[object Object]  Prayer is the way we communicate with God. As mysterious as it might seem to talk directly with the Almighty, the Bible assures us that prayer is a two-way conversation between God and us.  God made sure humanity has the opportunity to tell Him our concerns, worries, requests, and praises.  But prayer is more than just talking to God. It’s a time to listen for the voice of God as well. So how does it all work? Let’s learn more about:  Why and how we pray—and to whom? When you think of God , who He is, and how He relates to mankind, what picture do you see? Too often He is pictured as a God who is distant from humans. Some think He is a God who has no dealings of communication with man. But the Bible paints a very different picture.  In scripture , the Almighty God seeks to have an intimate connection with His children. How we can commune with Him is through the means of prayer. We can pray directly to Him, in the name of His son Jesus , who died for our redemption . We don’t need a mediator in our communication with God, as Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus prayed, in John 17:20-21, for his disciples, and for all who would believe in Christ through their word. His prayer was that they “may be one ” in God.  How powerful! Jesus’ prayer was the desire of the Creator of the universe, dwelling in the flesh. He was praying that all who hear the word of God will have an experience of trusting God through a love relationship with Him.  This is the heart of prayer, to experience God’s presence in your life.  Furthermore, when we get to know God through prayer and Bible study , we become aligned with His will.  When Moses went up to receive the Ten Commandments , the children of Israel rebelled. They worshipped the golden calf. As Moses returned, he was distraught and upset they had so soon forgotten God’s ways and His goodness. So Moses prays. But take note of this powerful prayer .  Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people Exodus 33:13 (NKJV)  Moses understood the heart and purpose of prayer. He prayed he might know God and have a deeper experience with Him. But notice that he prays, “…show me now Your way…” to know God.  The word “way” found in this verse can be translated in two different forms throughout scripture.  The first is like a pathway, it’s the direction or journey that God desires for us to walk down.  The second is more than this. It’s the actions, conduct and manner God desires us to display on this journey.  Simply put, Moses sought the Lord to know Him. This looked like aligning himself with the impulses and mission of the God of the universe.  This was a prayer of faith from the lips of Moses. It was plain and simple. It wasn’t some performance, but a real conversation with God.  But there’s just one problem. It’s good to seek God’s pathway. Furthermore, it’s good to seek how we are to live and represent Him on that pathway. But where does one get the power to do it?  This has been the cry of humanity throughout history. Paul pens it this way, “…to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find” (Romans 7:18, NKJV).  But returning to the prayer of Moses, God provides the answer.  …My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest Exodus 33:14 (ESV) That’s the answer. The answer is His presence. God’s presence in your life through the Holy Spirit dwelling in you will bring power. It will bring peace, and Christ in your heart (Acts 1:8; John 14:26,27; Ephesians 3:16,17).  God’s very presence can be experienced through prayer. “Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him,” said Ellen G. White , a prominent founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church . Prayer is the means given to humanity that provides the power to align their lives with God. Through prayer, we may know and experience His grace in our lives.  Prayer is so much more than reciting a wishlist. We don’t want to limit God to a cosmic vending machine when He desires to be so much more in our lives. He wants to be our character builder, our loving Father who refines us as we grow and mature.  When life is good and easy, or when life is tough and hard, He invites us to seek His will in the midst of it all. To live conscious of His presence, and be at peace (Isaiah 26:3).  Furthermore, He calls us to not only seek Him in prayer but to have faith, believing that He will answer (Mark 11:24). Conditions of Prayer in the Bible Throughout Scripture there are numerous prayers that can encourage us. These prayers demonstrate how people have called upon God to know Him.  As you read the following examples, take note of the conditions we may expect God to hear and answer our prayers .  Jacob, when faced with impending danger from his brother, prayed to the Lord in faith. He acknowledged that he was “unworthy of all the favor and of all the faithfulness” God had shown to him. Yet, he relied wholly on the promises of God. God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, Lord, who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your relatives, and I will make you prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the favor and of all the faithfulness, which You have shown to Your servant; for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies. Save me, please, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children. For You said, ‘I will assuredly make you prosper and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which is too great to be counted.’ Genesis 32:10-12 (NASB) In this prayer, we find Jacob Claiming God’s promises Acknowledging his sinfulness Expressing faith in God’s will Faith, in simple terms, is “being fully convinced that what He [God] had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:21, NKJV) . Even if we’re afraid our faith is weak, when we call upon God, we are exercising it and growing it. God is seeking to turn our doubts into a strong faith. He will help your faith grow. Another powerful prayer in the Bible is the plea spoken by a tax collector. In Luke 18:9-14 we find these words,  Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other…” Luke 18:9-14 (NKJV)  These words also point out two important conditions of prayer: Realizing our need of help from God Confession of sin Realizing our great need and trusting God’s fullness will open our hearts to receive Him.  Moreover, the Bible also teaches that if we are hiding away anger, selfishness, greed, etc., in our hearts, we limit God from being able to work with us (Psalm 66:18).  