Introduction:
In Luke 11:1 Jesus' disciples asked, "Lord, teach us to
pray." Christians today also need to learn to pray.
The purpose of this study is to help Christians improve in
prayer. People who are new in the faith may have never studied
about how to pray. Some members do not pray properly so their
prayers are not even answered. All of us can improve in this
aspect of worship.
We need to learn what to pray about. Should we make requests,
be thankful, offer praise, intercede on behalf of others, offer
petition? And what power does prayer have? Does God really answer
prayer? If so, how should we pray and what conditions must prayer
meet in order for God to hear and answer? These and other
questions will be considered in this study.
What is prayer? Note Acts 4:24,31. Prayer is simply man
talking to God, expressing his thoughts to God (Rom. 10:1; Matt.
6:9ff). Hence, it is a form of communication similar in may ways
to simply talking to our earthly father, except that we must
remember whom we are addressing and must meet conditions of
acceptable prayer.
I. What Should We Pray About?
What should we include in our prayers? Some cannot seem to
think of much to say. Others say things that are inappropriate or
even unscriptural. Some just repeat memorized phrases they have
heard others pray.
Let us examine Bible examples of prayer. What did God's people
in the Scriptures talk about in prayer? How do our prayers
compare? Can we improve our prayers by considering what Bible
characters prayed about?
A. We Should Praise God's Character and Work.
Bible prayers quite commonly included many descriptions of the
glory and greatness of God. Jesus began the model prayer by
praising God's name (Matt. 6:9). Many psalms are filled with
praise (note Psalm 86:5-12).
From the passages below, consider some particular qualities or
works of God that were praised in prayer. How do our prayers
compare? Do we praise God like this?
* God's authority and Lordship - He is the true
God, in contrast to idols - 1 Chronicles 29:10-13. [Psalm 86:8-10;
Neh. 9:4-6; 1 Kings 8:23; 2 Kings 19:15; Matt. 6:13; Rev 11:17; 2
Sam. 7:22]
* God's power - 1 Chronicles 29:11,12. [Jer. 32:16-23;
Eph. 1:16-19; Job 42:1,2; Neh. 9:4-38; Dan. 2:20-23]
* God's holiness, goodness, and righteousness -
Psalm 86:5-12 (note v5). [Psalm 143:1-12; 1 Sam. 2:2]
* God's mercy, grace, kindness, and willingness to
forgive - God has provided redemption and salvation for
His people, especially sending Jesus as our Savior - Psalm 86:5.
[Col. 1:12-14; 2 Sam. 7:23; Neh. 9:4-38; Luke 2:37,38; 1 Kings 8:23;
Ezra 9:8,9; Psalm 17:7]
* God's wisdom and knowledge - Jeremiah 32:16-23
(note v19). [Dan. 2:20-23; 1 Sam. 2:3]
* God's justice - God cares for His people and
rewards them but punishes the wicked - Jeremiah 32:19,23. [1 Sam.
2:6-10; Gen. 18:25; Psalm 90:7-11]
* God's eternal existence - Psalm 90:1-4. [Psalm
102:1,12,24-27]
* God's faithfulness to His word - Nehemiah 9:4-8.
[Neh. 1:5; 1 Kings 8:23-30; Dan. 9:4; Psalm 143:1]
* God's work as Creator and Source of life -
Nehemiah 9:4-6. [Jer. 32:17; Psalm 90:2; 102:1,24,25; 2 Kings 19:15;
Acts 4:24; 1 Sam. 2:6]
We could never list here all the great qualities and works for
which God deserves our praise. Yet surely we ought to praise God
in prayer, so we should meditate about why He deserves our praise.
Instead of just thinking of more things for God to give us, do we
need greater emphasis on describing His greatness?
B. We Should Pray on Behalf of Others.
1 Timothy 2:1,2 says to offer prayer, supplication,
intercession, and giving of thanks on behalf of all men. Yet we
sometimes neglect to pray for others because we concentrate so
much on our own interests.
How often do we think to pray for others, whether or not they
request our prayers? Bible prayers are filled with requests and
thanksgiving for people other than the one offering the prayer.
Consider some groups of people for whom we should pray:
* Rulers - 1 Timothy 2:1,2. [Ezra 6:10; 1 Chron.
