Articles
Some Thoughts On Prayer
In the New Testament (New American Standard Bible), we find a form of the word “pray” in 122 verses. Jesus speaks of prayer often as he teaches to the apostles and disciples who followed Him the importance of addressing their Father in this manner.
He taught that acceptable prayer is not to glorify ourselves. Long, repetitive and loud prayers were characteristic of the Gentiles of the time (Matt. 6:7). In Luke 18:10-14, a Pharisee addresses God in a haughty manner and justifies himself. On the other hand a tax-gatherer, who was not even willing to lift up his eyes to heaven, humbly recognizes his sins before God.
Some wanted others to see them praying in order to appear pious. Instead, prayer was to be a humble experience where the divine and omnipotent nature of our Creator is recognized.
Even Jesus, who thought it not robbery to be considered equal to God, humbled himself in the garden and offered praise and glory to the Father (Matt. 26:36-46). In Acts 10:9 Peter seeks a quiet place to pray, and God takes the opportunity to teach him that Gentiles were also to hear the gospel. Jesus seemed to look for “certain” places.
We find early Christians offering prayers for themselves, for each other, for those in need, for those in peril, for those under duress, for those sick, for those who persecuted them, for those spiritually weak, for those spiritually strong, for those suffering, for those cheerful and seemingly for all conditions known or not known. Prayers were uttered asking for forgiveness of sins, for their own and others' growth in the knowledge of God’s word, for the word to spread rapidly, for others to prosper and be in good health -- both spiritually and physically -- and for love to abound in others based on real knowledge and discernment (ability to properly use the knowledge) and more (Eph. 1:18; Philip. 1:9; Col. 1:9; II Thess. 3:1; James 5:13, 16; III John 1:2).
The church is found praying for the well-being and delivery of Peter, who had been imprisoned (Acts 12:5). James tells us, “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16).
From asking for watch care over us to healing those ailments man cannot, God has given us the avenue of prayer to tell Him what is on our hearts and to honor Him as our Father.
