The following articles are related to the topic of PRAYER

Seven “Laws” to Pray By

Prayer comes very close to being a basic human instinct. When one is in a life-threatening danger, the inclination is to pray. When the sorrows of human existence come crashing in and the heart is crushed under the burden, one can scarcely restrain himself from calling out for help - even when no discernable person is present. When one is ... read more »

Stephen’s Final Prayer

Stephen is widely known as the first Christian martyr. He is mentioned initially as one of the seven servants who ministered to the Grecian widows in the Jerusalem church (Acts 6:1-6). These were Jews born outside of Palestine who frequently returned to the Holy Land in their declining years, to die and there, be buried. Beyond the exercise of his ... read more »

Did Paul Pray for the Dead?

"Does Paul's prayer for Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:18) provide Bible authority for praying for the dead?" Some have sought to argue this position. Roman Catholic theologians frequently appeal to the text in an attempt to establish their case for praying on behalf of the dead. Regrettably, even some Protestants have yielded to this position, in spite of a total lack ... read more »

Lord, Teach Us How To Pray

The disciples saw something in Jesus that they lacked. So one asked him, "Teach us how to pray" (Luke 11:1). Can we develop this spiritual quality? Can we learn how to pray? Certainly we can, and we must, in order to stay strong through the temptations and trials of life. Think of the times of day when Jesus was found ... read more »

Praying for the Dead

Whenever someone we love dies - in old age or tragically before their prime - our hearts cannot but anguish with those who are suffering soul-tearing losses. Some children have lost one or both parents. Husbands and wives have been robbed of loving mates. Others will never see brother or sister again. To describe separations like these as painful is ... read more »

Solomon’s Temple Dedication Prayer and “Repentance”

The temple that Solomon constructed in Jerusalem was a magnificent structure, and the day of its dedication was one of solemnity and reverence. Though the king of Israel was flawed in a number of particulars, his prayer of dedication on this occasion was a model of spirituality. It is particularly significant as a "lexicon" definition of sorts of what is ... read more »

Should We Lift “Holy Hands” When We Pray?

"Does 1 Timothy 2:8 mean we should lift our hands upward when going to the Father in prayer? How do we know whether or not this is a tradition of Paul's time, or something we should practice today?" The careful Bible student is aware of the fact that there are certain conditions associated with effective prayer. For example: - Prayer ... read more »

Should Christians Pray for the Forgiveness of Their Sins?

"A brother contends that no Christian today needs to pray 'for the forgiveness of his sins,' since, according to 1 John 1:7, the blood of Christ is continually cleansing him (the significance, he says, of the present tense in Greek)." It is a tragic reality that some members of the church, though they may be sincere initially, evolve some of ... read more »

Three Prayers of Thanksgiving

Out of the biblical doctrine of the "Fatherhood" of God naturally arises the concept of prayer. What child does not need, and wish, to communicate with his father? Thus, in the "model prayer," the Lord taught his disciples to pray: "Our Father in heaven" (Matthew 6:9). One manifestation of prayer that should flow abundantly from the heart of the Christian ... read more »

May a Christian Address Christ in Praise or Prayer?

"Is it ever appropriate to pray to Jesus? Did he not teach us to pray, 'Our Father' (Matthew 6:9)? Did he not instruct his disciples that the time would come when nothing would be asked of him (John 16:23)? And is it appropriate to sing praises directly to Christ?" There appears to be a sincere but vocal minority within the ... read more »