Dictionary: Prayer

A distinction needs to be made between the various occurrences of the words “pray” and “prayer” in most translations of the Bible and the modern connotation of the same words. In the OT, the main Hebrew words translated as “to pray” and “prayer” (palal and tepillah) refer to the act of bringing a petition or request before God. They do not normally, if ever, refer to the other elements that we today think of as being included in the act of praying, such as praise or thanksgiving. The same is the case in the NT, where the main Greek words translated “to pray” and “prayer” (proseuchomai and proseuchē) also specifically denote making a petition or request to God. But other words and constructions in both Testaments are also translated “to pray” and “prayer,” and this article will deal with the larger concept, including praise, thanksgiving, petition, and confession, as opposed to the narrower meaning of the particular Hebrew and Greek terms (see also Praise; Thanksgiving; Worship).

Old Testament

In the OT there is no language or understanding comparable to modern ways of talking about prayer as conversational or dialogical. Prayer does not involve mutuality. Prayer is something that humans offer to God, and the situation is never reversed; God does not pray to humans. Understanding this preserves the proper distinction between the sovereign God and the praying subject. Therefore, prayers in the OT are reverential. Some OT prayers have extended introductions, such as that found in Neh. 1:5, that seem to pile up names for God. These should be seen as instances not of stiltedness or ostentation, but rather as setting up a kind of “buffer zone” in recognition of the distance between the Creator and the creature. In the NT, compare the same phenomenon in Eph. 1:17.

Many of the prayers in the OT are explicitly set in a covenantal context. God owes nothing to his creatures, but God has sworn to be faithful to those with whom he has entered into covenant. Thus, many OT prayers specifically appeal to the covenant as a motivation for both those praying and God’s answering (1 Kings 8:23–25; Neh. 1:5–11; 9:32; Pss. 25:10–11; 44:17–26; 74:20; 89:39–49). In postexilic books such as Ezra, Nehemiah, and Daniel, an important feature in the recorded prayers is the use of prior Scripture, praying God’s words (many times covenantal) back to him (in the NT, see Acts 4:24–30). Also, the closeness engendered by the covenant relationship between God and his people was unique in the ancient Near Eastern context. So Moses can marvel, “What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?” (Deut. 4:7).

Prayer must be made from a heart that is right toward God. There is no guarantee that God will hear every prayer (Ps. 66:18; Prov. 1:28; Isa. 1:15; 59:2). For the most part, the “rightness” that God requires in prayer is “a broken and contrite heart” (Ps. 51:17; cf. Isa. 66:2).

Although several passages talk about prayer in the context of sacrifice (e.g., Gen. 13:4), there is surprisingly little emphasis on prayer in the legal texts about sacrifice in the Pentateuch, no prescriptions for the kinds of prayer or the words that are to be said in connection with the sacrifices. Interestingly, however, in later, perhaps postexilic contexts, where there is no temple and therefore no sacrifice, we find texts such as Ps. 141:2, where the petitioner asks God to accept prayer as if it were an offering of incense and the evening sacrifice (cf. Prov. 15:8; in the NT, see Rev. 5:8).

A presupposition of prayer in the OT is that God hears prayer and may indeed answer and effect the change being requested. Prayer is not primarily about changing the psychological state or the heart of the one praying, but rather about God changing the circumstances of the one praying.

There is a striking honesty, some would even say brashness, evident in many OT prayers. Jeremiah laments that God has deceived both the people (Jer. 4:10) and Jeremiah himself (20:7) and complains about God’s justice (12:1–4). Job stands, as it were, in God’s face and demands that the Almighty answer his questions (Job 31:35–37). The psalmist accuses God of having broken his covenant promises (Ps. 89:39). While it is true that God does, to some extent, rebuke Jeremiah and Job (Jer. 12:5; Job 38–42), he does not ignore them or cast them aside. This would seem, ultimately, to encourage such honesty and boldness on the part of those who pray.

Literarily, accounts of prayers in narratives serve to provide characterizations of the ones praying. The recorded prayers of people such as Abraham, Moses, Hannah, Ezra, and Nehemiah demonstrate their true piety and humility before God. By contrast, the prayer of Jonah recorded in Jon. 2, in its narrative context, betrays a certain hypocrisy on the part of the reluctant prophet.

New Testament

The depiction of prayer in the NT is largely consistent with that of the OT, but there are important developments.

