July 18, 2025 • 12 mins
As Christians we know we should pray. We know Jesus told us to pray and gave us the example of prayer. But, what is prayer?
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Hello, and welcome to Words of Truth, where we bring
you biblical encouragement for everyday life. I'm your host, Mark Parrett.
Thank you for joining me today. Our topic is one
that touches every Christian life. What is prayer? Well, prayer
is something most of us are probably pretty familiar with,
(00:24):
I hope, but if we're honest, many of us struggle
with it, don't we. We wonder am I praying correctly?
As God listening? What should I say? Why does it
sometimes feel like I'm just talking into the air. David
Tripp writes, prayer is abandoning my righteousness, admitting my need
(00:47):
for forgiveness, and resting in the grace of the Cross
of Jesus Christ. Wow, that's an excellent definition of prayer.
I hope you take the time to listen to that again.
But let's explore together what the Bible says about prayer
and why it matters. Prayer is one of God's sweetest
(01:10):
gifts to us. First and foremost, prayer is communion with God.
It's more than a spiritual discipline, It's a relationship. Prayer
is God welcoming his children to talk with him. Imagine
that commune with him to abide with him. In Genesis
(01:33):
three and verse eight, we see God walking in the
garden in the cool of the day, wanting to be
with Adam and Eve. It's a wonderful picture of what
does God design prayer to be. It's relational, not mechanical.
Prayer isn't an invitation to bring him a catalog of
our self oriented desires to him, as if he were
(01:59):
little more than a cosmic Amazon like delivery system for
whatever cravings consume us at the moment. No. No, Prayer
is communion and worship. Prayer is a way of submitting
ourselves to Him. Now in the New Testament, Jesus often
(02:20):
withdrew to solitary places to pray. Why was it not
Jesus God, Well, it's because prayer was his lifeline to
the Father. It was intimate fellowship. John chapter seventeen, verse
three says, and this is eternal life, that they know you,
(02:43):
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have
sent you. See, knowing God is the essence of eternal life,
and prayer is how we engage that relationship. Prayer is
also an act of worship. It's not just about asking
for things, It's about honoring God for who he is.
(03:07):
It's about meditating on his majesty, the extent of his
love and grace and power. And I could go on.
It's letting the shadow of His glory loom over your heart.
When Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew chapter six,
he began, with our Father in heaven, how it would
(03:28):
be your name. See that's Worship's putting God in his
rightful place before we bring our needs to him. I mean,
think of the Psalms. So many are prayers filled with praise,
declaring his majesty and justice and mercy and power. And
so when we pray, we remind our hearts of who
(03:52):
God is and that he alone is worthy of our trust.
Prayer is also acknowledging our need for God. It's a
way of saying, Lord, I can't do this without you.
At the heart of true prayer is not my will,
but yours be done. Prayer is submitting our desires and
(04:14):
heart to a kingdom greater than our own. Philippians chapter four,
verses six and seven says, do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let
your requests be made known to God, and the peace
of God will guard your hearts and your minds. In
(04:35):
Christ Jesus, God invites us to bring everything to him,
not just the big problems, but everything. Our dependence is
our strength when we place it in his hands. It's
submitting all of our plans to him. Jesus told us
in John chapter fifteen, verse five, Apart from me, you
(04:56):
can do nothing prayers how we abide in him. It's
the vine and the branch's connection, the life giving flow
of grace. Now, sometimes we think of prayer like a
vending machine. Insert the right words, God gives us what
we need right. But biblical prayer isn't that way. Biblical
(05:19):
prayer isn't about getting our will done in heaven. It's
about getting God's will done on earth. Prayer is about alignment,
not manipulation. Again, in the Lord's Prayer, Jesus said, your
will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
(05:40):
When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Death Semite, he
poured out his agony before the Father, but he ended nevertheless,
not my will, but yours be done. You see prayers
where our hearts are shaped by God's will, not where
we try to shape God to our will. Furthermore, prayer
(06:02):
is a privilege bought by Jesus Christ. Have you ever
thought about how amazing it is that we can even
talk to God? Hebrews, chapter four and verse sixteen says,
let us, then, with confidence, draw near to the throne
of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace
to help in time of need. The Old Testament saints
(06:25):
couldn't talk to God directly or even enter into his presence.
