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What is Prayer in the Bible? – Viral Believer
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What is Prayer in the Bible?

Introduction

In the midst of a world that seems to be growing increasingly chaotic, prayer remains a constant source of solace, strength, and guidance for those who follow Christ. As Christians, we turn to the Bible as our ultimate authority on matters of faith and practice, including prayer.

Through the pages of Scripture, we find countless examples of people connecting with God through prayer, as well as divine instruction on how we ought to pray. The New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible provides a rich understanding of this essential aspect of our Christian walk.

In this blog post, we will explore what prayer is according to the Bible, how it functions in the lives of believers, and the different types of prayers that we find in Scripture.

Our goal is to deepen our understanding of this sacred communication with God, so that we can more effectively approach His throne of grace with confidence and humility. Join us as we delve into the pages of the NKJV to uncover the biblical foundation of prayer and its significance in our lives.

The Bible is filled with stories of individuals who cried out to God in prayer, and He responded in powerful ways. From Moses’ humble plea for guidance to Hannah’s fervent petition for a child, we see time and again how prayer has the ability to change lives and shape destinies.

As we study the Word of God, let us be inspired by these examples and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our own prayer lives, so that we too may experience the transformative power of prayer.

prayer in the Bible

The Definition of Prayer

At its core, prayer is an intimate conversation between the believer and God. It is our means of expressing our thoughts, feelings, and desires to our Creator, and of seeking His guidance, strength, and wisdom.

In the NKJV, Philippians 4:6-7 instructs us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Prayer is our way of bringing our concerns, praises, and petitions before the Lord and trusting that He will work in our lives according to His perfect will.

The Importance of Prayer

Prayer is vital to our spiritual growth and relationship with God. Through prayer, we develop a deeper understanding of who He is and align our hearts with His purposes.

Jesus Himself exemplified the importance of prayer during His time on earth, often withdrawing to quiet places to spend time in prayer with His Father (Luke 5:16).

In the NKJV, Jesus taught His disciples to pray, saying, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words” (Matthew 6:7). Instead, He encouraged them to approach God authentically and with sincerity, trusting in His love and provision.

Different Types of Prayers

Throughout the Bible, we find several types of prayers that reflect the various aspects of our relationship with God. Some of these include:

Adoration and Praise

Prayers of adoration and praise acknowledge God’s greatness, majesty, and holiness. In these prayers, we worship God for who He is and express our gratitude for all He has done.

The Psalms are a beautiful example of this type of prayer, with many passages extolling the Lord’s goodness and glory (e.g., Psalm 100).

Confession

In prayers of confession, we acknowledge our sins and shortcomings, seeking God’s forgiveness and restoration. 1 John 1:9 (NKJV) assures us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Regularly confessing our sins keeps our hearts humble and reminds us of our constant need for God’s grace.

Thanksgiving

Prayers of thanksgiving express our gratitude to God for His many blessings and provisions in our lives. The Apostle Paul exhorted believers in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV) to “give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” A heart of gratitude cultivates contentment and trust in God’s goodness.

Supplication and Intercession

In prayers of supplication, we bring our personal needs and desires before God, asking for His guidance, provision, and protection. Similarly, intercessory prayer involves praying on behalf of others, lifting their needs and concerns to the Lord.

The Apostle Paul frequently requested prayer from fellow believers, as well as prayed for the churches he ministered to (Ephesians 6:18-19; Philippians 1:3-4).

The Power of Prayer

The Bible is clear about the power of prayer in the lives of believers. James 5:16 (NKJV) declares, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Throughout Scripture, we see examples of how God responded to the prayers of His people.

In the Old Testament, we witness God parting the Red Sea in response to Moses’ prayer (Exodus 14:15-16) and granting Hannah’s request for a child (1 Samuel 1:10-20). In the New Testament, we see the early church gathered in prayer, resulting in the miraculous release of Peter from prison (Acts 12:5-17).

As believers, we can be confident in the power of prayer, knowing that our Heavenly Father hears and responds to our cries.

Jesus promised in Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV), “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” We can approach God with faith, knowing that He is faithful to answer according to His will.

Prayer as a Lifestyle

In order to fully experience the power and depth of prayer, we must learn to integrate it into every aspect of our lives. Rather than relegating prayer to specific times or places, we should strive to maintain a constant attitude of prayerfulness, inviting God into our daily activities and decisions.

In the NKJV, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This does not mean that we must be in a formal posture of prayer every moment, but rather that we should cultivate a heart that is always attuned to God’s presence and guidance.

One way to develop a lifestyle of prayer is to set aside specific times throughout the day for intentional prayer and reflection.

This may include a morning quiet time, a lunchtime prayer walk, or an evening Scripture meditation. By establishing these habits, we remind ourselves of our dependence on God and create space for Him to speak into our lives.

Another way to incorporate prayer into our daily lives is by praying for specific people and situations as they come to mind. For example, when we encounter a challenging situation at work, we can pause to ask for God’s wisdom and guidance.

When we learn of a friend’s struggle or need, we can immediately lift them up in prayer. By doing so, we demonstrate our trust in God’s ability to intervene and our commitment to supporting one another in prayer.

Praying in the Spirit

In addition to the various types of prayers found in Scripture, the Bible also speaks of the importance of praying in the Spirit.

In Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV), Paul exhorts believers to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Praying in the Spirit involves allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and empower our prayers, ensuring that they align with God’s will and purposes.

One way to pray in the Spirit is by praying in tongues, a spiritual gift described in 1 Corinthians 14. This form of prayer enables believers to communicate with God in a language unknown to them, allowing the Holy Spirit to intercede on their behalf with “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26, NKJV).

Praying in tongues can deepen our connection with God and strengthen our faith, as it reminds us of His indwelling presence and power.

Conclusion

Regardless of the specific form our prayers take, the key is to remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and to submit our prayers to His guidance. As we do so, we can be confident that our prayers will be pleasing to God and effective in accomplishing His purposes.

In conclusion, prayer is a vital aspect of our relationship with God, as it allows us to communicate with Him and seek His guidance and provision.

The Bible reveals the importance of prayer in the lives of believers, as well as the various types of prayers that can help us grow closer to our Creator. As we develop our prayer lives, we can expect to experience the transformative power of prayer in our own lives and the lives of those around us.

May we be inspired and challenged by the examples of prayer found in Scripture, and may our hearts be drawn to seek the Lord in prayer each day. As we do so, we can trust that God will work mightily in our lives and use our prayers to bring about His purposes in the world.

Let us continue to seek God in prayer, trusting in His love, power, and faithfulness to answer our cries. As we grow in our understanding of prayer and commit to deepening our prayer lives, we can be confident that the Lord will be faithful to draw near to us and transform us into the image of Christ.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.