4.
General
Prayer is also mentioned when David
prays for blessing (2 Sam 7:27 v.18-29) and Solomon prays at the dedication
of the temple (1 Kings 8:25-53). The following refer to Solomon's prayer:
v.28
in respect of the dedication
v.30
when the people pray
v.33
when they pray when defeated (crisis again!)
v.35
when no rain (crisis)
v.38
when famine or plague (crisis)
v.42
foreigners praying at the temple
v.44
praying before going to war (crisis)
v.48
prayer when exiled (crisis)
5.
Conclusions
In
the Old Testament
-
prayer is mostly example to us i.e. being done
-
it is virtually all in response to needs
-
it is seeking God for help in some way
B.
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT
1.
Words used
Various
words are used in the Greek and the following are way they were used
in the Authorised version:
VERBS
Erotao
= ask (23)
beseech (14)
desire (6)
entreat (1)
pray (14)
Euchomai
= wish (4)
pray (2)
Deomai
= beseech (9)
make request (1)
pray (12)
Proseuchomai
= pray (83)
make prayer (3)
pray for (1)
NOUNS
Euche
= prayer (1)
vow (2)
Proseuche
= prayer (36)
Rather than reproduce each of those references, we have categorised
them under teaching headings and the following are the use of ‘proseuchomai'
- to pray (except where indicated and the noun ‘proseuche' is used).
Duplicates in the Synoptic Gospels have not been included.
2.
Jesus' Example
Best
seen in Luke's Gospel (with same but fewer references in Mt & Mk)
3:21
while being baptised
5:16
often withdrew to lonely places and prayed
6:12
went up mountainside for night - before choosing the twelve
9:18
praying in private, but the disciples were there
9:28
up mountain to pray, taking Peter, John & James
11:1
simply praying
22:41
in Gethsemane
3.
Early Church's Example
i.e.
apostolic example
Acts
1:14 together constantly in prayer (noun)
1:24
pray for guidance for next apostle
2:42
church devoted themselves to prayer (noun)
6:4
apostles focus on prayer (noun)
6:6
pray over deacons, who?
8:15
for new disciples in Samaria
9:11
Saul praying
9:40
Peter prays for dead woman
10:9
Peter prays on roof
12:12
house church prays for Peter in prison
13:3
Antioch church pray for Barnabus & Saul
14:23
appointing elders in each church
16:25
Paul & Silas in prison
20:36
Paul with Ephesian elders
21:5
departing prayer
22:17
Paul's testimony and example
28:8
Paul prays for a healing
4.
Paul's Example in his letters
Phil
1:9
Col
1:3
Col
1:9
Col
4:3
1
Thess 5:25
2
Thess 1:11
2
Thess 3:1
Heb
13:8 |
prays
for Philippians
prays
for Colossians
testifies
to his ongoing prayer for them
request
for them to pray for him
request
for Thessalonians to pray for him
testifies
to his continual prayer for them
requests
them to pray for him
request
for prayer |
5.
Teaching on Prayer
Who
to pray for
Mt 5:49 those who persecute you
1
Tim 2:1 for everyone (noun)
1
Tim 2:2 for those in authority
Mt
26:42 for ourselves
Phil
4:6 for ourselves
Where
to pray
Mt 6:6 in private
(NB.
Example also shows praying with others)
How
to pray
Mt 6:7 not with vain
babbling
Mt
6:9 structure given
Mk
11:24 asking believing
Mk
11:25 forgiving first
Lk
18:1 not giving up
Rom
12:12 being faithful in prayer (noun)
1
Cor 7:5 special times of prayer (noun)
1
Cor 14:14 in tongues
1
Cor 14:15 with mind and spirit
Eph
6:18 as led by the Spirit
Col
4:2 devoting ourselves to prayer
Jude
20 in the Spirit
1
Pet 3:7 husbands living considerately with
wives
Why
pray - in addition to the above -
Jas
5:13 if in trouble
Jas
5:14 if sick
6.
Conclusions
The
New Testament has much to tell us about prayer.
a)
It was very much a part of Jesus' life
b)
It was very much part of the life of the early church
c)
It was very much part of the life of the apostle Paul
d)
Jesus assumed we would pray
e)
Jesus taught that we should pray and keep on praying
f)
The teaching on prayer indicates that there is nothing that is outside
the scope of the things we can pray about
If
you want to ask anything further about these things, contact Tony Thomas:
tony.thomas@rochfordcc.co.uk
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