PRAYER
Background
Prayer has a place of highest priority in the Bible. Some of the Scriptures' most transcendent passages deal with prayers expressing praise, worship, thanksgiving, confession, and supplication. The lives of the outstanding people of God of both the Old and New Testaments, and down through the history of the church, were characterized by much prayer. All the recorded revivals of history had their beginnings in prayer. Anything of value in the kingdom of God is initiated in and dependent on prayer.
The Bible reveals our ignorance of prayer:
"We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26).
"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).
The Bible invites us, actually commands us, to pray:
"In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
"Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
The Bible offers many guidelines for praying:
1. Through individual promises (there are hundreds of recorded promises in the Bible):
"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" (Matthew 6:6).
"Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:24).
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7).
"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).