Prayer: an Introduction

Narrator: Chris Genthree
 •  22 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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We Pray to the Father
in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ
Abraham knew God Almighty — El Shaddai (Gen. 17:11And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. (Genesis 17:1)). Israel knew God by His name Jehovah, the I AM (Ex. 3:14-1514And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. 15And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. (Exodus 3:14‑15)). We, however, have been brought into a very special relationship and know Him as Father. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus, addressing Himself to the disciples, contrasts the Mosaic Law with His teachings, “But I say unto you ... ” (Matt. 5:22, 28, 3222But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (Matthew 5:22)
28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. (Matthew 5:28)
32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. (Matthew 5:32), etc.). In the sixth chapter, there is no further mention of the law, instead we find, “your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 6:11Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 6:1)) — there are altogether 12 references to the Father in this chapter. Jesus is bringing the disciples into a new relationship with their heavenly Father. It was a relationship with which they were unfamiliar and they must be taught how to pray. After His resurrection the Lord goes further and says to Mary, “I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God” (John 20:1717Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)).
While the Lord was with the disciples they presented their demands to Him, but He was going away. Though this saddened them, the Lord tells them that it was expedient: “for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you” (John 16:77Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)). They would no longer present their petitions to Him, but rather they would ask the Father in His name. “In that day ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:23-2423And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:23‑24)). In that day — when the Holy Spirit had come — they would pray to the Father, petitioning in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. With the coming of the Holy Spirit there would be a direct revelation of the Father; until then the disciples saw the Father indirectly as revealed in the Son. “These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. At that day ye shall ask in My name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you” (John 16:25-2625These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly of the Father. 26At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: (John 16:25‑26)). Furthermore, it is through the Holy Spirit that we are brought into the conscious enjoyment of that relationship with God the Father as His children: “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Rom. 8:15-1615For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Romans 8:15‑16)).
The expression, Abba Father, warrants further examination. It is the Hebrew diminutive and the Greek for “Father.” Why couple a Hebrew word with the Greek especially when addressing a Greek speaking audience? In each case where Abba is used to address God the Father, it is always in this combination. Far from being the familiar expression that it is often taken to be in Christendom, it appears to carry all the weight of a title, reverential, yet at the same time expressing the affectionate cry of a child to his Father. It is not to El Shaddai that we pray, nor to Jehovah; and while the disciples learnt to address their heavenly Father, we can cry, Abba Father! What a special place of blessing and privilege.
Amen
It is customary to conclude a prayer with, “Amen.” The word is Hebrew and means “truly” and carries the sense of “so be it”; it is an affirmation of what has gone before. It may be found in the Old Testament used in this manner (Deut. 27; Neh. 5:1313Also I shook my lap, and said, So God shake out every man from his house, and from his labor, that performeth not this promise, even thus be he shaken out, and emptied. And all the congregation said, Amen, and praised the Lord. And the people did according to this promise. (Nehemiah 5:13), Neh. 8:66And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground. (Nehemiah 8:6), etc.). The first four books of the Psalms conclude with an expression similar to, “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen” (Psa. 41:1313Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen. (Psalm 41:13); Psa. 72:1919And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. (Psalm 72:19); Psa. 89:5252Blessed be the Lord for evermore. Amen, and Amen. (Psalm 89:52); Psa. 106:4848Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 106:48)). The word also occurs in the New Testament, though in many cases it has crept in where it is not to be found originally. Nevertheless, we find Paul using it in his letter to the Romans in both the 9th and 11th chapters and again at the close in the 16th chapter. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul specifically addresses the use of the word “Amen” as said by others in response to a prayer. If one prays in another tongue, “how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?” (1 Cor. 14:1616Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? (1 Corinthians 14:16)). Paul concludes his second prayer in Ephesians (Eph. 3:14-2114For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:14‑21)) with “Amen.” He concludes his letters to the Galatians, Philippians, and Hebrews with “Amen.” Peter uses the word in concluding his epistles. Given the scriptural examples, it would appear both right and proper to conclude a prayer with “Amen” and for others to echo with, “Amen!” We should remember the significance of the word and say it with meaning and purpose. There is also a practical benefit. It clearly communicates to all that the one praying has concluded his prayer — “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:4040Let all things be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40)).
Our Position When We Pray?
There are various examples of individuals praying on their knees; there certainly seems to be a precedent for this becoming posture before God. “He cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees” (1 Kings 18:4242So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, (1 Kings 18:42)). “When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Dan. 6:1010Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. (Daniel 6:10)). “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father” (Eph. 3:1414For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 3:14)).
Nehemiah, however, evidently prayed standing. “Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king ... ” (Neh. 2:4-54Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it. (Nehemiah 2:4‑5)). There are circumstances that preclude us from kneeling or closing our eyes. A heartfelt prayer, such as Nehemiah’s, is equally as valid in God’s sight as one when we are on our knees.
