Reference: Prayer
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Is the offering of the emotions and desires of the soul to God, in the name and through the mediation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the communion of the heart with God through the aid of the Holy Spirit, and is to the Christian the very life of the soul. Without this filial spirit, no one can be a Christian, Job 21:15; Ps 10:4.
In all ages God has delighted in the prayers of his saints. From the promulgation of the law, the Hebrews did not intermit public worship daily in the tabernacle or the temple. It consisted in offering the evening and morning sacrifices, every day, accompanied with prayers by the priests and Levites in that holy edifice. Every day also the priests offered sacrifices, incense, offerings, and first fruits for individuals; they performed ceremonies for the redemption of the firstborn, or for purification from pollution; in a word, the people came thither from all parts to discharge their vows and to perform their devotions, not only on great and solemn days, but also on ordinary days; but nothing of this was performed without prayer, 1Ch 23:30; Ne 11:17; Lu 1:10. Compare also 1Ki 8:22, and the Psalms of David for temple worship.
Pious men were accustomed to pray thrice in the day, at fixed hours, Ps 55:7; Da 6:10. See HOURS. Social, family, and secret prayer were all habitual with Bible saints; as well as brief ejaculations in the midst of their ordinary business, Ne 2:4. No uniform posture in prayer is enjoined in the Bible; standing with the hands outspread, 1Ki 8.22, bowing the head, Ge 24:26, kneeling, Lu 22:41, and prostration on the ground, Mt 26:39, were all practiced. Prayer should be offered with submission to God's will, fervently, perseveringly, and with a confiding reliance on God in Christ; it should be accompanied by humble confession and hearty thanksgiving, and with supplications for all living men, as well as for our friends and those nearest to us. Habitual prayer to God is duty enjoined upon us by sound reason and by right affections; and he who lives without it thereby reveals the atheism of his heart. God requires all men thus to worship him, Eze 36:37; Mt 7:1-11; Php 4:6; 1Ti 2:1-3; Jas 1:5; and for neglecting this duty there can be no sufficient excuse. It is often said that prayer cannot alter the unchangeable purposes of God; but the great scheme of his providence embraces every prayer that shall be offered, as well as the answer it shall receive. It is objected that prayer cannot increase his knowledge of our wants, nor his readiness to supply them; and that in any case he will do what is for the best. But he deems it best to grant many blessings in answer to prayer, which otherwise he would withhold; "He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee." The words of David will be those of every truly praying man: "This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him out of all his troubles," Ps 34:6.
False and formed religion makes a merit of its prayers, as though "much speaking" and "vain repetitions" could atone for heartlessness. Hypocrites also are wont to pray chiefly that they may have praise of men. These sins Christ reproves in Mt 6:5-15, and gives to his disciples the form of the Lord's prayer as a beautiful model. In Eph 6:18; 1Th 5:17; 1Ti 2:8, Paul directs that believers should pray in all places and at all times, lifting up pure hands towards heaven, and blessing God for all things, whether in eating, drinking, or what ever they do; and that every thing be done to the glory of God, 1Co 10:31. In a word, our Savior has recommended to us to pray without ceasing, Lu 18:1; 21:36.
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And when you pray, be not like the hypocrites; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and at the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. I tell you truly, they have their reward. But when you pray enter into your private room, and having shut your door pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you. read more. And when you pray use not vain repetitions, as the gentiles do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not, therefore, like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray, therefore, thus; Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth; give us to-day our essential bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and bring us not into trial, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you; but if you forgive not men, neither will your Father forgive your offenses.
Judge not, that you be not judged; for with what judgment you judge you shall be judged; and with what measure you measure it shall be measured to you. read more. And why do you see a speck in your brother's eye, and not consider a beam in your own eye? or how will you say to your brother, Let me cast out the speck from your eye, and behold a beam in your own eye? Hypocrite, cast out first the beam from your eye, and then will you see clearly to cast out the speck from your brother's eye. Give not a holy thing to dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine, lest they tread them down with their feet, and turn and rend you. Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asks, receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. Or is there any man of you, who, if his son asks bread of him, will give him a stone? or if he asks a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to them that ask him.
And going forward a little, he fell on his face, and prayed and said, My Father, if it is possible let this cup pass from me; but not as I will, but as thou wilt.
and all the multitude of the people were praying without, at the hour of incense.
AND he spoke also a parable to them, that men ought to pray at all times, and not to faint;
But watch continually, praying that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things which are about to occur, and to stand before the Son of man.
And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and kneeling down, prayed,
Whether then you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
praying with all prayer and supplication on every occasion with the spirit, and watching in the same with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
Be anxious for nothing, but with all prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Speak things which become sound teaching. That the aged men be sober, grave, of sound mind, sound in faith, in love, in patience; read more. that the aged women, in like manner, be of behavior becoming holiness, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good,
sound argument not to be condemned, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of us.
And if any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and upbraids not, and it shall be given him.
Easton
is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1Sa 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2Ch 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph 3:14).
Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold intercourse with us, his personal control of all things and of all his creatures and all their actions.
Acceptable prayer must be sincere (Heb 10:22), offered with reverence and godly fear, with a humble sense of our own insignificance as creatures and of our own unworthiness as sinners, with earnest importunity, and with unhesitating submission to the divine will. Prayer must also be offered in the faith that God is, and is the hearer and answerer of prayer, and that he will fulfil his word, "Ask, and ye shall receive" (Mt 7:7-8; 21:22; Mr 11:24; Joh 14:13-14), and in the name of Christ (20/type/sawyer'>Mr 16:20,20; 15:16; Eph 2:18; 5:20; Col 3:17; 1Pe 2:5).
Prayer is of different kinds, secret (Mt 6:6); social, as family prayers, and in social worship; and public, in the service of the sanctuary.
Intercessory prayer is enjoined (Nu 6:23; Job 42:8; Isa 62:6; Ps 122:6; 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14), and there are many instances on record of answers having been given to such prayers, e.g., of Abraham (Ge 17:18,20; 18:23-32; 20:7,17-18), of Moses for Pharaoh (Ex 8:12-13,30-31; 9:33), for the Israelites (Ex 17:11,13; 32:11-14,31-34; Nu 21:7-8; De 9:18-19,25), for Miriam (Nu 12:13), for Aaron (De 9:20), of Samuel (1Sa 7:5-12), of Solomon (1Ki 8; 2Ch 6), Elijah (1Ki 17:20-23), Elisha (2Ki 4:33-36), Isaiah (2Ki 19), Jeremiah (Jer 42:2-10), Peter (Ac 9:40), the church (Ac 12:5-12), Paul (Ac 28:8).
No rules are anywhere in Scripture laid down for the manner of prayer or the attitude to be assumed by the suppliant. There is mention made of kneeling in prayer (1Ki 8:54; 2Ch 6:13; Ps 95:6; Isa 45:23; Lu 22:41; Ac 7:60; 9:40; Eph 3:14, etc.); of bowing and falling prostrate (Ge 24:26,52; Ex 4:31; 12:27; Mt 26:39; Mr 14:35, etc.); of spreading out the hands (1Ki 8:22,38,54; Ps 28:2; 63:4; 88:9; 1Ti 2:8, etc.); and of standing (1Sa 1:26; 1Ki 8:14,55; 2Ch 20:9; Mr 11:25; Lu 18:11,13).
