As we go through Genesis, we see various people praying and God's response to those prayers. Let us consider, though, exactly what is prayer.

In I Timothy 2:1-3 and Philippians 4:6 we find words which describe prayer. The word supplication refers to a request regarding a personal need. Prayer is an act of worship to God. Intercessions are requests made on behalf of another. Finally, thanksgivings are expressions of gratitude.

Prayer is the time we take to talk to the Lord God. We discuss our needs with God. We express our thankfulness to Him for the aid he has given to us in the past. We also tell God about our weaknesses and failings, asking Him for the forgiveness of our shortcomings. Yet, in all of this, we understand that God already knows about our requests. Isaiah 65:24 tells us that God will answer even before we ask. Nor are God's answers to our prayers dependent on how we express our needs. God helps us even when our prayers are inadequate (Romans 8:26).

If God knows everything and makes up for our shortcomings, then why should we bother to pray? Prayer is not for God's benefit, but for our own benefit. How can a person face his weaknesses and work on improving himself if he cannot admit his weaknesses exist? If we do not recognize our dependency on God, then we would soon believe that everything which happens to us is by our own abilities (Daniel 4:30-32). We would not recognize God's aid, even when we are faced with it.

Unfortunately, far too many people act as if God is some kind of cosmic vending machine. Pop in a few humble words and out plops a divine favor. God, of course, does not respond in this fashion. He has placed conditions on those who would come to Him for aid.

First, we must be willing to ask God for help (Jeremiah 33:3). Some people are too proud of their own abilities to think to go to someone else for help. When we pray, we must truly believe that God will answer. In fact, God expects us to look for the answer to our prayer (Luke 11:9-10). To look for God's answers shows we are truly needing God's aid and not just repeating some ritualistic phrases.

If we do not believe that God will answer our prayers, then why ask. It would be like the teenage boy who says to the girl of his dreams, "Well, I know you will say no, but will you go out with me?" Why should the girl bother? In Mark 11:24, we read that we must believe that we will receive an answer from God. James says we must ask of God without doubting (James 1:5-8).

Another condition is that we must be followers of God. Why should God give aid to those who oppose His will? David tells us we must love God (Psalms 91:14-15). The followers of God, who have been tried by fire, will be given an answer (Zechariah 13:9). It is the prayers of the righteous that avails much (James 5:16). But to be a follower of God, we must be obedient to His will (I John 3:21-22, John 15:7). When we ask God for help, we must be willing to give aid to others who need our help (Isaiah 58:3-11). How selfish can a person be to expect aid for himself and not help others in turn?

Whatever we ask from God, it has to be according to His will. Balaam once learned this the hard way. He tried to ask God to curse the Israelites, but God would not allow him to even say the words (Numbers 22-23). If we ask in accordance with God's will, we know we will be answered (I John 5:14).

God also expects us to ask with the proper intentions (James 4:3). A man may ask, "Hey, Lord, give me a million dollars!" However, he is only interested in selfish gain. In my prayers, I must keep in mind that God is always first, everyone else is second, and I am a distant last.

Excerpt from:
Genesis: A Study of the Beginning

Available in printed form

Zechariah prophesied of the future prosperity and deliverance of God's people. Much of this was tied to the coming of Christ (the Messiah). Despite the oppression from outside forces, they could look forward to peace.

Regarding His plan to bless them, God said, "Ask rain from the Lord at the time of the spring rain the Lord who makes the storm clouds; and He will give them showers of rain, vegetation in the field of each man" (Zechariah 10:1). They would enjoy the physical blessings of this life that God was able to provide. However, it is interesting to note when God said they were to offer this prayer - "at the time of the spring rain." This was not about asking for a miracle but recognizing their dependence upon God and His provisions.

We know that God has the power to do more than we can imagine. Paul said He is "able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Yet, we should not expect God to perform a miracle every time we pray. Instead, we need to trust in God and what He has promised to provide.

So pray at the proper time. Our faith in God should not depend on Him performing the miraculous to satisfy our needs whenever we desire. Instead, we need to be thankful for the blessings He has provided and pray that His kindness to us might continue to manifest.

The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:1-8)

The Sermon on the Mount has been a comparison and contrast between true righteousness and the inferior level of righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). It is not about new law versus the Law of Moses. It is about pure righteousness. Pure righteousness was demanded by the Law of Moses and would be expected of those who would live in the kingdom of heaven, the church of Christ.

Empty and Pretentious Prayer

What makes prayer meaningful is the spiritual, heart-to-God's-heart communication. It is not what you say in the hearing of men, but in the fact that you are in tune with talking to God Himself. This requires a relationship with God. Those who would enter the kingdom are seeking a spiritual relationship with God. Therefore, our prayer standards must exceed those of the scribes and Pharisees. They did things for show. Prayer and listening to God's word should be heart-transforming and life-transforming exercises. When it is only in tune with what people will think of us, then it only ministers to human pride.

