Prayer

<<talking to God>>

Prayer is expressing our desires and thoughts to God, either audibly or in the silence of our minds, with humble submission to His will, acknowledging we are impotent yet confident He is all-powerful to intervene and change these situations (1 Sam 1:15; 1 Cor 14:14-19; Eph 6:18). It ackowledges we need Him. Praying is a form of worship as we recognize His sovereignty yet humbly and with gratitude understand He invites us to ask in faith, partnering with Him to bring about His purposes on earth, for the benefit of humanity and His name being praised (Mt 6:10; Mk 9:23, 11:24; Lk 2:37). It is the positive assurance that God hears and acts, responding to the prayers of His people for they are the method by which His sovereignty accomplishes His purposes in the world.  This requires us listening and hearing what is on His heart so we are instrumental in bringing that into reality and not just presenting our humanly motivated desires (Jn 10:4,27).

relationship whereby we can share Christ. We are to pray continually, aware many times this is the only thing we can do, recognising our total dependency on Him, but at other times this must also be coupled with action (Gen 24:27; Ex 14:15; 1 Thes 5:17).

Effectual prayer is based on the Word of God, so when we know the promises that He has given, and understand His unchanging character of compassion and mercy together with the principles by which He works, we can pray with confidence and boldness knowing that our prayers will be answered, because we “have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16). For God’s purposes to be done on earth we must pray that others also understand His will through spiritual wisdom, live worthily of the Lord pleasing Him in every way, bear fruit in every good work, grow in the divine knowledge, be strengthened with His power, have great endurance and patience, while joyfully giving thanks (Col 1:9-14).

We must understand three important factors: 1/. God’s purposes are unchanging. He states, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose” (Isa 46:9,10). 2/. God changes His course of action based on human prayers (eg. Ex 32:9-14). 3/. God puts people into situations so they will see the problem, remember God’s unchanging promises, and petition God to change His course of action.It is not a means of getting God to do our will on earth, but rather a means of getting God's will done on earth.

already determined various events will come to pass, but requires our prayers to bring them about, be it working for a living or looking for a spouse. He graciously gives us the privilege of being included in His work with our prayers a means towards accomplishing His will on earth, yet never forces our hand. The amount of transforming good our prayers can accomplish is incalculable for God works out everything to fulfil His ultimate purpose and invites us to join Him in shaping history and eternity through our prayers for “In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph 1:11). 

Jesus teaching on prayer

Jesus expected His followers to pray “and don’t give up…crying out day and night” until the answer comes (Lk 18:1-8). He highlighted the importance of our attitudes and stated the temple was to be a house of prayer (Lk 18:9-14, 19:46). He also stressed praying in private to prove its genuineness and illustrated His teachings with a pattern prayer (the Lord's prayer) which contains six petitions or requests (Mt 6:6,9-13). He prayed in preparation for a major decision (Lk 6:12,13). He instructs us to pray to gain strength to overcome tempation and recruit workers for the spiritual harvest (Mt 26:41; Lk 10:2).

in keeping with His character and will. We can be assured, that whatever we ask according to His will, He hears and we will receive (Ps 4:3; 1 Jn 5:14,15). “If you who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!” (Mt 7:7-11; Lk 11:9-13). “No good thing will He withhold from those whose walk is blameless” but He won’t give us what will ultimately be detrimental to us (Ps 84:11).

Observe the conditions of receiving , “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you…We receive from Him anything we ask because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him” (Jn 15:7,16; 1 Jn 3:21,22). Furthermore, through a close, intimate relationship with Him and a clear understanding of the Bible, we will increasingly know what we should pray for. Assuming God will give us whatever we ask for, regardless of our lifestyle is presumption for although He will respond to the prayer of repentance and to those who are righteous yet He “will not hear me if I have sin in my heart” such as un-forgiveness and marital discord (Ps 51:1,2, 66:18, 86:6,7; Prov 15:8; Isa 59:2; Dan 9:13; Mt 5:23,24; Mk 11:25; Jn 9:31; 1 Pet 3:7,12). We must ask in faith, having forgiven those we have issues with, in order for Him to respond.

