Theology of prayer

Theology of prayer

Drawing Close to God

Dr. Terrence Threadwell L P D H

Definition of Prayer
Prayer is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a
rapport with a deity, an object of worship, or a spiritual
entity through deliberate communication. Prayer can be
a form of religious practice, may be either individual or
communal and take place in public or in private. It may
involve the use of words or song. When language is
used, prayer may take the form of a
hymn, incantation, formal creed, or a spontaneous
utterance in the praying person. There are different
forms of prayer such as petitionary prayer, prayers of
supplication, thanksgiving, and worship/praise.

The Hebrew word for prayer is tefilah. Meaning to
judge oneself. This surprising word origin provides
insight into the purpose of Jewish prayer. The most
important part of any Jewish prayer is the examination
of our thoughts and feelings it provides, as we look
inside ourselves, seeing our role in the universe and our
relationship to God.

The Greek word Proseúxomai– literally, to interact with
the Lord by switching human wishes (ideas) for His
wishes as He imparts faith ("divine persuasion").
Accordingly, praying

Direct petitions to God
From Biblical times to today, the most common form of
prayer is to directly appeal to God to grant one's
requests. This in many ways is the simplest form of
prayer. Some have termed this the social approach to
prayer. In this view, a person directly enters into God's
rest, and asks for their needs to be fulfilled. God listens
to the prayer, and may so or not choose to answer in the
way one asks of him. This is the primary approach to
prayer found in the Hebrew Bible, the New
Testament, most of the Church writings, and in rabbinic
literature such as the Talmud.

Educational approach
In this view, prayer is not a conversation. Rather, it is
meant to inculcate certain attitudes in the one who
prays, but not to influence. Several Rabbis favor this
genre of prayer.

Among Christian theologians, E.M. Bounds stated the
educational purpose of prayer in every chapter of his
book, The Necessity of Prayer. Prayer books such as the
Book of Common Prayer are both a result of this
approach and an exhortation to keep it.

Rationalist approach
In this view, the ultimate goal of prayer is to help train a
person to focus on divinity through philosophy and
intellectual contemplation. This approach was taken by
the Jewish scholar and philosopher Maimonides and the
other medieval rationalists; it became popular in
Jewish, Christian, and Islamic intellectual circles, but
never became the most popular understanding of
prayer among the laity in any of these faiths. In all three
of these faiths today, a significant minority of people
still hold to this approach.

Experiential approach
In this approach, the purpose of prayer is to enable the
person praying to gain a direct experience of the
recipient of the prayer (or as close to direct as a specific
theology permits). This approach is very significant in
Christianity and widespread in Judaism (although less
popular theologically). In Eastern Orthodoxy, this
approach is known as hesychasm. It is also widespread
in Sufi Islam, and in some forms of mysticism. The
person prays with the heart, no words are spoken.

Transformative approach
In this approach, prayer enables an existential
transformation in the person praying. The act of praying
elicits a new kind of understanding which wasn't
apparent before praying. The Danish philosopher Søren
Kierkegaard wrote that "the function of prayer is not to
influence God, but rather to change the nature of the
one who prays."

Relational Approach
Some look upon God as the CEO, others as a co-
laborer, but when it comes to prayer I need to see him
as a Father who loves me and desires fellowship. Prayer
then becomes a conversation

• Prayer is relational

L P D H

Prayer is Relational
We may not realize it but God wants to be your lover, and we in
turn should be in love with Him. God wants us to be totally
consumed with each other, giving him our total attention. How
more compatible could we be, being made in the image and
likeness? So what happened in the garden? In Genesis 3:8-9 we
read, “ And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the
garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid
themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of
the garden. Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to
him, "Where are you?" The Hebrew speaks of God thundering
through the garden like a mighty wind—doesn’t sound much like a
lover. It does if you’re the partner in the relationship that has been
jilted. “And He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells
me I am His own, and the joy we share as we tarry there none
other has ever known.” Adam exchanges this closeness for fruit
and greater knowledge.

Prayer then is a way of life.
Prayer is how God relates to us, how we relate to God
and others.

and others.
Prayer begins with God.

and others.
Prayer is a response to the inner workings of the Spirit
within us. God’s desire for us ignites the spark of our
desire for God.

and others.
desire for God.
Prayer is the concrete expression of the fact that we are
invited into a relationship with God.

and others.
desire for God.
Prayer is talking with God and listening to God about
what we are doing together.

and others.
desire for God.
Prayer is the knitting of the human heart together with
the heart of God.

and others.
desire for God.
Prayer is the knitting of the human heart together with
the heart of God.
Prayer doesn’t change God it changes us.

The apostle Paul said that the Spirit “helps us in our
weakness” and “intercedes with sighs too deep for
words” (Rom. 8:26) The Spirit prays in us and for us.
Perhaps our real task in prayer is to attune ourselves to
the conversation already going on deep in our hearts
and in our core of being. Thomas Merton … “the great
thing is prayer. Prayer itself. If you want a life of prayer,
the way to get it is by praying… You start where you are
and you deepen what you already have.”

Søren Kierkegaard stated, “A man prayed and at first he
thought that prayer was talking. But he became more
and more quiet until in the end he realized that prayer is
listening.”

