Questions tagged [prayer]

Prayer is the vital conversation between God and His people.

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Is the "Lord's Prayer" (Matt 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4) Jesus' version of the *Amidah?

The disciples asked Jesus to give them a prayer like John gave his disciples. This seems to have been a practice of some of the rabbis in the years before and after Jesus. Is this prayer Jesus' ...
Rick's user avatar
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3 answers
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Does John 17:23 teach that God loves the world or believers in the same way He loves Jesus?

I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:23 says that the Father loves &...
Jesus_is_Lord777's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
149 views

Does he who speaks in tongues edifies himself also refer to repairing of the body and mind 1 Corinthians 14:4?

Does he who speaks in tongues edifies himself also refer to repairing of the body and mind 1 Corinthians 14:4? Some people say praying in tongues edifies your spirit but does it also repair your body ...
Jimi A's user avatar
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1 answer
320 views

Why was Mtt 17: 21 as appearing in KJV skipped in other versions of NT? [duplicate]

We read in Mtt 17:18-21 (KJV) And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
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4 answers
72 views

Why pray what does it do? [closed]

Is prayer just saying things that I believe? Or so others feel good? I need to know the importance of prayer. It is not clear to me in Scripture.
Gerry Hurteau's user avatar
4 votes
5 answers
1k views

John 9:31 God does not hear the prayers of the unrighteous. Then how can they call out to God?

John 9:31 God does not hear the prayers of the unrighteous. Then how can they call out to God? John 9:31 - We know that God does not hear sinners, but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He ...
Gerry Hurteau's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
108 views

Is the command to pray for laborers in Luke 10:2 for all time?

It reads in Luke 10:2 (parallel is Matt 9:37-38): Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send ...
Only1Holy1's user avatar
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2 answers
79 views

Does Colossians 4:2 condemn being a "prayer squirrel"?

My question arises from a preacher's Facebook post condemning the practice of being a "prayer squirrel" (i.e., getting distracted while praying). He offers the following as an example of ...
The Editor's user avatar
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4 votes
3 answers
138 views

How did Anna "serve" God through fastings (Luke 2:37)?

In Luke 2:36-37, we read the following about a woman named Anna (NKJV, emphasis added): Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, ...
The Editor's user avatar
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2 votes
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What's the purpose of fasting and prayer in Acts 14:23?

Acts 14:21-23 reads (NKJV, emphasis mine): And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the ...
The Editor's user avatar
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4 votes
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Luke 11:8 - "Shameless" teaching about Prayer

In Luke 11:8, Jesus is teaching about prayer using a parable following the teaching of the "Lord's Prayer" a few verses earlier. The important word here is a hapex lemomenon, ἀναίδεια (...
Dottard's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
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What does "being watchful" mean in Colossians 4:2?

Colossians 4:2 states the following (emphasis added): Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (ESV) Here, Paul tells Christians to be "watchful" in prayer. ...
The Editor's user avatar
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3 votes
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What is the difference between gifts of healing (1 Cor 12) and praying for the sick to get healed (James 5)?

1 Corinthians 12 (ESV): 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has ...
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2 votes
1 answer
296 views

Ought Christians to pray daily for forgiveness of sins

Jesus apparently directed his disciples, in the model prayer (cf. Matthew 6), to ask daily for forgiveness. Some Bible students hold that Christians have access to continual forgiveness, and thus such ...
Forester's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
289 views

Did Jesus ever pray to Jehovah?

Usually, when people attempt to make a case for prayer to Jesus being disallowed, they make the point that Jesus followed the example of ancient Israelites who only prayed to Jehovah. They point out ...
Rajesh's user avatar
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Is 2 Corinthians 13:14 a prayer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?

Paul ends 2 Corinthians with the following statement (13:14, NKJV, emphasis mine): The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. ...
The Editor's user avatar
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Was the early Church waiting for divine intervention in Acts 4:23-31?

