Prayer(importunity, prayerfulness, prayerlessness)
“Prayer, intercession (from palal, 'to judge,' in hithpael 'to seek judgment')”
Summary
Prayer is the converse of a dependent soul with God, encompassing petition, intercession, confession, adoration, and thanksgiving—the means by which believers approach the throne of grace and hold communion with their heavenly Father.
☩Terminology
In the Old Testament, two words are generally used for prayer: techinnah (from a root meaning 'to be gracious,' denoting entreaty for mercy) and tephillah (from a root meaning 'to judge,' signifying seeking the prevalence of right and truth). The formula 'to call upon the name of the Lord' frequently expresses prayer (Genesis 4:26; 12:8). In the New Testament, proseuche is the general word appropriated to the worship of God; deesis implies personal need and special petition; enteuxis conveys the idea of intercession and approach to God; and aitema indicates a simple request. The distinction between 'prayer' (for obtaining blessings) and 'supplication' (for averting evil) reflects the full range of human need brought before God.
☩Old Testament Development
Prayer was surely practiced from humanity's fall, likely associated with the first sacrifices. The first record of public worship occurs when Enos was born: 'Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord' (Genesis 4:26). While the Cainites built cities and developed arts to establish earthly kingdoms, the Sethites' calling upon Jehovah constituted the first church. Abraham's intercession for Sodom (Genesis 18) and Jacob's wrestling with the angel (Genesis 32) are early examples of earnest prayer. Moses gave no specific commands about prayer—it was presumed as the natural adjunct of sacrifice. After the exile, prayer came to hold a larger place in personal and corporate devotion, with Daniel, Ezra, and Nehemiah all modeling regular prayer life. The Psalms represent the loftiest flights of Old Testament prayer—intense longing for pardon, purity, and communion with God Himself.
☩Times and Postures
Three times daily was prayer customarily repeated: at the third hour (9 AM, the morning sacrifice), the sixth hour (noon), and the ninth hour (3 PM, the evening sacrifice). Daniel prayed thrice daily with windows open toward Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10). Some prayed 'seven times a day,' signifying continual devotion (Psalm 119:164). Standing was the usual posture, but kneeling expressed special earnestness and humiliation, and prostration marked intense grief (1 Kings 8:54; Matthew 26:39). The hands were often lifted up or spread out toward heaven. Grace before meals was customary, following Christ's example (Matthew 15:36). Christians in the apostolic age prayed facing east, while Jews prayed toward Jerusalem and the temple's Holy of Holies.
☩Christ's Teaching and Example
Christ's own practice establishes prayer's supreme importance for His followers. He prayed at His baptism (Luke 3:21), before choosing the Twelve after a whole night of prayer (Luke 6:12), at the Transfiguration (Luke 9:29), before raising Lazarus (John 11:41-42), in Gethsemane with such agony that His sweat became like drops of blood (Luke 22:44), and on the cross for His enemies (Luke 23:34). His teaching presents prayer not as mere religious exercise but as a child's request to a Father—reverent yet intimate and trustful (Matthew 6:8; 7:11). The Lord's Prayer provides a model covering all essential elements: acknowledgment of God's fatherhood and holiness, petition for His kingdom and will, request for daily provision, confession of sin, and plea for deliverance from evil. Christ's final word on prayer was that petitions should be offered in His name—the distinctive mark of Christian prayer (John 16:23-24).
☩The Spirit's Aid in Prayer
The chief characteristic of Christian prayer is the new power the fellowship of the Holy Spirit brings. Paul teaches that the Spirit dwelling within each child of God cries 'Abba, Father' (Galatians 4:6). When believers are weak and know not what to pray for as they ought, 'the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered'—bearing part in our difficulties, making our inarticulate longings audible and acceptable to God because they are the voice of His Spirit (Romans 8:26-27). The Spirit searches the hearts, purifies our mistaken petitions, and presents them in harmony with God's will. This intercession of the Spirit within is complemented by the intercession of the Son at God's right hand, who presents our prayers accepted on the ground of His merits and blood (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25).
☩Conditions and Hindrances
Scripture reveals conditions for effective prayer: faith that asks expecting to receive (Mark 11:24), asking according to God's will (1 John 5:14), praying in Jesus' name (John 14:13-14), and a heart free from unconfessed sin and bitterness (Psalm 66:18; Mark 11:25). Prayers must be in harmony with the light of God's will and made from a right standing before Him. Hindrances include unbelief, sin held in the heart, hypocritical display (Matthew 6:5), vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7), and neglect of the poor (Proverbs 21:13). The answer may be delayed, as when Christ prayed 'Let this cup pass' yet submitted to the Father's will (Matthew 26:39). Sometimes God grants not the specific petition but something better—as Paul's thorn remained but grace proved sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).
Related Verses637 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Prayer," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Prayer," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Prayer," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Prayer," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 5.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Prayer," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 6.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Prayer," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 7.George Morrish, "Prayer," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).