I am asked, “Teacher, how must we pray?” Today we will visit a general definition of prayer and the general manner in which we prepare to approach prayer. Soon we will visit and explore prayer in more depth.

Prayer is heartfelt communication with The Lord. Believers engage in dialogue with The Lord. Believers engage prayer freely and in their own words.

Scripture offers us guidance and justification through the Bible for prayer.

Prayer requires a humble heart.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Prayer requires that you engage this special interaction with your whole heart.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

Prayer requires faith.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

Prayer requires good intention and freedom from sinfulness.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Prayer requires obedience to the will of The Lord.

And we will receive whatever we request because we obey Him and do the things that please him. John 3:22

The Lord hears us when we pray.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them, He delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

Prayer must be consistent with God’s divine will.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. John 5:14

The Lord favors our prayer together with other believers.

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. Matthew 18:19

The Lord hears us when we pray alone.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed. Mark 1:35

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12