If we except the "Lord's Prayer" (Mt 6:9-13), which is, however, rather a model or pattern of prayer than a set prayer to be offered up, we have no special form of prayer for general use given us in Scripture.
Prayer is frequently enjoined in Scripture (Ex 22:23,27; 1Ki 3:5; 2Ch 7:14; Ps 37:4; Isa 55:6; Joe 2:32; Eze 36:37, etc.), and we have very many testimonies that it has been answered (Ps 3:4; 4:1; 6:8; 18:6; 28:6; 30:2; 34:4; 118:5; Jas 5:16-18, etc.).
Abraham's servant prayed to God, and God directed him to the person who should be wife to his master's son and heir (Ge 24:10-20).
Jacob prayed to God, and God inclined the heart of his irritated brother, so that they met in peace and friendship (Ge 32:24-30; 33:1-4).
Samson prayed to God, and God showed him a well where he quenched his burning thirst, and so lived to judge Israel (Jg 15:18-20).
David prayed, and God defeated the counsel of Ahithophel (2Sa 15:31; 16:20-23; 17:14-23).
Daniel prayed, and God enabled him both to tell Nebuchadnezzar his dream and to give the interpretation of it (Da 2:16-23).
Nehemiah prayed, and God inclined the heart of the king of Persia to grant him leave of absence to visit and rebuild Jerusalem (Ne 1:11; 2:1-6).
Esther and Mordecai prayed, and God defeated the purpose of Haman, and saved the Jews from destruction (Es 4:15-17; 6:7-8).
The believers in Jerusalem prayed, and God opened the prison doors and set Peter at liberty, when Herod had resolved upon his death (Ac 12:1-12).
Paul prayed that the thorn in the flesh might be removed, and his prayer brought a large increase of spiritual strength, while the thorn perhaps remained (2Co 12:7-10).
Prayer is like the dove that Noah sent forth, which blessed him not only when it returned with an olive-leaf in its mouth, but when it never returned at all., Robinson's Job.
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But when you pray enter into your private room, and having shut your door pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you.
Pray, therefore, thus; Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth; read more. give us to-day our essential bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and bring us not into trial, but deliver us from evil.
Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asks, receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks, it shall be opened.
and all things whatever which you ask in prayer believing, you shall receive.
And going forward a little, he fell on his face, and prayed and said, My Father, if it is possible let this cup pass from me; but not as I will, but as thou wilt.
Therefore I tell you, all things whatever which you ask in prayer, believe that you shall receive them, and you shall have them. And when you stand praying, forgive if you have any thing against any, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your offenses.
And going forward a little he fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it was possible, the hour might pass away from him.
AND the soldiers led him away into the court which is the Praetorium, and called together all the cohort.
And they went abroad and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the accompanying miracles.
And they went abroad and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the accompanying miracles.
The Pharisee, standing by himself, offered this prayer; God, I thank thee that I am not as other men, rapacious, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican;
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote on his breast, saying, God, be propitious to me a sinner.
And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and kneeling down, prayed,
and whatever you ask in my name I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
And kneeling down he cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And having said this he fell asleep.
And Peter putting them all out knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter sat up.
And Peter putting them all out knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter sat up.
AND at that time Herod the king put forth his hands to injure some of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. read more. And seeing that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to apprehend Peter also,??nd it was during the days of unleavened bread,??4 and having seized he put him in prison, committing him to four companies of four soldiers each to guard him, wishing after the passover to bring him before the people.
Peter therefore was kept by the guard; but prayer was made incessantly by the church to God for him.
Peter therefore was kept by the guard; but prayer was made incessantly by the church to God for him. And when Herod was about to bring him forward, on that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards kept watch before the door.
And when Herod was about to bring him forward, on that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and guards kept watch before the door. And behold, an angel of the Lord came, and a light shone in the building; and striking Peter on the side he awoke him saying, Arise quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
And behold, an angel of the Lord came, and a light shone in the building; and striking Peter on the side he awoke him saying, Arise quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and tie on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Put your cloak about you, and follow me.
And the angel said to him, Gird yourself, and tie on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Put your cloak about you, and follow me. And going out he followed him, and knew not that it was real which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.
And going out he followed him, and knew not that it was real which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. And passing through the first guard, and the second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of itself, and going out they went forward one street, and immediately the angel left him.
And passing through the first guard, and the second, they came to the iron gate leading into the city, which opened to them of itself, and going out they went forward one street, and immediately the angel left him. And Peter coming to himself said, Now I know that the Lord has really sent his angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and all the expectation of the Jews.
And Peter coming to himself said, Now I know that the Lord has really sent his angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and all the expectation of the Jews. And considering within himself he came to the house of Mary the mother of John called Mark, where a great number were assembled together and praying.
And considering within himself he came to the house of Mary the mother of John called Mark, where a great number were assembled together and praying.
And the father of Poplius lay sick with a fever and dysentery, and Paul came to him, and prayed, and put his hands on him, and cured him.
And that I might not be elated with my extraordinary revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me, that I should not be too much exalted. For this I besought the Lord thrice that it might leave me. read more. And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you; for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I am well pleased with infirmities, with injuries, with necessities, with persecutions, with distresses for Christ; for when I am weak, then am I strong.
for through him we both have access by one spirit to the Father.
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father,
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father,
giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the God and Father,
and whatever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God [and] Father through him.
Speak things which become sound teaching.
sound argument not to be condemned, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of us.
let us approach with a true heart in a full assurance of faith, sprinkled in heart from an evil conscience, and washed in body with pure water,
if any one is sick among you, let him send for the elders of the church, and let them pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be cured, for the prayer of the righteous operates with great power. Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed that it might not rain, and it rained not on the land for three years and six months; read more. and again he prayed, and heaven gave rain, and the earth yielded her fruit.
Fausets
(1) Techinnah, from chandra "to be gracious"; hithpael, "to entreat grace"; Greek deesis.
(2) Tephillah, from hithpael of paalal, "to seek judgment"; Greek proseuchee. "Prayer," proseuchee, for obtaining blessings, implying devotion; "supplication," deesis, for averting evil. "Prayer" the general term; "supplication" with imploring earnestness (implying the suppliant's sense of need); enteuxis, intercession for others, coming near to God, seeking an audience in person, generally in another's behalf. Thanksgiving should always go with prayer (1Ti 2:1; Eph 6:18; Php 4:6). An instinct of every nation, even pagan (Isa 16:12; 44:17; 45:20; 1Ki 18:26). In Seth's days, when Enos (frailty) was born to him, "men began to call upon the name of Jehovah."
The name Enos embodies the Sethites' sense of human frailty urging them to prayer, in contrast to the Cainites' self sufficient "pride of countenance" which keeps sinners from seeking God (Ps 10:4). While the Cainites by building a city and inventing arts were founding the kingdom of this world, the Sethites by united calling upon Jehovah constituted the first church, and laid the foundation of the kingdom of God. The name of God is His whole self manifestation in relation to man. On this revealed divine character of grace and power believers fasten their prayers (Ps 119:49; Pr 18:10). The sceptic's objections to prayer are:
(1) The immutability of nature's general laws. But nature is only another name for the will of God; that will provides for answers to prayer in harmony with the general scheme of His government of the world. There are higher laws than those observed in the material world; the latter are subordinate to the former.
