READING • PSALM 107
A remarkable privilege
Prayer is the privilege of speaking to the Creator of heaven and earth. God is infinitely greater than we are, yet Scripture repeatedly shows that He listens to people who approach Him humbly, sincerely and with respect for His Word.
The great God invites the humble to approach Him
The difference between God and human beings could hardly be greater. He is the Creator; we are His creatures. Yet God does not tell sincere people to keep away. He looks with favour on those who recognise their need and take His Word seriously.
“The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool ... but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”
Isaiah 66:1–2 • King James Version
Prayer therefore begins with humility. We do not approach God as though He owes us something. We come because He is merciful and because He has shown in Scripture that He is willing to hear.
Approaching a holy God
The Old Testament often emphasises the holiness and majesty of God. At Mount Sinai the people of Israel were afraid when God revealed His power (Exodus 19:17–20; 20:18–21). Moses acted as a mediator, bringing God’s words to the people and their concerns before God.
Later, in the Tabernacle, the Most Holy Place represented the presence of God. The high priest entered it only on the Day of Atonement and only in the way God had commanded. The lesson was clear: human beings do not decide for themselves how they will approach God.
A principle that continues
God is near and compassionate, but He is also holy. Prayer is not casual conversation with an equal. It combines confidence in His mercy with reverence for His greatness.
Could ordinary people pray?
Yes. The Bible contains prayers from many kinds of people, in many places and circumstances. Some lived before the Law of Moses; some were Israelites; some were Gentiles; some were rulers and some were ordinary people. The consistent picture is that God is interested in sincere people who seek Him.
PERSON
SITUATION
WHAT PRAYER SHOWS
Abraham’s servant — Genesis 24
He asked God to guide his journey as he sought a wife for Isaac.
We may ask for guidance, and should give thanks when help is received.
Hannah — 1 Samuel 1
In deep distress because she had no child, she poured out her heart before God.
We can bring personal sorrow honestly to God.
God hears people who seek Him
Solomon prayed that even a stranger from a distant land might be heard when he came seeking the God of Israel (1 Kings 8:41–43). Daniel prayed faithfully in Babylon, giving thanks three times a day (Daniel 6:10). Psalm 107 gives repeated examples of people in distress crying to the LORD and being delivered.
“Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.”
Psalm 107:6 • King James Version
This does not mean that prayer is a guarantee that every danger will disappear or every request will be granted. The Psalm teaches that people in need may turn to God, and that deliverance should lead to thanksgiving and a changed life.
Cornelius — heard before he was baptized
Acts 10 is especially important. Cornelius was a Gentile who feared God, gave generously and prayed continually. Before he had been baptized, an angel told him:
“Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.”
Acts 10:4 • King James Version
God therefore heard Cornelius while he was still learning. But Cornelius still needed the Gospel explained more fully. Peter was sent to him, he heard the message about Jesus, and he and his household were baptized (Acts 10:34–48).
An important correction
The Bible does not teach that God refuses to hear every prayer until a person is baptized. Cornelius was heard before baptism. Baptism is nevertheless the appointed beginning of life “in Christ”, bringing the believer into the covenant relationship in which Jesus is High Priest and Mediator.
What should we pray about?
Prayer is much more than asking for things. Bible prayers include several kinds of approach to God:
PART OF PRAYER
WHAT IT MEANS
EXAMPLES
Praise
Honouring God for who He is — His greatness, holiness, wisdom and love.
Psalms 8; 103
Thanksgiving
Recognising that our life and blessings come from God.
Psalm 107; Philippians 4:6
Confession
Admitting our sins without excuses and asking for mercy.
Psalm 51; Luke 18:13
Requests
Bringing needs, anxieties and decisions before God.
Philippians 4:6; James 1:5
Intercession
Praying for other people, not only for ourselves.
Genesis 18:23–33; 1 Timothy 2:1
The attitude God values
Jesus contrasted a proud Pharisee with a humble publican. The publican did not try to impress God with a list of achievements. He simply prayed:
“God be merciful to me a sinner.”
Luke 18:13 • King James Version
Jesus said that the humble man went home justified rather than the self-righteous one. Prayer must therefore be truthful. We cannot hide pride, resentment or deliberate sin from God.
Will God always give us what we ask?
No. Prayer is not a method of controlling God. We bring our requests to Him because we trust His wisdom, not because we expect Him to carry out our plans. Paul gives a beautiful balance between asking and trusting:
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Philippians 4:6 • King James Version
In the KJV, “be careful for nothing” means “do not be anxiously consumed by anything”. The verse does not promise that every request will be granted exactly as we ask. It tells us to bring our concerns to God with thanksgiving.
Praying according to God’s will
The Lord Jesus himself gives the perfect example. In Gethsemane he prayed intensely about the suffering before him, yet submitted to his Father: “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).
