Prayer according to scripture

Why do so many people have so many questions about prayer?

Why do we need to pray? What should we pray for? Does God really answer prayer? What’s the best time to pray? How often should we pray?

The questions go on and on about prayer and most of us are really confused about it.

If the truth be known most Christians don’t pray except in public worship or a scheduled time of their choosing because their pastor told them that’s what they ought to do to keep from feeling guilty for not praying.

Today we are going to take a look at what God’s word, the bible, says about prayer and hopefully you will grow in the knowledge of the truth about prayer. (1 Tim 2:3-4)

Jesus teaches about prayer in the gospel of Matthew in (Matthew 6:5–13 “5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 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. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and glory forever. He also teaches this in Luke 11:2-4.

Jesus also taught us in the gospel of John 14:13–14 “13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

It is clear through out the bible that the phrase “in My name” means “according to My will”.

You may ask well how do we know what God’s will is? Especially what is God’s will for our lives.(but that’s a lesson for another time).

The apostle John tells us in 1 John 5:14–15 “14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, (or approaching God) that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

So Jesus and the apostle John are telling us we should pray in accordance with the will of God.

The apostle Paul tells us throughout his epistles, that the Lord Jesus inspired him to write, that through his own prayers, that we should pray in accordance with the will of God.

In Romans 1:8–10, Paul prays: “8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.”

In Romans 15:5–7, Paul prays “5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, (the will of God) 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”

In Romans 16:25–27, Paul prays “25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery (that’s another lesson for another time) kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, (according to the will of God) for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”

In 1 Corinthians 1:4–7, Paul prays “4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, (this is Gods will according to 1 Tim 2:3-4) 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,”

In Ephesians 1:15–17, Paul prays “15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,” (this is God’s will also according to 1 Tim 2:3-4).

In Philippians 1:8–9, Paul prays “8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,” (again according to God’s will in 1 Tim 2:3-4).

In Colossians 1:9, “9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;” Again Paul praying the church at Colosse would receive the will of God.

(1 Timothy 2:3–4 “3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

4. This should give you a better understanding anyway about all the questions that surround the topic of prayer.

a. Always remember what the apostle Paul says in

Philippians 4:6-7 , he writes “6 Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.” (This is also in accordance with the will of God according to

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” )

5. According again to 1 Timothy 2:3–4 “3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

If you are uncertain about your salvation you can get it settled now. The Lord has made it so easy !!