29:19]
* Children and family members - our spouse,
relatives, etc. - 1 Chron. 29:19. [Matthew 19:13-15; Gen. 25:21,22;
24:12-14; 18:23-33; 1 Sam. 1:10-12; 2 Sam. 12:15,16; Luke 1:13]
* Lost sinners - Romans 10:1-3. Remember,
however, that these people must meet the gospel conditions of
salvation in order to be forgiven. [Matt. 9:36-38; Luke 23:34;
Acts 7:60]
* Enemies and persecutors - Luke 6:27,28. [Acts
7:60; Luke 23:34]
* People sick and suffering - 3 John 2. [James 5:16;
Num. 11:2; 2 Sam. 12:15,16; Gen. 20:17,18]
* Elders, deacons, preachers, and teachers -
Ephesians 6:18-20. [Col. 4:3,4; Acts 4:25-29; 6:6; 14:23; 13:3; 1
Thess. 5:25; Matt. 9:36-38; 2 Thess. 3:1,2; Heb. 13:18]
* All Christians - Ephesians 6:18. [James 5:16]
The Bible contains multitudes of examples in which men of God
interceded on behalf of God's people. Here are just a few of them:
Moses [Num. 11:2; 21:7; 14:13-20; Deut. 9:18-20,25-29; Ex. 32:9-14,31,32].
Samuel [1 Sam. 7:5-11; 12:19-25].
Solomon [1 Kings 8:22-54].
Ezra [Ezra 9:1-15].
Nehemiah [Neh. 1:4-11].
Daniel [Dan. 9:3-20].
Jesus - Luke 22:31,32 (for Peter); John 17:9-22 (for all
believers). [Luke 23:34]
Peter - Acts 8:24 (for Simon)
Epaphras [Col. 4:12]
Paul - Col. 1:3,9-14 [Rom. 1:9-12; Eph. 1:15-19; Phil. 1:3-11; 1
Thess. 1:2; 2 Thess. 1:11,12; 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:3]
Note that most examples were prayers, not just for God's
people in general, but for specific individuals or congregations.
Do we show this personal concern for others in our prayers?
Furthermore notice that Paul openly told people he was praying
for them. If we would do this, it would motivate us to be more
diligent to pray for others, but it would also give Christians a
greater sense of love and appreciation for one another.
C. We Should Make Requests and Give Thanks.
We should pray for the things we truly need, however some
people forget to thank God for what they have received. Their
prayers consist almost entirely of asking for more. God is a
generous God, willing to give what we need. But He also expects
appreciation for what He gives.
Passages teaching we can request what we need:
Philippians 4:6,7 - Instead of worrying, let your requests be
made known to God. "Supplication" refers to requests
for needs to be "supplied."
Matthew 7:7-11 - God is like a loving father who gives what
his children need. If we ask, we will receive.
1 Peter 5:7 - Cast your cares on God because He cares for you.
James 4:2,3 - Sometimes we do not receive because we do not
ask. On the other hand, God will not answer selfish requests for
things we do not need.
1 John 5:14,15 - If we ask according to God's will, we receive
our petitions.
[Cf. 1 John 3:21,22; John 14:13,14; 15:7,16; 16:23,24,26]
Passages teaching we should also give thanks for our
blessings:
Philippians 4:6,7 - Our requests should be made known with
thanksgiving.
1 Timothy 2:1 - Prayers for others should include thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:20 - Give thanks to the Father always for all
things.
[1 Thess. 5:18; Col. 4:2; 2:7; 3:17]
Bible prayers generally include thanksgiving right alongside
requests. God invites us to ask for what we need, but He is
displeased by those who are so ungrateful as to offer no thanks
when the request is granted (Luke 17:12-17).
D. Some Specific Things We Should Pray about
No one prayer or combination of prayers could mention all the
possible subjects there are to pray about. But an examination of
Bible prayers can teach us the kind of specific things that are
commonly included in Bible prayers. We may pray about these
things for ourselves or for others. We may request them and
should give thanks when we receive them.
All these things are mentioned in Bible prayers:
* God's will to be done - Matthew 6:9-13 (note v10).
