praying, and keeping, cannot merit heaven; for, after all their diligence, earnestness, self-denial, watching, obedience, etc., they must look for the Mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ, to bring them to Eternal Life.”
- 2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace,.... In the gifts of grace, which, under a divine blessing, may be increased by using them: gifts neglected decrease, but stirred up and used, are improved and increase. And though men are to be thankful for their gifts, and be contented with them, yet they may lawfully desire more, and in the use of means seek an increase of them, which may be a means of preserving themselves, and others, from the error of the wicked. Moreover, by "grace" may be meant internal grace. The work of grace is gradual; it is like a grain of mustard seed, or like seed cas”