Biblical Prayer: How to Pray

How Not to Pray How to Pray Effectively How to Pray – Privately How to Pray – Corporately Adoration
Psalm 148, Who
Psalm 96, What
Psalm 145, When
Psalm 147, Why
Psalm 150, How
Liturgically
Numbers 6:22-27, Blessing the People
2 Chronicles 6:12-42, Prayers for the nation and unbelievers
Psalm 136, Responsive readings
John 17:1-26, Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer
1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Prayer for the Eucharist

More About Biblical Prayer

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How Not to Pray

 Jeremiah 7:1-11; Matthew 6:7-8, Don’t babble.
Matthew 6:5; Luke 18:9-14, Don’t be self-righteous.
James 4:2-3, Don’t pray wrongly. (10/13/08)

We are a can-do nation.  In the past few decades, we've also been a how-to nation.  Write a book on "How to Turn Dust Bunnies into Dust Rags," and it will immediately become a best seller.  This week we are looking at how to pray, starting with how not to pray. 

First, don't confuse incantation with prayer.  Repetition (not to be confused with persistence) isn't effective, particularly when repetition is substituted for righteous action.  Second, remember that God is good, and we are not.  Don't be smug in your prayers.  Third, don't pray wrongly; that is, don't pray for things you don't need and which, if you had them, would lead you to do things you shouldn't.  If you want something you don't need, work for it, don't pray for it.  If you want something that's just going to get you into trouble, pray for sales resistance.



How to Pray Effectively

 Be persistent.
Luke 18:1-8, The Importunate Widow.
Luke 11:5-8, The Friend at Midnight. (10/14/08)

Yesterday we learned not to babble – don't say the same thing over and over in the hope that mere repetition will get God's attention.  Nevertheless, the scriptures do tell us to be persistent.  If you are confident that what you are praying for is within the will of God, pray for it frequently, regularly, passionately.  Think about it this way.  If your boss, spouse, or child comes to you one day and says five times, "Type this letter," "Pay all the bills," "Buy me a Halloween costume," is it going to be done right that second?  No.  You have to have some time to get it done.  But if you get the same request on five consecutive days, isn't it more likely to get done than if you were only asked once?  I think maybe one difference between babbling and persistence is that even God has got to have some time to get things done.

Today’s Prayer: Dear God,  I know I've mentioned this before, but it's important to me.  If it's possible, please....     Amen.



Luke 11:9-13; Matthew 7:7-11, Ask, Seek, Knock. (10/15/08)

Jesus tells us to take our requests to our Heavenly Father.  On both observational and theological grounds, I doubt that this is a blank check.  First, Jesus' examples are practical needs – bread, fish, and eggs – not luxuries.  This does not suggest to me that I should pray for, say, a diamond necklace, or that if I did ask for such a thing, I would get it from God.  Probably better to get a job and buy one. 

Second, Jesus' assurance is limited to the Holy Spirit and to good things.  No point in asking for your neighbor to break out in boils.  But earnest prayers for necessities can get powerful results.  A few years back a food-bank lady spoke at our church about a pre-Thanksgiving crisis her group had had.  They prayed for God to make it "rain turkeys."  Very shortly – that very day, as I recall – a local distributor called to say he was having trouble with some freezers, and could they please help him by taking a bunch of turkeys off his hands.  Just remember – you might be the distributor who is God's answer to someone else's prayer.

Note that Jesus gave this example on two different occasions – in the Sermon on the Mount and in the Sermon on the Plain – with slight differences.

Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord, please give me what I need today.  Let me pay attention if you are directing me to be your instrument for answering prayer.  Amen.



Mark 11:12-14, 20-24, Believe. (10/16/08)

People who don't believe their prayerful requests will be granted are unlikely to have them granted.  Why not?  Why doesn't God just prove His existence by granting everybody's wishes?  Then they would believe in Him!  I think that's just the point:  God isn't going to cross your will by forcing you to believe. 

On the other hand, several passages say that your belief is somehow an essential part of the process by which God grants your petitions.  One of my Bethel students started keeping track of his prayers and what happened.  He became more confident as he noticed that his petitions were being granted.  You don't have to start with tree-withering, mountain-moving belief.  Thought-changing belief is okay and a good first step.  The first thoughts to be changed are your own.



James 5:13-20, Be Righteous. (10/17/08)

The real trick to effective prayer is to be righteous.  You can look "righteous" up in the dictionary and learn that it means moral, virtuous, or without sin or guilt.  Sometimes it does seem to mean moral or virtuous in the Bible.  Usually, however, I think it means "having a right relationship with God," as in the hymn below.  The opposite of "righteous" is not "wrong" so much as it is "self-righteous."  None of us are righteous of ourselves; we are only righteous in Christ, who has taken away our sin and guilt.  In almost the same breath, James tells us to confess our sins so that we can be forgiven and that the prayer of a righteous person avails much.   

