A Biblical Guide to Prayer - Part 3
Terminology used for prayer
Here are the various phrases used to describe prayer in the Scriptures.
· Prayer
Psalm 69:13 But as for me, my prayer is to Thee, O Lord, at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Thy lovingkindness, Answer me with Thy saving truth.
· Petition
Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
· Intercede or intercession
Numbers 21:7 So the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, because we have spoken against the Lord and you; intercede with the Lord, that He may remove the serpents from us." And Moses interceded for the people.
Hebrews 7:25 Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
· Supplication
Psalm 86:6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and give heed to the voice of my supplications!
· Calling on the Lord or His name
Genesis 4:26 And to Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.
2 Timothy 2:22 Now flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
· Entreating the Lord
Exodus 32:11 Then Moses entreated the Lord his God, and said, "O Lord, why doth Thine anger burn against Thy people whom Thou hast brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?
· Pouring out one’s soul before the Lord
1 Samuel 1:15 But Hannah answered and said, "No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord.
· Seeking the Lord and His face
Psalm 105:4 Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.
· Lifting up the soul or heart
Psalm 25:1 To Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
Lamentations 3:41 We lift up our heart and hands Toward God in heaven;
· Crying to the Lord
Psalm 86:3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to Thee I cry all day long.
Psalm 119:145 I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord! I will observe Thy statutes.
· Asking from the Lord
Matthew 6:8 Therefore do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him.
· Drawing near to God/His throne
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.
Conditions to Prayer
Just as the Scriptures give us much assurance that God will hear us when we pray and that He is ready to answer, they also tell us of many conditions that God places on us for prayer. These conditions deal with our attitudes, heart, and life. At times, when it seems as if God is not answering our prayers, it may be that there is something about our approach to Him or the character/conduct of our life that God is not pleased with and He is trying to get our attention so that we will repent and surrender to His working in us and conforming us in Christ-likeness.
· Righteousness
Psalm 34:15-17 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psalm 66:18 If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear;
Proverbs 10:24 What the wicked fears will come upon him, and the desire of the righteous will be granted.
Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Proverbs 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
1 Timothy 2:8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
· Submission
Matthew 26:39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt."
· Sincerity/truth
Psalm 145:18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.
· Faith
Matthew 21:22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.
James 1:5-8 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
· Humility
2 Chronicles 7:14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Psalm 10:17 O Lord, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble; Thou wilt strengthen their heart, Thou wilt incline Thine ear
James 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
· Trust
Psalm 9:10 And those who know Thy name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, O Lord, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee.
· Obedience
1 John 3:21, 22 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
· Reverence
Psalm 145:19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.
· Abiding in Christ and in His Word
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
· Forgiveness
Matthew 6:14 For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
· Perseverance
Luke 18:1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,
Ephesians 6:18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
· Thanksgiving
Philippians 4:6, 7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
By God's Grace ~ Through God's Word ~ For God's Glory!
Chuck Long
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