Many in Christendom have been taught to place their hands together when praying. In Paul’s letter to Timothy we have a reference to lifting up holy hands — “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Tim. 2:88I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2:8)) — whether or not this refers to the physical lifting up of our hands is beside the point, the attitude of our hands pales in significance when compared to our state. It is with holy hands that we are to pray.
Our Attitude in Prayer
“If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:20-2220For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. 22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (1 John 3:20‑22)). A child that has not been walking in a way pleasing to his father has no confidence when making a request of him. The case is no different when we pray. If our heart condemn us not, then we have that bold confidence to present our petitions before our Father.
We are to “pray unceasingly” (1 Thess. 5:1717Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) JND); this would refer to the frequency of prayer. The armor of Ephesians 6 concludes with “praying at all seasons” (Eph. 6:1818Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18) JND). It is not the prayer in the midst of crisis that sustains us; it is the prayer when things are going well. We are to persevere in prayer (Col. 4:22Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2) JND). Daniel waited three weeks for an answer to prayer (Dan. 10:2, 12-132In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. (Daniel 10:2)
12Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. (Daniel 10:12‑13)). Mary and Martha, having sent for the Lord, waited two days for Him to come; all seemed utterly hopeless for Lazarus died. Do we persevere when all seems hopeless? Martha addresses the Lord with “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died” (John 11:2121Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. (John 11:21)). How often we find ourselves reproaching the Lord in prayer when our patience is exhausted — it is good to persevere in prayer. Little did Martha realize that Lazarus’ sickness was “for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby” (John 11:44When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. (John 11:4)).
“When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matt. 6:77But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (Matthew 6:7)). This is not a question of repeating a matter in prayer — “because of his importunity [shameless persistence] he will rise and give him as many as he needeth” (Luke 11:88I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. (Luke 11:8)). Paul prayed three times that his thorn in the flesh might be removed — though in this case, the Lord’s answer was: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:99And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)). Vain repetition refers to a formula, a mantra that is devoid of any real meaning. It is interesting to note that this verse of which we are speaking (Matt. 6:77But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (Matthew 6:7)) comes just two verses prior to the “Lord’s prayer” so-called, a prayer suited to the disciples at that time, but which has become a vain repetition in Christendom today. Any prayer if offered without any real thought or exercise can become a vain repetition.
Different Aspects of Prayer
“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; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1-41I 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. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1‑4)). In this verse we have four different aspects of prayer.
Supplication — Personal Requests
Many of our prayers — sadly, perhaps most of them — are focused on our own requests. A question that we may have asked, at one time or another, is why are our petitions not granted? We pray to the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, but we just don’t seem to get the answers we desire. One cannot willfully attach the Lord’s name to a request. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:33Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:3)). In contrast, “This is the boldness which we have towards Him, that if we ask Him anything according to His will He hears us” (1 John 5:1414And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (1 John 5:14) JND). In John 14 we find that “If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it” (John 14:1414If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:14) JND) is followed by, “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:1515If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)). Answered prayer is connected with obedience. “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:2222And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (1 John 3:22)). The prayer of the lawless man is an abomination to God! “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is abomination” (Prov. 28:99He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. (Proverbs 28:9)). In contrast, “the prayer of the upright is His delight” (Prov. 15:88The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. (Proverbs 15:8)).
Prayer is not a way to avoid responsibility. If I do not study, I should not pray to God that I pass the test. I cannot sow barley and supplicate for a harvest of wheat. “God is not mocked; for whatever a man soweth, that also shall he reap” (Gal. 6:77Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)). It is not wrong to turn to God in prayer when we do find ourselves in such circumstances; contrariwise, it is a necessity. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)). We confess; He forgives. It is unscriptural to pray for forgiveness. Esau is a good counter example. “Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears” (Heb. 12:16-1716Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. (Hebrews 12:16‑17)). What exactly did he seek with tears? We read that Esau cried with a great and bitter cry (Gen. 27:3434And when Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with a great and exceeding bitter cry, and said unto his father, Bless me, even me also, O my father. (Genesis 27:34)). These were not tears of repentance, but rather tears because he desired a blessing! We all want the blessing, but how we resist the path of repentance and the accompanying hard work that leads to true happiness — hard, because it is so contrary to nature.
Prayer — Communion With God
In this context, with “prayer” distinguished from “supplication” and “intercession,” I believe that “prayer” speaks more specifically of communion with God. The seventh and final component of the Christian armor is prayer (Eph. 6:1818Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)). A soldier does not go to his captain to direct, but to receive direction! How often we think of prayer as a one-way communication with God, never listening for His answers. Answers could come in an audible way, though I think it more probable in the form of scripture. If we are unfamiliar with the scriptures, what can God bring before us? If we take our plans to the Word of God, we will always be able to find verses to justify whatever we desire. How much better if our thoughts and desires are formed by the Word of God itself!