(2) God's predestinating power, wisdom and love make prayer useless and needless. But man is made a free moral agent; and God who predestines the blessing predestines prayer as the means to that end (Mt 24:20).
Prayer produces and strengthens in the mind conscious dependence on God, faith, and love, the state for receiving and appreciating God's blessing ordained in answer to prayer. Moreover prayer does not supersede work; praying and working are complementary of each other (Ne 4:9). Our weakness drives us to cast ourselves on God's fatherly love, providence, and power. Our "Father knoweth what things we have need of before we ask Him"; "we know not what things we should pray for as we ought" (Mt 6:8; Ro 8:26). Yet "the Spirit helpeth our infirmities," and Jesus teaches us by the Lord's prayer how to pray (Luke 11). Nor is the blessing merely subjective; but we may pray for particular blessings, temporal and spiritual, in submission to God's will, for ourselves. "Thy will be done," (Mt 6:10) and "if we ask anything according to His will" (1Jo 5:14-15), is the limitation. Every truly believing prayer contains this limitation. God then grants either the petition or something better than it, so that no true prayer is lost (2Co 12:7-10; Lu 22:42; Heb 5:7).
Also "intercessions" for others (the effect of which cannot be merely subjective) are enjoined (1Ti 2:1). God promises blessings in answer to prayer, as the indispensable condition of the gift (Mt 7:7-8). Examples confirm the command to pray. None prayed so often as Jesus; early in the morning "a great while before day" (Mr 1:35), "all the night" (Lu 6:12), in Gethsemane with an "agony" that drew from Him "sweat as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground" (Lu 22:44); "when He was being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened" (Lu 3:21); "as He prayed" He was transfigured (Lu 9:29); "as He was praying in a certain place" (Lu 11:1) one disciple struck by His prayer said, "Lord teach us to pray as John also taught his disciples" (Lu 11:1) (an interesting fact here only recorded). Above all, the intercession in John 17, His beginning of advocacy with the Father for us; an example of the highest and holiest spiritual communion.
The Holy Spirit in believers "maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." "He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit," and so casts off all that is imperfect and mistaken in our prayers, and answer s the Spirit who speaks in them what we would express aright but cannot (Ro 8:26-27,34). Then our Intercessor at God's right hand presents out prayers, accepted on the ground of His merits and blood (Joh 14:13; 15:16; 16:23-27). Thus God incarnate in the God-man Christ reconciles God's universal laws, i.e. His will, with our individual freedom, and His predestination with our prayers. Prayer is presupposed as the adjunct of sacrifice, from the beginning (Ge 4:4). Jacob's wrestling with the divine Angel and prayer, in Genesis 32, is the first full description of prayer; compare the inspired continent on it, Ho 12:3-6. But Abraham's intercession for Sodom (Genesis 18), and Isaac's, preceded (Ge 24:63 margin).
Moses' law prescribes sacrifice, and takes for granted prayer (except the express direction for prayer, De 26:12-15) in connection with it and the sanctuary, as both help us to realize God's presence; but especially as prayer needs a propitiation or atonement to rest on, such as the blood of the sacrifices symbolizes. The temple is "the house of prayer" (Isa 56:7). He that hears player (Ps 65:2) three manifested Himself. Toward it the prayer of the nation, and of individuals, however distant, was directed (1Ki 8:30,35,38,46-49; Da 6:10; Ps 5:7; 28:2; 138:2). Men used to go to the temple at regular hours for private prayer (Lu 18:10; Ac 3:1). Prayer apparently accompanied all offerings, as did the incense its symbol (Ps 141:2; Re 8:3-4; Lu 1:10; De 26:12-15, where a form of prayer is prescribed).
The housetop and mountain were chosen places for prayer, raised above the world. The threefold Aaronic blessing (Nu 6:24-26), and Moses' prayer at the moving (expanded in Psalm 68) and resting of the ark (Nu 10:35-36), are other forms of prayer in the Mosaic legislation. The regular times of prayer were the third (morning sacrifice), sixth, and ninth hours (evening sacrifice); Ps 55:17; Da 6:10; 9:21; Ac 3:1; 10:3; 2:15. "Seven times a day" (Ps 119:164), i.e. continually, seven being the number for perfection; compare Ps 119:147-148, by night. Grace was said before meals (Mt 15:36; Ac 27:35).
Posture. Standing: 1Sa 1:26; Mt 6:5; Mr 11:25; Lu 18:11. Kneeling, in humiliation: 1Ki 8:54; 2Ch 6:13; Ezr 9:5; Ps 95:6; Da 6:10. Prostration: Jos 7:6; 1Ki 18:42; Ne 8:6. In the Christian church, kneeling only: (Ac 7:60) Stephen, (Ac 9:40) Peter, (Ac 20:36; 21:5) Paul imitating Christ in Gethsemane. In post apostolic times, standing on the Lord's day, and from Easter to Whitsunday, to commemorate His resurrection and ours with Him. The hands were lifted up, or spread out (Ex 9:33; Ps 28:2; 134:2).
The spiritual songs in the Pentateuch (Ex 15:1-19; Nu 21:17-18; Deuteronomy 32) and succeeding books (Judges 5; 2/1/type/sawyer'>1Sa 2:1-10,2 Samuel 22; 1Ki 8:23-53; Ne 9:5-38) abound in prayer accompanied with praise. The Psalms give inspired forms of prayer for public and private use. Hezekiah prayed in the spirit of the Psalms. The prophets contain many such prayers (Isaiah 12; 25; 26; Isa 37:14-20; 38:9-20; Da 9:3-23). The praise and the reading and expounding of the law constituted the service of the synagogue under the sheliach hatsibbur, "the apostle" or "legate of the church."
THE LORD'S PRAYER, (Mt 6:9-13) couched in the plural, "when ye pray, say, Our Father ... give us ... forgive us ... lead us" shows that forms suit public joint prayer. "Thou when thou prayest, enter into thy closet ... shut thy door, pray to thy Father [which is] in secret" (Mt 6:6); in enjoining private prayer Christ gives no form. The Lord's prayer is our model. The invocation is the plea on which the prayer is grounded, God's revealed Fatherhood. Foremost stand the three petitions for hallowing God's name, God's kingdom coming, God's will being done below as above; then our four needs, for bread for body and soul, for forgiveness producing a forgiving spirit in ourselves, or not being led into temptation, and for deliverance from evil. The petitions are seven the sacred number (Mt 6:5-13).
Prayer was the breath of th
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But I tell you, Love your enemies, and pray for those that persecute you;
And when you pray, be not like the hypocrites; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and at the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. I tell you truly, they have their reward.
And when you pray, be not like the hypocrites; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and at the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. I tell you truly, they have their reward. But when you pray enter into your private room, and having shut your door pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you.
But when you pray enter into your private room, and having shut your door pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you.
But when you pray enter into your private room, and having shut your door pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret shall reward you. And when you pray use not vain repetitions, as the gentiles do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. read more. Be not, therefore, like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Be not, therefore, like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray, therefore, thus; Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name;
Pray, therefore, thus; Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth;
thy kingdom come; thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth; give us to-day our essential bread,
give us to-day our essential bread, and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors;
and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors; and bring us not into trial, but deliver us from evil.
and bring us not into trial, but deliver us from evil.
Ask, and it shall be given you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asks, receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks, it shall be opened.
