Prayerfulness

Prayerfulness is a way of life

Luke 2:37 NKJV

and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.

See also Ps 55:17; Ps 5:3; Da 6:10–11; Da 6:13; Ps 109:4

Prayerfulness arises from a desire to be with God

Psalm 130:5–6 NKJV

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the Lord More than those who watch for the morning— Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

See also Ps 42:1–4; Ps 84:1–2

Prayerfulness arises from an awareness of need that can only be met by God

1 Timothy 5:5 NKJV

Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.

See also Ps 105:4; Ps 86:1

Prayerfulness demonstrates a continuing trust in God

John 15:5–8 NKJV

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

See also Ps 63:1–8

Prayerfulness involves a heart that is right with God

Isaiah 1:15–17 NKJV

When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.

See also Mt 6:7; Mk 12:40

Prayerfulness involves the need to be alert

Matthew 26:41 NKJV

Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

See also Lk 21:36; Mic 7:7; Col 4:2

Prayerfulness needs to be maintained especially in difficult circumstances

Luke 18:1 NKJV

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,

See also Ac 16:25; 1 Th 5:17; 1 Pe 4:7; Hab 3:16–19

Examples of people whose prayerfulness proved effective

Hannah, who prayed for a child

1 Samuel 1:20 NKJV

So it came to pass in the process of time that Hannah conceived and bore a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, “Because I have asked for him from the Lord.”

See also Is 1:10–18

Elijah, an ordinary man who prayed

James 5:17–18 NKJV

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

See also 1 Ki 17:1; 1 Ki 18:41–46

Nehemiah, a man who discovered God’s plan through prayer

Nehemiah 1:4 NKJV

So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

See also Ne 1:5–11; Ne 2:4–5

David, sustained through trials

1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV

Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

See also Ps 3:1–8; 2 Sa 22:1–4

Daniel, whose patience in prayer was rewarded

Daniel 10:12 NKJV

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.

See also Da 9:1–19

Jesus Christ, who perfectly trusted his Father

Hebrews 5:7 NKJV

who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear,

See also Jn 11:41–42; Lk 5:16

The early church, which was founded upon prayer

Acts 1:14 NKJV

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

See also Ac 2:42; Ac 4:23–31; Ac 6:4; Ac 12:5

Paul, who prayed for all the churches which he founded or visited

Colossians 1:9 NKJV

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;

See also 2 Ti 1:3; 2 Th 1:11; 1 Th 3:10; Ro 1:9–10; Eph 1:16; Php 1:4; Phm 4