2011-07-08

What is prayer?

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True prayer: A believer in Christ speaking to God from his heart.

Prayer is an act of worship, wherein we in true faith in our Mediator, Jesus Christ, bring our petitions before the true and living God in order to receive what we ourselves and our neighbor need. In prayer we also praise and thank God for what He has given and promised us.

Prayer is based on God’s command and the promises of God’s Word, as well as on God’s mercy – not on our own merits.

Prayer is the result of faith and belongs in the area of good works. It is not a means of grace. True prayer nevertheless refreshes believers spiritually, because it is connected with the remembrance and use of God’s Word , and the Word is a means of grace through which God speaks to us.

Ps. 19:14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.

Ps. 145:18: The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.

Is. 65: Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Dan. 9:18: We do not present our supplications before Thee for our righteousnesses, but for Thy great mercies.

Matt. 7:7: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Matt. 18:19: If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

James 4:2: Ye have not, because ye ask not.

Ps. 50:15: Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.

Ps. 103:2-3: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquities.