Prayer

The Bible teaches us to:
-Pray frequently and consistently, even three times per day;
-Pray to not enter into temptation;
-Pray when we are suffering;
-Pray believing we will receive;
-Pray in secret;
-Pray without empty repetitions;
-Kneel and lift up our hands during prayer;
-Humble ourselves before the Lrd and confess our sins;
-Remember that we were slaves in Egypt and that the Lrd redeemed us;
-Rejoice that our names are written in heaven;
-Give thanks, praise, and sing to Gd;
-Pray the Lrd’s prayer;
-Pray for the Lrd to send workers out into his harvest;
-Pray for the Lrd to avenge us from our opponents;
-Pray for the peace of Jerusalem;
-Pray for all men and all rulers;
-Pray for all Christians;
-Pray for those who persecute us and despitefully use us;
-Pray for Christians who are sinning;
-Pray for spiritual gifts including prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues;
-Pray for the sick to be healed;
-Pray for the things we want, according to Gd’s will;
-Pray in the Holy Spirit.

When and How Often To Pray

Frequently and Consistently

Jsus and the apostles command us to pray frequently and consistently.

Luke 18:1-8 And he spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up saying, A certain judge was in a certain city. He was not fearing Gd and not respecting man. And a widow was in that city, and she was coming to him saying, Avenge me from my opponent. And he wasn’t wanting to for a while, but after these things he said within himself, Even if I don’t fear Gd nor respect man, yet because this widow is causing me trouble I will avenge her, so that her coming doesn’t wear me out to an end. And the Lrd said, Hear what the judge of unrighteousness says. And will not Gd certainly do the avenging of his elect who cry out to him day and night? And is he slow for them? I say to you that he will do their avenging with speed. However, after the Son of man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?

Rom. 12:12 rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, persisting in prayer

1Th. 5:16-18 Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. For this is the will of Gd in Chrst Jsus for you.

Three Times per Day

Godly men of the Bible gave us examples of praying three times per day.

Dan. 6:10 And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem); and he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his Gd, as he did aforetime.

Dan. 6:13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, who is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the interdict that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

Psa. 55:16-17 As for me, I will call upon Gd;  And the Lrd will save me. Evening, and morning, and at noonday, will I complain and moan; And he will hear my voice.

Psa. 5:3 O Lrd, in the morning shalt thou hear my voice; In the morning will I order my prayer unto thee, and will keep watch.

Psa. 88:13 But unto thee, O Lrd, have I cried; And in the morning shall my prayer come before thee.

Mark 1:35 And in the morning, a great while before day, he [Jsus] rose up and went out, and departed into a desert place, and there prayed.

Acts 10:9 Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour:

Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John were going up into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

Acts 10:1-2 Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared Gd with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to Gd always.
Acts 10:30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel,

Matt. 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jsus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My Gd, my Gd, why hast thou forsaken me?

In the verse below, if speaking generally about prayer, the expected phrase would be that they continued in “prayer,” but instead the Greek text says that they continued in “the prayers.”

Acts 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching, and in the fellowship of the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.

To Not Enter Temptation

Jsus tells us to pray to not enter into temptation.

Matt. 26:41 Watch and pray, so that ye don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

When Suffering

James tells us to pray when we are suffering.

James 5:13 Is any among you suffering? let him pray. Is any cheerful? let him sing praise.

How To Pray

With Faith

Jsus and the apostles tell us to believe that we will receive what we ask for, if it’s according to Gd’s will.

Matt. 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 

John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 15:16 Ye did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that ye should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

1John 5:14-15 And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed.

In Secret

Jsus tells us to pray in secret behind closed doors.

Matt. 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who seeth in secret shall recompense thee.

Concisely

Jsus tells us to pray without using empty repetitions.

Matt. 6:7 And in praying use not vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Lifting Up Hands

The Bible tells us to lift up our hands during prayer.

1Tim. 2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing.

Psa. 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth as incense before thee; The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Psa. 28:2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, When I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.

Kneeling

Godly men gave us examples of kneeling while praying.

Psa. 95:6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lrd our Maker:

Dan. 6:10 And when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house (now his windows were open in his chamber toward Jerusalem); and he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his Gd, as he did aforetime.

Luke 22:41 And he was parted from them about a stone’s cast; and he [Jsus] kneeled down and prayed,

1Kings 8:54 And it was so, that, when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the Lrd, he arose from before the altar of the Lrd, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth toward heaven.

Ezra 9:5 And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my humiliation, even with my garment and my robe rent; and I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lrd my Gd;

What To Pray

Humble Confession

The Bible tells us to confess our sins and have a humble and broken spirit during our prayers.

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psa. 51:17  The sacrifices of Gd are a broken spirit:  A broken and a contrite heart, O Gd, thou wilt not despise.