There is a separating wall between God and man, and
only consecrated priests personally selected by God could ever approach him,
and even they had specific conditions they had to meet,
otherwise they would die, and some did die. But now
(06:47):
we can enter into God's presence at any time and
commune with him. Why do we have this confidence, Well
because Jesus has opened the way. You see, when Jesus died,
the curtain in the temple, the one that separated the
people from the presence of God, it was torn from
top to bottom. That was God's way of saying, through
(07:10):
my son, you now have access. Prayer isn't a right
we earn. It's a privilege purchased by Jesus. Another thing
I want you to know is that prayer is powerful
and effective. Let's not forget that prayer works. James chapter five,
(07:31):
verse sixteen says, the prayer a righteous person has great
power as it is working. Do you remember Elijah, the
prophet of God. The Bible says that he was a
common man, just like you and me. But he prayed
and the rain stopped for three and a half years,
and he prayed again and the sky is opened to
(07:51):
He wasn't a superhero. James says that he was a
man just like us. But you see, prayer moves the
hand of God. But even more than that, it moves us.
It changes our hearts, our perspective, our desires. Now, don't
get the wrong idea that we can somehow manipulate God.
(08:11):
We just talked about that. Prayer isn't just about getting
all the goodies in life we want. But God wants
to hear from us. He wants us to express our
needs to him, and when we pray in his will,
prayer moves the hand of God. James four two says,
you have not because you ask not. Sometimes we ask
(08:36):
with the wrong motives or selfishly, and God won't answer
those prayers. But God wants to answer prayers from a
pure heart and for his glory, and that are in
his will. And yes, God does answer prayer, but in
his way and in his time. Another thing to know
(08:57):
about what prayer is is that prayer is for all seasons.
The Bible says in First Thessalonians, chapter five, verse seventeen,
pray without ceasing. Now that doesn't mean we walk around
mumbling prayers all day, But what it does mean is
that we live in a continual awareness of God's presence,
(09:20):
ready to talk with Him in every moment, at any time.
Pray when you're joyful, Pray when you're broken, Pray when
you're confused, when you're grateful, when you're tempted, when you're
in awe. As one preacher said, prayer is the Christian's breath.
Stop praying and your spiritual life suffocates. But also remember
(09:45):
that prayer doesn't need perfect words, just an honest heart.
Don't think you have to impress God with flowery speech.
Romans chapter eight, verse twenty six reminds us that the
Spirit helps us in our weakness. The Spirit himself intercedes
for us with groanings too deep for words. Sometimes the
(10:08):
best prayers Lord help, or I don't even know what
to say. Sometimes my prayer is simply oh God, because
I'm too confused or frustrated or in pain to know
what to even say. He hears those prayers too. God
isn't looking for perfect grammar. He's looking for sincere hearts.
(10:33):
And finally, prayer builds faith. One of the beautiful things
about prayer is that over time, as we pray and
see God move, even in small ways, our faith grows.
We begin to trust Him more deeply. We begin to
see his fingerprints in things we once thought were coincidences.
(10:55):
We learn that even when his answer is wait or know,
his heart is always good. And so what is prayer? Well,
Prayer is communion with God and its worship and it's
dependence and its alignment with His will. It's a privilege
(11:17):
through Christ. It's powerful, it's constant, and it's the heartbeat
of a living relationship with our Creator. Let me ask
you today, have you prayed? Have you prayed today? Not
just asking God for things, but just being with him.
He's waiting. He delights in hearing your voice. Let's close
(11:40):
with this encouragement from Jeremiah chapter thirty three, Verse three,
Call to me, and I will answer you, and will
tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Thanks for listening to words of truth. If today's message
encourage you, consider sharing it with a friend. And don't
forget to say describe so that you never miss an
(12:01):
episode until next time. Stay grounded in the word and
never stopped seeking the face of God and prayer.
