Topical Bible: Prayer: Commanded

◄ Prayer: Commanded ►

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Prayer, as a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, is not merely encouraged but commanded throughout Scripture. It serves as a vital means of communication between believers and God, reflecting a relationship of dependence, worship, and obedience. The command to pray is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, underscoring its importance in the life of a believer.

Old Testament Commands

In the Old Testament, prayer is presented as an essential practice for God's people. The Psalms, often considered the prayer book of the Bible, are replete with exhortations to call upon the Lord. Psalm 105:1-4 states, "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always."

The prophet Jeremiah also conveys God's command to pray, particularly in times of distress. Jeremiah 29:12 records God's promise to His people: "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you." This assurance of God's attentiveness to prayer is a recurring theme, emphasizing the expectation that His people will seek Him earnestly.

New Testament Commands

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself commands His followers to pray. In the Sermon on the Mount, He instructs, "But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:6). This directive not only commands prayer but also highlights the sincerity and privacy that should accompany it.

The Apostle Paul further reinforces the command to pray in his epistles. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 , he writes, "Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Here, prayer is presented as a continual and integral part of the Christian life, intertwined with joy and gratitude.

Paul also exhorts believers in Ephesians 6:18 to "pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints." This passage underscores the necessity of prayer in spiritual warfare and the communal aspect of praying for one another.

The Role of Prayer in the Early Church

The early church exemplified obedience to the command to pray. Acts 2:42 describes the early believers: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This devotion to prayer was foundational to their communal life and spiritual growth.

Moreover, the apostles prioritized prayer in their ministry. In Acts 6:4 , they declare, "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word." This commitment highlights the indispensable role of prayer in leadership and the proclamation of the Gospel.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, the command to pray is clear and compelling. It is an act of obedience that reflects a believer's faith and reliance on God. Prayer is not only a personal discipline but also a corporate practice that strengthens the body of Christ. As such, it remains a central and commanded element of the Christian life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 55:6
Seek you the LORD while he may be found, call you on him while he is near:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you:
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Philippians 4:6
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
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Library

All are Commanded to Pray --Prayer the Great Means of Salvation
... A SHORT METHOD OF PRAYER. CHAPTER I. ALL ARE COMMANDED TO PRAY"PRAYER THE
GREAT MEANS OF SALVATION. CHAPTER I. ALL ARE COMMANDED ...
/.../a short method of prayer and spiritual torrents/chapter i all are commanded.htm

Why Has Christ Commanded us to Address God Thus: "Our Father"?
... Why has Christ commanded us to address God thus: "Our Father"? That immediately,
in the very beginning of our prayer, he might excite in us a childlike ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 120 why has christ.htm

Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
... Can we deny it that the lack of prayer is the sin on account of ... sin of Achan, God
first said, "They have transgressed My covenant which I commanded them." God ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter vi restraining prayer is.htm

The Graces She Received in Prayer. What we Can do Ourselves. The ...
... Chapter X. The Graces She Received in Prayer. ... to Keep Her Writings Secret, Because
of the Special Graces of Our Lord to Her, Which They Had Commanded Her to ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter x the graces she.htm

The Climax of all Prayer
... question by retorting and saying: 'How is it possible that such a prayer should
have ... An impossibility can never be a duty, and yet we are commanded: 'Be ye ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the climax of all prayer.htm

How the Fears of the Saint Vanished. How She was Assured that Her ...
... [7]. 6. Whenever our Lord commanded me to do one thing in prayer, and if my confessor
forbade it, our Lord Himself told me to obey my confessor. ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter xxvi how the fears.htm

Here is the Sum of My Examination Before Justice Keelin, Justice ...
... I said, Because I did not find it commanded in the Word of God. Keel. He said, We
were commanded to pray. Bun. I said, But not by the Common Prayer-Book. Keel. ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/here is the sum of.htm

Thou Shalt not Commit Adultery.
... have said our little prayer, have observed the fasts and feasts, then we think our
whole duty is done. Now, if no other work were commanded but chastity alone ...
/.../luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt not commit adultery.htm

A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents
... AUTHOR'S PREFACE. A SHORT METHOD OF PRAYER. CHAPTER I. ALL ARE COMMANDED
TO PRAY--PRAYER THE GREAT MEANS OF SALVATION. CHAPTER II. ...
/.../bouvieres/a short method of prayer and spiritual torrents/

Of Prayer in General...
... And hence likewise it is that the duty of prayer is enjoined after such a manner
as no other duty is, for we are commanded to exercise it without intermission. ...
/.../chapter i of prayer in.htm