Prayer is communication with God, an essential part of a believer’s relationship with Him. It includes praise, confession, thanksgiving, intercession, and supplication. Jesus taught His disciples to pray with sincerity, humility, and dependence on the Father.
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place…” (Matthew 6:6)
Jesus warned against empty repetition and showy prayers:
“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.” (Matthew 6:7)
He then gave a model, sometimes called the Lord’s Prayer:
“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9–13)
Prayer includes several components:
Worship and reverence: “Hallowed be Your name”
Submission to God’s will: “Your will be done”
Dependence for daily needs: “Give us this day our daily bread”
Confession and forgiveness: “Forgive us our debts”
Spiritual protection: “Deliver us from the evil one”
We are instructed to pray with thanksgiving:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
Prayer is to be continual:
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Jesus often prayed alone and in times of decision or trial (Luke 5:16; Luke 6:12; Matthew 26:36). He serves as our example of intimacy with the Father.
The Holy Spirit helps us in prayer:
“For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us…” (Romans 8:26)
Prayers should be offered in Jesus’ name, acknowledging His role as our mediator:
“Whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” (John 16:23)
Prayer is not about manipulating God. It is about aligning our hearts with His and relying on Him. A strong prayer life is marked by reverence, honesty, persistence, and faith.
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)
