Types of Prayer in the Bible and Christian Tradition
Types of Prayer in the Bible and Christian Tradition
The Bible and Christian tradition describe various types of prayer, including oral and mental, occasional and constant, ejaculatory and formal prayer [1]. In the biblical account, prayer is characterized as converse with God, involving direct address to Him. This can be seen in various biblical descriptions, such as "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11), "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15), and "crying to God" (Ps. 27:7; 34:6) [1, 2].
The Lord's Prayer, taught by Jesus to his disciples, is a foundational model for Christian prayer. It contains four general sentiments that constitute the soul of religion and embodies every possible desire of a praying heart in a simple and condensed form [4]. The prayer is recorded in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4, with slight variations between the two accounts [3].
In the Christian tradition, prayer is understood to be offered to God, to Christ, and through Christ [2]. The Bible encourages believers to pray constantly, at all times, and in all circumstances. For example, Psalms 55:17 says, "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice" [6]. The biblical examples of prayer include bowing the knees (Eph. 3:14), lifting up the hands (Ps. 28:2), and pouring out the heart (Ps. 62:8) [2].
Different Christian traditions have understood and practiced prayer in various ways. For instance, the Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, emphasizes the importance of prayer in the Christian life, citing biblical examples and teachings [7]. The Presbyterian tradition, as seen in the commentary by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, highlights the significance of the Lord's Prayer as a model for Christian prayer and notes the importance of praying "in every way" and "always" [8, 9].
The Bible also teaches that prayer is answered by God, sometimes immediately, sometimes after delay, and sometimes differently from what was desired [5]. The promise of answered prayer is linked to seeking God with all the heart and waiting upon Him (Jer. 29:12-13).
In Christian practice, prayer is often accompanied by other spiritual disciplines, such as fasting, as seen in Matthew 17:21, where Jesus says that certain kinds of spiritual challenges "go not out, but by prayer and fasting". The act of praying is not just a human initiative but is facilitated by the Holy Spirit, as noted in the biblical references to praying through Christ and to the Holy Spirit [2].
The variety of expressions and postures in prayer reflects the diverse ways in which believers communicate with God, from silent, mental prayer to vocal, communal prayer. The essence of prayer, however, remains the same: a heartfelt, faith-filled conversation with God.
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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lord's Prayer — The name given to the only form of prayer Christ taught his disciples (Matt. 6:9-13). The closing doxology of the prayer is omitted by Luke (11:2-4), also in the R.V. of Matt. 6:13. This prayer contains no allusion to the atonement of Christ, nor to the offices of the Holy Spirit. "All Christian prayer is based on the Lord's Prayer, but its spirit is also guided by that of His prayer in Gethsemane and of the prayer recorded John 17. The Lord's Prayer is the comprehensive type of the simplest and most universal prayer."”
- 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, Answers To — God gives -- Ps 99:6; 118:5; 138:3. Christ gives -- Joh 4:10,14; 14:14. Christ received -- Joh 11:42; Heb 5:7. Granted Through the grace of God. -- Isa 30:19. Sometimes immediately. -- Isa 65:24; Da 9:21,23; 10:12. Sometimes after delay. -- Lu 18:7. Sometimes differently from our desire. -- 2Co 12:8,9. Beyond expectation. -- Jer 33:3; Eph 3:20. Promised -- Isa 58:9; Jer 29:12; Mt 7:7. Promised especially in times of trouble -- Ps 50:15; 91:15. Received by those who Seek God. -- Ps 34:4. Seek God with all the heart. -- Jer 29:12,13. Wait upon God.”
- King James Version “[KJV] Psalms 55:17 — Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 84.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1 1:26 3:22 9:6 9:6 9:6 14:13 Exodus 7:11 14:13 14:31 32:32 Leviticus 19:14 Deuteronomy 7:7-8 10:17 13:3 1 Kings 19:18 Job 4:18 Psalms 7:8 35:19 37:5 55:22 55:22 69:28 73:1-12 122:6 128:2 137:6 138:8 138:8 145:18 Proverbs 3:5 5:15 8:36 10:4 Ecclesiastes 9:3 Isaiah 11:4 26:9 30:15 30:21 33:22 42:1 45:23 48:11 50:5 53:1 55:11 55:13 60:2 60:2 60:2 64:8 Jeremiah 5:8 17:9 23:29 31:33 Ezekiel 11:20 Daniel 12:2 Hosea 1:10-11 Amos 9:36 Zechariah 14:8 Malachi 4:2 Matthew 5:11 5:14 5:15 ”
- 2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:9: After this manner--more simply "Thus." therefore pray ye--The "ye" is emphatic here, in contrast with the heathen prayers. That this matchless prayer was given not only as a model, but as a form, might be concluded from its very nature. Did it consist only of hints or directions for prayer, it could only be used as a directory; but seeing it is an actual prayer--designed, indeed, to show how much real prayer could be compressed into the fewest words, but still, as a prayer, only the more incomparable for that--it is strange that there should be a dou”