What Is the Purpose of Prayer According to the Bible?

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Prayer As Communication With Jehovah

Prayer is the God-given privilege of addressing Jehovah through Jesus Christ. Scripture commands believers to pray: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17). Jesus taught His disciples how to pray (Matt. 6:9–13), indicating that prayer is central to spiritual life.

Prayer does not inform Jehovah of unknown facts. He knows what we need before we ask (Matt. 6:8). Rather, prayer expresses dependence, submission, gratitude, and trust. It aligns the believer’s will with God’s revealed purposes.

Prayer In Harmony With God’s Will

John writes, “If we ask anything according to his will he hears us” (1 John 5:14). Prayer must conform to God’s revealed Word. The Holy Spirit guides believers through the inspired Scriptures, not through mystical impressions. Therefore, effective prayer is informed by biblical truth.

Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). This demonstrates that prayer is not a mechanism for forcing God to conform to human desires. It is submission to His righteous will.

Prayer As Dependence And Trust

Prayer acknowledges human limitation. “Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding” (Prov. 3:5). By praying, believers express reliance on God rather than self-sufficiency.

Paul urged believers to present requests “with thanksgiving” (Phil. 4:6). Thanksgiving reflects recognition that every good gift comes from God (James 1:17). Prayer cultivates gratitude and humility.

Prayer For Strength And Perseverance

Believers face opposition from Satan, demons, and a wicked world (1 Pet. 5:8). Prayer seeks strength to remain faithful. Jesus instructed His disciples to pray that they would not enter into temptation (Matt. 26:41). Prayer does not eliminate difficulty, but it fortifies the believer to endure faithfully.

Paul prayed for spiritual growth among believers (Eph. 1:16–19). Prayer focuses not merely on physical needs but on spiritual maturity, wisdom, and endurance.

Prayer And Forgiveness

Jesus taught that forgiveness from God is linked to a forgiving spirit (Matt. 6:14–15). Prayer includes confession of sin and requests for forgiveness. Since humans do not possess inherent immortality, forgiveness and resurrection hope depend entirely on Christ’s atoning sacrifice (Rom. 5:8–10).

The Ultimate Purpose Of Prayer

The ultimate purpose of prayer is the glorification of Jehovah. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). Prayer exalts God, strengthens faith, cultivates humility, and aligns believers with His revealed will.

Prayer is not ritual repetition (Matt. 6:7), nor is it a mystical experience detached from Scripture. It is reverent communication grounded in biblical truth, offered through Christ, and directed toward God’s glory and the believer’s spiritual endurance.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

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