[Matt. 26:39]
* Necessities of life - Matthew 6:11. [Acts 27:35;
Matt. 15:36; 14:19; 1 Tim. 4:3-5; Luke 24:30]
* Forgiveness of sins and deliverance from the
consequences of sin - Matthew 6:12. But note that one who has not
been baptized should not pray for forgiveness but be baptized -
Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16. [Acts 8:22,24; James 5:16; Luke 18:13,14;
Psalm 32:5-7]
* Ability to recognize and resist temptation -
Matthew 6:13. [Matt. 26:41; Eph. 6:11-18; 2 Cor. 13:7; Luke 22:31,32;
John 17:14-16]
* Good health and freedom from other threats to
life or safety - 3 John 2; 2 Kings 20:1-7 (Hezekiah) [James 5:13-18;
2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Kings 8:35-53; 2 Chron. 7:13-15; Jonah 2:1-10;
Psalm 50:15; 86:6,7; 32:6,7; 2 Sam. 12:15,16; Num. 11:2; Luke 21:36]
* Deliverance from enemies and persecution -
Acts 12:1,5,12. [2 Thess. 3:1,2; 2 Cor. 1:8-11; Acts 4:23-31; 16:25;
1 Kings 8:33-35; 2 Kings 19:4,15-19]
* Freedom from oppression by rulers - 1 Timothy
2:1,2. [Neh. 1:11-2:5]
* Safety in travel and care for loved ones we are
separated from - Acts 21:5. [Acts 20:36-38; 28:15; Ezra 8:21-23;
Gen. 24:26,27; 1 Thess. 3:9-11; 2 Tim. 1:3-5; Rom. 1:10; 15:30-32;
Philem. 22]
* Peace, courage, joy instead of disappointment or
discouragement - Philippians 4:6,7. [1 Samuel 8:6-9; 2:1-11;
Jer. 29:7; Psalm 122:6; 1 Peter 5:7; Matt. 26:36-46; Col. 1:11; 1
Thess. 3:9; 2 Sam. 7:18-29]
* Knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of God's will
- Psalm 119:169-172. Note that this comes today through the
Scriptures, not by direct revelation. [James 1:5,6; Col. 1:9,10;
Phil. 1:9,10; Psalm 86:6,11; 143:1,8,10]
* Salvation of lost sinners - Romans 10:1-3. [Luke
23:34; Acts 7:60]
* Laborers to teach the lost - Matthew 9:36-38.
* Bold, clear preaching - Ephesians 6:18-20. [Col.
4:3,4]
* Opportunities to preach and teach - Colossians
4:3 [2 Thess. 3:1]
* Support for preachers - Philippians 1:3-5.
* Choosing of elders, deacons, teachers, etc. -
Acts 14:23. [Acts 6:6; 13:3]
* Jesus' death, the Lord's supper - Matthew 26:26-29.
[1 Cor. 11:23-26]
* Baptism - Luke 3:21.
* Faithfulness, good works, a life pleasing to God
- Philippians 1:3-6,9-11. [Col. 1:9-11; 4:12; John 17:9-12; 1
Thess. 3:10-13; 2 Thess. 1:11]
* Love - Philippians 1:9. [1 Thess. 3:10-12; Eph.
3:14-19]
* Strength - Colossians 1:9-11. [Eph. 3:14-19; 2
Thess. 1:11]
* Patience, long-suffering - Colossians 1:11.
* Grace and mercy - 2 Corinthians 4:15. [Psalm 4:1;
86:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:4]
* Proper speech - Psalm 141:1-3.
* Sanctification - John 17:17.
* Unity - John 17:20-23.
* Eternal life, eternal glory - John 17:24-26.
This is not a complete list, but it suggests many things we
could properly pray for. Remember that these are things both to
make request for and to give thanks for.
Also note how Bible prayers often concerned spiritual needs
and blessings. Some people seem to view prayer like sending a
"Christmas list" to Santa for all the physical things
they want. Biblical prayers may concern physical needs, but
mainly they reflect man's greatest needs which are spiritual.
How do our prayers compare to Bible prayers? Are there areas
where we need to improve?
II. When, Where, How Long, and How Often
Should We Pray?
