The Concept of Prayer in the Bible

Prayer, in its simplest form, is a way of communicating with God. The words used for prayer in the Bible—like the Hebrew word "tefillah" and the Greek word "proseuchomai"—give us a glimpse into the richness of this practice. 

"Tefillah" (תְּפִילָּה) comes from a root that means "to judge oneself," which reflects the reflective nature of prayer in the Jewish tradition. Meanwhile, "proseuchomai"(προσεύχομαι) is a Greek word that directs one’s wishes or requests toward God.

Throughout the Bible, prayer evolves from spontaneous cries for help to more structured and formalized practices. In the Old Testament, we see individuals like Abraham, Moses, and David engaging in heartfelt conversations with God, often in moments of great need. By the time we get to the New Testament, prayer becomes more communal and is often done in the context of worship within the early Christian communities.

The Purpose of Praying

So, why do people pray according to the Bible? The purpose of prayer is multifaceted. At its core, prayer is about building and maintaining a relationship with God. It’s an act of worship where believers acknowledge God’s sovereignty, express gratitude, and seek guidance.

However, prayer also serves as a means of confession, where individuals admit their sins and ask for forgiveness. For instance, King David’s prayers, especially in the Psalms, often include deep expressions of repentance and a desire for a clean heart.

Prayer, then, is not just about getting what we want; it’s about aligning ourselves with God’s will. It’s about bringing our lives into harmony with His purpose and seeking His blessings, guidance, and direction.

The Old Biblical Models of Prayer

The Bible doesn’t just tell us that we should pray—it shows us how to do it through various examples and teachings.

1. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)

The Lord’s Prayer is perhaps the most well-known prayer in Christianity. Jesus teaches this prayer during the Sermon on the Mount as a model for how believers should approach God. 

The prayer begins with acknowledging God’s holiness: 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

It then moves into a desire for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, showing us that prayer isn’t just about asking for things—it’s about seeking God’s will above all else.

The next part of the prayer deals with our daily needs:

 Give us today our daily bread.

Here, Jesus encourages us to rely on God for our everyday provisions. The prayer also includes a plea for forgiveness: 

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

This highlights the importance of maintaining the right relationship with God and others. 

Finally, it ends with a request for protection, reminding us that we need God’s help to stay on the right path.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

This prayer covers all the bases—praise, submission to God’s will, reliance on God for daily needs, forgiveness, and protection—making it an excellent model for our prayers.

2. The Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:10)

The Prayer of Jabez is a brief but powerful prayer tucked away in the genealogies of 1 Chronicles. In this prayer, Jabez calls out to God, saying:

 Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain. 

And the Bible tells us that God granted his request.

This prayer has sparked a lot of interest, especially because of its boldness. Jabez asks for God’s blessing in a direct and confident way. 

While some have taken this prayer as a formula for success, it’s important to understand it in context. Jabez’s prayer shows us that asking God for blessings is okay, but we should do so with the right motives, seeking His will and not just personal gain.

3. Hannah’s Prayer (1 Samuel 1:10-11)

Hannah’s prayer is a heartfelt cry to God in deep distress. Unable to have children, Hannah prays earnestly, asking God to give her a son. She makes a vow, saying that if God grants her request, she will dedicate her son to the Lord’s service.

This prayer is a beautiful example of how we can bring our deepest desires and struggles to God. Hannah’s prayer is marked by sincerity and vulnerability—she doesn’t hold back her pain or hopes. And when God answers her prayer, she follows through on her vow, showing her deep commitment to God.

4. Psalms as Prayers

The Book of Psalms is often referred to as the prayer book of the Bible, and for good reason. Many of the Psalms are Bible prayers that express a wide range of emotions, from joy and thanksgiving to sorrow and repentance. 

For instance, Psalm 23 is a prayer of trust in God’s guidance and protection: 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

On the other hand, Psalm 51 is a prayer of repentance, where David asks God for mercy and a clean heart after his sin with Bathsheba.

The Psalms teach us that we can come to God with whatever is in our hearts. Whether we’re rejoicing or grieving, confident or afraid, the Psalms show us that God is always ready to listen.

Instructions on Prayer in the New Testament

The New Testament provides practical advice on praying to God for those looking for something more specific. Here are some key passages:

Pauline Epistles on Prayer

The Apostle Paul, through his letters to the early Christian communities, offers some of the most practical and accessible teachings on prayer. One of Paul’s key instructions is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, where he urges believers to "pray without ceasing." 

This doesn’t mean we’re expected to be on our knees all day long, but rather that prayer should be a constant part of our lives, woven into the fabric of our daily routines. Whether facing challenges or simply going about our regular activities, Paul encourages us to maintain an ongoing conversation with God.

In Philippians 4:6, Paul provides another valuable piece of advice: 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Here, Paul connects prayer with peace, suggesting that when we bring our concerns to God, it helps us overcome anxiety. He also emphasizes the importance of thanksgiving in our prayers, reminding us to acknowledge God’s past blessings even as we ask for new ones.

Praying in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18)

In Ephesians 6:18, Paul talks about "praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." This verse is part of a passage where Paul describes the spiritual armor of a believer, and he places prayer as a critical element in this spiritual defense.

But what does it mean to "pray in the Spirit"? While there are different interpretations, the general understanding is that praying in the Spirit involves praying with the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. 

It’s about attuning to God’s will, allowing the Spirit to lead and shape our prayers. This could mean praying with a deeper sense of connection to God, or it might involve speaking in tongues, as practiced in some Christian traditions.

The main takeaway here is that prayer isn’t just a human effort – it’s a spiritual act that requires the help of the Holy Spirit.

Public vs. Private Prayer

Jesus also provides practical instructions on prayer, particularly in the context of public versus private prayer. In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus warns against praying in a way that’s meant to impress others: 

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray, standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen.

Here, Jesus isn’t condemning public prayer altogether, but He’s clarifying that the motivation behind our prayers matters. Prayer should be a personal and intimate communication with God, not a performance for others.