Prayerfulness

An attitude by which a constant relationship between God and believers is developed.

Prayerfulness is a way of life

Luke 2:37 See also Psalm 5:3, Psalm 55:17, Psalm 109:4; Daniel 6:10–11, Daniel 6:13

and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

Prayerfulness arises from a desire to be with God

Psalm 130:5–6 See also Psalm 42:1–4, Psalm 84:1–2

I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning— more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Prayerfulness arises from an awareness of need that can only be met by God

1 Timothy 5:5 See also Psalm 86:1, Psalm 105:4

The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.

Prayerfulness demonstrates a continuing trust in God

John 15:5–8 See also Psalm 63:1–8

I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, proving yourselves to be My disciples.

Prayerfulness involves a heart that is right with God

Isaiah 1:15–17 See also Matthew 6:7; Mark 12:40 parallel Luke 20:47

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. Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.”

Prayerfulness involves the need to be alert

Matthew 26:41 parallels Mark 14:38, Luke 22:40 See also Micah 7:7; Luke 21:36; Colossians 4:2

“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Prayerfulness needs to be maintained especially in difficult circumstances

Luke 18:1 See also Habakkuk 3:16–19; Acts 16:25; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Peter 4:7

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:

Examples of people whose prayerfulness proved effective

Hannah, who prayed for a child

1 Samuel 1:20 See also Isaiah 1:10–18

So in the course of time, Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel,saying, “Because I have asked for him from the LORD.”

Elijah, an ordinary man who prayed

James 5:17–18 See also 1 Kings 17:1, 1 Kings 18:41–46

Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

Nehemiah, a man who discovered God's plan through prayer

Nehemiah 1:4 See also Nehemiah 1:5–11, Nehemiah 2:4–5

When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

David, sustained through trials

1 Samuel 30:6 See also 2 Samuel 22:1–4 parallel Psalm 18:1–3; Psalm 3:1–8

And David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.

Daniel, whose patience in prayer was rewarded

Daniel 10:12 See also Daniel 9:1–19

“Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

Jesus Christ, who perfectly trusted his Father

Hebrews 5:7 See also Luke 5:16; John 11:41–42

During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.

The early church, which was founded upon prayer

Acts 1:14 See also Acts 2:42, Acts 4:23–31, Acts 6:4, Acts 12:5

With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Paul, who prayed for all the churches which he founded or visited

Colossians 1:9 See also Romans 1:9–10; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:4; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:3; Philemon 1:4

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,