Mary may be found at the Lord’s feet three times: taking in His words, in worship and weeping. Certainly, not all communion is in the form of weeping, but what a calm and sweet retreat is found before that mercy seat. Prayer and rejoicing seem to have a special connection in the scriptures. “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:16-1716Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:16‑17)). Similarly, the two thoughts are found in close proximity in Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Phil. 4:4-64Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:4‑6)). These were not just words with Paul; while imprisoned in Philippi we read: “At midnight Paul and Silas, in praying, were praising God with singing” (Acts 16:2525And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. (Acts 16:25) JND).
Intercessions — Prayer for Another
The prayer of the Christian soldier was not limited to himself but was to be “for all saints” (Eph. 6:1818Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)). This may be for one that is sick — “the prayer of faith shall heal the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up” (Jas. 5:1515And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:15)). It may be for one that is lost; God our Saviour “will have all men to be saved” (1 Tim. 2:44Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)). Epaphras labored fervently for the Colossian saints in prayers that they might “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Col. 4:1212Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)). There will, however, be personal blessing in interceding for others. It was in praying for his friends that the Lord turned the captivity of Job. “The LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:1010And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)).
Intercession is characteristic of the prophet. Speaking of Abraham, God says: “he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live” (Gen. 20:77Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. (Genesis 20:7)). We can find many such examples in scripture, Ezra (Ezra 9:5-155And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lord my God, 6And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. 7Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. 8And now for a little space grace hath been showed from the Lord our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. 9For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. 10And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, 11Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. 12Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. 13And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; 14Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping? 15O Lord God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this. (Ezra 9:5‑15)) and Daniel (9:3-19) come to mind. To this list we can add Moses, Jeremiah, Micah, Habakkuk and numerous others from both the Old and New Testaments.
Often we find ourselves interceding, not for an individual, but rather against them: “Lord, just take care of them!” is our plea. Concerning Elijah, it is recorded for our admonition, “Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel” (Rom. 11:1-21I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, (Romans 11:1‑2)). Can we honestly say in praying for another that we are seeking their blessing and not just our own? Job did not ask that his friends receive what they deserved, in fact, God’s instruction was specifically that Job might pray lest He deal with them after their foolishness (Job 42:88Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. (Job 42:8)). We do not need to tell God how to discipline His children, nor do we need to remind God who He needs to discipline — we already have one who is “the accuser of our brethren” (Rev. 12:1010And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10)).
There are circumstances that preclude us from praying for another. “There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it” (1 John 5:1616If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. (1 John 5:16)). Examples of this are Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) and those mentioned by Paul in his letter to the Corinthians: “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep” (1 Cor. 11:3030For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (1 Corinthians 11:30)). How do we know if a sin is of such a nature? No matter what, we cannot go wrong in praying with Epaphras that one might “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
Thanksgiving
Perhaps this is the most neglected aspect of prayer. We pray as we if we are ordering pizza. We place the order, call back in impatience when the delivery seems to be delayed; there is no relationship with the individual answering the call and no thanks given when we receive our request. When our prayers are answered according to our desires, sometimes we remember to thank the Lord, but what about those times when God’s answer is, “No”, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Cor. 12:99And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)). Can we with Paul say, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:99And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)). We all know that Daniel continued to pray three times a day despite the decree of Darius forbidding it, but do we recall that it specifically says that he “gave thanks before his God” (Dan. 6:1010Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. (Daniel 6:10)). Gave thanks that he might be thrown into the lion’s den? I do not suppose that he specifically gave thanks for that, nevertheless, his circumstances did not change either his habit or the nature of his prayer — note that this was a habit and not something he started to defy the presidents and princes.
Individuals
God told Elijah that he would send rain (1 Kings 18:11And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, show thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. (1 Kings 18:1)), why then does Elijah pray? Furthermore, God gives the credit to Elijah for having prayed — “he prayed ... and the heaven gave rain, and the earth caused its fruit to spring forth” (James 5:17-1817Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. (James 5:17‑18) JND). Though we recognize Elijah as being a mighty prophet of Jehovah, we are told that he was a man of like passions as we. What encouragement! The Father delights to hear the requests of His child, especially when those requests are in accordance with His will. I do not suggest that Elijah knew what it was to cry Abba Father, but how much more then, should our hearts be encouraged by his example.
