Topical Bible: Character of the Renewed Heart: Prayerful

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The character of a renewed heart is marked by a life of prayerfulness, reflecting a deep and abiding relationship with God. Prayer is not merely a ritual or obligation but a vital expression of faith and dependence on the Creator. The prayerful heart is one that continually seeks communion with God, aligning itself with His will and purposes.

Biblical Foundation

The Scriptures consistently emphasize the importance of prayer in the life of a believer. Jesus Himself modeled a life of prayer, often withdrawing to solitary places to commune with the Father (Luke 5:16: "Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray"). His disciples, recognizing the significance of prayer in His life, asked Him to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1: "One day in a place where Jesus had just finished praying, one of His disciples requested, 'Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.'").

The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), indicating that prayer should be a constant and ongoing practice. This does not imply a continuous verbalization of prayers but rather an attitude of the heart that remains in constant communication with God.

Attributes of a Prayerful Heart

1. Dependence on God: A prayerful heart acknowledges its need for God in every aspect of life. It recognizes that apart from Him, one can do nothing (John 15:5: "I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing."). This dependence is expressed through regular and earnest prayer.

2. Humility: Prayer is an act of humility, acknowledging God's sovereignty and one's own limitations. The prayerful heart approaches God with reverence and submission, as exemplified in the Lord's Prayer, which begins with the recognition of God's holiness and kingdom (Matthew 6:9-10: "So then, this is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.'").

3. Faith and Trust: A prayerful heart is characterized by faith, trusting in God's goodness and His promises. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Prayer is an expression of this faith, believing that God hears and answers according to His perfect will.

4. Perseverance: The renewed heart is persistent in prayer, not losing heart even when answers are delayed. Jesus taught the parable of the persistent widow to illustrate the importance of perseverance in prayer (Luke 18:1-8). The prayerful heart continues to seek, knock, and ask, confident in God's timing and wisdom.

5. Gratitude: A prayerful heart is filled with gratitude, recognizing God's blessings and grace. Philippians 4:6 encourages believers, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Thanksgiving is an integral part of prayer, acknowledging God's provision and faithfulness.

Examples from Scripture

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals whose lives were marked by prayer. Daniel, despite the threat of persecution, continued his practice of praying three times a day (Daniel 6:10). Hannah, in her deep anguish, prayed earnestly for a child, and God answered her prayer (1 Samuel 1:10-20). The early church devoted themselves to prayer, seeking God's guidance and power (Acts 2:42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer").

Conclusion

The character of a renewed heart is inherently prayerful, reflecting a life that is deeply connected to God through continual communication. This prayerfulness is not only a personal discipline but also a communal practice, as believers join together in prayer, seeking God's will and interceding for one another. Through prayer, the renewed heart grows in intimacy with God, becoming more attuned to His voice and more aligned with His purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 1:13
Now Hannah, she spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 27:8
When you said, Seek you my face; my heart said to you, Your face, LORD, will I seek.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prayer Born of Compassion
... But spiritual compassion, the kind born in a renewed heart, which is ... "Brethren, my
heart's desire and ... the pledge of labourers in numbers and character to meet ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/x prayer born of compassion.htm

A Knowledge of God
... shall desire to be wholly transformed and renewed in the ... a breadth of mind, a nobility
of character, and a ... words of inspiration, pondered in the heart, will be ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 10 a knowledge of.htm

The Waldenses.
... are revealed only to the earnest, humble, prayerful seeker. ... from childhood had been
of a character to prepare ... The very first impulse of the renewed heart is to ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /4 the waldenses.htm

The Waldenses
... are revealed only to the earnest, humble, prayerful seeker. ... from childhood had been
of a character to prepare ... The very first impulse of the renewed heart is to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 4 the waldenses.htm

Snares of Satan.
... Then with renewed zeal he plies his arts ... it their religion to seek some fault of
character or error ... of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful heart. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /32 snares of satan.htm

Snares of Satan
... Then with renewed zeal he plies his arts ... it their religion to seek some fault of
character or error ... of God is plain to all who study it with a prayerful heart. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 32 snares of satan.htm

Aims of the Papacy.
... the foundation of truth, and whose hearts are renewed by the ... The Saviour's heart
overflowed with love ... is a part of her policy to assume the character which will ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /35 aims of the papacy.htm

Liberty of Conscience Threatened
... the foundation of truth, and whose hearts are renewed by the ... The Saviour's heart
overflowed with love ... is a part of her policy to assume the character which will ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 35 liberty of conscience.htm

Prayer and Trust
... Faith gives it colour and tone, shapes its character, and secures ... born soul, and
the ear of the renewed soul. ... sea, and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/iii prayer and trust.htm

Letter viii. Public and Social Worship, and Sabbath Employments.
... yourself, your instructions will be of the same character. ... Get your heart refreshed,
in view of the practical ... believe their hearts have been renewed, show them ...
/.../letter viii public and social.htm