And when he had gone into the house the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to him, Yes, Lord.
Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to thrust laborers into his harvest.
and taking the seven loaves and the fishes, and giving thanks, he broke, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
and all things whatever which you ask in prayer believing, you shall receive.
But pray that your flight may not be in the winter, nor on the Sabbath;
And in the morning while it was quite dark he arose and went out, and departed to a solitary place, and there prayed.
Therefore I tell you, all things whatever which you ask in prayer, believe that you shall receive them, and you shall have them. And when you stand praying, forgive if you have any thing against any, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your offenses.
And when you stand praying, forgive if you have any thing against any, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your offenses.
and all the multitude of the people were praying without, at the hour of incense.
And when all the people were baptized, Jesus also being baptized, and praying, heaven was opened,
AND in those days he went out on the mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God.
And while he was praying, the appearance of his face was changed, and his clothes became white and shining;
And as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
And as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight, and say, Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; read more. and he will answer from within, and say, Trouble me not, for the door is already shut, and my little children are with me in bed, I cannot arise and give you; I tell you if he will not arise and give him on account of being his friend, yet, on account of his importunity, he will arise and give him as many as he needs. And I tell you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you; for every one that asks, receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. And what father is there of you, who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? or if he asks also for a fish, will for a fish give him a serpent? or if he asks also for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.
AND he spoke also a parable to them, that men ought to pray at all times, and not to faint;
Two men went up to the temple to pray; one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee, standing by himself, offered this prayer; God, I thank thee that I am not as other men, rapacious, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican;
I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than that; for every one that exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
saying, Father, if thou wilt, take this cup away from me; but not my will, but thine be done.
And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was like large drops of blood falling down to the ground.
We know that God hears not sinners; but if one is a worshipper of God, and does his will, him he hears.
and whatever you ask in my name I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should continue, that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
And in that day you shall ask me nothing; I tell you most truly, whatever you shall ask the Father, he will give you in my name. Till now you have asked nothing in my name; ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be complete. read more. These things have I spoken to you in parables. The time is coming when I will no more speak to you in parables, but I will tell you plainly of the Father. In that day you shall ask in my name, and I tell you not that I will ask the Father for you; for the Father himself is a friend to you, because you have been friends to me, and believed that I came forth from God.
All these continued with one accord in prayer, with the women, and with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
And praying, they said, Do thou, Lord, the searcher of all hearts, show which of these two thou hast chosen to take the place of this service and apostleship from which Judas fell by transgression to go to his place.
AND when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one mind together.
For these are not drunk as you suppose, for it is the third hour of the day [9 A.M.],
and they attended constantly to the teaching and companionship of the apostles, the breaking of bread and the prayers.
and continuing day by day with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of food with gladness and simplicity of mind,
AND Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, which is the ninth hour.
AND Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, which is the ninth hour.
But Peter looking steadily at him with John, said, Look on us.
And when they heard it they lifted up their voice with one consent to God, and said, Master, thou who hast made heaven, and the earth, the sea, and all things in them,
And when they heard it they lifted up their voice with one consent to God, and said, Master, thou who hast made heaven, and the earth, the sea, and all things in them,
And when they heard it they lifted up their voice with one consent to God, and said, Master, thou who hast made heaven, and the earth, the sea, and all things in them, who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the nations rage and the peoples devise vain things?
who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the nations rage and the peoples devise vain things? the kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were assembled together against the Lord, and against his anointed.
the kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were assembled together against the Lord, and against his anointed. For of a truth, in this city, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles and people of Israel, were assembled together against thy holy servant Jesus whom thou hast anointed,
For of a truth, in this city, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the gentiles and people of Israel, were assembled together against thy holy servant Jesus whom thou hast anointed, to do what thy hand and counsel before appointed to be done.
to do what thy hand and counsel before appointed to be done. And now, Lord, look down upon their threatenings, and grant to thy servants with all boldness to speak thy word,
And now, Lord, look down upon their threatenings, and grant to thy servants with all boldness to speak thy word, by stretching out thy hand, that cures and miracles and prodigies may be performed by the name of thy holy servant Jesus.
by stretching out thy hand, that cures and miracles and prodigies may be performed by the name of thy holy servant Jesus.
And many miracles and prodigies were performed among the people by the hands of the apostles; and they were all of one accord in Solomon's porch;
but we will attend continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word.
and set them before the Apostles; and they having prayed imposed hands on them.
And kneeling down he cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And having said this he fell asleep.
who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
And Peter putting them all out knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter sat up.
And Peter putting them all out knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter sat up.
saw clearly in a vision, about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming to him, and saying to him, Cornelius. And looking steadily at him and being afraid, he said, What is wanted, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and charities have come up as a memorial before God.
and said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard and your charities are remembered before God.
Peter therefore was kept by the guard; but prayer was made incessantly by the church to God for him.
Peter therefore was kept by the guard; but prayer was made incessantly by the church to God for him.
And while they served the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then having fasted and prayed and imposed hands on them, they sent them forth.
But at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sung praises to God, and the prisoners heard them.
But at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sung praises to God, and the prisoners heard them.
And having said these words he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
And having said these words he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
And when we had completed the days we went out and proceeded on our journey, they all attending us with their wives and children till without the city, and kneeling down on the shore we prayed,
And when we had completed the days we went out and proceeded on our journey, they all attending us with their wives and children till without the city, and kneeling down on the shore we prayed,
And having said these things, and taken bread, he thanked God before all, and having broken began to eat.
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, how incessantly I make mention of you, always in my prayers asking if by any means I may now at some time have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you.
And in like manner also the Spirit helps our weakness. For we know not what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings unutterable;
And in like manner also the Spirit helps our weakness. For we know not what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings unutterable; and he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because it makes intercession with God for the saints.
who is he that condemns? Is it Christ who died, and still more, who has also been raised, and who is on the right hand of God, and who makes intercession for us?
And to him that is able to confirm you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery not revealed in ancient times, but made manifest now by the scriptures of the prophets, by the command of the eternal God, for the obedience of the faith among all nations, read more. to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to him be the glory forever; amen.
And that I might not be elated with my extraordinary revelations, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to beat me, that I should not be too much exalted. For this I besought the Lord thrice that it might leave me. read more. And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you; for power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I am well pleased with infirmities, with injuries, with necessities, with persecutions, with distresses for Christ; for when I am weak, then am I strong.
that we may be no longer children, driven about like waves and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the art of men, and the craftiness of deceitful wiles, but speaking the truth with love we may grow to him in all things, who is the head, Christ; read more. by whom all the body being joined together and compacted by the supply of every joint, according to the proportionate operation of every part, makes increase of the body to the edification of itself in love. This I say then and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the other gentiles walk, in the vanity of their minds, with their understandings darkened, alienated from the life of God on account of the ignorance which is in them, on account of the hardness of their hearts, who being without feeling have given themselves up to lewdness, to commit every impurity with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if you have indeed heard him, and been instructed by him as the truth is in Jesus,
praying with all prayer and supplication on every occasion with the spirit, and watching in the same with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
I thank my God at every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, read more. for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day till now, having this same confidence, that he who has begun a good work in you will carry it on till the day of Jesus Christ, as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you being all partakers of my grace. For God is my witness, how much I desire you all with the tender affections of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all understanding, that you may prove the excellent, that you may be without fault and without offense in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness, through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Be anxious for nothing, but with all prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Therefore we also, from the day that we heard, cease not to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you may walk worthily of the Lord in all that is pleasing [to him], being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; read more. being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has made us fit for a portion in the inheritance of the saints in light, who delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, who is the likeness of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation,
I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings should be offered for all men,
I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings should be offered for all men,
That the aged men be sober, grave, of sound mind, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
sound argument not to be condemned, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of us.