Righteous praying is not an empty ritual or habit, is not with motives of impressing people, and does not have to be long and eloquent. Repetitious phrases do not impress God. This is not to be critical of men who nervously lead public prayers in the assembly of Christians. Nerves are not easy to control. But, try to practice prayer at home, in private, and with the family, and each time, ask yourself how you would talk to God if you were alone with just you and God, and then make that a mental thing you do even in more public prayers.  There needs to be a mental block-out of people (you are not addressing people). This does not mean that you are not going to address the common desires of the people to God, but that you are tuning in to God and bringing thanksgiving issues, praise issues, and requests before the throne of grace.

Before God, we cannot be boastful or arrogant. We should know that we have nothing before God about which to be boastful and arrogant. He is our Judge and King. Approach God with that in front of your mind.

Seen Praying Versus Praying To Be Seen

Jesus is not against public prayers.  He engaged it Himself.  Daniel was seen praying and God blessed him. So, the issue is not that you should never pray where people might see you, but that your motive for praying is pure, that it is not for the purpose of being seen by men. We are not to be putting on a religious show for the praise of men.  Praying together is not discouraged here. Together prayers are encouraged as long as the motives are pure.  Jesus is against pretentious, insincere praying.

The Closet

Jesus' reference to the closet illustrates the personal and honest nature of heart-to-heart praying. In a closet alone, one talks TO God with no ulterior motives. You are not trying to make a point to the brother or sister across the room. In a closet, we block out everything but us and God. This is what we need to do mentally even in our public prayers. First, block out impure motives, focus on the Holy and Awesome God, get alone with Him in your heart, and then talk honestly with Him. Even in public prayers, we should enter the closet alone with God. When you have shut the door of your heart to selfish motives before men, and you are focused on talking to the Creator of the Universe and the Judge who can see into your heart, then begin your prayer.  We need to learn to do this mentally. There are right and wrong ways to pray to God.

Practice alone time with God!  Learn to talk to Him in private. Public prayer should not be so different. Real, honest praying is a priority. Develop an adoration of God and pray with honesty before God. Real praying is personal and is precious. When the heart is alone with God in prayer, it is powerful.  It is quite empty if the only time we pray is in the presence of people, and it is all about appearing religious and making a point to people.  So, when we look at the prayer of the Pharisee versus the publican in Luke 18:10f, we find that prayer was all about the pride of the Pharisee. It was about congratulating himself before God. The publican was honest and humble before God. It was about addressing a real need he felt before the holy God. It is only right to pray before God and to do so with reverence. Let the way we pray exceed the way the Pharisees prayed to be seen of men.

The twenty third Psalm is more than a funeral recitation! In beautiful poetic symbolism David thrills our hearts with this psalm of life. All of life finds its perfect fulfillment in the love of the Shepherd of the sheep. But, while David certainly sang this psalm from personal experience, the grand significance of the Shepherd Psalm awaited the personal appearance of the Good Shepherd. With love for His sheep He would give His life in their behalf and gather them into one fold (John 10:1-16). With what infinite care the beneficent Shepherd sees to the needs of each Sheep! The feeblest among the flock are known of “that great Shepherd of the sheep”, and they know Him and hear His voice (John 10:3, 4, 14).

  “The LORD is my shepherd: I shall not want.” To the world, this may be great poetry, but the significance is lost. We live in a wanting society. “I want…” is quickly formed in a young child’s vocabulary. From cradle to cemetery a man’s history is composed of his wants and his efforts to fulfill these desires. He wants life’s physical necessities: security, love, recognition, appreciation, pleasure and as many luxuries as he can afford. Millions of dollars are spent annually to encourage us to want.  Every form of mass communication has been utilized to bombard us with word-signals designed to whet our obsession for getting things. The “have-nots” are convinced that the abundant life has passed them by unless they are able to get what others have, by whatever means they can. The “haves” are not content with what they have, but mortgage their future to obtain more.

But what of the sheep? They are to be the Shepherd’s “want-not” society, uninfluenced by the cravings of the godless culture in which they live (Rom. 12:2).  How tragic that this is so seldom the case. The Apostle Paul, who himself had fed upon the green pastures and learned therein “to be content” (Phil. 4:11) gives the assurance that “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (v. 19). Our “needs” may not be as numerous as we might imagine. Could we be content if they were narrowed down to the category of “food and raiment” (1 Tim. 6:8)? Would we equate as “great gain” godliness with these necessities (v. 6)? The world’s mad quest for things and more things is inappropriate for the sheep under the watchful, loving care of the Shepherd, who, having given Himself for us, would also “freely give us all things” (Rom. 8:38). His was no empty campaign promise when He assured us, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). 

Do not think, however, that the Good Shepherd sets a meager table for His sheep.  One spoke of himself “as having nothing and yet “possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6:10b).  He feeds us in lush pastures on higher hills. Would we learn that to truly feast in the kingdom of God will woo our hearts from the weedy pastures in the wilderness. A story is told of a poor country preacher who accepted an invitation to visit a friend in downtown New York City. One afternoon was spent in window shopping with his friend along the avenue, surveying the fashionable elegance on display.  Later, in his room, he was overheard praying, “Lord, I thank Thee I didn’t want a thing I saw!”

“The LORD is my shepherd”—His green pastures are sufficient.  “I shall not want” any other.