Biblical advice on practical praying

Immediately after Paul’s conversion it was said, “he is praying” and he truly became a man of prayer (Act 9:11). He said “I have not stopped praying for you… [I am] always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God”. He also encouraged others to “Devote yourself to prayer” (Act 22:17-21; Rom 1:9,10, 12:12; Eph 1:16-18; Col 1:9, 4:2,12). And he added “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer with thanksgiving present your requests to God” (Phil 4:6 ). “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions, with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Eph 6:18-20).  God has ordained prayer as a powerful means by which we can participate with Him in the accomplishing of His purposes in the world.

James states “If a person is in trouble, they should pray, and if sick, call for the elders whose prayer of faith will make them well again, so pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah prayed and it did not rain for three and a half years. Then he prayed again and it rained” (Jas 5:13-18).

Jesus also told His followers to pray not just for fellow Christians but for those who offended and harmed them, asking that their minds and wills become responsive to the Lord (Mt 5:44; Lk 6:28; 1 Tim 2:1-6). He further extended the brief to pray for more people to be involved in evangelism so lost people will come into the Kingdom (Mt 9:37,38). Then Paul advised his hearers to include all those in positions of authority in their prayers and Jeremiah encourages us to pray for the peace and prosperity of our locality, because if it prospers, we too will benefit (Jer 29:7).

Our prayers should be visionary and orientated to the future, not just dealing with problems in a crisis response mode. Keep up-to-date with world events so you can pray intelligently, both individually and with others, about particular concerns (Mt 18:19, 21:22; Lk 11:5-10; Act 1:14, 12:12; Rom 15:30,31; Col 4:3,4). We must never presume God will give us apart from prayer what He has ordained to give us only by means of prayer. He gives us the privilege of including us in His work.

Styles and phrases

Praying in the Spirit means praying in harmony with God's will, and guided by the Holy Spirit for "The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groaning’s too deep for words…With all prayer and petition pray in the Spirit…” (Rom 8:26; Eph 6:18; Jud 1:20). The Holy Spirit prompts us, brings things to our mind, and so is distinct from praying in tongues (1 Cor 2:10-16). Conversely, praying in the flesh is the act of praying without faith in the Holy Spirit's guidance and without trusting in God's promise to help, solely reliant on human ideas and ability to push past the difficulties, such as by speaking many words. This activity of the flesh is futile – it is trying to impress others or God by what we say and is based on what can be seen, heard or felt. It is often going through a ritual and is only a reaction from the intellect rather than proactive, prophetic or from the heart.

It is only as believers in Christ that have the privilege to be led by the Spirit, while the unsaved who do not have the Spirit with are dictated to by the flesh (Rom 8:14). However, Satan endeavour to get us the redeemed to resort to living in the flesh too, exhibiting carnal traits and even praying soulish or fleshly prayers as opposed to a godly lifestyle with Spirit directed petitions (Gal 3:3, 5:17-25). Prayer is a spiritual activity, and the efforts of the flesh are of no benefit at all, with Jesus stating, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing” (Jn 6:63).

God is one but reveals Himself in three persons: God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Bible teaches it is “through Him (Jesus) we have access in one Spirit to the Father” and so the most common way to pray is to the Father through Jesus at the prompting of the Holy Spirit (Eph 2:18). Jesus and the Holy Spirit are interceding for us (Rom 8:26,27,34). This does not exclude praying to Jesus – such as thanking Him for taking the penalty for your sin – or to the Spirit – to convict a person of their sin (Jn 16:8). However, we are not to pray to Mary, any saints or dead relatives.

Jesus as our advocate or our great High Priest is standing in our place before the Father, defending us against our accuser Satan (Zech 3:1; Heb 4:14-16; 1 Jn 2:1; Rev 12:10). When Jesus was on earth, He prayed for His followers that (among other things) they would know God and His Son, Jesus Christ, be kept from the evil one, be sanctified through God’s Word and through their love His (Christ’s) message would be conveyed to the world (Jn 17:3-26).

