What is Prayer?
Prayer is a personal, open line of communication with God that doesn't require specific rituals but instead focuses on a heartfelt connection with Him. Christians are encouraged to pray anytime, anywhere, and for anything—whether for themselves, others, or expressing gratitude—as a way to strengthen their relationship with God.
Bound Together
11/8/20242 min read
As a Christian, you are taught how to pray at such a young age. To be completely honest, I was taught so young that I don’t even remember, it had already been ingrained in my head. We were told to get down on our knees, fold our hands, bow our heads, and close our eyes, but did we really know the meaning of prayer.
What is prayer really? Do we really have to get down on our knees and close our eyes? When should we pray and what should we pray about? Are there any limits when it comes to prayer? The Bible has a lot to say about prayer and what role it should play in the lives of Christians.
When Should I Pray?
Many Christians have made it a habit to pray the second they wake up or before a meal, and while this is a great idea, you can pray anytime. In fact, the Bible calls us to pray all day long. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 states “Pray continually.” Does this mean that we have to follow specific guidelines every time we want to talk to God? No, we can talk to him without closing our eyes or without folding our hands. You can talk to him in the grocery store, at school, or even while you’re driving. It’s all about having that daily 1-on-1 relationship with him.
What Should I Pray About?
When we think about prayer, the first thing we jump to are our requests. Although we may be in need, it’s very important to praise God as well. Food, health, family, friendships, these are all things that we need to be grateful for and we must thank him for the blessings in our lives. There are a number of things that we take for granted but nothing would be possible without him. It’s important to not only pray for ourselves but the people around us. Our loved ones, co-workers, and many others may be in need of prayer and you can make a drastic difference in their lives. No request is too much for God, he says in Ephesians 6:18, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” There are a number of things you can pray about, don’t ever feel like you can’t share anything with God.
Who Should I Pray For?
We should pray for everyone! Not only for ourselves, but our family, friends, co-workers, and all others. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people–for kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases our Savior.” We live in a broken and hurting world, and it is important to praise God for the good we see in it, as well as ask God to heal the brokenness.
Where should I Pray?
You can pray anywhere. In Romans 8:26-27 it says, “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows that mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Because of the Holy Spirit, we can talk directly to God anywhere. You can pray in the shower, or in your bed, or at the gym. God can hear us wherever we are.
Why Should I Pray?
We should pray because we love God and want to be in communion with him, but we should also pray because God commands us to. Colossians 4:2 states, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” God asks us to commit ourselves to prayer because it is the best way to have a true relationship with him.