Daniel was a man of prayer. Like Elijah, we find him down on his knees before Jehovah. Daniel was an extraordinary man of faith and one whose life and prayers warrant an independent study. He was greatly beloved of God (Dan. 9:2323At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to show thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. (Daniel 9:23); Dan. 10:11, 1911And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. (Daniel 10:11)
19And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. (Daniel 10:19)), and yet we read that he had to wait three weeks for an answer to prayer. “In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled” (Dan. 10:2-32In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. 3I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. (Daniel 10:2‑3)). The answer came to Daniel twenty-one days later: “Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days” (Dan. 10:12-1312Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. (Daniel 10:12‑13)). There are things outside the realms of this physical world that we do not know or necessarily understand. God heard, but the answer required patience. It is also good to see the accompanying state of soul with Daniel — he fasted. Does this not remind us of the Lord’s reply to His disciples, “This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:2121Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. (Matthew 17:21)). I do not believe that Daniel necessarily denied himself those things that nature craves to achieve an outcome, but rather, he was in such a state of mourning that these things had no appeal to him. How often we look for a formula in prayer; if I do this or that, if I fast, or if I believe really, really hard, God is going to answer my prayer. Even with the anointing described in James 5, it is not the procedure that saved but the “prayer of faith” (Jas. 5:1515And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (James 5:15)).
Nehemiah’s prayer mentioned above (Neh. 2:4-54Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it. (Nehemiah 2:4‑5)) is perhaps the shortest prayer, though unrecorded, in scripture. However, it was certainly not Nehemiah’s first prayer. In the first chapter of the book of the same name, we read of Nehemiah’s tearful prayer to God on behalf of his people (Neh. 1:4-114And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, 5And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: 6Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. 7We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. 8Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: 9But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. 10Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. 11O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer. (Nehemiah 1:4‑11)). This was a man in communion with God.
We May Get What We Pray for!
“Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before Thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore  ... Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of My people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord” (2 Kings 20:2,3,52Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, saying, 3I beseech thee, O Lord, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. (2 Kings 20:2‑3)
5Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord. (2 Kings 20:5)). Fifteen years were added to Hezekiah’s life as a result of his prayer, but it must have been a grief to the father’s heart to see the character of the young Manasseh. God would have provided seed for him to sit on the throne, even as God could have raised Isaac from the dead (Heb. 11:1919Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. (Hebrews 11:19)). Hezekiah, however, sulked, turning his face to the wall and prayed that he might not die as the Lord had said. “Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live” (2 Kings 20:11In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. (2 Kings 20:1)). The result of answered prayer in this case was a son born during those fifteen years, whose wickedness as a king exceeded that of the nations.
Collective Prayer
Prayer can be individual or collective. “When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” (Matt. 6:66But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matthew 6:6)). Loud long prayers that make much of the petitioner are not prayers at all. Similarly, prayers are not to be lectures; there is a time for ministry and a time for prayer.
Isaiah 56, verse 7 is referenced in three of the Gospels: “My house shall be called a house of prayer” (Matt. 21:1313And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Matthew 21:13)). “My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer” (Mark 11:1717And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Mark 11:17)). “My house is the house of prayer” (Luke 19:4646Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves. (Luke 19:46)). God’s house in His mind is a house of prayer where man is in communion with a God of love — where he finds a home with Him, and a refuge in His need and distress. There is no physical house now, but Paul refers to the assembly as the house of God: “the house of God, which is the church of the living God” (1 Tim. 3:1515But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)). Surely it is no less a place of prayer.
We read much of prayer in the book of Acts. Prayer was a vital part of the early church. “They continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:4242And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42)). “When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:3131And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31)). “Where many were gathered together praying” (Acts 12:1212And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. (Acts 12:12)). There is a special promise given to those that pray together in assembly with Christ in the midst: “If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 18:1919Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 18:19)).
Collective prayer, however, is neither confined to the New Testament nor to the assembly. We find Daniel praying with his friends: “Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions; that they would desire mercies of the God of the heavens concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellow should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon” (Dan. 2:17-1817Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: 18That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. (Daniel 2:17‑18)).
There is a unique opportunity for prayer in the marriage relationship. “Ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Pet. 3:77Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. (1 Peter 3:7)). The husband and wife both have special, God given roles in the marriage. If the husband fails to live according to knowledge — understanding the tender nature of his wife — he may well hinder their prayers together. An overbearing husband may crush the spirit of his wife. While on their knees before God, both husband and wife are heirs together of the grace of life and on that ground, are equal before God. This does not negate the headship of the man (1 Cor. 11:33But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3)), nor is it an occasion for the wife to direct barbs at her husband (and vice versa). This time together affords the couple a very special opportunity, when, in communicating in an open and honest way to God, they can learn much from the heart of the other. While prayers are especially helpful in difficult times, they must be a habitual part of the marriage or there will not be that liberty to pray when issues do arise. At the same time, let us not forget the importance of individual prayer for the husband, wife, and children.