Our physical posture is not important – some stand, some sit, some kneel and some choose to prostrate themselves before God. A common practice is to pray with eyes closed so as not to be distracted. ‘Amen’ often spoken at the end of a prayer means ‘so be it’. Prayer walking, whereby people pray as they walk around a specific area, is patterned on the Israelites marching around Jericho and the subsequent victory and claiming, “I will give you every place where you set your foot” (Deut 11:24; Josh 1:3,4). Supplication is a term for intense prayer while intercession is prayer intervening on behalf of others (Ex 32:9-14; Deut 9:19,25-29). In some situations “We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s will” (Rom 8:26,27). What we may consider is God’s will, will be shaped by our perspective; hence it is beneficial to pray in tongues so we don’t project our opinions into the situation. Directive praying, or projecting our desires onto another, is a form of witchcraft and should not be done by Christians. Nor is it our right to ‘storm heaven’ with militant force dictating to God or demanding how His divine will should be outworked. We can claim and declare the promises of God but not make decrees.

and while I’m not certain of it, I trust you to do what is best’. Commit the decision to God in prayer, praying for wisdom and guidance to make the right choice (Act 1:23,24). The early church did not ask for the problem to be removed but rather for divine help and ability to deal with it, together with boldness to overcome so God would be glorified – we should follow their example of viewing opposition as a catalyst to spur us on to greater feats for God instead of being intimidated (Act 4:24-30).

The effectiveness of prayer is increased by fasting coupled with praise – through it we are strengthened spiritually and helped to resist temptation (Mt 26:41; Mk 9:29; Act16:25,26). Also, don’t forget to thank God for answers received, rather than just continually asking.

The dilemma of so-called unanswered prayer

What people call ‘unanswered prayer’ is frequently just unanswered in the way we have asked or expected, i.e. we don’t recognise the answer. Rejoice even when you don’t receive ‘your choice’ of answer; later you will see it would have been disastrous had it been granted, or if you had forced the issue. God has bigger and better plans than we realise. He says, “My ways are not your ways” because He has the eternal view, we have only a very limited, short-term perspective (Isa 55:8).

Our motives and heart attitude must not be selfishly orientated (Jn 5:30; Jas 4:3). Our prayers are amiss unless we pray within the will of God, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Lk 1:38, 22:42). When our prayers are declined, Satan will try to use this disappointment to drive us away from connection to God, yet our focus must always be on Him, with our faith and commitment robust enough to accept His love motivated denials (1 Chr 22:1-8; Dan 3:17,18). Only spoilt children can’t take ‘No’ for an answer. Christ’s prayer was heard because of His strong desire to be obedient and although His prayer to by-pass the cross was not granted it resulted in blessing, both for Him and us – the recipients of salvation (Mt 26:39; Eph 1:3; Phil 2:9; Heb 5:7). Paul’s passionate prayers about a particular issue were also denied, yet accepting God’s answer he rejoiced and experienced a greater measure of blessing – a life lived by grace (2 Cor 12:8,9).

in the circumstances (Heb 11:32-38). Delays test our patience and obedience so as we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith and hope. His delays are not due to indifference, nor will He grant what will destroy us (Dan 10:13). We must not confuse delays with denials, for a delay is a 'Yes', but the timing is not synchronised.

As Christ’s ambassadors we are authorised to ask the Father, in Jesus’ name, to do what is His will (Jn 14:13,14, 16:23,24).  However, saying “In the name of Jesus” to a request that is contrary to His will is futile. God guarantees to provide our needs (not our wants), as we place a priority on His Kingdom (Mt 6:33; Phil 4:19). Thus we may pray confidently for the good and necessary things in faith. The Bible declares we are to build ourselves up in the faith and pray in (the power and strength of) the Holy Spirit (Jud 1:20).

