What does the Bible say about prayer?

"Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened. "Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone? "Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! (NAS, Matthew 7:7-11)

Prayer is loving communication with God. Prayer is the expression of our inner spiritual needs. Through prayer we can find strength of spirit, guidance, wisdom, joy and inner peace (Psalms 118:5-6, Psalms 138:3, Isaiah 58:9-11, Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7). Prayer may be long or short, alone or in a group, silent or aloud, but it should be a true communication with God and not done for public recognition (Matthew 6:5-8). Important aspects of prayer include¹:

• Expressions of faith and trust in God
• Confession of our sins
• Praise of God's mighty deeds
• Thanksgiving for all the good things we have received
• Dedication to serve God and other people
• Requests for our needs and the needs of others

The Lord's Prayer
Jesus spent a lot of time praying. He often went to a solitary place and prayed for hours at a time, especially at difficult times in His ministry (Matthew 14:23, 26:36-41, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, 6:12). The famous Lord's Prayer is Jesus' model of the perfect prayer. Jesus said,

"This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, (NIV, Matthew 6:9)

First, we call God by the affectionate term "Father," and praise His holy name.

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (NIV, Matthew 6:10)

We ask that God's will be done on earth and in our lives.

Give us today our daily bread. (NIV, Matthew 6:11)

We ask to be given the things we need, but we don't ask for things we merely desire.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. (NIV, Matthew 6:12)

We ask forgiveness of our sins and acknowledge that we must also forgive those who sin against us (Matthew 5:44, 6:14-15, Mark 11:25, Luke 6:28).

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' (NIV, Matthew 6:13)

Finally, we ask for the strength to resist temptation and evil (Luke 22:40).

God will answer our prayers, but ...
God promised to answer our prayers and give us everything we need and more (Mark 11:24, John 15:7). But a wise parent will not give a child everything he or she wants. Similarly, prayer is not a magical trick to get anything we want or a "quick fix" for problems that we should be solving ourselves. God answers prayer requests in His own way in His own time (Psalms 40:1-3), and will not grant requests that are against His holy and wise purposes (1 John 5:14-15), are selfish in nature, are not in our best long-term interest, or those made with impure motives (Psalms 66:18, Proverbs 28:9, Isaiah 29:13, Isaiah 59:2, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:3). Often, we must be persistent in prayer (Luke 11:5-13, Luke 18:1-8). The answer, when it comes, may be in a form radically different than we expected, and we must be alert to that possibility (Deuteronomy 3:23-27, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Sometimes, the answer must come from within ourselves and persistent prayer will help us find that answer. We may need a new attitude or a different way of looking at things, or we may need to make amends with somebody.

God speaks to us through the Bible
God spoke directly to Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Isaiah, Jesus and a few other people in the Bible. We all wish God would answer our prayers immediately and personally, but most of us will never hear God's voice coming down from heaven.

God does, however, speak to us through the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is our main source of knowledge about God and His will for our lives. We have the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) as a basis for everyday living. We have Jesus' Great Commandments, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-40, Mark 12:30-31, Luke 10:27, John 13:34-35), as principles to guide every decision we make. We have Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7, Luke 6:20-49) to help us apply those principles to everyday life. To give us courage, strength and hope, we have Jesus' assurance of eternal life for those who are faithful and obedient (Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 10:25-28, 12:4-7, John 3:16-21, 6:27, 10:27-28).

Not all our thoughts are from God
Many thoughts come into our minds every day, especially when we are praying. We also get ideas from our dreams. Are these thoughts and ideas from God, or are they just from our own minds, or are they evil thoughts from Satan (John 13:2, 2 Corinthians 11:3, 13-15, 1 Thessalonians 3:5, 1 Peter 5:8)?

