What Is Prayer?

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).

Examining prayer there often are questions as to what is prayer.  Therefore, I will give some questions and answers that I hope will help all to understand in a more meaningful way the answer to the question: What is Prayer?

Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14).  The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called The Lord's Prayer. "In this manner, therefore, pray" (Matthew 6: 9a). So what does the preface to that prayer teach us?  "Our Father Which art in heaven": it teaches us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others.  The first petition: "Hallowed by Your name" (Matthew 6:9b).That god would enable us and others to glorify him in all that whereby he maketh himself known; and that he would dispose all things to his own glory. The second petition: "Your kingdom come" (vs 10a).  We pray that Satan's kingdom may be destroyed; and that he kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened. "Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you" (2 Thessalonians 3:1). 

The third petition: "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (vs. 10). By his grace, he would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things. as the angels do in heaven. "Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.  Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure" (Psalm 103:20-21).  The fourth petition: "Give us this day our daily bread" (vs. 11).  By God's free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.  The fifth petition: "And forgive us our bets, as we forgive our debtors" (vs. 12).  For Christ's sake, would freely pardon all our sins; which we are the rather encouraged to ask, because by his grace we are enabled from the heart to forgive others.  The sixth petition: "And do not lead us into telmptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (vs. 13).  We pray that God would either keep us from being tempted to sin, or support and deliver us when we are tempted.  The conclusion of this model prayer: "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen" (vs. 13b). This then teaches us to take our encouragement in prayer from God only, and in our prayers to praise him, ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him.  And, in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard, we say, Amen.

This being taken from the 1649 A.D. Westminster Catechism is sound advice and direction.  Prayer is so very important, it is not a ritual, it is communion with God.  We come to Him in full assurance that He hears and answers prayer, according to His will for He is sovereign and will only grant what is best for us.

Daily Prayer:

Thank You Father for prayer and You desire to communicate and have a relationship with us.  Thank you for the model prayer, may it be a guide for all my prayers.  Today, my prayer is for my family members who do not know you as Savior, that they may listen and hear Your voice and come fully to you.         Amen