TOPIC 19 OF 47
Prayer
Beloved children speaking with their Father through Jesus Christ.
THE MAIN TRUTH
Prayer is a believer’s conversation with God our heavenly Father in the Spirit through Christ Jesus.
The teaching
From the book · pages 57–59
Prayer is a believer’s conversation with God our heavenly Father in the Spirit through Christ Jesus. God’s Word commands us to pray, and the Gospel assures us, in our baptismal union with Christ through faith, that the indwelling Spirit has brought us into a ceaseless communion of love, peace, and joy with the Father. Therefore, we can confidently come in prayer to his throne of grace.
Prayer is the breath of faith that breathes in the Spirit-inspired promises of God’s Word and breathes out Spirit-prompted words of praise and petition. The Father invites us, as his beloved children, to boldly and continually speak with him about every concern— at set times of prayer and spontaneously throughout the day. We may pray Scripture and formal written prayers, and we may also pray freely from the heart.
God always answers prayer requests for our good when we pray in the name of Jesus—according to his will and promises as summed up in the Lord’s Prayer. The manner and timing of his answers we leave in the Father’s loving hands. Through prayer, we receive all God has promised us, including the Holy Spirit.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
God’s commands to pray come with promises that give us confidence to approach him. His Word shapes our petitions as we entrust the manner and timing of his answers to his fatherly care.
14 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
Psalm 19:14 ↗
“May the speech from my mouth and the thoughts in my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Book page 58
SCRIPTURE 02
Ephesians 2:18 ↗
“For through [Christ] we both [Jews and Gentiles] have access to the Father by one Spirit.”
Book page 58
SCRIPTURE 03
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 ↗
“Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Book page 58
SCRIPTURE 04
Galatians 3:26-27; 4:6 ↗
“In fact, you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Indeed, as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ . . . And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts to shout, ‘Abba, Father!’”
Book page 58
SCRIPTURE 05
2 Corinthians 13:14 ↗
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
Book page 58
SCRIPTURE 06
Romans 14:17 ↗
“For the kingdom of God does not consist of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Book page 58
SCRIPTURE 07
Hebrews 4:16 ↗
“So let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Book page 58
SCRIPTURE 08
Ephesians 6:17-18; Jude 20 ↗
“. . . take . . . the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. At every opportunity, pray in the Spirit with every kind of prayer and petition. Stay alert for the same reason, always persevering in your intercession for all the saints.” “. . . keep praying in the Holy Spirit.”
Book page 59
SCRIPTURE 09
1 Timothy 2:1 ↗
“…I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…”
Book page 59
SCRIPTURE 10
Philippians 4:6 ↗
“Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Book page 59
SCRIPTURE 11
1 John 5:14-15 ↗
“This is the confidence that we have before him: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we also know that we receive the things we have asked from him.”
Book page 59
SCRIPTURE 12
John 15:7,16 ↗
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you . . . the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”
Book page 59
SCRIPTURE 13
Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2 ↗
“Therefore pray like this . . .” “When you pray say, ‘Our Father in heaven. . .’”
Book page 59
SCRIPTURE 14
Matthew 7:7,11 ↗
“Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened for you . . . how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts [the Holy Spirit, Luke 11:13] to those who ask him.”
Book page 59
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
What gives you confidence to approach God in prayer?
How can Scripture shape what you ask and how you ask it?
What concern can you entrust to the Father while leaving its outcome in his hands?
A prayer
Heavenly Father, teach us to pray as your beloved children. Hear us for Jesus’ sake and help us trust your wisdom, timing, and generous care. Amen.