What is Prayer?

“Be anxious for nothing,” Paul urged, “but in everything by prayer…let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6, emphasis added). Everything—our whole lives, all that we do—should be driven by prayer.

Prayer is the backbone of the church, the ecclesia of the Lord. God’s chosen method of intervention is prayer. God works through people. For various reasons, it’s the way He has set things up. Whether we or others are praying, prayer moves the heart of God and changes situations.

Ephesians 6:18 tells us, “Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty.” Here Paul uses the phrase “all manner” (AMPC). That simply means there are different types of prayer for different situations and results.

Ultimately, prayer is communicating in the spiritual realm with all three members of the Godhead—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Prayer is not a monologue; it’s a dialogue through which we express our hearts and listen to His. God is a dialogical God, and He desires our fellowship. Prayer is not meant to be an information bureau whereby He learns of our problems and fixes them. He already knows our needs before we even speak. Yet because He loves us, loves faith, and desires a relationship with us, He says, “Go ahead and tell me what you need.”

Faith absolutely thrills God, and true prayer is about faith. It’s knowing when you are talking to Him that He’s listening and responding, even when you don’t see it.

I have heard your prayer and supplication, which you made before Me. I have consecrated this house which you built by putting My name there forever. And My eyes and My heart shall be there perpetually.—1 Kings 9:3, MEV