Jesus tells his disciples to address God as “Father” (Matt. 6:9; cf. Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6). Although recent scholarship has demonstrated that “Abba” is not the equivalent of our “daddy,” it expresses a certain intimacy that goes beyond what was prevalent at the time, but retains an element of reverence as well. God is not just “Father,” but “our Father in heaven” (Matt. 6:9). Even Jesus addresses God as “Holy Father” (John 17:11), “Righteous Father” (John 17:25), and “Father, Lord of heaven and earth” (Matt. 11:25). And Paul, as mentioned earlier, uses a buffer zone, rarely in his epistles using the word “Father” by itself, but instead referring to “God our Father” (e.g., Rom. 1:7) and frequently using the phrase “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 15:6; 2 Cor. 1:3; 11:31; Eph. 1:3; cf. Eph. 1:17; Col. 1:3). God is our Father, but still he is a Father before whom one reverently kneels (Eph. 3:14).

Prayer to God is now to be made in the name of Jesus (Matt. 18:19–20; John 14:13; 15:16; 16:23–26). While there is some debate as to the exact nuance of this idea, it seems clear that, at the very least, prayers in Jesus’ name need to be ones that Jesus would affirm and are in accordance with his holy character and expressed will. It is, in essence, saying to God that the prayer being offered is one that Jesus would approve.

Prayer can also be made to Jesus (John 14:14), and such devotion to him in the early church is evidence of his being regarded as deity. The instances of this in the NT are rare, however, and generally either exclamatory or rhetorical (Acts 7:59; 1 Cor. 16:22; Rev. 22:20). The norm would still seem to be that prayer is to be made to the Father, through Jesus’ name.

Unlike anything prior in the OT, Jesus tells his followers to pray for their enemies (Matt. 5:44). Jesus and his followers serve as examples (Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60).

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in prayers. It is by him that we are able to call out, “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6). The Spirit himself intercedes for us (Rom. 8:26). Our praying is to be done in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18; Jude 20; possibly 1 Cor. 14:15).

Jesus encourages fervent and even continual or repeated prayer (Luke 18:1–8), but not showy or repetitive prayer (Matt. 6:5–8).

Jesus becomes the model of prayer. He prays before important decisions (Luke 6:12–13) and in connection with significant crisis points (Matt. 14:23; 26:36–44; Luke 3:21; 9:29; John 12:27). He offers prayers that are not answered (Luke 22:41–44) and prayers that are (Heb. 5:7). Even as he tells his disciples to always pray and not give up (Luke 18:1 [which is also the meaning of the sometimes overly literalized “pray without ceasing” in 1 Thess. 5:17 NRSV]), so he himself wrestles in prayer (Luke 22:41–44; Heb. 5:7). He has prayed for his disciples (John 17; Luke 22:32), and even now, in heaven, he still intercedes for us (Heb. 7:25). Indeed, our intercession before God’s throne is valid because his is (Heb. 4:14–16).

