The term "prayest" is an archaic form of the verb "pray," used in older English translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version. It is the second person singular present tense, often found in direct address or in the context of prayer. In the Berean Standard Bible, the equivalent would be "you pray."

Biblical Context

Prayer is a central theme throughout the Bible, serving as a means of communication between humanity and God. It is both a personal and communal practice, deeply rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition. The act of praying is seen as an expression of faith, dependence, and devotion to God.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, prayer is depicted as a vital part of the lives of the patriarchs, prophets, and kings. For example, in Genesis 20:7, God instructs Abimelech to return Sarah to Abraham, stating, "For he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live." This highlights the intercessory role of prayer.

The Psalms are rich with prayers of praise, lament, and supplication. Psalm 5:2 says, "Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray." Here, the psalmist demonstrates a personal and direct appeal to God, emphasizing the intimate nature of prayer.

New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ provides the ultimate model for prayer. The Lord's Prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13, is a foundational text for Christian prayer. Jesus instructs His disciples, "Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name...'" . This prayer encapsulates adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication.

Jesus also emphasizes the importance of sincerity in prayer. In Matthew 6:5-6, He warns against praying for show: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men... But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen."

The Apostle Paul further encourages believers to engage in constant prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, he exhorts, "Pray without ceasing." This call to persistent prayer underscores its significance in the life of a believer.

Theological Significance

Prayer is not merely a ritualistic practice but a profound expression of faith and reliance on God. It is an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and an invitation for His will to be done in one's life. Through prayer, believers seek guidance, strength, and comfort, trusting in God's providence and grace.

The act of praying also fosters a deeper relationship with God, as it involves both speaking and listening. It is a means of aligning one's heart with God's purposes and experiencing His presence in daily life.

Practical Application

For Christians, prayer is an essential discipline that should be cultivated regularly. It can take various forms, including personal devotions, corporate worship, and intercessory prayer for others. The practice of prayer is encouraged to be heartfelt, sincere, and rooted in Scripture.

In summary, "prayest" reflects the timeless and vital practice of prayer in the Christian faith, serving as a conduit for divine communication and spiritual growth.

On the Lord's Prayer in St. Matthew's Gospel, Chap. vi. 9, Etc. To ...
... end of the traitor Judas is foretold, how the prophecy spake of him, "Let his prayer
be turned into sin?" [1969] If then thou risest up, and prayest for evil ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon vi on the lords.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: For they love to
pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 26 upon our lords.htm

Amore Langueo. ...
... of Thy praise. And think it not only whiles thou eatest, but both before
and after, and ever when thou prayest or speakest. Or if ...
/.../chapter vii amore langueo .htm

Ye have Heard Also that it was Said unto the Ancients...
... [26] [721] And whenever thou prayest, be not as the hypocrites, who love to stand
in the synagogues and in the corners of the marketplaces for prayers, that ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section ix ye have heard.htm

1 Timothy ii. 10-Aug
... "When thou prayest," saith Christ, "thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are; for
they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets ...
/.../homily viii 1 timothy ii.htm

Psalm CXLII.
... For the Lord Jesus Christ bade thee pray in secret: but if thou knowest what
"thy closet" is, and cleansest it, there thou prayest to God. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlii.htm

Psalm XXXVI.
... Thy door is open, the multitude seeth when thou prayest. What is it to shut thy
door? ... What is that for which thou prayest, when thou hast shut the door? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxvi.htm

Brief Directions How to Read the Holy Scriptures once Every Year ...
... But forasmuch, that as faith is the soul, so reading and meditating on the word
of God, are the parent's of prayer, therefore, before thou prayest in the ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/brief directions how to read.htm

Preface. And as to Christ Thy Lord
... 1 Corinthians 2:2. thou hast determined to know nothing but "Christ, and him crucified;"
and as to practice, with the said apostle thou prayest, that thou ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/preface and as to christ.htm

Psalm XXXIV.
... heard the Lord? Within. Where giveth He? Within. There thou prayest, there
thou art heard, there thou art blessed. Thou hast prayed ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxiv.htm

Prayest (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Prayest (2 Occurrences). Matthew 6:5 And when
thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for ...
/p/prayest.htm - 7k

Prayeth (28 Occurrences)

/p/prayeth.htm - 14k

Verily (146 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for
they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets ...
/v/verily.htm - 39k

Render (95 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy chamber, and having shut
thy door, pray to thy Father who is in secret, and thy Father who sees in ...
/r/render.htm - 36k

Closet (3 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast
shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which ...
/c/closet.htm - 9k

Appear (111 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites; for they
love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets so ...
/a/appear.htm - 39k

Standing (334 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for
they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets ...
/s/standing.htm - 36k

Close (186 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast
shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which ...
/c/close.htm - 39k

Hast (1968 Occurrences)
... Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast
shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which ...
/h/hast.htm - 36k

Prayers (99 Occurrences)

/p/prayers.htm - 51k

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