What are the proper circumstances for prayer? Should we pray
only in church meetings or as daily routing or spontaneously as
circumstances dictate? Should we pray in public or in private?
What posture must we use?
A. General Admonitions about Frequency, Place,
etc.
Notice these passages that generally discuss where and how
often we should pray:
1 Timothy 2:8 - Men should pray "everywhere."
Acts 2:42 - "Continue steadfastly" in prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:17,18 - Pray "without ceasing"; in
everything give thanks.
Ephesians 5:20 - Give thanks "always" for all things.
[Eph. 1:16; 6:18; Col. 1:3,9; 2:7; 3:17; 4:2,12; Luke 18:1-7;
Rom. 12:12; Acts 6:4; 1:14; Phil. 1:4; 4:6; 1 Cor. 1:4; 2 Thess.
1:3,11; 2:13; 2 Tim. 1:3; 1 Thess. 1:2; 2:13]
These verses do not mean we should pray 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, for then we could not do the other good works God
has commanded. Even Jesus and his apostles did not pray all the
time (Luke 11:1).
The passages do mean that prayer should be a regular, frequent
part of our daily lives, and that we should never quit or cease
the practice of prayer. Further, we should live so that we are
always ready to pray at any moment. We should never participate
in practices such that we would be ashamed to pray to God in the
midst of that activity.
B. Specific Examples of Frequency, Place, etc.
To give us a fuller understanding, consider these examples
showing specifically when and where people prayed:
* In public worship assemblies - 1 Corinthians
14:15 (see the context). [1 Kings 8:22; Ezra 9:4,5ff; Neh. 9:1-5]
* In special gatherings regarding special needs
- Acts 4:23ff. [Acts 12:5,12; 20:36]
* In one's own home - Matthew 6:6. [Dan. 6:10,11;
2 Kings 20:1-3]
* Before meals - Acts 27:35. [Matt. 15:36; 14:19;
Luke 24:30]
* On a mountain, in a garden, or other deserted
place - Matthew 14:23. [Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; 9:18; Acts 10:9;
Matt. 26:36-46]
* In the morning - Mark 1:35 (a long time before
day). [Psalm 5:3; 88:13]
* In the evening - Matthew 26:36-46. [Ezra 9:5]
* Morning, noon, and evening - Psalm 55:16,17.
* Three times a day - Daniel 6:10,11.
* For forty days and nights - Deut. 9:18,25,26.
* All night - Luke 6:12.
* Night and day - 1 Thessalonians 3:9,10. [1 Tim.
5:5; Psalm 88:1]
Note: We should pray in private but also in public worship
assemblies. We should not pray to make a show before others, but
we should not be ashamed to pray around others at times when we
otherwise would pray (cf. Acts 27:35). We should pray habitually
throughout the day but also at special times when needs arise.
Do we pray regularly like faithful people of God in the Bible?
C. Posture and Physical Conduct During Prayer
Some people believe we should kneel or sit for prayer, but not
stand. Must we speak out loud for God to hear us? Must we fold
our hands, bow our heads, and close our eyes as we often teach
children to do? Consider these Bible examples:
* Kneeling, falling down prostrate - Luke 22:41.
[Matt. 26:39; Acts 9:40; 20:36; 21:5; Eph. 3:14; Dan. 6:10,11;
Deut. 9:18-20,25; 1 Kings 8:54; Ezra 9:5]
* Sitting - Nehemiah 1:4. [1 Kings 19:4; 2 Sam.
7:18]
* Standing - Mark 11:25; Luke 18:13,14. [1 Sam.
1:26; Gen. 24:12,13; Neh. 9:4,5ff] Note: If someone demands an
example of standing in a congregational assembly, I ask where is
the example of kneeling in a congregational assembly?
* Bowed heads - 1 Chronicles 29:20 (Israel),
Luke 18:13 (the publican would not lift his eyes to heaven). [Gen.
24:27,48; Ex. 34:8,9; 4:31; 12:27; 2 Chron. 20:18; 29:30; Neh. 8:6]
* Eyes lifted toward heaven - John 17:1ff (Jesus).
[John 11:41; Matt. 14:19]
* Speaking in the heart, but no sound from the
lips - 1 Sam. 1:12,13 (Hannah).
