What is Prayer?

Prayer is a conversation with God. It presupposes a belief in the personality of God, God’s ability and willingness to interact with us, and God’s personal control of all things, creatures, and their actions. According to Charles Stanley, “Prayer is an intimate dialogue with the One who cares about you most.”[i]

There is no one right way to pray. Our prayers don’t need to be long, creative, or dramatic. They don’t need to follow a formula or script. They only need to be sincere. As a matter of fact, Matthew 6:5–8 cautions us about the use of empty phrases when we pray. God knows what we need even before we ask.

Sometimes the simplest prayers say it all. Remember the “tax collector’s prayer” from Luke 18:13 (NLT)? “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner’.” Simple, right?

The New Testament says a lot about prayer. The Apostle Paul instructed that we should pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests (Ephesians 6:18). In his letter to the Philippians, Paul reminds us that we should “be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). He tells the church at Thessalonica to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Scripture also tells us that effectual and fervent prayers are powerful; through them we can be healed (James 5:15-16).

Through prayer, the heaviness of our hearts can be replaced with hopefulness. We can feel our scarred and broken spirits being mended. God tends to our wounds and gives us the strength to move forward through prayer. From a practical standpoint, prayer allows us to let go of anger, frustration, bitterness, resentment, or any other negative energy we are harboring. As we release that energy in prayer, God restores us and gives us new reasons to hope. The more we ask, the more God gives. As God answers our prayers, we learn to say, “I trust you, God.”

I believe God hears our prayers and answers in God’s own way and in God’s own time. God changes our minds and our hearts. Through prayer, God makes us whole and gives us peace. God will serve as an unwavering force, replenishing our depleted souls over and over again in times of trouble. All we have to do is ask for help.

Are there any rules for praying?

According to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, “No rules are anywhere in Scripture laid down for the manner of prayer or the attitude to be assumed.”[ii] However, the Bible does mention the following:

• Kneeling in prayer (1 Kings 8:54; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Psalm 95:6; Isaiah 45:23; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; 9:40; Ephesians 3:14, etc.)
• Falling prostrate (Genesis 24:26, 52; Exodus 4:31; 12:27; Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:35, etc.)
• Spreading out the hands (1 Kings 8:22, 38, 54; Psalm 28:2; 63:4; 88:9; 1 Timothy 2:8, etc.)
• Standing (1 Samuel 1:26; 1 Kings 8:14, 55; 2 Chronicles 20:9; Mark 11:25; Luke 18:11, 13, etc.)

[i] Charles F. Stanley, Prayer: The Ultimate Conversation (Howard Books, Kindle Edition, 2012), (2012-09-03T23:58:59).

[ii] M. G. Easton, “Prayer,” Easton’s Bible Dictionary (biblegateway.com, n.d.).