Since prayer is an essential part of the Christian life, it’s not surprising that the Bible has much to teach us about prayer.1 Jesus himself prayed regularly during his earthly ministry (Luke 5:16), and so did his apostles (Colossians 1:9). At its most basic, prayer simply involves speaking to God. The questions below are intended to explain some fundamental biblical truths about prayer.
Who Can Pray?
Anyone can call out to God in prayer. However, since all people are separated from God due to their sin (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23), access to God in prayer is promised only to those who are trusting in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Since Christ atoned for the sins of his people on the cross, Christians can approach God with “confidence” (Hebrews 10:19). Through Christ, God has become our heavenly Father (Matthew 6:9; Romans 8:15), and he delights to hear and answer the prayers of his children (Matthew 7:11).
Those who are not trusting in Christ for salvation cannot approach God as their heavenly Father because their sin and rebellion have made them “enemies of God” (Romans 5:10). However, in his grace, God will hear the prayers of those who turn from their sin and trust in his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 10:13 says that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
What Should We Pray For?
The Bible provides countless reasons for Christians to pray. Most importantly, prayer is one of the primary ways we enjoy God and align our hearts with his will. Other (closely related) reasons for prayer can be grouped under four general headings: praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving.2
Praise
Whether we’re praising God for a particular blessing, for one of his attributes, or for his gracious salvation in Christ, prayers of praise are always appropriate for God’s people. We were made to praise God and bring him glory (Psalm 150; 1 Corinthians 10:31).
Petition
God made us so that we would be dependent on him for all our needs, both spiritual and physical. Therefore, God invites us to petition, or ask, him to meet our needs (Matthew 6:9; 7:7–11). We glorify God when we come to him for help and provision because we are acknowledging his goodness and his power.
Confession of Sin
Christians should confess their sins regularly (Matthew 6:12), both as individuals and as churches. When we confess, God promises to forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness based on Christ’s atoning death and advocacy on our behalf (1 John 1:9–2:2). Prayers of confession remind us of the seriousness of sin and the sufficiency of God’s grace.
Thanksgiving
Since all good gifts come from God (James 1:17), it is fitting that Christians would regularly express gratitude to God in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), both for physical and spiritual blessings. Even amid trials and suffering, we can “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) because of the hope we have in Christ.
How Often Should We Pray?
The Bible does not specify how often Christians should pray. However, prayer is one of the primary ways we relate to and commune with God, so it should be an integral part of a Christian’s life (Colossians 4:2) and the church’s life together (Acts 2:42). To grow in godliness, it’s helpful for Christians to be intentional about setting aside regular times of prayer. Prayer should also take place in unplanned ways throughout the day as needs arise or as God’s goodness prompts us to express praise and thanksgiving.
Does God Answer Prayer?
God assures us in his Word that he hears and answers the requests of his children. However, such requests must be in accord with God’s will, that is, they must be consistent with what he has revealed in Scripture (1 John 5:14–15). Prayer should also be offered in faith (Mark 11:24), for we should not expect God to answer our prayers when our trust is divided between God and the world (James 1:6). Nor should we expect to experience close fellowship with God when we are knowingly holding onto sin (Psalm 66:18). Gratefully, though, God knows the imperfections of our faith (Mark 9:24), and he is gracious to those who humble themselves before him (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Sometimes, God may choose to deny our requests or delay in answering them, for his own purposes (2 Corinthians 12:9). In such cases, we can trust God’s perfect wisdom and goodness; he is always working for our eternal good (Romans 8:28). Even when we don’t know what to pray, we can be confident knowing that the Holy Spirit is interceding for us according to the will of God (Romans 8:26–27).
- Sometimes prayer is accompanied by fasting, which expresses our longing for and dependence on God. See Psalm 35:13; Daniel 9:3; Luke 5:33–35; Acts 13:3. Fasting involves “abstinence from physical food for spiritual purposes.” David Platt, Secret Church 19, “Prayer, Fasting, and the Pursuit of God.” ↵
- These four kinds of prayer are taken from The New City Catechism. Question 38 asks, “What is prayer?” and provides the following answer: “Prayer is pouring out our hearts to God in praise, petition, confession of sin, and thanksgiving.” ↵