Other postures, due to special circumstances, include: on the
cross (Luke 23:46,34); in the belly of a fish (Jonah 2:1); in
stocks in prison (Acts 16:24,25).
The variety in these examples shows that the position is a
matter of choice or expediency and does not, of itself, determine
whether or not God hears us. We can pray anytime or place, yet
certain positions may at times better suit our circumstances or
reverence.
[Other information regarding posture & related points:
Prayer with fasting - Neh. 1:4; Dan. 9:3ff; Acts 9:9-11; 14:23;
Luke 2:37; 5:33-35; 1 Cor. 7:5.
Hands lifted up - 1 Kings 8:54; Ezra 9:5; 1 Tim. 2:8; Isa. 1:15(?);
Psalm 28:2. But note: Did Hannah lift her hands (1 Sam. 1:12,13)?
Hands laid on other people - Acts 6:6; 8:14-18; 13:3; Matt. 19:13-15]
III. Can Prayer Really Change the Future?
Does God really answer prayer, or are the benefits of prayer
just psychological? Because we have prayed, does God so intervene
in the course of history that events occur differently than they
would have?
A. Promises that God Will Answer Prayer
Consider several Bible passages expressly stating that God
does answer prayer:
1 John 5:14,15 - We can have confidence that, if we pray
according to God's word, He will hear us and grant what we ask.
1 John 3:22 - Whatever we ask we receive because we keep His
commands and do what pleases Him.
James 5:16 - The fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Elijah prayed and it did not rain for 3 1/2 years. He prayed
again and it rained (v17,18).
Matthew 7:7-11 - If we ask, seek, and knock, we receive what
we requested. God is like an earthly father who gives good gifts
to His children who ask.
1 Peter 5:7 - Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you.
There are conditions we must meet in order for God to answer
our prayers. If we meet those conditions and if He can answer our
prayers in harmony with His will, He has promised to do what is
good for us.
[Mark 11:24; John 14:13,14; 15:7,16; 16:23,24,26; James 1:5,6;
Luke 18:1-8; 1 Peter 3:12; Matthew 6:6,8; Psalm 55:22; 86:7; 28:6;
31:22; 118:5; 120:1; 116:1; 21:2]
B. Bible Examples of Answered Prayers.
Many Bible examples show God's response to prayers of His
people. God does not do miracles today (1 Cor. 13:8-10), but He
is able to control events according to natural law so as to
answer prayer without miracles. We will focus on cases of this
nature.
1 Samuel 1:10-20,26-28 - Hanna was barren, having no child.
She prayed, and as a result she conceived and bore Samuel. [Luke
1:13]
1 Samuel 7:5-11 - Samuel prayed for Israel's deliverance from
an enemy, and the prayer was answered. [Cf. 2 Kings 19:15-37; 2
Chron. 33:10-13.]
2 Chronicles 7:11-14 - God promised to hear Israel's prayer
for deliverance from pestilence, famine, etc.
2 King 20:1-7 - God said Hezekiah would die, not live.
Hezekiah prayed about it, God promised to add 15 years to his
life, and Hezekiah recovered.
Exodus 32:9-14 - God said He would destroy Israel, but Moses
prayed and God changed His mind.
[Neh. 1:4-2:8; Psalm 32:5-7]
C. Some Conclusions about God's Answers to
Prayers
God does act in response to prayer.
Some people think that, if God does not do miracles, then He
must not be acting at all. Others see only psychological benefits
in prayer or perhaps just the fact that we have obeyed God's
command to pray. Even though we pray Scripturally, they claim God
does not actually intervene in the course of earthly events to
bring about what we asked for. But the examples just listed show
that God does act in response to prayer, acting in harmony with
natural law, without miracle.
Note Matthew 18:19 - When we ask God to do something, it will
be done by the Father in heaven. God does act. This
is true of "anything" we ask. Every kind of Scriptural
request is included. [Cf. John 14:13,14; 15:7]
If God does not act to change the course of events in response
to prayer, the same effect could be produced by a person praying
with sincere faith to an idol! The idol could not do anything,
but the worshiper would receive the psychological benefits.