Who in the days of his flesh having offered both prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, with loud cries and tears, [and being heard and delivered] from fear,??8 although he was a Son, learned obedience from what he suffered,
And may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of the eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, perfect you in every good work to do his will, doing in you that which is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever; amen.
But let him ask in faith, not doubting; for he that doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and agitated.
you ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, to expend on your pleasures.
if any one is sick among you, let him send for the elders of the church, and let them pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. read more. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be cured, for the prayer of the righteous operates with great power.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be cured, for the prayer of the righteous operates with great power.
and what we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things which are pleasing in his sight.
And this is the confidence which we have in respect to him, that if we ask any thing according to his will he hears us.
And this is the confidence which we have in respect to him, that if we ask any thing according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
And another angel came and stood by the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given him much incense to present with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne. And a cloud of incense ascended with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God.
Hastings
Prayer in the Bible is the uplifting of the heart to God with whatever motive. It includes supplication, whether in view of material or of spiritual needs; intercession, for individuals or communities; confession of sin
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And when you pray, be not like the hypocrites; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and at the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. I tell you truly, they have their reward.
And when you pray use not vain repetitions, as the gentiles do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking.
And when you pray use not vain repetitions, as the gentiles do; for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not, therefore, like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Be not, therefore, like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
For if you forgive men their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you;
But seek first righteousness and his kingdom, and all these things shall be added to you.
And Jesus said to the centurion, Go; as you have believed be it to you; and the servant was cured at that hour.
But no one puts a piece of unfilled cloth on an old garment; for it takes away its fullness from the garment, and the rent is made worse.
And when he had gone into the house the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to him, Yes, Lord.
and you shall be hated by all men for my sake. But he that endures to the end shall be saved.
But this kind goes not out, except by prayer and fasting.
and whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me;
Again, I tell you, that if two of you shall agree on the earth concerning any thing for which they shall ask, they shall have it from my Father in heaven; for where two or three are assembled together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
for where two or three are assembled together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Then came Peter and said to him, Lord, how many times shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Till seven times? read more. Jesus said to him, I say not to you till seven times, but till seventy times seven.
Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping, and asking a certain thing of him. And he said to her, What do you wish? She said to him, Say that these my two sons shall sit, one on your right hand, and the other on your left, in your kingdom. read more. But Jesus answered and said, You know not what you ask. Can you drink of the cup of which I am about to drink? They said to him, We can. He said to them; you shall drink indeed of my cup; but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but to those for whom it is prepared by my Father.
But pray that your flight may not be in the winter, nor on the Sabbath;
And from that time he sought a good opportunity to deliver him up.
And going forward a little, he fell on his face, and prayed and said, My Father, if it is possible let this cup pass from me; but not as I will, but as thou wilt.
And leaving them, again he went away and prayed, saying the same words.
and at about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
And while he was yet speaking persons came from the house of the synagogue ruler, saying, Your daughter is dead; why trouble the teacher?
and cast out many demons, and anointed many sick persons with oil, and cured them.
And he said to her, Suffer the children first to be filled; it is not right to take the children's bread, and cast it to the little dogs.
and looking up to heaven he groaned, and said to him, Ephphatha, which is, Be opened.
And Jesus said to him, If you are able? all things are possible to him that believes.
And he said to them, This kind can go out by nothing but prayer.
And he said to them, This kind can go out by nothing but prayer.
I tell you truly, that whoever shall say to this mountain, be raised up and be cast into the sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he says will be done, whatever he says shall be done for him.
And when you stand praying, forgive if you have any thing against any, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your offenses.
who devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers. They shall receive a greater judgment.
And going forward a little he fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it was possible, the hour might pass away from him.
and all the multitude of the people were praying without, at the hour of incense.
and she had been a widow eighty-four years, and departed not from the temple, serving God night and day with fastings and prayers.
And when all the people were baptized, Jesus also being baptized, and praying, heaven was opened,
AND in those days he went out on the mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God.
AND in those days he went out on the mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God.
AND in those days he went out on the mountain to pray, and spent the whole night in prayer to God. And when it was day he called his disciples; and having chosen twelve of them, whom he named apostles,
And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has cured you; go in peace.
And taking the five loaves and two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and broke, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
And while he was praying, the appearance of his face was changed, and his clothes became white and shining;
And as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
And he said to them, Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight, and say, Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him; read more. and he will answer from within, and say, Trouble me not, for the door is already shut, and my little children are with me in bed, I cannot arise and give you; I tell you if he will not arise and give him on account of being his friend, yet, on account of his importunity, he will arise and give him as many as he needs. And I tell you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you; for every one that asks, receives; and he that seeks, finds; and to him that knocks, it shall be opened. And what father is there of you, who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? or if he asks also for a fish, will for a fish give him a serpent? or if he asks also for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.
So also you, when you have done all things commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants; what we owed the doing of; we have done.
AND he spoke also a parable to them, that men ought to pray at all times, and not to faint; saying, There was a certain judge in a certain city, who feared not God and regarded not man. read more. And there was a widow in that city, and she came to him, saying, Give me judgment against my adversary. And he would not for a time; but afterwards he said within himself, Though I fear not God and regard not man, yet because this widow makes me trouble I will give her judgment, that she may not vex me by her continual coming. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge says. And will not God execute the judgment of his elect, who cry day and night to him, even though he waits long on them? I tell you, he will execute their judgment speedily. But when the Son of man comes will he find faith on the earth? And he also spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up to the temple to pray; one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee, standing by himself, offered this prayer; God, I thank thee that I am not as other men, rapacious, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican;
The Pharisee, standing by himself, offered this prayer; God, I thank thee that I am not as other men, rapacious, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican; I fast twice a week; I tithe all I acquire. read more. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote on his breast, saying, God, be propitious to me a sinner.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up his eyes to heaven, but smote on his breast, saying, God, be propitious to me a sinner. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than that; for every one that exalts himself shall be humbled, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.
but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not entirely fail; and when you recover yourself, confirm your brothers.
AND going out, he went, according to his custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. And arriving at the place, he said to them, Pray that you may not enter into trial. read more. And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and kneeling down, prayed,
And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and kneeling down, prayed, saying, Father, if thou wilt, take this cup away from me; but not my will, but thine be done. read more. And an angel appeared to him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was like large drops of blood falling down to the ground. And rising from prayer, and coming to the disciples, he found them sleeping from grief, and he said to them, Why do you sleep? Arise, and pray that you may not enter into trial.
And Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And distributing his garments they cast lots [for them].
And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commit my spirit; and having said this, he expired.
Jesus said to her, Believe me, woman, the hour comes, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, you shall worship the Father. You worship what you know not; we worship what we know; for salvation is of the Jews. read more. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father seeks such to worship him.
