Prayer and article by Daniel S. Dow

Van R. Raye penned the following thoughts in a popular hymn: "Pray in the morning, pray at the noontime, pray in the evening, pray all the time, pray when you're happy, pray when in sorrow, pray when you're tempted, pray all the time." These words remind us of God's wonderful teachings and example concerning prayer. Prayer is a privilege and honor. Will you please consider and meditate upon the following Scriptures:

WHEN DO I PRAY?: "He spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1).; "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying..." (Acts 16:25 -- any hour when one is suffering for Christ.); "Praying at all seasons" (Ephesians 6:18).
HOW DO I PRAY?: "My prayer is pure." (Job 16:17); "The prayer of the upright is his delight. ...He loveth him that followeth after righteousness." (Proverbs 15:8,9); "When thou prayest, enter into thine inner chamber, and having shut thy door,pray to thy father who is in secret, and thy Father whos eeth in secret shall recompense thee. And in praying use not vain repetitions as the Gentiles do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." (Matthew 6:6,7); "Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22); "All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believing that ye receive them, and ye shall have them." (Mark 11:24); "And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed..." Mark 14:35).; "One of his desciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray...And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us day by da y our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we ourselves also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And bring us not into temptation." (Luke 11:1-4); "But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be thou merciful to me a sinner." (Luke 18:13).; "(Paul) kneeled down and prayed with them all." (Acts 20:36); "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also..." (1 Corinthians 14:15); "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17); "I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing." (1 Timothy 2:8)
FOR WHAT DO I PRAY?: "Pray for them that persecute you." (Matthew 5:44); "Neither for these only do I pray, but for them also that believe on me through their word." (John 17:20); "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment". (Philippians 1:9); "In everything give thanks." (1 Thessalonians 5:17); "I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; for kings and all that are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity." (1 Timothy 2:1,2); "If any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1:5); "Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working." (James 5:16); "Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins...And bring us not into temptation." (Luke 11:1-4)

Huntington Church of Christ

Prayer