Yet the Bible clearly teaches that Scriptural prayer to God
produces results that cannot be achieved by people who do not
serve the true God (James 5:16; 1 John 3:22; Prov. 15:8,29; Psalm
34:15-19; etc.). These promises can be valid only if prayer
produces results beyond psychological benefits.
However, we must also work, to the extent of our ability,
to achieve what we prayed for.
God does act in response to Scriptural prayers, but He will
not act if we are not willing to do our part.
Matthew 6:11 teaches us to pray for our daily bread, but we
must still work for it (2 Thess. 3:10). God does not answer
through miracle (as by manna from heaven). But He does work
through natural law to bless our effort so the needed result is
achieved where it may not have been achieved had we worked but
not prayed.
James 1:5 says to pray for wisdom (cf. Col. 1:9), but we must
still study the word (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim. 3:15-17). The prayer is
answered, not by miraculous direct revelation, but through the
natural process of study. God gives us opportunities to learn and
blesses our study so we learn what we might not have known had we
not prayed.
3 John 2 - A prayer for good health requires us to care for
our bodies, not knowingly damaging our health for personal
pleasures.
In a similar way, we should pray for the spread of the gospel,
but we must also work to teach it to the lost. But because we
prayed, God blesses our work so it accomplishes good that may not
have been accomplished had we not prayed.
God gives, not necessarily what we want, but what is best
for everyone involved.
Matthew 7:7-11 - Like an earthly father, God gives good
things, not things that do harm.
Matthew 26:36-46 - Jesus prayed to avoid the cross, but said,
"Thy will be done." He still had to die, but an angel
strengthened Him (Luke 22:43). God met His need while still doing
what was needed for mankind.
Psalm 34:10 - Those who seek God will not lack any good
thing. [Rom. 8:28; James 1:17]
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 - Paul prayed for his thorn in the flesh
to be removed. God did not grant the request but instead did what
was best for Paul.
[Matt. 6:8; Eph. 3:20; 1 Kings 3:5-13]
God is infinite, where our knowledge is limited. We may not
know what is best, but God does. This is why we ought always to
pray for God's will to be done. He can then give us what we
asked, something greater, or something different, according to
what He knows to be best.
We further may not understand how God can
control the universe without miracles, yet the Bible affirms that
He does (consider also the story of Esther). Those who believe in
God must believe in His power to answer prayer, even though we
cannot explain how He does it.
IV. What Conditions Must Prayer Meet?
God had promised to answer prayer, yet some prayers are not
answered. How can this be? The only possible explanation is that
there are conditions prayer must meet in order for God to answer,
just as there are conditions we must meet in order for God to
forgive our sins. What conditions must prayer meet in order for
God to answer?
A. We Must Pray in Jesus' Name (though Him as
Mediator).
Consider these verses:
John 14:13,14 - If we ask anything in Jesus' name, He will do
it. [Cf. John 15:16; 16:23,24,26; Eph. 5:20]
Romans 1:8 - Paul thanked God through Jesus Christ. [Col. 3:17]
1 Timothy 2:5 - Jesus is the one mediator between God and man.
The immediate context refers to salvation, but the broader
context refers to prayer (see v1,2,8). Jesus is the mediator in
prayer because He is our mediator in salvation. He is our High
Priest (Heb. 4:14-16).
What does it mean to pray in Jesus' name?
Are these just meaningless words we mouth at the end of a
prayer to make it effective [like a magic spell - "Open,
Sesame"]?
A person's name stands for the person and all that He is.
God's name is "hallowed" because God Himself is
hallowed (Matt. 6:9). More specifically, a person's name
represents his will and authority. Your name signed on a check or
other legal document authorizes it as acceptable to you. "Halt
in the name of the law" means the authority of the law
requires you to stop.
Further, Jesus is the mediator who makes it possible for us to
approach God in prayer. We pray "through Him" because
His authority enables us to be heard. Because of our sins, we
could never approach God. We need a "go-between" to
reconcile us to God so we can communicate with Him. Because Jesus
died as our sacrifice, He is the only one who can authorize us to
approach God in prayer.
Why then would anyone pray through Mary or a dead "saint"?
They did not redeem us by their death, hence they cannot mediate
our prayers. No one can mediate instead of or in addition to
Jesus. He is the "one mediator" between God and man.
