Understanding Prayer
Prayer is
What is direct communication to God?
He often went to this kind of place to pray—quiet, alone, and away from the crowds.
What is the wilderness or a solitary place?
(Mark 1:35 — “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up… went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”)
Jesus said that if you have faith the size of this tiny object, you can move mountains.
What is a mustard seed?
(Matthew 17:20)
In James 5:16, we’re told that this kind of person’s prayer “is powerful and effective.”
Who is a righteous person?
(James 5:16 — “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”)
One purpose of prayer is confession and repentance — as shown in Psalm 51, when this king prayed after his sin with Bathsheba.
Who is King David?
(Psalm 51:1–2)
The ways you can pray
What is expressing worship, gratitude, confession, and requests, while also listening to His guidance.
Before choosing His twelve disciples, Jesus did this all night long.
What is pray?
(Luke 6:12 — “Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”)
In Luke 18:9–14, Jesus compared the prayers of a proud Pharisee and a humble man who beat his chest, saying this simple, honest prayer.
What is “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”?
(Luke 18:13 — The Tax Collector’s Prayer)
When Peter was in prison, this group of people prayed earnestly for him — and an angel set him free.
Who are the believers?
(Acts 12:5–7)
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches that prayer is a way to align our desires with this.
What is God’s will?
(Matthew 6:10 — “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”)
Is prayer only about asking for things?
What is praise, thanksgiving, confession, intercession for others, and seeking God’s will, not just personal requests?
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed this powerful phrase showing total surrender to God’s will.
What is “Not my will, but Yours be done”?
(Luke 22:42)
Jesus encouraged believers to keep doing these three things — to show persistence in prayer and faith that God hears.
What are ask, seek, and knock?
(Matthew 7:7–8)
In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises to heal the land if His people will do these three things when they pray.
What are humble themselves, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways?
(2 Chronicles 7:14)
Jesus often withdrew to pray not to impress others, but to strengthen this relationship.
What is His relationship with the Father?
(Luke 5:16; John 17)
Warns against praying to be seen by others and encourages private, sincere communication with God.
Who is Jesus?
Jesus taught His followers to begin prayer with these two words, showing intimacy and reverence toward God.
What is “Our Father”?
(Matthew 6:9 — The Lord’s Prayer)
In Luke 18, Jesus told a parable about this woman who kept asking a judge for justice until he finally gave in.
Who is the persistent widow?
(Luke 18:1–8 — The Parable of the Persistent Widow)
This Old Testament prophet prayed for it not to rain — and it didn’t — showing that God answers bold prayers of faith.
Who is Elijah?
(James 5:17–18; 1 Kings 17–18)
According to Philippians 4:6–7, one purpose of prayer is to replace worry with this inner state that guards our hearts and minds.
What is peace?
(Philippians 4:6–7 — “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”)
A.S.K.
What is ask, seek and knock?
Even while on the cross, Jesus prayed this short but profound prayer for those who hurt Him.
What is “Father, forgive them”?
(Luke 23:34)
This Gentile woman showed great humility and faith when she asked Jesus to heal her daughter, even after He tested her response.
Who is the Canaanite (Syrophoenician) woman?
(Matthew 15:21–28 — “Woman, you have great faith!”)
Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns while in prison, and this miraculous event happened next.
What is an earthquake that opened the prison doors?
(Acts 16:25–26)
Prayer is not just asking for things — it’s also a way to do this, showing gratitude and worship toward God.
What is give thanks or praise?
(1 Thessalonians 5:17–18; Psalm 100:4)