• Abiding in his presence

L P D H

4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear
fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can
you, unless you abide in Me. (Joh 15:4 NKJ)

We abide through
Prayer
Sacraments

The Master, Jesus, on the night of his betrayal, took bread.
Having given thanks, he broke it and said, this is my
body, broken for you. Do this to remember me. After
supper, he did the same thing with the cup: This cup is my
blood, my new covenant with you. Each time you drink this
cup, remember me. What you must solemnly realize is that
every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this
cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of the
Master. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again
until the Master returns. (1 Cor 11:23. MSG)

11 "And they burn to the LORD every morning and every
evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense; they also set the
showbread in order on the pure gold table, and the
lampstand of gold with its lamps to burn every evening; for
we keep the command of the LORD our God, but you have
forsaken Him. (2Ch 13:11 NKJ)

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and
broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat;
this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave
thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of
you. "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which
is shed for many for the remission of sins. "But I say to
you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on
until that day when I drink it new with you in My
Father's kingdom." (Mat 26:26-29 NKJ)

“ And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave
it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for
you; do this in remembrance of Me." Likewise He also
took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new
covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. (Luk 22:19-
20 NKJ)

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into
His hands, and that He had come from God and was
going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His
garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After
that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash
the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with
which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And
Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?"
Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you
do not understand now, but you will know after this."
Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus
answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part
with Me." (Joh 13:3-8 NKJ)

• Teach us to pray

L P D H

"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in
heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.
Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this
day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we
forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into
temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is
the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen. (Mat 6:9-13 NKJ)

"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will
be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our
debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver
us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the
power and the glory forever. Amen. (Mat 6:9-13 NKJ)

The Lord’s Prayer is preceded by a warning

"And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the
heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for
their many words. "Therefore do not be like them. For
your Father knows the things you have need of before
you ask Him. (Mat 6:7-8 NKJ)

Don’t be repetitive
Don’t use unnecessary words

Pagans, Greeks, Romans and even the Jews used
long, chaotic, wordy prayers. The Jews wouldn’t speak
the name of God thinking it showed reverence.

G_d

Do you thus deal with the LORD, O foolish and unwise
people? Is He not your Father, who bought you? Has He
not made you and established you? (Deu 32:6 NKJ)
Doubtless You are our Father, Though Abraham was
ignorant of us, And Israel does not acknowledge us.
You, O LORD, are our Father; Our Redeemer from
Everlasting is Your name. (Isa 63:16 NKJ)

"But I said:`How can I put you among the children And give
you a pleasant land, A beautiful heritage of the hosts of
nations?' "And I said:`You shall call Me, "My Father," And not
turn away from Me.' (Jer 3:19 NKJ)

Malachi asked the question, "A son honors his father, And a
servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My
honor?” (Mal 1:6 NKJ)

Later in the first century B.C. The Book of Wisdom contains a
Messianic prophecy where it says, “his boast that God is his
father.” (Wis 2:16 KJA)

“Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you
have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen
the Father; so how can you say, `Show us the Father '? (Joh
14:9 NKJ)

• Kingdom Come—praying that the will of God come
down on earth as it is in heaven

• Give us the day—the term is only used twice in the
NT, asking God to supply all you might need for the
day.

day.
• Forgiveness—Foundational.

day.
• Forgiveness—Foundational.
• Lead us not into peril more that we can bear, and
keep us from the evil one.

• Ancient methods of prayer

L P D H

Silence and solitude
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness
to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted
forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
(Mat 4:1-2 NKJ)

So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his
head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and
she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came
and took away the body and buried it, and went and
told Jesus. When Jesus heard it, He departed from there
by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the
multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the
cities. (Mat 14:10-13 NKJ)

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his
brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves;
and He was transfigured before them. His face shone
like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the
light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to
them, talking with Him. (Mat 17:1-3 NKJ)
Then Jesus came with them to a place called
Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I
go and pray over there." (Mat 26:36 NKJ)
Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to
the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer
to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to
Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also
named apostles: (Luk 6:12-13 NKJ)

However, the report went around concerning Him all
the more; and great multitudes came together to
hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He
Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
(Luk 5:15-16 NKJ)

The reason Christians are to seek silence and solitude
above all else is for the same reason Jesus did—to be
able to hear from God.

LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into
the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the
LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the
wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the
earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the
LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small
voice. (1Ki 19:11-12 NKJ)

Sacred Reading—Lectio Divina
Ps 119 1-8 You’re blessed when you stay on
course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing
your best to find him. That’s right—you don’t go off on
your own; you walk straight along the road he set.
You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you
expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be
steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I’d never
have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel.
I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn
the pattern of your righteous ways. I’m going to do what
you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me.

Sacred Reading—Lectio Divina

Fours Steps
1. Reading
2. Meditation
3. Prayer
4. Contemplation

Daily Office
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he
went home. And in his upper room, with his windows
open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees
three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before
his God, as was his custom since early days. (Dan 6:10
NKJ)

Canonical hours are ancient divisions of time, developed
by the Christian Church, serving as increments between
the prescribed prayers of the daily round. A Book of
Hours contains such a set of prayers.
A book of hours is an illuminated, Christian devotional
book that was popular among the Christians of
Northern Europe during the Middle Ages.

• Prayer warfare

L P D H

Daily Office
Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the
Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the
redemption of our body. For we were saved in this
hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does
one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what
we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we
do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but
the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who
searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit
is, because He makes intercession for the saints
according to the will of God. (Rom 8:23-27 NKJ)

Prayer is heavenly
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up
the whole armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to
stand……….18 praying always with all prayer and
supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with
all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--and
for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may
open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of
the gospel, (Eph 6:12-19 NKJ)

Prayer is persistent
So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to
the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the
ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to
his servant, "Go up now, look toward the sea." So he
went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And
seven times he said, "Go again." Then it came to pass
the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as
small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he
said, "Go up, say to Ahab, `Prepare your chariot, and go
down before the rain stops you.'" (1Ki 18:42-44 NKJ)
Prayer is effective
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for
one another, that you may be healed. The
effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
(Jam 5:16 NKJ)

Theology of prayer

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