Prayer
Prayer is simply talking with God. It’s how we communicate with Him, sharing our hearts and listening for His voice. It’s about honesty, faith, and connection with God.
What Does the Bible Say About Prayer?
Prayer Is a Relationship, Not a Ritual
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
God invites us to talk to Him like a Father, Friend, and King.
Jesus Taught Us How to Pray
The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9–13
“This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name...’”
This prayer gives us a model:
Praise (“Hallowed be your name”)
Surrender (“Your will be done”)
Dependence (“Give us today our daily bread”)
Forgiveness (“Forgive us our debts…”)
Protection (“Deliver us from the evil one”)
Types of Prayer in the Bible
Here are a few common kinds:
Praise: Honoring God for who He is (Psalm 145)
Confession: Admitting sin and asking forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
Thanksgiving: Thanking God for blessings (Philippians 4:6)
Supplication: Asking for needs—yours and others’ (James 5:16)
Intercession: Praying on behalf of others (1 Timothy 2:1)
Why Do We Pray?
To grow closer to God
To align with His will
To find peace and guidance
To fight spiritual battles
Because God listens and responds
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God…” Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)
How Should We Pray?
With faith (James 1:6)
With sincerity (Matthew 6:7)
With persistence (Luke 18:1)
With thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)
In Jesus’ name (John 14:13–14)
Who Do We Pray To?
God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?
Many new Christians wonder, “Who should I pray to: God the Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?” The simple answer is:
We pray to God the Father
In the name of Jesus
Through the help of the Holy Spirit
This pattern follows what Jesus taught about prayer.
Pray to God the Father
Jesus taught His disciples to pray to the Father:
Matthew 6:9 – "This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…’"
John 16:23 – "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."
This shows that our prayers should be directed to God the Father, who is the source of everything.
Pray in the Name of Jesus
Jesus is our mediator (the one who connects us to God). Because of His sacrifice on the cross, we have direct access to God.
John 14:13-14 – "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."
1 Timothy 2:5 – "For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus."
This is why Christians often end prayers with “In Jesus’ name, Amen.” We are coming to God through Jesus, who makes the way for us.
The Holy Spirit Helps Us Pray
The Holy Spirit helps us pray, especially when we don’t know what to say.
Romans 8:26 – "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."
Ephesians 6:18 – "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."
The Holy Spirit guides and strengthens our prayers, making them powerful and effective.
While it’s okay to speak to Jesus or the Holy Spirit, the way of prayer is to the Father, through Jesus, with the help of the Spirit.