To pray in Jesus' name means we are appealing to His authority
as the one mediator between us and God. We are trusting His power
to make it possible for God to hear our prayer. We should
understand this if we are to avoid praying with "vain
repetition."
B. We Must Pray According to God's Will.
This follows from the concept of prayer "in Jesus' name."
Note further:
1 John 5:14,15 - God hears us if we ask according to His will.
Matthew 26:39 - Jesus prayed for the Father's will to be done.
[Matt. 6:10]
But God's will may fall into one of two categories:
In things essential to salvation, God's will is revealed
in the Scriptures.
Note 2 Tim. 3:16,17; 1 Cor. 14:37; etc. Regarding such
matters, we must never pray for things that do not harmonize with
God's revealed will.
For example, God says we should not pray for things just to
satisfy our selfish lusts (James 4:3). Such would not be praying
according to His will.
Likewise, God's has revealed that sinners must meet
conditions, including baptism, to be forgiven (Acts 2:38; 22:16;
Mark 16:16; etc.). We must never pray for God to save such people
without them meeting these conditions.
Since the gospel came into effect, no passage ever tells an
unbaptized person to pray for forgiveness of sins. Yet preachers
often tell such people to "pray through" or "pray
the sinner's prayer" to be saved. Such a prayer would not be
answered because it is not according to God's will.
In things not essential to salvation, God's will may not
be expressly revealed in Scripture.
Many events of everyday life may not be a matter of right or
wrong, so we may not know God's expressed will. For example, we
know God allows suffering and death, so in a particular instance
of illness we may not know whether God would be willing for the
person to get better or not. [2 Cor. 12:7-10]
In these cases we may pray for what we believe to be best, but
then we should ask God to do what He knows to be best. Then by
faith we accept the outcome.
C. We Must Pray with Understanding and Meaning.
1 Corinthians 14:15,16 - Pray with the spirit and the
understanding. Think about the words to be sure you mean what is
said. When you lead public prayer, help people understand so they
can say "amen" (cf. vv19,26,40). Use words people can
understand. Speak loudly and distinctly.
Matthew 6:7 - Do not use vain (meaningless) repetition. Even
if we understand the words, if we repeat them frequently, we may
be tempted to just mouth the words without meaning them. This
does not prove it is wrong to repeat a request (Matt. 26:36-46; 2
Cor. 12:7-10; Luke 18:1-7), but we should mean it every time we
pray it!
D. We Must Pray with Sincerity and Earnestness.
1 Samuel 1:10,15 - Hannah poured out her soul in prayer.
Jeremiah 29:12,13 - God promised He would hear His people when
they prayed with "all their hearts."
Luke 22:44 - In Gethsemane Jesus prayed earnestly.
Matthew 6:5 - Do not pray from hypocritical motives such as to
be seen of men. Pleasing, impressing, and entertaining people are
not proper motives for prayer. We must pray to please God and
honor Him. [Mark 12:40]
Prayer must never become a mere formality or outward ritual
that we go through without meaning what we do. Our hearts must be
involved in fervent prayer, thanksgiving, and appeals to God.
[1 Cor. 14:15; Psalm 17:1; 145:18; James 5:16,17]
E. We Must Pray in Faith.
James 1:5-8 - Ask in faith without doubting. One who doubts
will received nothing from God. First we must believe that God
exists, then believe that He has power to answer prayer. The
skeptic or agnostic who prays ("just in case there is a God")
is wasting his breath.
Mark 11:24 - To receive the blessing we request, we must
believe that God will answer. The context discusses miracles,
which do not occur today (1 Cor. 13:8-10), but the principle
still applies. God answers prayer today through natural law, but
we must believe He does answer else we can be sure He will not.
Remember, as discussed previously, that there are some things
God has expressly revealed that He is willing to give, such as
forgiveness to a penitent child of God. Faith requires us to
believe He will give what He has promised. In other matters He
has not necessarily revealed what He will give (such as good
health), so we must pray "Thy will be done." Then we
must believe He will do what is best.
Praying in faith also requires us to accept what God sends as
being what is best. Too often, when we do not receive exactly
what we asked for, we complain or think God broke His promise.