Synonyms: invocation, intercession, devotion, appeal, plea, entreaty, petition, solicitation, supplication, request, suit
Antonyms: demand something, insist
Showing 501 to 525 of 4877 results
Sermon
William G. Carter
... of the world, and serves notice that God's forgiveness can cancel every debt and trespass. In the power of his resurrection, he remains with those whom he has claimed, offering guidance and help in time of need. That is one reason why we don't rush through our prayers on Sunday morning. We take the time to name before God the places where we have fallen short and fallen down. We try to be as honest with ourselves as Christ our judge. Then we take his hand and let him lift us out of the mud, always trusting ...
Sermon
Jeff Wedge
... not going to pray for you. There are certain things a man has to do for himself. He has to blow his own nose, make his own love, and say his own prayers." Paul certainly shared this perspective when he urged his listeners to persevere in prayer. And so should we, as individual Christians who actually do persevere in prayer. "Contribute to the needs of the saints." Perhaps it should not be much of a surprise to find a comment about our contributions in a list of Commandments for Christians. There are those ...
Sermon
Stephen M. Crotts
... smoothly and as quickly as they'd planned. So they all begin to doze and nod. My, my, but what a picture of the church today! Haven't the past two years of preparation work been draining? Isn't the work of being in fellowship and Bible study and group prayer becoming a bit tedious? Aren't we all beginning to wonder what the delay is, why more isn't happening? "Where is the groom anyway?" So we begin to doze. Many a person over the years has confided in me that he finds the things of church boring. Yet, look ...
504. Generations
John 4:1-26
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... movement based in France. Using silences, chants, candles, incense burning, Taize worship features no preaching. The Taize hymnal consists of simple, repetitive melodies that are sung and harmonized. Taize "cell groups" stress meditation, prayer, and peace and justice ministries. Busters have also developed complex body rituals memorializing life's events and relationships (through tattoos, body piercings, theatrical muscles). Religious communities that are serious about reaching busters have reconceived ...
505. By God’s Spirit
Zechariah 4:1-14
Sermon
James McCormick
... preached it: “In God we live and move and have our being.” Jesus lived it, spending time every day with God in prayer, always pointing past Himself to the Father, and always insisting that He could do the remarkable things He did because the Father ... answer: “By God we can, too! By God - we can!” “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.” Prayer: For all that has been, we give you thanks, our Father. For all that will yet be by Your grace and power, we commit our lives to ...
Sermon
James McCormick
... night - all because a very wise Mrs. McIntosh had been willing to receive his gift. Do you understand? We need to receive, and other people need the experience of giving. It’s true, isn’t it? As blessed as it is to give, it is also blessed to receive. Prayer: Father, deliver us from the delusion that we are self-sufficient and have no need of anyone or anything. Help us to receive from You and from others, so that we will have gifts to give. And help us to be able to receive as a very significant way ...
507. Just Do It
Romans 12:1-2
Sermon
James W. Moore
... our church family who are hurting. Pray, too, that God will be with you and will use you as his instrument. Pray that our church may be faithful in continuing the preaching, teaching, healing, caring ministry of Christ. Please pray for our church. The church needs our prayers. II. SECOND, THE CHURCH NEEDS OUR PRESENCE! Please come to church! If you have been away, come back! If you are out of the habit, make a new start. Please come. We will welcome you with open arms. I want to say with all the feeling I ...
Sermon
James Merritt
... had a better deal for King Darius. They said we're going make you "the god of the month." For thirty days all worship and prayer was to be directed to him. His pride allowed him to accept that as a great idea. But they also used a dangerous fact. "Now, ... he didn't have to; he had been talking to the King of Kings. Someone has defined courage as fear that has said its prayers. Maybe Daniel remembered Proverbs 3:25-26: "Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the ...
Sermon
James Merritt
... to the Savior; then we're going to look at what the Savior said to the sinner; and then we're going to look at the result of their conversation. I. The Sinner's Reason For Doubt The sinner makes one statement. It really is in the form of a prayer. He says: "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." (v.42) This thief saw something in the last minutes of his life that, had he not seen it, would have doomed his soul forever. He saw his sinfulness. He realized that it was his sin that had nailed ...
Sermon
James Merritt
... , and I thank you for her example of godliness." He then paused, took a deep breath, and said, "Father, I thank you that mother is about to leave us to go home to be with you." When they opened their eyes their mother was gone. The son that prayed that prayer stood up and looked at his brothers, and said, "Mother taught us how to live, and just now she taught us how to die." There's only one way to die and that's the way Jesus died; in communion with the Father, confident in the Father, committed to the ...
Sermon
Bill Bouknight
... God know that we have an unsettled quarrel or a grudge against someone, we are asking God not to forgive us! If we really think about what we are praying, there would be some days when we might say to ourselves, “I dare not pray the Lord’s Prayer right now, because there is a grudge in my heart that must first be resolved.” In chapter 18 of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus told a little story or parable about forgiveness. A certain king wanted to settle accounts with his servants. One of them owed the King ...
Sermon
John E. Harnish
... to build the CLC was a similar act of boldness; the decision to renovate this space was an act of boldness; and at the same time, the willingness to increase our giving to the local ministry and global mission was an act of living, daring, courageous faith. And the prayer of the church today? To live and act in the boldness of the faith, willing to risk, to dream, to dare for the sake of Christ. The church of your dreams is a church which lives boldly. 2. …AND IT'S A CHURCH WHERE WE GROW DEEPLY. As Ned ...
Sermon
Ron Lavin
