WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES
ABOUT PRAYER
I. The Bible teaches that prayer
is a privilege and responsibility of every believer. Therefore,
the Bible teaches that all Christians:
(1) Have direct access to God
through the work of Jesus Christ
(Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews
10:19-22)
(2) Are invited by the Lord to
pray
(Luke 11:9-10; Hebrews
4:16)
(3) Are commanded to pray
(Matthew 7:7,8; Luke
11:9,10; 1 Timothy 2:8)
(4) Are commanded to pray in Jesus
Name
(John 14:13,14; 16:23,24)
(5) Are commanded to pray at all
times
Psalm 5:3; 55:17;
88:13; Matthew 26:41
Mark 13:33; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18;
Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
(Matthew 6:5,6; 14:23;
Mark 1:35; Acts 3:1; 7:59,60; 16:25)
II. The Bible teaches that prayer
is the communication of the believer with God that includes
the following: (nine different Greek words for prayer
in the New Testament:
(1) Praise
(Psalm 118:28)
(2) Thanksgiving
(Philippians 4:6;
I Thessalonians 5:18)
(3) Confession
(Ezra 9:5-8; Nehemiah
1:6-9)
(4) Petition
(Philippians 4:1-7;
1 John 5:14-15)
III. The Bible teaches that the
Triune-God of the Bible is the only God that hears and
answers prayer:
(1 Kings 18:26; Psalm
33:15; 66:19; 1 Peter 3:12a)
IV. The Bible teaches God answers
prayer:
(1) When Christians pray in Jesus’
name
(John 14:13-14; 16:23,24)
(2)
When Christians pray according to His will
(1 John 5:14-15)
(3) When Christians pray with
faith
(Mark 11:20-24; Hebrews
11:6; James 1:6-8)
(4) When Christians abide in Him
and His words abide in us
(John 15:7-8)
(5) When Christians pray with
humility
(2 Chronicles 7:14;
Luke 18:9-14; James 4:10)
(6) When Christians are obedient
to His Word
(Proverbs 28:9; 1
John 3:22)
(7) Whenever God wants to do it
(Psalm 115:3; 135:5-6)
V. The Bible teaches that prayer
is hindered or apparently goes unanswered due to the following:
(1) Sin that Christians do not
confess and forsake, but tolerate
(Psalm 66:18; Proverbs
28:9, 13; Isaiah 59:1,2)
(2) An unforgiving spirit
(Matthew 6:14-15;
18:21-35; Mark 11:25)
(3) A wrong relationship between
a husband and wife
(I Peter 3:7)
(4) Lack of faith
(Matthew 17:14-21;
21:18-22; James 1:6,7)
(5) Selfish Purposes
(James 4:3)
(6) Idolatry
(Ezekiel 11:21; 14:3;
20:16)
(7) Not giving to the poor
(Proverbs 21:13; James
2:13)
(8) Pride
(Job 35:12,13)
VI. The Bible teaches that anything
God requires for his people to do we can do. Therefore,
the following are results prayer can achieve:
(1) Glory to God
(John 14:13; 15:7,8)
(2) Obedience to Christ
(Luke 18:1; Colossians
2:7)
(3) Peace of mind and heart
(Psalm 37:5; 55:22;
Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:6-7)
(4) Fullness of Joy
(John 15:11; 16:24;
1 John 1:4)
(5) Divine an healing of the sick
(Mark 6:13; John 9
entire chapter; James 5:14-20)
(6) Open doors for the Word of
God
(Colossians 4:2-4)
(7) Boldness in proclaiming the
gospel
(Acts 4:31; Ephesians
6:18-20)
(8) Protection from evil
(Romans 15:30,31;
2 Thessalonians 3:1-3)
(9) Wisdom
(James 1:6-8)
(10) Spiritual strength
(Ephesians 1:15-23;
3:14-21; Colossians 1:9-17)
(11) A quiet and peaceable life
in society
(1 Timothy 2:1-2)
(12) Help in resisting temptation
(Matthew 26:41; Mark
13:33)
(13) Laborers for the harvest
fields of the world
(Matthew 9:36-38)
(14) Salvation of people
(Matthew 9:38; Romans
10:1; 1 Thessalonians 3:1,2)
(15) Abundance of love
(Philippians 1:9-11;
1 Thessalonians 3:12)
(16) The maturity and assurance
in the will of God
(1 Corinthians 2:6-8)
(17) For the cleansing of ourselves
(1 John 1:9)
VII. The Bible teaches that both
private and group prayer should be encouraged. The following
are examples of group prayer:
(1) Private prayer by an individual
believer is to be encouraged at all times
(Matthew 6:6-15)
(2) The church began with 120
people in a prayer meeting
(Acts 1:12-15)
(3) It is the responsibility of
a local church ( regardless of its size ) to practice
corporate prayer
(Acts 2:41-42)
(4) There were several occasions
in early church history when group prayer took place (both
small and large groups)