Martin Luther is quoted as saying, ‘To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing’. The very reason we pray is because of God’s sovereignty, believing He has the power to order things according to His purpose. We are confessing our need of God and by proclaiming His almighty power position ourselves for the blessings He has in store for us, especially as it prepares us for eternal glory in His Kingdom. The Bible declares, the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective (Jas 5:16; 1Pet 3:12). 

Our wills need to change and come into alignment with His desires and established purposes (Ps 138:8; Isa 46:10, 55:11). Prayer does not change God’s mind or character but He can and will change the course of His threatened (not decreed) action when there is a change in human behaviour (Num 23:19; 2 Chr 7:14; Jnh 3:4,10, 4:2). He also embarked on another course of action because of the intervention of Moses (Ex 32:9,10,14). God knew Moses would intercede and that He would spare the Israelites, in spite of His first announcement. When we pray we can remind Him of His unchanging merciful character – He always hears us when we pray according to His will and we respond with a changed heart and subsequent lifestyle (1 Jn 5:14,15). God in His sovereignty always knows in advance what will happen and orders things according to His will.

In comparison, we change our mind as things unfold and we see a better way of doing things.  

Can God’s Mind Be Changed by Our Prayers?

As He is already perfect and knows all things, His plan is always best from the beginning and this will happen (2 Sam 22:31; Eph 1:4; Rev 22:13). When we pray it is not to change His holy will, but to align ourselves with it.

“Jesus Christ [God] is the same yesterday and today and forever” – eternally loyal to His covenant promises and unchanging decrees so does not change His mind but deals appropriately with changes in human behaviour (Num 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29; Ps 33:11; Isa 46:9-11; Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8; Jas 1:17). When people sin or repent of sin, He ‘changes His mind’ with regard to the blessing or punishment appropriate to the situation – all in accordance with His sovereign and eternal purposes (Ex 32:12,14; 1 Sam 15:11; 2 Sam 24:16; Jer 18:11; Amos 7:3,6). 

When we pray, we can remind Him of His unchanging character. He has always been and will always be compassionate, merciful and faithful. God declares, “As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand” (Isa 14:24, 46:9,10).

God’s first command revolved around obeying His directive, with the consequences of disobeying clearly given (Gen 2:17). The outcome remains consistent – hearing and obeying results in approval and blessing, while rebelling against His directives ends in heartache and regret by coming under judgement (Deut 28:1,2,15, 30:15-18). The outcome is dependent on our response.  Prior to our salvation we were under God’s wrath, due to our sin (rebellion against His ways) and the end result stated; yet as a result of acknowledging our sin and receiving Him as Saviour we are termed “children of God” (Jn 1:12, 3:16,18; Rom 6:23, 8:7). God changes His response towards us when there is a change of behaviour from us.

In the following examples, observe how these various aspects show that while we can’t change God’s mind about issues, we can be instumental in bringing about a change in the outworking of the circumstances:

* “The Lord said to Moses, I have seen these people, and they are a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation” (Ex 32:9,10). However, Moses pleaded to God to not destroy the people. “Then the Lord relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had threatened” (Ex 32:14). While it may look as if the prayer of Moses changed God’s mind it was his prayer that simply changed the course of action and outcome. God is sovereign, His purpose and promises are unchanging, with His plan unfolding in response to Moses’ prayer. God ordained it so Moses interceded, and he was the means by which His plans and purposes were accomplished.

for the precise purpose of praying His promises and ‘changing His plans’. He creates divinely appointed opportunities and invitations to call God’s promises and power into effect. He is willing, waiting and wanting to answer! Consequently, we need to know the promises in the Word we are to claim and be submissive to the Spirit’s guidance to show us where and how to extend God’s kingdom. While He has purposes, which He has guaranteed will be accomplished regardless of humanity’s input, in many instances, God invites us to plead His hand to move and so alters the outcome in response to the prayers He urges us to pray.