Faith does not mean demanding an outcome
A prayer of faith trusts that God can act and that He knows what is best. Sometimes the answer is “yes”; sometimes it is “wait”; sometimes God gives strength to endure rather than removing the difficulty.
When the answer is delayed
Scripture contains many examples of waiting. Abraham waited years for the promised son. Hannah endured distress before Samuel was born. Paul prayed repeatedly about his “thorn in the flesh”, but instead of removing it God taught him that divine strength could be seen in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:7–10).
Delay is not proof that God has forgotten us. Prayer should deepen patience, trust and self-examination rather than become a demand for immediate results.
God hears — but He also teaches us to listen
Prayer and Bible reading belong together. We speak to God in prayer; we listen to His revealed will in Scripture. A person who asks for guidance but ignores what God has already written is not really seeking His direction.
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.”
Psalm 119:18 • King James Version
That is a valuable prayer before Bible reading. We should ask for understanding, honesty and willingness to obey what we learn.
Practical habits of prayer
HELPFUL PRACTICE
WHY IT MATTERS
Pray regularly
Daniel prayed consistently; regular prayer prevents God from becoming an afterthought.
Find quiet when possible
Jesus often withdrew to pray. Quiet helps concentration, though prayer is possible anywhere.
Be specific and honest
Tell God what troubles you, what you are thankful for, and where you have failed.
Pray for others
Family, fellow believers, rulers, the sick, those in distress and those hearing the Gospel all need prayer.
Keep reading Scripture
The Word of God shapes our values and therefore shapes what we ask for.
Jesus Christ — the one Mediator
The New Testament gives believers a wonderful reason for confidence in prayer. Jesus is not another God alongside his Father. He is the one whom God has appointed to mediate between Himself and mankind:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
1 Timothy 2:5 • King James Version
Because Jesus shared human experience and was tempted yet remained sinless, he understands human weakness. After his resurrection and ascension he became the great High Priest for his disciples.
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 • King James Version
“Boldly” here does not mean arrogantly. It means that believers may approach with confidence because God has provided a High Priest in His Son.
Prayer after baptism
Baptism marks the beginning of a new life in Christ. Those who have been baptized into Christ belong to him and may approach God through him. When disciples sin, they are not to pretend that nothing has happened; they confess and seek forgiveness.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 • King James Version
Not perfection, but a changed direction
Baptized believers still fail and need forgiveness. Christian prayer includes continual confession, gratitude for God’s mercy, and determination to keep turning away from sin.
The prayer Jesus taught
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he gave them a pattern whose priorities remain vital. It begins with God’s name and Kingdom before moving to daily needs, forgiveness and help against temptation.
WORDS FROM LUKE 11
WHAT THEY TEACH US
“Hallowed be thy name.”
Begin with reverence for God.
“Thy kingdom come.”
Desire God’s purpose, not merely our own comfort.
“Give us day by day our daily bread.”
Depend on God for ordinary needs.
“Forgive us our sins; for we also forgive ...”
Seek mercy while practising forgiveness.
“Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.”
Recognise our weakness and ask for help to remain faithful.
Jesus was not teaching that prayer must always use exactly these words. He gave a model showing what matters: God’s honour, God’s Kingdom, daily dependence, forgiveness and spiritual help.
Prayer in everyday life
Prayer belongs in every part of discipleship: privately, with family and with the ecclesia; at regular times and in sudden need. Psalm 34:15 says, “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” This does not promise a trouble-free life, but it assures the faithful that they are not forgotten.
A simple pattern when you do not know what to say
STEP
A POSSIBLE FOCUS
1 PRAISE & THANK
Honour God for His greatness and thank Him for life, Scripture, the Gospel and daily blessings.
2 CONFESS
Acknowledge specific failures and ask for mercy and help to change.
3 ASK & REMEMBER OTHERS
Bring needs and decisions before God, and pray for family, believers, those suffering and the Gospel.
4 SEEK GOD’S PURPOSE
Ask for help to do His will, and pray for the return of Jesus and the coming Kingdom.
SUMMARY
1
Prayer is a privilege. God invites humble and sincere people to seek Him in praise, thanksgiving, confession and request.
2
Pray in faith, not demand. We bring our needs to God while accepting His wisdom, timing and will.
3
Scripture shapes prayer. The Bible teaches us what God values and helps us ask for what is right.
4
Jesus is the Mediator. Baptized believers have a special covenant relationship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Chapters to read
Acts 10 • Psalm 51 • Psalm 102 • Luke 18:1–14 • Hebrews 4:14–16 • Luke 11:1–4
LEARN BY HEART • PHILIPPIANS 4:6
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
Philippians 4:6 • King James Version
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 5
CHRISTADELPHIAN BIBLE MISSION • 1