PRAYER

Before reading further I suggest you read the article on One God as the realization that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ are not one being is paramount when considering effective and meaningful prayer and reasons for unanswered.

WHAT TO PRAY

Jesus disciples asked the question in Luke 11:1 “Lord teach us to pray”

Luke 11:1-4
He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."
And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread;
and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation."
(RSV)

Also See Matt 6:9

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is quoted over 140 times as having said to Pray to the Father, Praise the Father, Ask the Father, Give thanks to the Father.

 

Matt 7:21
Not every one who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (RSV)

Matt 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
(NIV)

Matt 6:26
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
(NIV)

Matt 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (RSV)

Matt 6:8
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (RSV)

Matt 6:14
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; (RSV)

Matt 7:11
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! (RSV)

Matt 10:32
So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; (RSV)

 

Matt 6:6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
(NIV)

The Letters to the churches in the New Testament are also a source of instructions for prayer.

Col 1:3
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
(RSV)

Eph 5:20
always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
(RSV)

 

1Thes 1:2-3
We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,
remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
(RSV)

AUTHORITY TO PRAY

Jesus instructed us to ask the Father in Jesus own name.

John 15:16
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
(RSV)

 

John 16:23-28
23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
25 "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.
26 In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf.
27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.
28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father."
(NIV)

 

Col 3:17
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

Eph 5:20
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(NIV)

Eph 5:20
always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
(RSV)

ANSWER TO PRAYER

These are powerful statements by Lord Jesus himself but where is the evidence today of such answers to prayer, is it because most Christians today pray to the Lord who is Jesus? instead of praying to the Father as they where told.

Matt 18:19
19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
(RSV)

 

John 14:12
12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father.
(RSV)

John 16:23-28
23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.