God might be urging us to take some particular course of action, but how are we to know? Here are some ways to judge your thoughts and ideas:

• Listen to your conscience (Acts 24:16, 1 Timothy 1:5-7, 18-19, 4:1-2, Hebrews 10:22, 13:18, 1 John 3:18-20). Do you feel any doubts about the choice you want to make?
• Are your motives pure? Are you sure you are not seeking revenge (Matthew 5:38-48), unfair advantage over someone (1 Timothy 6:3-5, 10), or some other unworthy goal?
• Is the choice consistent with Bible teachings? Will it interfere with love for God and Christian love for other people? (Matthew 22:34-40.) Is is consistent with the Ten Commandments? (Exodus 20:1-17.)
• Does the choice allow you to use the wealth, talents and abilities God has given you in a moral, godly and useful way (Matthew 25:14-30, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Timothy 6:17-19, 1 Peter 4:10)?
• Ask the opinion of trusted relatives, friends, ministers, priests, etc.
• Consider other choices you could make. Are they better or worse?
• Would you feel proud or ashamed if your actions were published on the front page of the newspaper (John 3:19-21)?

If we have the right attitude and sincerely seek to do God's will, the Holy Spirit will guide us (John 14:15-17, 16:13, 1 Corinthians 2:12-13, Galatians 5:22-26, Colossians 3:16).

Amen
Amen comes from a Hebrew word meaning truly, faithfully or so be it. Following examples in the Bible, it is traditional to end prayers with an "Amen." (Deuteronomy 27:15-26, Nehemiah 5:13, 1 Chronicles 16:36, Romans 11:36, 1 Peter 5:11)

Forms of prayer
Most people simply speak from the heart when praying. But there are "standard" prayers that are often used in public worship. The table below lists some of the popular and well-known prayers often recited in public. We can also use these prayers as inspiration for our own private prayers.

Favorite Prayers The Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:9-13 Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. The Serenity Prayer Reinhold Neibuhr God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. Amen. The Serenity Prayer (long version) Reinhold Neibuhr God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it: Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen. Prayer of Saint Francis Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love, where there is injury, pardon, where there is doubt, faith, where there is despair, hope, where there is darkness, light, and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. Mealtime Prayers Bless us, O Lord, and these gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen. For food in a world where many walk in hunger, For friends in a world where many walk alone, For faith in a world where many walk in fear, We give you thanks, O Lord. Amen. Creeds Apostles' Creed I believe in God the Father Almighty; Maker of Heaven and Earth; and in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day He rose from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen." Nicene Creed We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and our salvation, he came down from heaven. By the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. Children's Prayers God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food. Amen. Thank you for the world so sweet, Thank you for the food we eat, Thank you for the birds that sing, Thank you God for everything. Amen. Bless me Lord, this night I pray, Keep me safe till dawn of day, Bless my mother and my father, Bless my sister and my brother, Bless each little girl and boy, Bless them all for heavenly joy. Amen. Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray Thee, Lord, thy child to keep: Thy love guard me through the night And wake me with the morning light. Amen. Father in heaven hear my prayer, keep me in your loving care. Be my guide in all I do, Bless all those who love me too. Amen.

Biblical Prayers Twenty-third Psalm NKJV, Psalms 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. Priestly Blessing NAS, Numbers 6:24-26 The LORD bless you, and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.' Paul's Benediction NAS, 2 Corinthians 13:13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Fifty-first Psalm NIV, Psalms 51:1-2, 10-12 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Catholic Prayers Hail Mary (Ave Maria) Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen. The Glory Be Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. The sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Come, Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created And you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who has taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Miscellaneous Prayers Prayer for Peace Lead me from Death to Life, from Falsehood to Truth, Lead me from Despair to Hope, from Fear to Trust, Lead me from Hate to Love, from War to Peace, Let Peace fill our Heart, our World, our Universe. Amen. Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, For all the benefits thou hast won for me, For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, May I know thee more clearly, Love thee more dearly, And follow thee more nearly: For ever and ever. Amen. An Evening Prayer Dietrich Bonhoeffer O Lord my God, thank you for bringing this day to a close. Thank you for giving me rest in body and soul. Your hand has been over me and has guarded and preserved me. Forgive my lack of faith and any wrong that I have done today, and help me to forgive all who have wronged us. Let me sleep in peace under your protection, and keep me from all the temptations of darkness. Into your hands I commend my loved ones. I commend to you my body and soul. O God, your holy name be praised. Amen. A Prayer for Those Who Have Died St. Ignatius Loyola Lord, welcome those who have died. Lord, welcome into your calm and peaceful kingdom those who have departed out of this present life to be with you. Grant them rest and a place with the spirits of the just; and give them the life that knows no age, the reward that passes not away, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

¹ Herbert Lockyer, Sr., ed., Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1986.