Prayer is not a religious ritual; it is God’s ordained channel for fellowship, alignment, and kingdom partnership with His children. Yet, prayer in the Bible is not merely human words sent heavenward—it is Spirit-enabled communion with God through Christ. To understand what biblical prayer is, we must allow Scripture to show us its nature, foundation, and practice.
1. The Essence of Prayer: Fellowship With God
From the earliest pages of Scripture, prayer is presented as calling upon the name of the Lord.
• Genesis 4:26 — “…then began men to call upon the name of the LORD.”
• Psalm 27:8 — “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.”
Prayer is first and foremost communion with God—seeking His face, not merely His hand. Jesus echoed this truth:
• Matthew 6:6 — “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet… and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
Prayer is the believer’s living fellowship with the Father.
2. The Foundation of Prayer: Christ the High Priest
No one approaches God apart from Christ. All biblical prayer stands on the finished work of Jesus.
• Hebrews 4:14–16 — “Seeing then that we have a great high priest… Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace…”
• John 16:23–24 — “…Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
Praying “in Jesus’ name” is not a formula; it is access on the ground of His blood and in alignment with His will.
3. The Power of Prayer: The Holy Spirit
Here lies the distinctive of biblical prayer: it is never meant to be powered by human effort but by the Holy Spirit.
a) Jesus Tied Prayer to the Gift of the Spirit
After teaching His disciples the model prayer (Luke 11:2–4), He concluded with this promise:
• Luke 11:13 — “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
The true fruit of prayer is the Spirit’s presence, because He is the one who empowers prayer itself.
b) The Spirit Helps Us Pray the Will of God
• Romans 8:26–27 — “The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession… according to the will of God.”
The will of God is revealed in His Word, but it is known and applied by His Spirit. To pray in the Spirit is to pray in alignment with Scripture, in accuracy with God’s purposes.
c) The Spirit Is the Spirit of Faith
• 2 Corinthians 4:13 — “We having the same spirit of faith… I believed, and therefore have I spoken.”
Biblical prayer is not wishful thinking; it is faith-filled speech born of the Spirit.
d) Praying in Tongues: A New Testament Norm
The apostles understood praying in the Spirit to include praying in tongues.
• 1 Corinthians 14:14–15 — “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth… I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also.”
• Jude 20 — “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”
Praying in tongues is not optional; it is a Spirit-given tool for strengthening faith, interceding accurately, and accessing mysteries in prayer (1 Cor 14:2).
4. The Forms of Biblical Prayer
Prayer in the Spirit takes many scriptural forms:
• Adoration — praising God for who He is (Psalm 145:1–3).
• Thanksgiving — recognizing His goodness (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
• Confession — agreeing with God about sin (1 John 1:9).
• Petition — bringing personal needs (Philippians 4:6–7).
• Intercession — standing in the gap for others (1 Timothy 2:1–4).
• Consecration — yielding to God’s will (Matthew 26:39).
• Spiritual Warfare — resisting darkness (Ephesians 6:18).
All these forms are lifeless if done in the flesh, but living when energized by the Spirit.
5. Conditions for Answered Prayer
Biblical prayer carries conditions God Himself has set:
• Faith — “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe…” (Mark 11:24).
• Forgiveness — “When ye stand praying, forgive…” (Mark 11:25).
• Obedience — “Whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments…” (1 John 3:22).
• Right motives — “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss…” (James 4:3).
• Marital harmony — “That your prayers be not hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7).
And the greatest assurance: 1 John 5:14–15 — “…if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.”
6. The Corporate Power of Prayer
The Bible emphasizes not only personal prayer but also corporate intercession:
• Matthew 18:19–20 — “…if two of you shall agree on earth… it shall be done for them…”
• Acts 4:24, 31 — “They lifted up their voice to God with one accord… and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
Corporate prayer carries multiplied authority and releases divine boldness.
7. How God Answers Prayer
God answers prayer in His wisdom and love:
• Yes — “Ask, and it shall be given you.” (Matthew 7:7)
• Wait — “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me…” (Psalm 40:1)
• No—but with grace — “My grace is sufficient for thee.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
• More than asked — “Exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20).
8. The Goal of Prayer: Transformation and Kingdom Partnership
Prayer is not only about changing situations but about changing us.
• Exodus 34:29 — Moses’ face shone after prayer.
• 1 Samuel 1:18 — Hannah rose up, “and her countenance was no more sad.”
Through Spirit-filled prayer, we are conformed to God’s will, strengthened in faith, and positioned to partner with Him in His kingdom.
Conclusion
Biblical prayer is:
• Fellowship with the Father.
• Grounded in the work of Christ.
• Empowered by the Holy Spirit.
• Shaped by God’s Word and will.
• Carried out in faith, love, and obedience.
• Both personal and corporate.
• Transformational for the believer and effective in the world.
To pray biblically is to pray in the Spirit—this is not optional, it is essential.
Reflection Question
Am I relying on my own strength in prayer, or am I letting the Holy Spirit supply utterance, alignment, and faith?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the privilege of prayer. Teach me to depend on the Holy Spirit in every prayer I pray. Align my words with Your will, fill me with the Spirit of faith, and make my prayer life effective and fruitful in Jesus’ name. Amen.
The Message Bearer, Cornelius Bella
Prayer 🛐 Guide
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