Prayer is based upon the privilege of having common thoughts with God. We find His thoughts in I-fis Word. God desires to communicate with His creatures; therefore, we need to be acquainted with His mind through the reading and knowledge of His Word, the Bible.
In Luke 18:11And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (Luke 18:1), it says: "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint." That is, we should ask from Him and not give up. Persistence in prayer is clearly taught in this scripture.
In seeking an answer from God, we will find that the Spirit of God will always guide a child of God according to the Word of God. The Spirit of God wrote the Book and He cannot and does not answer contrary to His Word.
Abraham may have uttered the first prayer recorded in the Bible when he said, "Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless?" (Gen. 15:22And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? (Genesis 15:2)). The Lord quickly answered him as to his seed. Galatians 3:1616Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16) takes up this promise and says: "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
Throughout God's Word we find many prayers. Most of them are short. Perhaps the longest is Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple. The last prayer in the Scriptures is only five words and is found in Revelation 22:2020He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20): "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." We, who belong to Christ and who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, await the answer to this beautiful prayer, knowing that soon it will be fully answered.
Meanwhile, our spirit and attitude should be one of dependence. This is good for us, for God wants two things from His children: dependence and obedience. A verse in 1 Thessalonians 5 has only three words, and they are, "Pray without ceasing." Surely this means for us always to be dependent and ready to cry to God even as Peter cried, saying, "Lord, save me" (Matt. 14:3030But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. (Matthew 14:30)).
The largeness of what we should speak to God about is expressed in 1 Timothy 2:1-21I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (1 Timothy 2:1‑2). "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority”
In 1 Samuel 12, the people of Israel were convicted about their sin and said to Samuel: "Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king" (vs. 19). Samuel replies, "Fear not." Then he says: "For the Lord will not forsake His people for His great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you His people. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you" (vss. 22-24).
Surely all this is beautiful instruction for us today. Let us "pray without ceasing"! Ed.