The man answered and said to them, It is a strange thing, that you know not whence he is, and he has opened my eyes. We know that God hears not sinners; but if one is a worshipper of God, and does his will, him he hears. read more. Since the world began it has not been heard that any one opened the eyes of one born blind; unless this man was from God he would have been able to do nothing.
Then they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted his eyes above, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me; and I knew that thou hearest me always; but for the sake of the multitude who stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
and whatever you ask in my name I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
continue in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it continues in the vine, so you cannot, unless you continue in me.
You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should continue, that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
And in that day you shall ask me nothing; I tell you most truly, whatever you shall ask the Father, he will give you in my name. Till now you have asked nothing in my name; ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be complete. read more. These things have I spoken to you in parables. The time is coming when I will no more speak to you in parables, but I will tell you plainly of the Father.
I pray for them. I pray not for the world, but for those whom thou hast given me, for they are thine,
And when they came, they went up into the upper room where staid Peter and John, and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alpheus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas the [brother] of James. All these continued with one accord in prayer, with the women, and with Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.
And praying, they said, Do thou, Lord, the searcher of all hearts, show which of these two thou hast chosen
And they cast their lots, and the lot fell to Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.
For these are not drunk as you suppose, for it is the third hour of the day [9 A.M.],
AND Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, which is the ninth hour.
AND Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, which is the ninth hour.
But Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but what I have, this I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazoraen, walk.
and they knew him, that he was the one who sat for charity at the beautiful gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and astonishment at what had happened to him.
and they knew him, that he was the one who sat for charity at the beautiful gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and astonishment at what had happened to him.
And being dismissed they came to their friends, and related to them what the chief priests and elders said to them.
And when they had prayed the place was shaken in which they were assembled, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and spoke the word of God with boldness.
and set them before the Apostles; and they having prayed imposed hands on them.
and they stoned Stephen, calling and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And kneeling down he cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And having said this he fell asleep.
And kneeling down he cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And having said this he fell asleep.
And the apostles at Jerusalem hearing that Samaria had received the word of God, sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; read more. for it had not yet fallen on any of them, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Turn your mind therefore from this your wickedness, and pray the Lord if perhaps the thought of your mind may be forgiven you;
And the eunuch answered and said to Philip, Of whom I pray you does the prophet say this? of himself or of some other one?
And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has power from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name.
and here he has power from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name.
and here he has power from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name. But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel to me, to bear my name both before nations and kings, and the children of Israel; read more. for I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name. And Ananias went and entered into the house, and laying hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way which you came, that you may receive sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
And Peter putting them all out knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter sat up.
And Peter putting them all out knelt down and prayed, and turning to the body he said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter sat up.
And looking steadily at him and being afraid, he said, What is wanted, Lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and charities have come up as a memorial before God.
And on the next day, as they were pursuing their journey and had come nigh to the city, Peter went upon the house to pray, about the sixth hour.
And on the next day, as they were pursuing their journey and had come nigh to the city, Peter went upon the house to pray, about the sixth hour.
And Cornelius said, From the fourth hour of the day I fasted till this hour, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in splendid clothing,
And Cornelius said, From the fourth hour of the day I fasted till this hour, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in splendid clothing,
And Cornelius said, From the fourth hour of the day I fasted till this hour, and at the ninth hour I was praying in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in splendid clothing,
Peter therefore was kept by the guard; but prayer was made incessantly by the church to God for him.
Peter therefore was kept by the guard; but prayer was made incessantly by the church to God for him.
And considering within himself he came to the house of Mary the mother of John called Mark, where a great number were assembled together and praying.
And considering within himself he came to the house of Mary the mother of John called Mark, where a great number were assembled together and praying.
Then having fasted and prayed and imposed hands on them, they sent them forth.
Then having fasted and prayed and imposed hands on them, they sent them forth.
And having appointed them elders in every church, and having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
And on the sabbath we went out of the gate, by the river, where the proseuche [place of prayer] usually was, and sitting down we spoke to the women who came together.
And when we went to the proseuche, a certain female servant having a spirit, a diviner, met us, who brought her masters much gain by divining.
who, having received such a charge, cast them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sung praises to God, and the prisoners heard them.
But at midnight Paul and Silas prayed and sung praises to God, and the prisoners heard them.
AND travelling through Amphipolis and Apollonia they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to his custom Paul went in to them, and reasoned with them three sabbaths from the Scriptures,
And Paul having remained yet many days took leave of the brothers, and sailed to Syria; and Priscilla was with him, and Aquila, having shaved his head at Cenchrea; for he had a vow.
and Paul putting his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
I have showed you all things, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
And when we had completed the days we went out and proceeded on our journey, they all attending us with their wives and children till without the city, and kneeling down on the shore we prayed, and having saluted each other we went to the ship, and they returned to their homes.
And when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I was in a trance, and saw him [Christ], saying to me, Hasten and depart immediately from Jerusalem, for they will not receive your testimony of me. read more. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in the synagogues those who believed on you; and when the blood of your martyr Stephen was poured out, I also stood by and consented, and kept the clothes of those that killed him. And he said to me, Go, for I will send you to nations far away.
And having said these things, and taken bread, he thanked God before all, and having broken began to eat.
And the father of Poplius lay sick with a fever and dysentery, and Paul came to him, and prayed, and put his hands on him, and cured him.
And the father of Poplius lay sick with a fever and dysentery, and Paul came to him, and prayed, and put his hands on him, and cured him.
asking if by any means I may now at some time have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are sons of God. For you received not the spirit of servitude again to fear, but you received the spirit of adoption, by which we cry; Abba, Father. read more. The Spirit itself is a co-witness with our spirits that we are children of God.
And in like manner also the Spirit helps our weakness. For we know not what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings unutterable; and he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because it makes intercession with God for the saints.
who is he that condemns? Is it Christ who died, and still more, who has also been raised, and who is on the right hand of God, and who makes intercession for us?
for I have wished that I was myself accursed from Christ for my brothers, my kindred according to the flesh,
Brothers, the earnest desire and prayer of my heart for Israel is for their salvation.
rejoice in the hope, be patient in affliction, be persevering in prayer,
And the God of patience and consolation grant you to have the same mind one to another, according to Christ Jesus,
But I exhort you by the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
But I exhort you by the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
But I exhort you by the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
to the church of God which is at Corinth, to the sanctified in Jesus Christ, called to be saints, with all that call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours.
For if I pray with a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.
since if you bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupies the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to your thanksgiving, since he knows not what you say?
Else what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? and why are they baptized for them?
For this I besought the Lord thrice that it might leave me.
We wish to God that you may do no evil, not that we may appear approved, but that you may do good though we should be as reprobates.
but when the fullness of time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. read more. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. So that you are no longer a servant, but a son; and if a son, also an heir of God.
Therefore, I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints,
for through him we both have access by one spirit to the Father.
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in him.
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father,
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father,
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father,
praying with all prayer and supplication on every occasion with the spirit, and watching in the same with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
I thank my God at every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all understanding,
Be anxious for nothing, but with all prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
We thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints,
Therefore we also, from the day that we heard, cease not to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy;
For I wish you to know what a conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
For I wish you to know what a conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,
having blotted out what was written by the hand in ordinances which was against us, and has taken it away from between [us], having nailed it to the cross;
Be constant in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving, praying also at the same time for us, that God will open to us a door of utterance to declare the mystery of Christ, for which also I am bound,
Epaphras, who is of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, salutes you, always striving for you in prayers that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Salute the brothers in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the assembly at his house.
