Topical Bible: Prayer: should be offered Up with Holiness

◄ Prayer: should be offered Up with Holiness ►

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Prayer, a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, is the means by which believers communicate with God. It is an act of worship, supplication, and thanksgiving, and it is essential that it be offered up with holiness. The Bible provides numerous teachings and examples that emphasize the importance of approaching God with a pure heart and reverent spirit.

Biblical Foundation

The call to holiness in prayer is rooted in the character of God Himself. As the Holy One, God desires that His people reflect His holiness in their lives, including their prayer life. In 1 Peter 1:15-16 , it is written, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness extends to every aspect of a believer's life, including prayer.

Purity of Heart

The condition of the heart is paramount when approaching God in prayer. Psalm 24:3-4 asks, "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully." This passage underscores the necessity of purity and sincerity when entering into God's presence.

Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of a pure heart in prayer. In the Sermon on the Mount, He taught, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8). A heart free from sin and full of integrity is essential for effective prayer.

Reverence and Awe

Approaching God with reverence and awe is another aspect of offering prayer with holiness. Hebrews 12:28-29 instructs believers, "Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." This passage highlights the need for a respectful and humble attitude in prayer, recognizing the majesty and holiness of God.

Confession and Repentance

Confession and repentance are vital components of holy prayer. Acknowledging one's sins and seeking God's forgiveness is crucial for maintaining a right relationship with Him. 1 John 1:9 assures believers, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This cleansing is necessary for approaching God with a holy heart.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a significant role in guiding believers to pray with holiness. Romans 8:26-27 states, "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 with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." The Holy Spirit aids believers in aligning their prayers with God's will, ensuring that they are offered up in holiness.

Examples of Holy Prayer

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who prayed with holiness. Daniel, known for his unwavering faithfulness, prayed with integrity and devotion, even in the face of persecution (Daniel 6:10). Similarly, King David often approached God with a contrite heart, as seen in Psalm 51, where he seeks God's mercy and cleansing after his sin with Bathsheba.

Conclusion

Prayer, when offered up with holiness, becomes a powerful means of communion with God. By maintaining purity of heart, reverence, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, believers can ensure that their prayers are pleasing to God and aligned with His divine will.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 2:8
I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Prevailing Prayer.
... the Spirit of God; and when they have them, they should persevere in prayer, for
if ... the leadings of the Spirit, till you have offered that effectual ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture iv prevailing prayer.htm

The Knowledge that God Is, Combined with the Knowledge that He is ...
... should be in private and secret; but where public prayer is, your hearts should
close with ... join in the public service of God which is offered up in your ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xi the knowledge that.htm

Here we Might Leave the Subject, but we Cannot Forbear Adding Some ...
... not now saying that the doctrines of the purity and holiness of God ... of life, there
appears to be no reason why prayer should not be offered up for counsel ...
/.../jerram/thoughts on a revelation/section 6 here we might.htm

Christ's Intercessory Prayer.
... more fruitful, more sublime, than this prayer offered up by the Son ... Jesus prays for
Himself; and His prayer is, "Father ... no more reason why He should stay longer ...
/.../xvi christs intercessory prayer.htm

Whether Christ was Becomingly Presented in the Temple?
... the turtle dove, being solitary, signifies the tears of prayer; whereas the ... two of
each of these animals are offered, to show that holiness should be not ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ was becomingly presented.htm

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... betokens the grace of Christ; salt, His knowledge; incense, His prayer. ... off the
corruption of putrefaction: for sacrifices offered to God should be incorrupt ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

The Ministry and Prayer
... days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and ... out their force in order that
Christians should honour God ... God's Word, in the ministry of prayer, in holy ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/vii the ministry and prayer.htm

Of Prayer
... places or churches in which common prayers are offered up. ... the voice refers more
to public than private prayer. ... Public prayers should be in the vulgar, not in ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/of prayer.htm

Prayer Takes in the Whole Man
... While children should be taught early to pray, praying is no ... Prayer engages all the
powers of man's moral and ... of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/i prayer takes in the.htm

The Man who Knocked at Midnight
... more importunate and prevailing prayer has been offered at midnight ... And should some
ear in the house overhear it, it ... It is no longer a prayer for bread, or for ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xiv the man who knocked.htm