What is Prayer?

In order to understand prayer we need to investigate and look at prayer in action. Taking time to search through scripture and finding prayers to dissect them will shed light on what prayer is. The best way to understand something is to get all the facts and put them together.

I will appeal to you that prayer is open dialogue between you and God. It is a sharing of the heart. It’s talking, and listening, to the One who created you. It is engaging in the exchange of ideas, hurts, feelings, commitments, promises, and apologies of repentance.

So lets take a walk through the scriptures and see how prayer is done in God’s word.

First, we are called to be imitators of Christ. We can look at prayer through his example.

These are things Jesus prayed for (this is not an all-inclusive list):

• Jesus prayed over food. He gave thanks and blessed it. (John 6:11, Mark 6:31, Luke 22:19)
• Jesus prayed for others. Their weakness, their forgiveness, their protection, and more. (Luke 22:32, John 17:9, Luke 23:34)
• Jesus prayed for himself. He knew he was going to face suffering and death and he asked God to let it pass from him. (Luke 22:42, Matt 27:46, Mark 15:34, Luke 23:46
• Jesus prayed prayers of praise and adoration acknowledging God’s authority, power and goodness. (Matt. 11:25-27)
• Jesus prayed prayers of thanksgiving. (John 11:41-4)

If you look closely and analyze the types of prayers above, you will see that they fit perfectly in the example that Jesus gave the disciples when they asked him how to pray. You can find that pattern of prayer in Matt. 6:9-13 and Luke 11:1-4.

Let’s break down what is considered the Lord’s Prayer. But first, I want to bring your attention to the words of Jesus before he spoke the prayer.

Jesus says “pray like this.” God is not interested in vain repetition and meaningless chatter (Matt. 6:7). Jesus is giving us an example of what communication with the Father looks like. We know prayer isn’t just repeating what has been labeled the “Lord’s prayer” because we get to look directly at Jesus’ prayers and he doesn’t quote this prayer. Jesus speaks to God in a personal intimate way. You will notice, however, he addresses the different lines of this prayer.

Our Father who art in heaven. Jesus is addressing who he is speaking to. He makes it personal and intimate by calling God, “Father.” By addressing where God is, Jesus is saying “you are above all and know all.” You are on the throne and in control.

Hollowed be thy name. Jesus is addressing God’s holiness. The grandeur and majesty of a God who is set apart from all others. He is showing adoration and worship while recognizing the character, reputation, and fame of his name.

Your kingdom come. Jesus is addressing the fact that this earth is not God’s kingdom and he wants God’s kingdom over the kingdoms of this world. God’s kingdom is righteousness, peace, joy, and the Holy Ghost. (Romans 14:17) In His kingdom there will be no more tears, sorrow and sadness. Sin will be no more. This is a request for God to fulfill His promises.

Your will be done. This is an act of submission. Jesus is saying to God, “your ways are higher and what you do is best.” This is a sign of surrender to God. This is were he let God be God and he laid down his own desires, expectations, hopes, dreams, and plans.

On earth as it is in heaven. Here Jesus is wanting God’s will to be played out in accordance with the plans and purposed in heaven. He wants heaven to meet earth. He is allowing God to use him to impact the earth with a piece of heaven. He is living out the kingdom and will of heaven on earth by being obedient to the Father by doing and saying what the father wants.

Give us this day our daily bread. This is acknowledging your need. Jesus is saying to make a request to God for provision in your life. You are asking God to make a way in a place of lack. Part of this prayer assumes you know He can provide. You are telling Him you know He has the power and ability.

And forgive us our debts. Jesus is telling us we need forgiveness and we need to repent and ask God to cleanse us. He is telling them God is the only one who can forgive and so we need to broach this subject in prayer. This step needs to be addressed in order to have our sins washed clean and forgotten.

As we forgive our debtors. This statement does not give us an option of forgiving others. Jesus is saying, “declare to the Father that you have forgiven others.” He is saying this is what you do if you want to be forgiven.

Lead us not into temptation. Jesus is saying to ask the Father to guard our steps. To make us aware of what is in front of us and give us a way out. This is a prayer of wisdom and insight into what you are doing.

But deliver us from the evil one. This is a prayer of protection from the devil and his demonic host. Jesus is letting the disciples know that the devil is at work in their life and he wants to capture them and lead them into the darkness. We need God’s help to overcome. Jesus is making sure we seek God in prayer for His hand to be upon us so that we can overcome.

For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Jesus ends the prayer emphasizing that God’s kingdom is the one that will conquer and endure. It’s a reminder to us and a declaration to Him that all kingdoms of this earth bow down to Him and He rules from the throne of a kingdom that will go on for eternity. It’s a prayer of hope and promise. Jesus tells the disciples to end their prayer in confidence in the Lord.

Now lets take a look at location. Is there a particulate place or location that we should be in? Does it make a difference where we are at? Where did Jesus pray?What does God’s word say about where prayer should take place?

Places Jesus prayed:

• Jesus prayed in a garden. (Mark 14:32-42)
• Jesus prayed on a mountain. (Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12)
• Jesus prayed in a remote places (Luke 5:16, Matt. 14:13)
• In the wilderness or desert. (Mark 1:35-37)
• In a house, at the table, eating the Passover meal. (Luke 22:14-19)

Here are a few other biblical passages about location:

• In your closet. (Matt. 6:6)
• Everywhere. (1 Timothy 2:8)
• In church. (James 5:14)
• At a prayer meeting. (Acts 1:13-14)

As you look through the scriptures you will see there is no magical place to pray. There are no magical words to say. The place to be is where you are connecting with God and having a relationship with Him. God’s desire is to know you and be know by you. This happens through the process of a relationship.

Relationships start with conversation and they are maintained by conversation. God wants you to speak to Him and then listen to Him. Conversation is a two way street.

Talking to God might be easier than listening to God. When you speak to God you are moving in the flesh using human attributes like your mouth. As you develop your prayer life you will begin to move in the spirit and your conversation may look different. However, listening to God might take some practice. Learning to be quiet in the silence is often difficult. Learning to hear God’s voice and distinguish it comes through the wisdom and instruction of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says His sheep hear His voice and they know Him.

So what does that look like?

There are many ways God speaks to his children. Sometimes He give us thoughts, insights and wisdom that is outside of our knowledge and understanding. It’s supernatural voices in our head that sound like us thinking. Other times, He brings Bible passages to our minds to speak to a situation we are praying about. He also moves on the heart of a friend or church member to speak to us and give us direction from God. Sometimes He leads us to scripture that deals directly with our trial or circumstance. The word of God says He also speaks to us in dreams and visions. There are even times we hear a voice and God is speaking to us audibly.

God is God. He can and will do as He pleases. God knows how to speak to you. He knows how to get your attention. Don’t limit God.

Remember prayer is just communication with the Father. You start making time for God and He will speak.

Take this knowledge and begin to apply it to your life and you will begin to develop a relationship with God like you have never had before. You will find that prayers become easier and your desire to communicate with Him increases.