Prayer

What prayer is

In Scripture, prayer is remarkably ordinary. It happens in kitchens and prisons, on hillsides and in beds. Nehemiah prays a one-second prayer in the middle of a conversation with a king (Nehemiah 2:4). Hannah prays with lips moving but without sound, and Eli mistakes her for drunk (1 Samuel 1). Jesus goes off alone to pray at daybreak (Mark 1:35). Paul says to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Different postures. Different places. Different lengths. But always the same thing: a heart honestly turned toward God.

Verses on prayer (KJV)

• “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

  — Philippians 4:6 (KJV)

• “Pray without ceasing.”

  — 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

• “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

  — James 5:16 (KJV)

• “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

  — Matthew 7:7 (KJV)

• “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”

  — John 14:13 (KJV)

• “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”

  — James 4:8 (KJV)

• “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.”

  — Colossians 4:2 (KJV)

• “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”

  — Psalm 55:17 (KJV)

• “And 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 (KJV)

• “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

  — Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

• “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.”

  — Psalm 116:1 (KJV)

• “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

  — 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)

How Jesus taught us to pray

When the disciples asked how to pray, Jesus gave them a short model prayer in Matthew 6 — the Lord’s Prayer. It has six requests, and it fits on a note card. Notice its balance: worship first, then submission, then daily need, then forgiveness, then dependence.

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV)

A simple pattern (ACTS)

Many readers have found this pattern helpful for shaping personal prayer:

• A — Adoration. Begin by naming something about God that you love.
• C — Confession. Say honestly to God the ways you have missed the mark today.
• T — Thanksgiving. Name three specific gifts you have received.
• S — Supplication. Ask, plainly, for what you and others need.

When prayer feels dry

There are seasons when prayer feels heavy. Words don’t come. God feels far away. This is not a sign that something is wrong with your faith; it is one of the most common experiences of long-term believers. In these seasons, the Psalms are a wonderful companion. Pray them out loud. Borrow their words when you have none of your own.

Also try our Daily Prayers for gentle starting points.

Does prayer change things?

Yes — but not always in the way we expect. Sometimes prayer changes the situation. Sometimes prayer changes us. Very often, over time, it does both. Jesus prayed the most honest prayer of all in the garden the night before He was crucified: “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). That is a very good model — asking honestly, and trusting the Father with the outcome.

See also Daily Prayers, Psalms, and Faith.