My question is motivated by some controversy caused by a related question I asked on Christianity Stack Exchange. On that question I make the assumption that the early Church was expecting and waiting ...
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0 votes
2 answers
129 views

Why does God condition his divine intervention and mercy on intercessory prayer? Ezekiel 22:29-31

Ezekiel 22:29-31 (ESV): 29 The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice. 30 And ...
user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
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Is Matthew 17:14-21 implying that miracle-working faith can be attained through prayer and fasting?

Matthew 17:14-21 (ESV): 14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often ...
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3 votes
2 answers
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Will Jesus do anything we ask Him in His name or not? John 14:12-14 vs. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

John 14:12-14 (ESV): 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever ...
user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
145 views

What is meant by meditation in Psalm 48:9 and Psalm 104:34?

What is meant by meditation in Psalm 48:9 and Psalm 104:34? The English word “meditate” evolved its meaning in the mid- to late-1900’s. Previously, it had been more like ”to contemplate”. So how can a ...
Al Brown's user avatar
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Job 28:7-11 is about the benefits of praying and speaking in tongues [closed]

Benny Hinn mentions in this youtube video -->( https://youtu.be/mX_Ts0jAFNU?t=823 ) that Job 28:7-11 is about the benefits of praying and speaking in tongues: ( Job 28:7-11 ) 7 “The path no ...
user1338998's user avatar
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6 votes
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What does it mean for food to be "received with thanksgiving" and "sanctified by ... prayer" (1 Tim. 4:3-5, NKJV)?

In his letter to Timothy, Paul wrote that the food some would forbid was actually created by God “to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth”: 3 forbidding to marry, ...
The Editor's user avatar
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How might we understand Jesus "not entrusting Himself" to those around Him (John 2:23-25)?

From the 2nd chapter of the Gospel of John we read: John 2:23-25: "Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name, observing His signs which He was ...
Xeno's user avatar
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7 votes
2 answers
152 views

Does prayer, itself, deter temptation (Matthew 26:41)?

γρηγορειτε και προσευχεσθε ινα μη εισελθητε εις πειρασμον [TR, undisputed] Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation [Matthew 26:41 KJV] One could add punctuation and say 'Watch, and pray ...
Nigel J's user avatar
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11 votes
10 answers
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"but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words" - can the Holy Spirit literally intercede with groanings? Romans 8:26-27

Romans 8:26-27 (ESV): 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 ...
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3 answers
148 views

Is there any value in "giving thanks with one's spirit" when the person doing the thanksgiving lacks the gift of interpretation of tongues?

1 Corinthians 14:13-19 (ESV): 13 Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? ...
user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
486 views

Did the Apostle Paul pray to Jesus in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9?

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (ESV): 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” ...
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5 votes
3 answers
1k views

Did David pray to angels in Psalms 103:20-21?

Psalms 103:20-21 (NIV): 20 Praise the Lord, you his angels,       you mighty ones who do his bidding,       who obey his word. 21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,       you his servants ...
user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
131 views

Did Peter converse with (pray to) the Holy Spirit in Acts 10:9-19?

Acts 10:9-19 (NIV): 9 About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10 He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and ...
user avatar
5 votes
5 answers
451 views

Are "praying in a tongue", "praying with one's spirit" and "praying in the (Holy) Spirit" interchangeable expressions?

Jude 1:20 (NIV): 20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 6:18 (NIV): 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with ...
user avatar
6 votes
6 answers
6k views

Where are we to speak in tongues when no interpreter is around?

1 Corinthians 14:26-28 (NIV) says: 26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an ...
user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Is praying in tongues to God in a private setting scripturally supported by 1 Corinthians 14:2?

1 Corinthians 14:2 (NIV): For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. If someone does not speak to ...
user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
389 views

Is Luke 11:5-13 talking about being filled with / baptized in the Holy Spirit and that believers should seek it with perseverance?

Luke 11:5-13 (NIV): 5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to ...
user avatar
10 votes
7 answers
23k views

Why are prayer and fasting required to cast out certain kinds of demons?

