I once heard someone say that she prayed for her college roommate every day for two years for her roommate to know the Lord. And God heard her prayer! Her roommate came to know Jesus. I have always remembered this person’s dedication, commitment and persistence in praying for her roommate.
An extraordinary aspect of our relationship with God is that we get to commune with Him through prayer. We get to talk to Him directly. What’s even more remarkable is that He listens to our prayers!
Psalm 145:18 (NKJV) “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.”
What does Scripture have to say about prayer? I have not included an exhaustive list here by any means but have listed below five calls to action listed in scripture regarding prayer.
- Persistent Prayer
Jesus told his disciples a parable about persistent prayer in Luke 18:1-7 (NKJV):
Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
The judge who did not fear God nor regard man provided justice for this widow because she was so persistent in coming to him. Jesus said God (He) will listen to you far more than this corrupt judge who did not care for anyone except himself but still provided justice for this widow.
- Do Not Lose Heart
There is an important phrase in the Luke 18 passage – and not lose heart. Have you prayed for something that is good, righteous and honorable and it has not yet come to pass? Is there something you are really seeking the Lord in and you are still waiting for it to be answered? The Lord says not to lose heart.
- Patient Waiting
King David in Psalm 40:1-2a (NKJV) said, “I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay.”
King David had to wait for the Lord. According to this verse, it was not a pacing back and forth and tapping your feet waiting, but a patient waiting. And God did answer King David.
It is not clear exactly what circumstances King David was referring to in this passage but we know from accounts in Scripture that King David faced many trials including fearing for his life on multiple accounts due to his numerous enemies, experiencing the loss of his infant son, and facing reprimand from God through the prophet Nathan. King David had experienced fear, loss, anguish and shame in his life and it seems from those experiences He learned to trust the Lord because the Lord showed up during those times. King David learned to wait patiently because he believed the Lord knew what was best for him.
- Fast
Another example of praying is found in Ezra 8 where Ezra and the family heads of the exiled people of Israel fasted and sought God.
Ezra 8:23 (NASB) “So we fasted and sought our God concerning this matter, and He listened to our entreaty.”
What do you think it is about fasting that is different from “only” praying?
In particular, I think of the passages in Matthew and Mark where the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast out certain evil spirits and Jesus replied saying, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” (NKJV) There seems to be something potent about fasting and praying together.
Have you fasted and prayed about something before? Speaking for myself, I love food and fasting is very difficult for me. Quite honestly, I have never truly fasted from food for anything. I believe God has revealed to me that food is an idol of mine as I have not been willing to give it up. Only recently have I been convicted that there are particular issues I bring before Him now that I also need to fast about.
- Faithful Prayer
In Romans 12:12 (NIV), it says –
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Note the words faithful in prayer in the verse. What is God calling you to pray more faithfully about? Is there something you know you should pray more often about but don’t?
Perhaps it’s someone coming to know Christ? Or praying a particular request a friend asked you to pray about? Maybe it’s an issue that God has pricked your heart to pray for but you haven’t taken any action?
It seems to me God is calling us to take a proactive approach to our praying including being persistent, not losing heart, being patient, fasting and being faithful. All these descriptors require engaged action on our part.
As you go about your week, think about which prayer areas you struggle with or would like to be more engaged in. Ask a friend to challenge you in it and hold you accountable. Share what God is teaching you about prayer with others.
Our Father who art in heaven, thank you for hearing our prayers. Thank You for allowing us to bring requests to You. As we seek You with matters, would You show us Your faithfulness with these requests? Dear Lord, I pray we will not lose heart as You ask us to wait. I pray that You would remind us to be persistent and faithful in our prayers. I pray that You would give us the strength and stamina to fast when You call us to do so. Prayer is a mystery. However, You meet us in it. Would You help us pray as prescribed for us in Scripture? Thank You for giving us this avenue to speak with You. You alone are worthy. Amen.
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There are many more verses in Scripture about prayer. I encourage you to check out additional attributes of prayer here.