Prayer is a means through which we can speak to God. He doesn’t just want us to hear from Him when we study His word but also wants to hear us. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. — Jeremiah 29:12
In Luke 11, the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray and He gives them a summary of how to pray: And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. — Luke 11:2 – Luke 11:4
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. — Philippians 4:6
The principles drawn from these passages are: praise to God, thanksgiving, request for provision, forgiveness of our sins and deliverance from evil so we don’t fall into temptation.
In what manner are we to make our prayers?
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker. — Psalm 95:6
And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, — Luke 22:40 – Luke 22:41
And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all. — Acts 20:36
The descriptions of kneeling to pray are a symbol of reverence and awe before God. This does not mean we must kneel when in public but simply emphasizes on the manner in which we are to approach God.
In whose name are we to pray?
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. — John 15:16
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; — 1Timothy 2:5
We are to pray in Jesus name because He is our mediator, through whom we have access to heaven (Rom5: 1-2)
Why is it important for us to pray?
We pray for wisdom: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. — James 1:5
We pray to overcome temptation: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. — Matthew 26:41
For God’s Protection: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. — Psalm 50:15
To receive forgiveness after we confess our sins: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1John 1:9
We pray to give thanks to God: By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. — Hebrews 13:15
We pray not just for ourselves but for others: I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; — 1Timothy 2:1
How do we know God will answer our prayers?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? — Romans 8:32
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: — 1John 5:14
We know God will answer our prayers because He has given us His best gift in His son therefore, when we ask anything that pleases Him, He will give it to us.