Hello, and welcome to Words of Truth, where we bring
you biblical encouragement for everyday life. I'm your host, Mark Parrett.
Thank you for joining me today. Our topic is one
that touches every Christian life. What is prayer? Well, prayer
is something most of us are probably pretty familiar with,
(00:24):
I hope, but if we're honest, many of us struggle
with it, don't we. We wonder am I praying correctly?
As God listening? What should I say? Why does it
sometimes feel like I'm just talking into the air. David
Tripp writes, prayer is abandoning my righteousness, admitting my need
(00:47):
for forgiveness, and resting in the grace of the Cross
of Jesus Christ. Wow, that's an excellent definition of prayer.
I hope you take the time to listen to that again.
But let's explore together what the Bible says about prayer
and why it matters. Prayer is one of God's sweetest
(01:10):
gifts to us. First and foremost, prayer is communion with God.
It's more than a spiritual discipline, It's a relationship. Prayer
is God welcoming his children to talk with him. Imagine
that commune with him to abide with him. In Genesis
(01:33):
three and verse eight, we see God walking in the
garden in the cool of the day, wanting to be
with Adam and Eve. It's a wonderful picture of what
does God design prayer to be. It's relational, not mechanical.
Prayer isn't an invitation to bring him a catalog of
our self oriented desires to him, as if he were
(01:59):
little more than a cosmic Amazon like delivery system for
whatever cravings consume us at the moment. No. No, Prayer
is communion and worship. Prayer is a way of submitting
ourselves to Him. Now in the New Testament, Jesus often
(02:20):
withdrew to solitary places to pray. Why was it not
Jesus God, Well, it's because prayer was his lifeline to
the Father. It was intimate fellowship. John chapter seventeen, verse
three says, and this is eternal life, that they know you,
(02:43):
the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have
sent you. See, knowing God is the essence of eternal life,
and prayer is how we engage that relationship. Prayer is
also an act of worship. It's not just about asking
for things, It's about honoring God for who he is.
(03:07):
It's about meditating on his majesty, the extent of his
love and grace and power. And I could go on.
It's letting the shadow of His glory loom over your heart.
When Jesus taught his disciples to pray in Matthew chapter six,
he began, with our Father in heaven, how it would
(03:28):
be your name. See that's Worship's putting God in his
rightful place before we bring our needs to him. I mean,
think of the Psalms. So many are prayers filled with praise,
declaring his majesty and justice and mercy and power. And
so when we pray, we remind our hearts of who
(03:52):
God is and that he alone is worthy of our trust.
Prayer is also acknowledging our need for God. It's a
way of saying, Lord, I can't do this without you.
At the heart of true prayer is not my will,
but yours be done. Prayer is submitting our desires and
(04:14):
heart to a kingdom greater than our own. Philippians chapter four,
verses six and seven says, do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let
your requests be made known to God, and the peace
of God will guard your hearts and your minds. In
(04:35):
Christ Jesus, God invites us to bring everything to him,
not just the big problems, but everything. Our dependence is
our strength when we place it in his hands. It's
submitting all of our plans to him. Jesus told us
in John chapter fifteen, verse five, Apart from me, you
(04:56):
can do nothing prayers how we abide in him. It's
the vine and the branch's connection, the life giving flow
of grace. Now, sometimes we think of prayer like a
vending machine. Insert the right words, God gives us what
we need right. But biblical prayer isn't that way. Biblical
(05:19):
prayer isn't about getting our will done in heaven. It's
about getting God's will done on earth. Prayer is about alignment,
not manipulation. Again, in the Lord's Prayer, Jesus said, your
will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
(05:40):
When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Death Semite, he
poured out his agony before the Father, but he ended nevertheless,
not my will, but yours be done. You see prayers
where our hearts are shaped by God's will, not where
we try to shape God to our will. Furthermore, prayer
(06:02):
is a privilege bought by Jesus Christ. Have you ever
thought about how amazing it is that we can even
talk to God? Hebrews, chapter four and verse sixteen says,
let us, then, with confidence, draw near to the throne
of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace
to help in time of need. The Old Testament saints
(06:25):
couldn't talk to God directly or even enter into his presence.