* It may appear that God did not do what He said would happen, but David listened to the voice of God and responded appropriately (1 Sam 23:10-13).  If David had not acted, the Lord’s words to him would have proven true.

* God, through His prophet Jonah said Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days because of their evil. This judgement did not happen because they repented (changed their ways) so God had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened” (Jnh 3:4-10). Again, God did not change His mind; rather, His message to the people of Nineveh was a warning meant to provoke a response of repentance, and His warning was successful. This seeming ‘change of mind’ is entirely consistent with His character; His holiness did not waver in the slightest and in His foreknowledge knew they would repent. If someone repents, God consistently forgives; if someone refuses to repent, God consistently judges. This is the unfailing stance of God, “And if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned” (Jer 18:8).

* Abraham learned that he could reason with God in prayer – with the possibility of making a difference (Gen 18:16-33). God said His planned judgement on evil would be averted “I will not do it” if there were at least the amount of righteous people that Abraham stated. However, when this number could not be found, God made happen the disaster He had previously declared.

* After King Hezekiah pleaded for God’s intervention about a major life and death situation affecting the nation of Judah he was told, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Because you have prayed to me…” (Isa 37:15-18,20-22,35). God fought for the nation and did exactly what He had always planned to do through Hezekiah’s prayer. God did what Hezekiah could not do without God, and Hezekiah did what none of us can do without prayer.

* Later King Hezekiah was told, “Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover” (2 Kgs 20:1-6; Isa 38:5). When God announces judgment, it is usually an invitation to repent and to receive the mercy He is so ready to give. Although he had been a godly king, there was room for improvement (as it there is with us all) and this should have provided the motivation to walk right with God and to set his affairs in order. As a result of the Kings response he was granted a further 15 years, yet the length of Hezekiah’s life, like the rest of us, had already been determined by God (Ps 139:16).

Prayer content

Our prayer time should not be just about asking Him to intervene in situations, but include worship for who He is, thanksgiving and praise for the many blessings (and answers to prayer) we receive because we are His children, and repentance (about sin issues the Spirit convicts us of).

The Bible invites us to pray about our concerns, "Whatever things you desire..." as this is God's appointed method by which we obtain what He has to give, yet often our prayers are largely selfish and revolve around our immediate and felt needs such as 'Lord please help me with my assignment...Bless me today at work' (Mt 7:11; Lk 11:9,10; Jas 4:2). More of our prayers should be for others, and while these can relate to 'Lord please provide a job for my friend...help them in their marriage...' these requests also reflect this world's perspective. While the physical matters of life are necessary (such as "our daily bread"), the emphasis of the model prayer Jesus taught the disciples related to the spiritual dimension (Mt 6:9-13). A sizable portion of our prayer, the conversing with God that is our right and privilege as His children should be praise to Him for our salvation besides thanking Him for the blessings and provision He has given besides for the answers to our past requests (Phil 4:6; Col 4:2).

The Bible records the nature of some of the prayers of Jesus for the disciples. He didn't pray they would not be tested but that their faith would stand, they would be able to resist temptation, for their unity and their sanctification (Lk 22:32,40; Jn 17:11,17). Paul's prayers encompassed the salvation of the lost, the strengthening of believers by the Holy Spirit, their grounding in love, the comprehending of God's love and filling with the fulness of God (Rom 10:1; 2 Cor 13:7; Eph 3:14-19). As these are all prayers that focus on the spiritual dimension, they are according to the will of God and guaranteed to find a "yes" in Christ (2 Cor 1:20; 1 Jn 5:14,15).

difficult circumstances asking to be delivered from the persecution, rather they would be given boldness to live for Christ (Act 4:29,30). They realised it would be through many hardships they would reach heaven and the trials were allowed by their loving heavenly Father (Act 14:22; 1 Pet 4:12). God has a greater goal than our comfort, He wants His character to be developed in us (Gal 5:22,23). It is right to pray for the healing of others so they can live productive lives for the Lord, without being incapacitated by sickness, yet there is also the individual responsibility to eat wisely and exercise (Mk 16:17,18; 3 Jn 1:2).