... means we fall short, even when we try to do right. That means we are called to see our humanity, our fallibility, and our need for repentance. That means that we are easily deceived by the evil one. It's a comfort to know that in the high priestly prayer in John 17 (our Gospel Reading for today) Jesus prayed for us. "I'm not asking to take them out of the world, but that you would protect them from the evil one." The evil one always divides; God forgives us, restores us, and unites us. Man proposes; God ...
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... "busy fixers' or "status quo-its" and instead embrace the scandal of Christian love. Among those "scandalous" activities they might participate in: a weekly Friday luncheon fast as a sign of solidarity with the poor; organizing and participating in a 24-hour prayer vigil for peace; or even hitting the highways, the waterways, or the abandoned byways with garbage bags and a sense of responsibility for the safekeeping of our fragile planet. Christian leadership is not afraid to act on God's commitment to the ...
515. Easter Dreams
Luke 24:1-12
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... before, Pastor Fuehrer theorizes in a recent interview in the Christian Science Monitor, was because the church had been seduced by "the bourgeois image of Jesus as one who doesn't disturb, who is only passive," who is there only to make people happy. Through prayer and Bible study, they found a "Jesus that spoke directly to the people the truth" rather than a Jesus that diluted the truth. They found in a resurrected Jesus the power to dream again good dreams for their city and their nation. Indeed, Pastor ...
Sermon
Leonard Sweet
... our way. Next time a good word about someone passes you by, why not latch onto it and pass it along to that individual? What if Christians were known as people who surprise others with good news? Another form Christian encouragement can take is prayer. A friend in Georgia periodically calls just to say, "I'm praying for you." His only agenda in these calls is encouragement. His conversations are rarely longer than three minutes. But the lift they give lasts for days. Part of the encouragement Paul offers ...
Sermon
Mike Ripski
... wanted from us – simply to belong as a member of the community, not a mission project. “We’d defined poverty as not having enough money. We assumed that wealth does not hurt people the way poverty does. We assumed that the poor are in greater need of prayer than the prosperous and privileged.” (Christian Century, 12/9/98, p. 1188) 5. Could it be that through the poor God wants to give us holy gifts that can’t come any other way? Every mission trip I’ve ever been on has given me an experience ...
518. Culture Shock
1 Kings 18:21-40
Sermon
James Merritt
... you step out in faith, God steps up to the plate. Faith is what puts God into action. III. Do Be Aligned With The Only God These false prophets had worked all day for hours and hours trying to get their god to answer and they were absolutely exhausted. The prayer that Elijah prayed took, by my calculations, less than 15 seconds. Here is what he said, "O LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, today let it be known that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and I have done all these things at ...
Sermon
James Merritt
... go to Heaven by accepting what God has done for you. It is so sad because this man was even fooled about his prayer. Verse 11 says "he stood and prayed thus with himself." The Greek language literally says, "to himself." He thought he was praying to God, ... been blessed with wealth and I have nothing?" All of my life I have never missed a single day without saying morning and evening prayers; my church attendance has been perfect; I've always loved my neighbor; I give a lot of money to the church; and yet as ...
520. A Hearing Heart
1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14
Sermon
Stan Purdum
... our deciding what is his will. To sum up, discernment, the ability to make good judgments in our spiritual lives, is a gift from God. And among the methods God uses to help us discern are informing our feelings, filling our thinking processes, and meeting us in prayer. So discernment was not just a gift for Solomon centuries ago, but is a gift for Christians in every age. Can we know God's will about everything? No. But can we discover God's will for our own spiritual lives? Absolutely. That's what he has ...
Sermon
Maxie Dunnam
... . Simeon: devout and waiting, living in the confidence that “it was revealed to him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (verse 26). Anna: she did not depart from the temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer. The primary movements in the life of Simeon and Anna were waiting and worshipping. So much of life is waiting isn’t it? Things don’t happen as we think they should, and certainly things don’t happen when we think they should. How to wait ...
522. Altar Your Gifts
Malachi 3:10, Luke 6:27-42
Sermon
Billy D. Strayhorn
... we are putting money in its proper place. And we are saying that Jesus, the living Word of God is, was and always will be First. I. Giving A. Well let's get into the meat of the matter. Let's talk about Giving. The Bible offers 500 verses on prayer, less than 500 verses on faith, but more than 2,000 verses on money and possessions. There are a lot of hot topics in the Bible but Money and Giving are probably the hottest topic of all. Jesus talked a lot about money. Sixteen of the thirty-eight parables were ...
Sermon
Billy D. Strayhorn
... being the Son of God, he could have made the tree blossom, bloom and produce fruit. But that would have been using God's gifts for His personal gain, and Jesus never did that. So, what's it about? I think it's about the power of prayer, prayer filled with belief. The fact that the tree withered right in front of their eyes, even after seeing all the other miracles, totally flabbergasted. Basically they asked: "How did you do that?" Jesus response was, "if you have faith and do not doubt...." And that's the ...
Sermon
J. Howard Olds
... about “Glorifying Christ,” lifting him up and offering him our finest acts of praise. In my life, Lord, be Glorified – one prayer that really matters. I. Why Glorify Christ? Our text today says there are two good reasons. He has given us ETERNAL LIFE ... ? We can glorify Christ by the LIVES WE LIVE. They have obeyed your word. In my life Lord, be glorified! If that is your prayer, how do you put it into practice? A. With Integrity I am always a little leery of people who advertise their business as a ...
Sermon
Billy D. Strayhorn
... Forty emphasis. Set aside a time either in the morning or the evening when you can spend more than just a second or two in prayer for each person. 8. Carry the cards with you and whenever you get a chance, pray for them. Ask God's blessing in their lives. ... point is to take time to energize your life, energize the life and stewardship of our church and to energize the life of others through prayer. I ran across a letter to God. It says: DEAR GOD, If you do all these things you are pretty busy. Now here's my ...
Showing results