Prayer is talking to God, listening to His voice, and pouring out your heart to Him. But how exactly does it work? Why pray if God already knows everything anyway? And what if you don't feel anything or don't get an answer? In this blog, we explore what the Bible says about prayer! 🙏🏽
Prayer is about relationship, not obligation
Prayer is not a task on your to-do list. God desires sincere communication with you like a Father with His child.
In Matthew 6:7-8, Jesus warns against empty, repetitive prayers. He says:
"And when praying, do not use a lot of words by saying the same thing over and over again, as the other nations do. For they think that if they just keep repeating their words, their gods will do what they ask of them. Do not do as they do. For your Father knows what you need. He knows it even before you have prayed to Him for it!"
God wants you to discuss all your thoughts and feelings with Him. You may come to Him with all your joys, concerns, doubts and gratitude. Real prayers do not come from your head, but from your heart.
You can't do prayer 'right' or 'wrong'
Sometimes we think that praying only works if we do it the 'right' way. As if we have to be ‘good enough’ before God will talk to us. But that, of course, is not true. Thanks to Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, as a child of God you always have access to Him. Not because you are all right, but because He is a loving Father who listens.
"Pray without ceasing. Thank God in everything. For this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
In prayer, you may lay everything before Him and say “Lord, I need You.” And the great thing is that you don't have to be “good enough” for that first.
Prayer changes you, not just the situation
Often we pray with the hope of change: healing, direction, breakthrough. The Bible also shows that prayer actually sets something in motion. But not every prayer is answered in the way or time we want or expect. Sometimes nothing seems to change.... and yet something happens inside.
“Be anxious in no thing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, let your desires be made known to God with thanksgiving; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7
Prayer may not directly change your circumstances, but it changes you. It brings peace where you felt restlessness, confidence where you doubted, and surrender where you tried to maintain control. It reminds you that God rules and your life is in His hands.
Misunderstandings about prayer
There are many ideas about prayer that do not agree with the Bible. Here are three common misunderstandings:
❌ "I have to get it right or God won't hear me."
It is precisely because we are not perfect that it is necessary to come to God. We need Him: not as a reward for how well we do, but as a source of grace, strength and restoration.
"But the tax-receiver remained at a distance [ from the temple ] and would not even look up to heaven. He wrung his hands [ of regret ] and said, ‘God, please forgive me the evil things I have done!’" - Luke 18:13
❌ "My problem is too small/big for God"
God knows you personally and He is omnipotent. Nothing is too small or too big for Him.
“Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” - 1 Peter 5:7
❌ "If God knows everything anyway, there is no need to pray."
God is not a detached power, but a Father who desires relationship. You pray not to inform Him of a particular situation, but to spend time with Him.
Bible verses about prayer
Of course, the Bible says a lot about prayer. We have listed a few important verses!
- Matthew 6:6 - "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will repay you publicly."
- Romans 12:12 - "Be glad about things to come. Be patient when you are persecuted. Never stop praying."
- James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. For when a good and righteous person prays to God for something, it has a great effect."
- Psalm 145:18 - “If anyone truly cries out to Him for help, the Lord comes to help him.”
- Luke 11:9-10 - "And I say to you, Pray, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who prays receives; he who seeks finds; and he who knocks, to him it will be opened."
- Ephesians 6:18 - "Pray continually, being guided by the Holy Spirit. Do not weaken in this, but persevere and pray continuously for other Christians."
- Psalm 5:4 - "Lord, already in the morning You hear me calling. In the morning I tell You what is on my heart. Then I wait for Your answer."
- Romans 8:26 - "The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We don't even know how to pray. Therefore the Spirit looks after our interests with sighs for which there are no words."
Reminders to pray
Want to dwell on prayer more often in your daily life? Our Bible verse posters can help you through visual reminders of God's love and nearness!