I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings should be offered for all men,
I wish also that men should pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputations;
but a woman that lives voluptuously is dead while she lives.
The Lord grant him to find mercy with the Lord in that day. And what services he performed at Ephesus, you know very well.
but manifested his word in the times which were suitable for it by the preaching with which I was intrusted, according to the command of our Saviour God,
A certain one of them, their own poet, said, Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gormandizers.
That the aged men be sober, grave, of sound mind, sound in faith, in love, in patience; that the aged women, in like manner, be of behavior becoming holiness, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good,
sound argument not to be condemned, that the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of us.
I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers,
But at the same time also prepare me a lodging; for I hope that through your prayers I shall be given to you.
For we have not a chief priest who cannot sympathise with our infirmities, but one tried in all respects as we are, without sin. Let us therefore approach with boldness the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace for timely aid.
Who in the days of his flesh having offered both prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, with loud cries and tears, [and being heard and delivered] from fear,??8 although he was a Son, learned obedience from what he suffered,
whence also he is able to save forever those who come to God through him, always living to intercede for them.
HAVING therefore, brothers, confidence in respect to the entrance into the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, which [entrance] he consecrated for us a new and living way through the vail, that is his flesh, read more. and [having] a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in a full assurance of faith, sprinkled in heart from an evil conscience, and washed in body with pure water,
let us approach with a true heart in a full assurance of faith, sprinkled in heart from an evil conscience, and washed in body with pure water,
But let him ask in faith, not doubting; for he that doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and agitated. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord, read more. a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
you ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, to expend on your pleasures.
You have the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord, my brothers, as an example of patience and long-suffering.
If any one among you is afflicted, let him pray; if any one is happy, let him sing psalms; if any one is sick among you, let him send for the elders of the church, and let them pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
if any one is sick among you, let him send for the elders of the church, and let them pray for him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be cured, for the prayer of the righteous operates with great power.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be cured, for the prayer of the righteous operates with great power.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be cured, for the prayer of the righteous operates with great power. Elijah was a man of like passions with us, and he prayed that it might not rain, and it rained not on the land for three years and six months; read more. and again he prayed, and heaven gave rain, and the earth yielded her fruit.
and what we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do the things which are pleasing in his sight.
But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith, pray with the Holy Spirit.
But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith, pray with the Holy Spirit.
And when he took the book, the four cherubs and the twenty-four elders fell down before the lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which is the prayers of the saints:
And when he took the book, the four cherubs and the twenty-four elders fell down before the lamb, each having a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which is the prayers of the saints:
And when he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those killed for the word of God and for the testimony which they had. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, Master, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on those that dwell on the earth?
And another angel came and stood by the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given him much incense to present with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne. And a cloud of incense ascended with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God.
And a cloud of incense ascended with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that thirsts, come; let him that will, take the water of life freely.
He that testifies these things says, Yes, I come quickly. Amen, come Lord Jesus.
Morish
This has been described as 'the intercourse of a dependent one with God.' It may take the form of communion in one brought nigh, or it may be the making requests for oneself or for others. There are twelve different words used for prayer in the O.T., and eight in the N.T., with various shades of meaning, as there are in English: 'asking, begging, beseeching,' etc. In the synoptic Gospels the word used in connection with Christ is that most commonly employed for "praying," but in John's gospel the word is that generally rendered, 'ask' or, 'demand.' The change is explained by the different aspect in which the Lord is presented in John.
God hears and encourages prayer. A cry to God is the mark of a soul truly turning to Him: "Behold, he prayeth," was said of Saul of Tarsus. Ac 9:11. To the saints it is said, "Pray without ceasing;" "ask and ye shall receive." "If we ask anything according to his will he heareth us, and . . . . we know that we have the petitions." "All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing ye shall receive." "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you." The disciples as left here, representative of Christ and charged with His interests, were to ask in His name; and the same is true in principle as regards believers now. Mr 11:24; Joh 14:13; 15:16; 16:23,26; Jas 1:5-7; 1Jo 5:14-15. Christians are exhorted to make known all their petitions, or requests, to God, and having done so, the peace of God shall keep their hearts and minds. Php 4:6-7. This is their wondrous privilege: they have addressed God, and in peace they leave it with Him to grant their petitions or not.
The above passages demonstrate that to receive what is prayed for, requests must be in faith, they must be according to the light of God's will, and hence made in the name of the Lord Jesus. While prayer is always to God, it is suggested that requests would naturally be made to the Father in respect of all that tends to the promotion of Christ in believers, as well as in things referring to their discipline in the pathway here. On the other hand prayer would be made to the Lord in relation to that over which He is set as administrator, such as the service of the gospel, the saints, the house of God, etc.
The attitudes in prayer which are recorded are: 'standing,' 1Sa 1:26; '/Mark/11/25/type/sawyer'>Mr 11:25; 'kneeling,' Da 6:10; Lu 22:41; and 'falling down,' De 9:25; Jos 7:6.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Therefore I tell you, all things whatever which you ask in prayer, believe that you shall receive them, and you shall have them. And when you stand praying, forgive if you have any thing against any, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your offenses.
And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and kneeling down, prayed,
and whatever you ask in my name I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should continue, that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
And in that day you shall ask me nothing; I tell you most truly, whatever you shall ask the Father, he will give you in my name.
In that day you shall ask in my name, and I tell you not that I will ask the Father for you;
And the Lord said to him, Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for [a man] by the name of Saul of Tarsus; for behold, he prays,
Be anxious for nothing, but with all prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
And if any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and upbraids not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, not doubting; for he that doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and agitated. read more. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord,
Smith
Prayer.
The object of this article will be to touch briefly on --
1. The doctrine of Scripture as to the nature and efficacy of prayer;
2. Its directions as to time, place and manner of prayer;
3. Its types and examples of prayer.
1. Scripture does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer. The difficulty of understanding real efficacy arises chiefly from two sources: from the belief that man lives under general laws, which in all cases must be fulfilled unalterably; and the opposing belief that he is master of his own destiny, and need pray for no external blessing. Now, Scripture, while, by the doctrine of spiritual influence it entirely disposes of the latter difficulty, does not so entirely solve that part of the mystery which depends on the nature of God. It places it clearly before us, and emphasizes most strongly those doctrines on which the difficulty turns. Yet while this is so, on the other hand the instinct of prayer is solemnly sanctioned and enforced on every page. Not only is its subjective effect asserted, but its real objective efficacy, as a means appointed by God for obtaining blessing, is both implied and expressed in the plainest terms. Thus, as usual in the case of such mysteries, the two apparently opposite truths are emphasized, because they are needful: to man's conception of his relation to God; their reconcilement is not, perhaps cannot be, fully revealed. For, in fact, it is involved in that inscrutable mystery which attends on the conception of any free action of man as necessary for the working out of the general laws of God's unchangeable will. At the same time it is clearly implied that such a reconcilement exists, and that all the apparently isolated and independent exertions of man's spirit in prayer are in some way perfectly subordinated to the one supreme will of God, so as to form a part of his scheme of providence. It is also implied that the key to the mystery lies in the fact of man's spiritual unity with God in Christ, and of the consequent gift of the Holy Spirit. So also is it said of the spiritual influence of the Holy Ghost on each individual mind that while "we know not what to pray for, "the indwelling" Spirit makes intercession for the saints, according to the will of God."