The Bible states Job's tragic situation turned when he reached out, even in the midst of his personal misfortune and unselfishly prayed for his friends who were experiencing hardship, although to much lessor extent (Job 42:10). This teaches us to be outward focused (consider the plight of others) and that "God listens to the godly person who does His will" (Jn 9:31).

God moves because of our prayers

actually makes a difference with God. He does act because we have prayed, or does not act because we have not prayed.  We do not understand much of what He is doing but He desires we pray and live in desperate dependence on Him, yet never presuming on His grace and mercy. He does some of His most important work in the world, and in our lives, precisely because of prayer – one of the means He uses to bring change to pass in this world.

Jesus instructed us to “always pray and not lose heart” (Lk 18:1). The Bible states that, when we pray according to God’s will (which also includes His timing), He hears and answers (1 Jn 5:14,15). Our heavenly Father invites us, in faith to ask Him for everything we need and He delights to give it to us when it is within His plan (Mt 6:8; Jas 1:5,6). Our prayers help to align our hearts with His heart until His will is our highest goal and can change our response to those outcomes, even if those results are not as we would have chosen or prayed for (Lk 22:42). He promises to listen and grant the desires of our hearts when our hearts are fully devoted to Him (Ps 37:4).

Bible, we see people pray and things change. Hannah prayed fervently for a child and God opened her womb (1 Sam 1:10,11,20). Elijah prayed for drought, and then rain, and God moved both times (Jas 5:17,18). The Christians prayed for Peter to be released from prison, and their prayers were answered (Act 12:5,9). “Faith believes God rewards those who earnestly seek Him” and these few examples show “God listens to the godly person who does His will” and “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (Jn 9:31; Heb 11:6; Jas 5:16). “I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name...This is the confidence we have we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we have asked of Him” (Jn 15:16, 16:23; 1 Jn 5:14,15). At the right time, in the right way, God will respond.

Some consider if God has already planned what will happen, why not simply let Him do it without interference from us.  For sure, God does countless miracles in the world that no one ever mentioned specifically in prayer as, “He upholds the universe by the word of His power” yet God Almighty has very few plans that do not involve the prayers of His children (Heb 1:3). Although His eternal plans will be done, whether we pray or not, other plans will not be done without prayer, because He has chosen to make prayer indispensable.  The promises of God are not excuses to relax and pray less, but rather give us confidence and perseverance before His throne as there is no conflict between His sovereignty and our praying.

Prayer can change things and our hearts

Just prior to Peter being miraculously released from prison, another disciple was executed (Act 12:2). When facing the cruel death on the cross Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will…may your will be done” (Mt 26:39,42). It was through prayer that Jesus aligned Himself with the Father who knew what was best for His Son and for all of us. He was fully committed to the Father's will, and not what He himself desired. It is through prayer we learn to trust Him and accept His will whatever that will might be. We should not view the prayers that are unanswered (from our limited perspective) as denials or rejection – having such a view has been the cause of many people walking away from Jesus thinking all their prayers should be answered their selfish way. They fail to believe that “All things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purposes” (Rom 8:28).

always pray and not lose heart”, having an attitude of intimacy with God that can be considered “praying without ceasing” (Lk 18:1; 1 Thes 5:17). The total sovereignty of God, over every detail of our lives, is the hope and foundation for our praying. “Your will be done” includes the lost being saved, the sick healed and for all kinds of change in our hearts and bodies, in our neighbours, in our workplaces, in our nation, in the world, but never for any change in God (Mt 6:10, 9:37,38; Act 26:18, 28:8; Jas 5:14).

See also: answers, commitment, conditions, decree and declare, delay, desires, faith, fasting, God’s will, grace, intercession, Jesus/name of, Lord’s Prayer,  not being ministered to, petition, praise, presumption, submission, supplication, thankfulness/thanksgiving, tongues, why, worship.