Prayer, practicalities of

Scripture commends a life of prayer, characterised by simplicity of expression, sincerity of heart and trust in the promises of God. It gives guidance on how, when and where to pray.

Scripture stresses the importance of prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 See also Acts 6:3–4; Romans 12:12

Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Judgment comes on those who do not pray

Psalm 79:6 See also Psalm 53:4; Jeremiah 10:21; Zephaniah 1:4–6; James 4:2

Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge You, on the kingdoms that refuse to call on Your name,

Prayers should be expressed simply

Matthew 6:7–8 See also Ecclesiastes 5:1–3; Luke 18:9–14

And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Prayer should not be ostentatious

Matthew 6:5–6 See also Matthew 14:23 parallel Mark 6:46; Luke 5:16

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Physical positions for prayer

Sitting while praying

2 Samuel 7:18 See also Judges 20:26; Nehemiah 1:4

Then King David went in, sat before the LORD, and said, “Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

Kneeling while praying

Luke 22:41 See also 1 Kings 8:54; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Ezra 9:5; Acts 9:40, Acts 21:5; Ephesians 3:14

And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed,

Standing while praying

1 Kings 8:22 See also 1 Samuel 1:26; Mark 11:25

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,

Lying prostrate while praying

2 Chronicles 20:18 See also Genesis 24:52; Numbers 20:6

Then Jehoshaphat bowed facedown, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him.

Praying with arms outstretched

Exodus 9:29; Isaiah 1:15 See also 1 Kings 8:54; 2 Chronicles 6:13

Moses said to him, “When I have left the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD. The thunder will cease, and there will be no more hail, so that you may know that the earth is the LORD’s.

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.

Praying with hands raised

1 Timothy 2:8 See also Exodus 9:29; 1 Kings 8:22, 1 Kings 8:54; Psalm 63:4, Psalm 77:1–2

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension.

Prayer can be offered at any time

Praying several times a day

Daniel 6:10 See also Psalm 55:17, Psalm 88:1

Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Praying early in the morning

Mark 1:35 See also Psalm 5:3, Psalm 119:147

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray.

Praying all night

Luke 6:12 See also 1 Samuel 15:11; Luke 2:37

In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.

Prayer is not confined to any single place

John 4:21–24

“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

Praying inside a building

Daniel 6:10; Matthew 6:6 See also 1 Kings 8:28–30

Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Praying outside a building

Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16 See also Acts 10:9, Acts 21:5

Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place to pray.

Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.

Prayer may be accompanied by fasting

Acts 13:2–3 See also Ezra 8:23; Nehemiah 1:4; Psalm 35:13; Daniel 9:3; Luke 2:37, Luke 5:33; Acts 14:23; Matthew 17:21 parallel Mark 9:29

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.