The casting out of demons is one of the signs that Jesus promised would follow all believers: Mark 16:17 (KJV): 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out ...
user avatar
6 votes
3 answers
5k views

How did the disciples drive out demons, if not by prayer?

In Mark 9, Jesus drives a demon out of a child which his disciples could not drive out. In response to their question of why they could not drive the demon out themselves, he responds, This kind ...
Lilias Carmichael's user avatar
10 votes
6 answers
2k views

Is there any textual evidence in the Gospels that Jesus thought we should pray to Jesus? [closed]

It is a common practice among contemporary Christians to pray 'to Jesus'. Because most contemporary Christians believe Jesus is God, they believe they are praying to God. Fair enough. A common ...
Only True God's user avatar
4 votes
9 answers
1k views

Is agreed-upon prayer always answered?

Matthew 18:19-20 (NASB): Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have ...
Lilias Carmichael's user avatar
5 votes
5 answers
15k views

Why did Elijah pray seven times?

Elijah makes the statement “And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, "O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you ...
Nihil Sine Deo's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
229 views

Question about Romans 8:26 - what is 'prayer'?

The apostle Paul himself stated that the Holy Spirit has to pray for us since we don't know how to pray (Romans 8:26). It is therefore difficult for anyone to say exactly what prayer is. I have been ...
user avatar
8 votes
11 answers
7k views

In Genesis 21:17 why does God hear only the boy's prayer?

As I read Genesis 21:17, I spent a good time wondering why God heard the cry of the boy whereas his mother also cried at the same time. "And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God ...
Ernest Abinokhauno's user avatar
4 votes
6 answers
3k views

What does Elijah's prayer for drought have to do with prayers for healing? (James 5:17-18)

I am curious why James selects Elijah’s prayers starting and ending a drought in Israel as an example of how powerfully a righteous man’s prayer can give healing (James 5:17-18). How does this ...
Tim's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
176 views

Is Luke's mention of "the hour of prayer" in Acts 3:1 intended to establish that time as the time for Christians to pray?

Does the mention of "the hour of prayer" in Acts 3:1 suggest that Christians are to pray at a specific time?: Act 3:1  Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, ...
Ahmed Sadik's user avatar
1 vote
4 answers
2k views

In Hebrews 7:25, what does it mean that Christ “intercedes”?

What does “intercession” mean in this context? Does it mean prayer? 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession ...
Sergiu's user avatar
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2 votes
5 answers
228 views

Does "ask and you shall receive" apply to all believers or just to the Apostles?

In John 14:14 Jesus told the Apostles "And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." Does this promise apply to anyone and everyone from that time forward ...
KB924's user avatar
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0 votes
4 answers
1k views

In Mark 9:24 what is the father requesting?

How should the verse be translated?: Westcott and Hort / [NA27 variants] εὐθὺς κράξας ὁ πατὴρ τοῦ παιδίου ἔλεγεν Πιστεύω· βοήθει μου τῇ ἀπιστίᾳ. Is it a reasonable request? Does Jesus in fact come ...
Ruminator's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
217 views

In Luke 24:30 is the "blessing" on the road to Emmaus the Jewish Kaddish Prayer? And if so, what would be the significance of that?

I saw that someone said in another Christian discussion forum, that - the "blessing" of Luke 24:30, on the road to Emmaus, was the Jewish "Kaddish Prayer" - a prayer said at meals, and mourning, and ...
Mortaryan's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
191 views

Which translation is better Philippians 4:6 Pray about everything (NLT) or pray in every situation?

NLT "Pray about everything" implies ask for anything, don't hesitate in asking even for little things, ask everything freely; be meticulous. Whereas other translations put it "in everything or in any ...
Michael16's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
1k views

In Matthew 27:46, what did Jesus mean by referring to God as "my" God?

In Matthew 27:46, what did Jesus mean by referring to God as "my God"?: Mat 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My ...
user avatar
4 votes
4 answers
6k views

In John 17:1, why did Jesus lift up his eyes to the sky to address God?

In John 17:1, Jesus looks up toward the sky to address God?: Joh 17:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son ...
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