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh, may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

Refrain:
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
            – Edward Mote (1797-1874)

P.S.  To save you the trouble of asking, it is not clear to scholars whether the multitude of sins that are covered in vs. 20 belong to the sinner or the person who brings him back.  Either way, if you have the opportunity to bring a sinner back to the Lord, you should definitely act on it!

Today’s Prayer: Dear God, I believe in you, but not enough.  Cleanse me of my remaining unbelief.  Amen.



How to Pray – Privately

 Matthew 6:6; Mark 1:35, 7:33-34, 14:32; Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:15-16, 6:12, 9:18 (10/19/08)

Of all the important figures in the Bible, Jesus is clearly the most important.  He is also the one whose prayers are clearly the most effective.  Wouldn't you love to know what he said in his prayers?  With very few exceptions, we have no clue.  Jesus taught and practiced private prayer.  When he was talking with God, he went off by himself to pray.  He didn't come back and tell his disciples, "I said this, and God said that."  Aside from the lengthy "high priestly prayer" at the Last Supper and a few brief blessings, Jesus' prayers are not recorded.  Personal prayer is personal.

Today’s Prayer:





How to Pray – Corporately

 Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:1-2a, Adoration and recognition of God’s holiness (10.21.10)

Yesterday we saw that when Jesus was praying, he normally prayed very privately.  Corporate prayer is also important, however, and the only prayer Jesus ever taught, the Lord's Prayer, is a corporate prayer.  Notice the pronouns:  Teach us to pray, When y'all pray, Our Father.  Remember the ACTS that we talked about back in the first week of this study? The Lord's prayer has all of these; it begins with Adoration.



Matthew 6:10; Luke 11:2b, Alignment with the will of God (10/22/08)

When we pray the Lord's prayer, we ask for God's kingdom – God's rule – to come to earth, and for God's will to be done here.  What if that happened?  What if you and I actually tried to act according to the rules of God's kingdom and to do God's will?  I suspect we usually pray for God to change everybody else, when maybe we should be praying for God to change us.  I'll say again, the most important function of prayer is to align my will with the will of God.



Matthew 6:11-12; Luke 11:3-4a; Mark 11:25, Supplication and Request for forgiveness (10/23/08)

Don't be reluctant to ask God to give you what you need for yourself – but do remember that this is a corporate prayer.  "Dear God, I really need a million dollars so I can take a trip around the world" may not get the results you have in mind, and it certainly isn't what the Lord's Prayer is asking.  We need to forgive other people both as individuals and as the body of Christ – forgive us, as we have forgiven.  Even the verse from Mark is in the plural – "When y'all are praying, if y'all are mad at somebody, forgive them, so that y'alls Father in Heaven will forgive y'all."   



Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4b, Supplication (10/24/08)

Today we come to the end of our study on Biblical Prayer, and to the end of the Lord's Prayer.  No indeed, I have not left off the ending in Luke.  The words we all know, "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever [and ever], Amen," do not appear in Luke as part of the Lord's Prayer.  As a matter of fact, in many modern translations they don't appear in Matthew, because they are not in the best of the Greek manuscripts.  On the other hand, some of the modern translations say "deliver us from the evil one," instead of the old reliable, "deliver us from evil."  I'm not sure why; it seems to be a matter of taste.  The Greek looks exactly the same either way.  But remember what Jesus said, "Don't babble like the heathens do."  The exact words don't matter.  Turning your heart toward God does. 



Adoration — Sing to the Lord a New Song

 Psalms 148, Who (8/30/08)

For anyone who is wondering whether you should praise God in prayer or other forms of worship:  yep.  Providing, of course, that you fall into one of the following groups: Today’s Prayer: Everybody praise God!



Psalms 96, What (9/2/08)

What types of adoration are appropriate?  Singing, blessings of God, telling other people about God, and offerings, among others.  I often begin my prayers with a hymn of praise before moving on to my requests.  It tends to focus my mind a little (I told you already that I have trouble with that) and direct my time with God at God rather than at myself. 

Today’s Prayer: Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Praise Him, all creatures here below! Praise Him above, ye heavenly host! Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost! Amen.



Psalms 145, When (9/3/08)

So when should we say prayers of praise?  I think the Jews bless God at least five times a day – in the morning, evening, and at meals.  David is clear on when he will bless God – every day, for ever and ever!

Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord, Sometimes I forget to praise you.  When I am busy, remind me to praise you for work to do.  When I am enjoying my meals, remind me to praise you for all your material gifts.  When I rise up and lie down, remind me to praise you for life.  Amen.