Luke 18:10-14 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, Gd, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, Gd, be thou merciful to me a sinner. I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; but he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lrd, and he shall exalt you.

Prov. 28:13 He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.

Psa. 32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, And mine iniquity did I not hide: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lrd; And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.

Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lrd;

James 4:8 Draw nigh to Gd, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye doubleminded.

Remembrance of Slavery

The Law tells us to remember that we were slaves in Egypt and that the Lrd redeemed us.

Deut. 5:15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and the Lrd thy Gd brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm: therefore the Lrd thy Gd commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

Deut. 7:18-19 thou shalt not be afraid of them: thou shalt well remember what the Lrd thy Gd did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt; the great trials which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the outstretched arm, whereby the Lrd thy Gd brought thee out: so shall the Lrd thy Gd do unto all the peoples of whom thou art afraid.

Deut. 15:15 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lrd thy Gd redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to-day.

Deut. 16:12 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.

Deut. 24:18 but thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the Lrd thy Gd redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

Names in Heaven

Jsus tells us to rejoice that our names are written in heaven.

Luke 10:20 Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.

Thanksgiving and Singing

The Bible tells us to give thanks and sing to Gd during our prayers.

Psa. 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; Let us make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psa. 100:2  Serve the Lrd with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.

Psa. 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Give thanks unto him, and bless his name.

Psa. 50:14 Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; And pay thy vows unto the Most High;

Psa. 107:22 And let them offer the sacrifices of thanksgiving, And declare his works with singing.

Psa. 116:17 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lrd.

Phil. 4:6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto Gd.

Col. 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving;

Eph. 5:18-20 And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lrd; giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lrd Jsus Chrst to Gd, even the Father;

The Lrd’s Prayer

Jsus tells us to pray the Lrd’s Prayer.

Matt. 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Harvest Workers

Jsus tells us to pray for Gd to send workers out into his harvest.

Matt. 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lrd of the harvest, that he send forth laborers into his harvest.

Vengeance

Jsus tell us to pray for Gd to avenge us of our opponents.

Luke 18:3 and there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

Luke 18:7-8 And shall not Gd avenge his elect, that cry to him day and night, and yet he is longsuffering over them? I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Those Who Persecute

Jsus tells us to pray for those who persecute us and despitefully use us.

Matt. 5:44 but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;

Luke 6:28 bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you.

Peace of Jerusalem

Jsus tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Psa. 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: They shall prosper that love thee.

Men and Rulers

Paul tells us to pray for all men and all rulers.

1Tim. 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity.

All Christians

Paul tells us to pray for all Christians.

Eph. 6:18 with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching thereunto in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,

Sinning Christians

Paul tells us to pray for Christians who are sinning.

1John 5:16 If any man see his brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and he will give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this do I say that he should make request.

Spiritual Gifts

Paul tells us to pray for spiritual gifts including prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

1Cor. 14:1 Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

1Cor. 14:5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

1Cor. 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in a tongue pray that he may interpret.

1Cor. 14:39 Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Healing

James tells us to pray for the sick to be healed.

James 5:14-16 Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lrd: and the prayer of faith shall save him that is sick, and the Lrd shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him. Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.

According to Gd’s Will

The Bible says that we can pray for the things we want, according to Gd’s will.

Matt. 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in my name, that will I do.

John 16:23-24 And in that day ye shall ask me no question. Verily, verily, I say unto you, if ye shall ask anything of the Father, he will give it you in my name. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be made full.

1John 3:21-22 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we have confidence toward Gd; and whatsoever we ask we receive of him, because we keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight.

1John 5:14-15 And this is the confidence which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he heareth us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

James 4:2-3 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it in your pleasures.

In the Spirit

Paul tells us to pray in the Holy Spirit, building ourselves up.

1Cor. 14:2 For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

1Cor. 14:4 He that speaketh in a tongue builds himself up; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Rom. 8:26 And in like manner the Spirit also helpeth our infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered;

Hindrances to Prayer

Sin

The Bible says that sin can hinder our prayers.

Prov. 15:8  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lrd; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Prov. 15:29 The Lrd is far from the wicked, But he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

Prov. 28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.

Psa. 109:7 When he is tried, let him be found guilty; let his prayer be counted as sin.

Psa. 66:17-18 I cried unto him with my mouth, And he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lrd will not hear:

1Pet. 3:12  For the eyes of the Lrd are upon the righteous, And his ears unto their supplication: But the face of the Lrd is upon them that do evil.

John 9:31 We know that Gd heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of Gd, and do his will, him he heareth.

Not Honoring Wives

Peter says that husbands not giving honor to their wives can hinder their prayers.

1Pet. 3:7 Ye husbands, in like manner, dwell with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor unto the woman, as unto the weaker vessel, as being also joint-heirs of the grace of life; to the end that your prayers be not hindered.