Here, as probably in still other cases, the action of the Holy Spirit on the soul is to free agents what the laws of nature are to things inanimate, and is the power which harmonizes free individual action with the universal will of God.
2. There are no directions as to prayer given in the Mosaic law: the duty is rather taken for granted, as an adjunct to sacrifice, than enforced or elaborated. It is hardly conceivable that, even from the beginning public prayer did not follow every public sacrifice. Such a practice is alluded to in
Lu 1:10
as common; and in one instance, at the offering of the first-fruits, it was ordained in a striking form.
De 26:12-15
In later times it certainly grew into a regular service both in the temple and in the synagogue. But, besides this public prayer, it was the custom of all at Jerusalem to go up to the temple, at regular hours if possible, for private prayer, see
Lu 18:10; Ac 3:1
and those who were absent were wont to "open their windows toward Jerusalem," and pray "toward" the place of God's presence.
1Ki 8:46-49; Ps 5:7; 28:2; 138:2; Da 6:10
The regular hours of prayer seem to have been three (see)
the evening, that is the ninth hour
the hour of the evening sacrifice,
the "morning," that is, the third hour
that of the morning sacrifice; and the sixth hour, or "noonday." Grace before meat would seem to have been a common practice. See
The posture of prayer among the Jews seems to have been most often standing,
1Sa 1:26; Mt 6:5; Mr 11:25; Lu 18:11
unless the prayer were offered with especial solemnity and humiliation, which was naturally expressed by kneeling,
comp. 2Chr 6:13; Ezra 9:5; Psal 95:8; Dani 6:10 or prostration.
3. The only form of prayer given for perpetual use in the Old Testament is the one in
De 26:5-15
connected with the offering of tithes and first-fruits, and containing in simple form the important elements of prayer, acknowledgment of God's mercy, self-dedication and prayer for future blessing. To this may perhaps be added the threefold blessing of
couched as it is in a precatory form, and the short prayer of Moses,
at the moving and resting of the cloud the former of which was the germ of the 68th Psalm. But of the prayers recorded in the Old Testament the two most remarkable are those of Solomon at the dedication of the temple,
and of Joshua the high priest, and his colleagues, after the captivity.
It appears from the question of the disciples in
Lu 11:1
and from Jewish tradition, that the chief teachers of the day gave special forms of prayer to their disciples as the badge of their discipleship and the best fruits of their learning. All Christian prayer is, of course, based on the Lord's Prayer; but its spirit is also guided by that of his prayer in Gethsemane and of the prayer recorded by St. John,
Joh 17:1
... the beginning of Christ's great work of intercession. The influence of these prayers is more distinctly traced in the prayers contained in the epistles, see
Ro 16:25-27; Eph 3:14-21; Phm 1:3-11; Col 1:9-15; Heb 13:20-21; 1Pe 5:10-11
etc., than in those recorded in the Acts. The public prayer probably in the first instance took much of its form and style from the prayers of the synagogues. In the record on prayer accepted and granted by God, we observe, as always, a special adaptation to the period of his dispensation to which they belong. In the patriarchal period, they have the simple and childlike tone of domestic application for the ordinary and apparently trivial incidents of domestic life. In the Mosaic period they assume a more solemn tone and a national bearing, chiefly that of direct intercession for the chosen people. More rarely are they for individuals. A special class are those which precede and refer to the exercise of miraculous power. In the New Testament they have a more directly spiritual hearing. It would seem the intention of Holy Scripture to encourage all prayer more especially intercession, in all relations and for all righteous objects.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And when you pray, be not like the hypocrites; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and at the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. I tell you truly, they have their reward.
and taking the seven loaves and the fishes, and giving thanks, he broke, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes.
And when you stand praying, forgive if you have any thing against any, that your Father in heaven may also forgive your offenses.
and all the multitude of the people were praying without, at the hour of incense.
And as he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
The Pharisee, standing by himself, offered this prayer; God, I thank thee that I am not as other men, rapacious, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican;
JESUS spoke these words and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour has come; glorify thy Son, that the Son may glorify thee,
AND Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, which is the ninth hour.
And having said these things, and taken bread, he thanked God before all, and having broken began to eat.
And in like manner also the Spirit helps our weakness. For we know not what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings unutterable; and he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because it makes intercession with God for the saints.
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father, of whom all the family in heaven and on earth is named, read more. that he would grant to you according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through the faith, you being founded and established in love, that you may be able to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length, and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which exceeds knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. To him that is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, by the power which operates in us, to him be the glory in the church in Jesus Christ to all generations, for ever and ever; amen.
Therefore we also, from the day that we heard, cease not to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you may walk worthily of the Lord in all that is pleasing [to him], being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; read more. being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious power, for all patience and long suffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has made us fit for a portion in the inheritance of the saints in light, who delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, who is the likeness of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation,
Grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers, read more. hearing of your love and faith which you have for the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, that your participation of the faith may be made effectual by a knowledge of all the good which we have in Christ Jesus. For I have great joy and comfort in your love, because the saints are refreshed by you, brother. Wherefore, having great boldness to command you what is fit, on account of love I rather request; being such as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus, I request you for my son Onesimus, whom I obtained in my bonds, who was formerly not useful to you but is now most useful to you and me,
And may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of the eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, perfect you in every good work to do his will, doing in you that which is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever; amen.
Watsons
PRAYER has been well defined, the offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name or through the mediation of Jesus Christ, by the help of the Holy Spirit, with a confession of our sins, and a thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.
1. Prayer is in itself a becoming acknowledgment of the all-sufficiency of God, and of our dependence upon him. It is his appointed means for the obtaining of both temporal and spiritual blessings. He could bless his creatures in another way: but he will be inquired of, to do for them those things of which they stand in need, Eze 36:37. It is the act of an indigent creature, seeking relief from the fountain of mercy. A sense of want excites desire, and desire is the very essence of prayer. "One thing have I desired of the Lord," says David; "that will I seek after." Prayer without desire is like an altar without a sacrifice, or without the fire from heaven to consume it. When all our wants are supplied, prayer will be converted into praise; till then Christians must live by prayer, and dwell at the mercy seat. God alone is able to hear and to supply their every want. The revelation which he has given of his goodness lays a foundation for our asking with confidence the blessings we need, and his ability encourages us to hope for their bestowment. "O thou that hearest prayer; unto thee shall all flesh come," Ps 65:2.
2. Prayer is a spiritual exercise, and can only be performed acceptably by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, Ro 8:26. "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight." The Holy Spirit is the great agent in the world of grace, and without his special influence there is no acceptable prayer. Hence he is called the Spirit of grace and of supplication: for he it is that enables us to draw nigh unto God, filling our mouth with arguments, and teaching us to order our cause before him, Zec 12:10.
3. All acceptable prayer must be offered in faith, or a believing frame of mind. "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And in like manner also the Spirit helps our weakness. For we know not what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit makes intercession for us with groanings unutterable;
but without faith it is impossible to please; for he that comes to God, must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those that seek him.
And if any one of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and upbraids not, and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, not doubting; for he that doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and agitated. read more. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing from the Lord,
And this is the confidence which we have in respect to him, that if we ask any thing according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.