There is a separating wall between God and man, and
only consecrated priests personally selected by God could ever approach him,
and even they had specific conditions they had to meet,
otherwise they would die, and some did die. But now
(06:47):
we can enter into God's presence at any time and
commune with him. Why do we have this confidence, Well
because Jesus has opened the way. You see, when Jesus died,
the curtain in the temple, the one that separated the
people from the presence of God, it was torn from
top to bottom. That was God's way of saying, through
(07:10):
my son, you now have access. Prayer isn't a right
we earn. It's a privilege purchased by Jesus. Another thing
I want you to know is that prayer is powerful
and effective. Let's not forget that prayer works. James chapter five,
(07:31):
verse sixteen says, the prayer a righteous person has great
power as it is working. Do you remember Elijah, the
prophet of God. The Bible says that he was a
common man, just like you and me. But he prayed
and the rain stopped for three and a half years,
and he prayed again and the sky is opened to
(07:51):
He wasn't a superhero. James says that he was a
man just like us. But you see, prayer moves the
hand of God. But even more than that, it moves us.
It changes our hearts, our perspective, our desires. Now, don't
get the wrong idea that we can somehow manipulate God.
(08:11):
We just talked about that. Prayer isn't just about getting
all the goodies in life we want. But God wants
to hear from us. He wants us to express our
needs to him, and when we pray in his will,
prayer moves the hand of God. James four two says,
you have not because you ask not. Sometimes we ask
(08:36):
with the wrong motives or selfishly, and God won't answer
those prayers. But God wants to answer prayers from a
pure heart and for his glory, and that are in
his will. And yes, God does answer prayer, but in
his way and in his time. Another thing to know
(08:57):
about what prayer is is that prayer is for all seasons.
The Bible says in First Thessalonians, chapter five, verse seventeen,
pray without ceasing. Now that doesn't mean we walk around
mumbling prayers all day, But what it does mean is
that we live in a continual awareness of God's presence,
(09:20):
ready to talk with Him in every moment, at any time.
Pray when you're joyful, Pray when you're broken, Pray when
you're confused, when you're grateful, when you're tempted, when you're
in awe. As one preacher said, prayer is the Christian's breath.
Stop praying and your spiritual life suffocates. But also remember
(09:45):
that prayer doesn't need perfect words, just an honest heart.
Don't think you have to impress God with flowery speech.
Romans chapter eight, verse twenty six reminds us that the
Spirit helps us in our weakness. The Spirit himself intercedes
for us with groanings too deep for words. Sometimes the
(10:08):
best prayers Lord help, or I don't even know what
to say. Sometimes my prayer is simply oh God, because
I'm too confused or frustrated or in pain to know
what to even say. He hears those prayers too. God
isn't looking for perfect grammar. He's looking for sincere hearts.
(10:33):
And finally, prayer builds faith. One of the beautiful things
about prayer is that over time, as we pray and
see God move, even in small ways, our faith grows.
We begin to trust Him more deeply. We begin to
see his fingerprints in things we once thought were coincidences.
(10:55):
We learn that even when his answer is wait or know,
his heart is always good. And so what is prayer? Well,
Prayer is communion with God and its worship and it's
dependence and its alignment with His will. It's a privilege
(11:17):
through Christ. It's powerful, it's constant, and it's the heartbeat
of a living relationship with our Creator. Let me ask
you today, have you prayed? Have you prayed today? Not
just asking God for things, but just being with him.
He's waiting. He delights in hearing your voice. Let's close
(11:40):
with this encouragement from Jeremiah chapter thirty three, Verse three,
Call to me, and I will answer you, and will
tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
Thanks for listening to words of truth. If today's message
encourage you, consider sharing it with a friend. And don't
forget to say describe so that you never miss an
(12:01):
episode until next time. Stay grounded in the word and
never stopped seeking the face of God and prayer.
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