What is prayer?
Philippians 4:6 - 7
ESV - 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
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Asked November 12 2024
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Anonymous
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Tim Maas
Supporter
I would say that prayer is human communication with God, either by words or thoughts. For Christians, those communications are made in the name of Jesus, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Paul advised early Christians to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Prayer can have multiple motivations or purposes. Some of the more common are: Thanksgiving to God for blessings received; Expressing love and adoration for God; Asking God to fulfill or grant requests or supplications that we make of Him, subject to His will; Confessing sins, and asking for forgiveness in Jesus' name; and Requesting God's guidance or assistance in dealing with situations, meeting needs in our lives, or avoiding circumstances that could cause us to sin. All these areas are encompassed in the guidelines that Jesus gave as examples to His disciples in passages such as Matthew 6:5-15, Mark 11:25-26, and Luke 11:1-4.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
I'll just deal with praying in faith. Prayer is the channel through which believers express dependence on God, ask with faith, and receive His blessings. This guide explores key biblical principles for effective, faith-filled prayer. Key Scripture Foundations Matthew 21:21-22 (NLT): "Whatever you ask for in prayer, if you believe, you will receive." Mark 11:24 (KJV / NLT): "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." Mark 11:24 The need in prayer to have confidence in God's promises -- KJ21 Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. NLT I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. James 1:5-7 (NCV): "If any of you needs wisdom, ask God... But when you ask, believe and do not doubt." (5 But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to all people, so he will give you wisdom. 6 But when you ask God, you must believe and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the wind.) Philippians 4:6 (NLT): "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything." 1 John 5:14-15: "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." Understanding αἰτέω — The Greek Word for “Ask” Means "to ask or request" with humility and dependence on God. Seen in many New Testament passages (e.g., Matthew 7:7, James 1:6, John 15:7). Prayer is asking confidently while submitting to God's purpose. The Call to Ask God Matthew 7:7-11: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7 Keep on asking NLT I prayed for my Dad for 20 years to be saved! And he was! Amplified Bible: “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. pp Luke 11:9; John 16:24; Ephesians 6:18-20; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 5:13) Conditions for Effective Prayer Abide in Christ (John 15:7): Remain connected to Jesus to receive answers to prayer. (John 15:7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! NLT If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.) KJV Align with God's Will (1 John 5:14-15): Requests must be in harmony with God’s desires. Right Motives (James 4:3): Pray without selfish or pleasure-seeking intentions. Forgiveness (Mark 11:25): Maintain a forgiving heart to receive from God effectively. Ministry Implications Prayer emphasizes dependence on God for mission, wisdom, and provision. Pastors and leaders must encourage balanced prayer: bold yet submissive to God’s will. Reflection in Song The song “Me and God” by Josh Turner beautifully captures this intimate relationship--talking to God as a friend and Father, trusting Him through every difficulty. Me And God Song by Josh Turner ‧ 2006 OverviewLyrics Lyrics There ain't nothin' that can't be done by me and God Ain't nobody come in between me and God One day we'll live together where the angels trod Me and God Early in the morning talking it over Me and God Late at night talking it over Me and God You could say we're like two peas in a pod Me and God He's my father He's my friend The beginning And the end He rules the world With a staff and the rod We're a team Me and God I am weak, and He is strong Me and God He forgives me when I'm wrong Me and God He's the one I lean on When life gets hard Me and God
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