Psalms 147, Why (9/4/08)

There are many reasons to praise God; we read about some of them today.  Lately in New Mexico we've been praising God for rain.  In the South, many are praising God that the hurricanes were not as bad as predicted.  Being called a "Pollyanna" often has a negative connotation, but I think she was onto something – God gives good gifts, God mitigates bad circumstances, and God is present with you when the worst happens.  Particularly in our prayers, we should think about what blessings God has given us so that we can remember to praise him for them.  Notice, however, that praise, or adoration, is not the same as thanksgiving.

Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord, today I praise you for your holiness, your bounty, and your graciousness.  Amen.



Psalms 150, How (9/5/08)

How should we adore the Lord in song?  Some denominations sing in worship with no musical instruments whatsoever.  As a strict Methodist, I grew up thinking there ought to be five hymns and a doxology in every worship service.  Last Sunday at St. John's 11:00 service, we had only three hymns and a doxology, but we also had a prelude, a postlude, an anthem, an offertory, and a response to the Peace.  Some of the instruments that have been played during worship at St. John's are the pipe organ, electric organ, piano, guitar, bells, drum set, congas, djembe drums, tambourine, oboe, flute, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, violin, viola, steel drums, cello, trombone, tuba, timpani, cabasa, bass, timpani, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, recorder, banjo, and mandolin. 

If you want to sing or play an instrument as part of your daily prayers, you are in good company, because the psalmist encourages you to do just that.

For Today’s Prayer: Sing or play a song to the Lord.  If you can't remember the words, hum.  If you are completely unmusical, put on a record.



Liturgically

 Numbers 6:22-27, Blessing the People (9/8/08)

Prayer as part of the worship service is called "liturgical prayer."  Most often, the preacher does the praying as well, although in many denominations, such as ours, laity take an active part.  Typically at St. John's at 11:00, the senior pastor, the associate pastor, one lay person, one staff member, one member of the children's ministry, and the choir all lead us in prayer.  One of the most ancient liturgical prayers is the benediction we read today.

Today’s Prayer: O Lord, my church and my nation need your blessing.  Be gracious to us and give us peace.  Amen.



2 Chronicles 6:12-42, Prayers for the nation and unbelievers (9/9/08)

Solemn occasions call for solemn prayers.  Today we read the prayer that Solomon prayed at the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem.  Notice the stately, repetitive pattern of presenting a possible future situation and asking for God's response to that situation.  Notice that Solomon prays earnestly for his people and his nation.  One thing (out of many) that I always liked about Pastor Charlie's morning prayers was that he routinely prayed for our nation and our leaders.  We should do that, too.

Today’s Prayer: Dear Lord, we pray especially for our nation today, and for our political leaders.  Grant us civility in the upcoming electoral campaign.  Grant both the winners and the losers grace to serve the nation in whatever situation they find themselves.  Give us the strength, courage, and knowledge to do what is right.  Give our enemies the same blessings you give us.  Give us your peace.  Amen.



Psalms 136, Responsive readings (9/10/08)

One of the standard types of liturgical prayer is the responsive reading.  If you grew up in the UMC (or a number of other denominations), you have done responsive readings hundreds of times in church.  (If you didn't, turn to the back of the hymnal this Sunday and read a few during the prelude to see what they are like.)  I chose Psalm 136 for our reading, even though it is a little bloodthirsty, because it is such a clear scriptural example of a responsive reading.

Today’s Prayer: We are going to read this scripture responsively.  If your name begins with A-M, read the first half of each verse out loud in vss. 1-13, and pause long enough to read the refrain silently.  If your name begins with L-Z, read the refrain out loud and the first half of the verse silently.  Switch half-way through and read the other half of the verse out loud.  If there are two readers at your address, read it responsively together.



John 17:1-26, Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer (9/11/08)

One function of the High Priest was to make the annual sacrifice for all the people of Israel (e.g., Leviticus 16).  At the last supper, Jesus talks to God the Father in the presence of his disciples about his own sacrifice of himself for all people (see especially vss. 1-2, 19).  This is often called his "High Priestly Prayer." 

Today’s Prayer: Dear Father, I know that Jesus sacrificed himself when he didn't have to, in order that my sins could be forgiven.  Thank you.  Amen.



1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Prayer for the Eucharist (9/12/08)

We have seen this week that many of the prayers we use in church come directly from the Bible.  Our passage today is one that is so familiar that many people are surprised when they first see it in 1 Corinthians.

Today’s Prayer: Hear us, O Merciful Father.  Help us to remember Christ's death and resurrection always.  Amen.



More About Biblical Prayer

The Purpose of Prayer
Conversations with God – Abraham, Moses, David and Solomon
When God Speaks
God promises to answer all prayers…
The disciples talk about prayer.
How to Pray
Copyright 2008, 2011 by Regina L. Hunter. All rights reserved.

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