What the Bible Says About Prayer

Bible

North Forest

Does God Answer Prayer?

Jesus promises that our prayers of supplication [asking] (1 Tim 2:1) will be answered (John 15:7). God will answer our prayers if we ask in the name of Jesus (John 16:23) and if we abide [live] in Jesus and if His words abide in us (John 15:7). Thus, we have to do our part in order for God to answer our prayers.

God will answer our prayers but only if we ask for things that are in His will.

Does God really answer our prayers? (1 Pet 3:12). Apparently He does, but only if we don't do evil works.

How to Pray

Our prayers are to involve us in our gestures, such as lifting up our hands, as well as in our adherence to the law of God (1 Tim 2:8).

Pray Always

We sanctify the things we do by prayer (1 Tim 4:5). Thus, we are to enjoy God's creation but only in giving thanks to Him.

How is it even possible for us to pray night and day? (1 Tim 5:5) Certainly the apostle Paul exhorts us all to pray continuously (1 Thess 5:17). I can think of two possibilities:

The expression "without ceasing" is merely figurative and means "often" (I doubt this is what Paul had in mind).
It is possible to meditate on God continuously, perhaps in the context of repetitive mental prayer (2 Tim 1:3).

The Holy Spirit

Prayer requires the participation by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:26).

Everything we do as Christians needs to be done in the power of the Holy Spirit. This includes prayer (Eph 6:18).

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John Shepard

email: js16@northforest.org

http://www.northforest.org/bible/Prayer.html

Revised: July 8, 2005