Faith requires us to believe He will give the best thing at the
best time, and then believe that the result is what is best.
F. We Must Pray with Humility and Respect for
God.
2 Chronicles 7:14 - God will hear His people if they "humble
themselves" and pray.
Luke 18:9-14 - The self-righteous Pharisee praised and exalted
himself in prayer, instead of exalting God. Such a person will be
abased by God, not justified.
Matthew 6:9 - Pray, "Hallowed be Thy name." Prayer
must express respect and reverence for God.
God should not be approached casually as another human ("Hi,
Pop!"), nor as a servant at our beck and call. Our attitudes
and speech should exalt His greatness while recognizing our
weaknesses, sins, and human limitations. [2 Chron. 33:10-13; Gen.
18:27]
G. We Must Pray with Repentance for Sin.
2 Chronicles 7:14 - In order for God to hear His people's
prayers, they must turn from their wicked ways.
Acts 8:21-23 - When a child of God has sinned, they must
repent and pray for forgiveness. (See our earlier list of other
passages teaching this.)
Luke 18:13,14 - The publican received justification because he
was willing to admit his sins.
Forgiveness is not granted to those who persist in sin, excuse
it, rationalize it, overlook it, or hide it. To receive
forgiveness when we pray, we must be truly sorry for sin and
determine to overcome it. [Psalm 32:5-7; Dan. 9:3-12; James 5:16;
1 Kings 8:33-36,46-53]
H. We Must Pray with Forgiveness for Others.
Matthew 6:12,14,15 - God will forgive us only if we willingly
forgive others. [Mark 11:25; Matt. 18:21-35]
To have a right relationship with God we must pursue right
relationships with people (Matt. 5:23,24). Have others apologized
to you requesting your forgiveness, yet you continue to hold a
grudge? Do you seek revenge, wishing harm to come to those who
have wronged you, unwilling to pursue peace and harmony?
To receive God's forgiveness when we pray, we must have the
same attitude toward others that we expect Him to have toward us!
I. We Must Pray While Living a Faithful Life.
James 5:16 - The supplication of a righteous man avails much.
1 John 3:21,22 - We receive what we ask from God because we
keep His commands and do what pleases Him.
Proverbs 28:9; 15:8,29 - If someone turns away from God's law,
his prayer is an abomination. But God hears the prayer of the
righteous.
Psalm 66:18 - God will not hear me if I regard iniquity in my
heart.
Isaiah 1:15-17 - God would not hear the prayers even of His
own people because of their sins. They needed to cease doing evil
and learn to do well. [Jer. 11:9-14; 14:10-12; Ezek. 8:17,18;
Micah 3:4; Zech. 7:11-13; Isa. 58:1-9]
Isaiah 59:1,2 - Your sins and iniquities separate you from God
so that He will not hear. It surely follows that God will not
hear the prayers of alien sinners, but the direct application in
the context of many of these passages is to unfaithful children
of God.
God heard the prayer of Cornelius before he was baptized (Acts
10:4,31). If a person in sin is sincerely seeking to know the
truth, God may give him an opportunity to learn it. Beyond that,
God there is nothing God has promised to give alien sinners in
answer to prayer.
But God likewise rejects the prayer of the impenitent child of
God. Too many people want to live their lives for themselves,
then go running to God in time of need. They expect Him to do
service to them despite the fact they refuse to serve Him! God
says it will not work. If you want God to hear your prayers,
first repent of your sins and live in obedience to Him.
[1 Peter 3:12; Psalm 34:15-19; 109:7; John 9:31; Lam 3:1,8; 1
Peter 3:7; 1 Tim. 2:8; Prov. 1:24-29; 21:13; 2 Chron. 7:14]
Conclusion
God will answer prayer for you. He desires to meet your needs
and offer you everything He has promised to His faithful children.
But first you must become a faithful child of His and must meet
the conditions of prayer.
Are you a child of God? If not, you cannot pray for
forgiveness. Instead you must believe in Jesus, repent of sins,
confess Him, and be baptized to receive remission of sins (Mark
16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 10:9,10; 6:3,4; etc.). Then if you
live a faithful life, He has promised to hear your prayers
according to His will. Why not begin now to accept His offer?