If we choose to trust ourselves and cherish things like pride, we push God away. We’re told sin is the very thing that separates us from our loving, merciful God who is ready to forgive and save (Isaiah 59:1,2). When all known sins are confessed and made right, we can pray to God and trust He will answer.  The most inspiring prayers in Scripture proceed from the mouth of our loving Saviour. Each one of these prayers provides glimpses into the truth about prayer. His prayers were always of a pure motive, glorifying God (John 12:28; James 4:3).  Let’s look at the powerful prayer Christ prayed in the garden of Gethsemane.  And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began praying that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will” Mark 14:35,36 (NASB) Here we see the God of the universe showing an example for humanity amid suffering (1 Peter 2:21).  Although Christ was in agony, He sought God’s will that He may obey it (1 John 3:22; 5:14). He knew that the best option was to cling to God, and His will, no matter what.  That was His safety, and God invites us to do the same.  No matter what struggles or pain you may be going through, you can cling to Christ through prayer.  God isn’t the one who brings the troubles and pain into your life. Sometimes these things are results of our own choices, and other times they’re simply the result of sin, which originated with the devil (1 John 3:8). But God promises that when you come to Him, seeking help, He is there for you. You may claim His promises and trust that when you “pass through the waters” of doubt and trial, He will be with you. You won’t be overtaken (Isaiah 43:2, NKJV). God’s presence will guide you. For there can be many “afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers them out of them all” (Psalm 34:19, NKJV). One of the hardest parts of prayer is when we feel as if God hasn’t answered an earnest plea. It’s not always easy to understand why He chooses to say, “No.” Or why He chooses to say, “Wait.” It’s important to remember that God’s timing is not always our timing. He knows the beginning from the end. He knows how all things will work together for our good (Romans 8:28).  Part of faith is knowing our perspective is severely limited, and trusting God to know what’s best for us—even when things just feel wrong. God’s plan may not be what you expect, but His plan is always best!  Types of Prayer There are different types of prayer you may use in different occasions/settings. Some of the types of prayer include:  Intercessory prayer. This is when you pray on behalf of someone else who is in need. Whether it’s spiritual or physical, intercession is praying that God will work in their life.  An example of this type of prayer is when Abraham pleads with God for the city of Sodom (Genesis 18:16-33). Or when Moses prayed that his sister Miriam would be healed (Numbers 12:13). Another time was when he stood between the gap for the Israelites when they had worshipped the golden calf (Exodus 32:11,14). Moses was praying for God to have mercy on the Israelites! These examples are all glimpses of the ultimate intercessor. “…Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us” (Romans 8:34, NASB). Jesus prayed in John 17, not only interceding for His disciples but, for everyone who would believe in Him through their word. His desire was for them to be saved; to experience unity with God and with each other (John 17:21). Why intercessory prayer is important for the Christian today is because when we pray for others, we are asking for God to work in their life. This can be a way in which believers can join Christ in His work of saving souls for eternity. Paul exhorts Timothy, “…that supplications, prayers, intercessions , and giving of thanks be made for all men” (1 Timothy 2:1, NKJV).  Not only is it a privilege to intercede for others, but it is a duty that God gives to Christians. Today we can intercede for family members, friends and colleagues. We can pray for God to work in their lives, bringing them to salvation .  Prayers of forgiveness. This is when you come to God with a sincere and repentant heart and ask for His forgiveness for your sins.  We see this so clearly in the life of David when he prayed and sought forgiveness from God. He said, Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalms 51:10-12 (ESV) When Daniel was praying to God, confused about a vision and prophecy, he pleaded for forgiveness. He realized that sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1,2), but through forgiveness we can find peace, understanding, and guidance. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name Daniel 9:19 (NKJV) Pauls writes to the church of Colossae and encourages them to bear “…with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:13, NKJV).  It brings great joy to our heavenly Father for us to experience His forgiveness. And we can also experience a calming joy when we forgive those who do wrong to us. Praying for forgiveness is so important for Christians today. In the journey of sanctification and becoming more like Christ, there will always be times when we mess up (Proverbs 24:16). It’s through seeking and receiving God’s forgiveness we learn to yield to His authority (Psalms 130:4) and find grace for victory in the Christian life (1 Corinthians 15:57).  Corporate prayer is when you’re praying with a group of people unified in one accord. This may be when the family comes together to pray, perhaps during worship.  We find a prominent example of this when the apostles came together in preparation for the day of Pentecost. “ These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers… When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 1:14; 2:1, NKJV). In the life of Christ we find He saw importance in corporate prayer . “Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray” (Luke 9:28, NKJV).  Praying together with others leads to revival (2 Chronicles 7:14). And in doing so we, “Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2).  Secret prayer or personal prayer is when you pray alone. This prayer is the most important prayer for the Christian. It is the strength and life of the soul.  For, when we come with our lives opened to Him, the Bible says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, NKJV). We can lift our prayers to God in the secret place or when we are walking in the street.  If there’s a perfect example of secret prayer, it’s in the life of Jesus. He constantly would be taking the time to find a secluded place and call upon the Father (Mathew 14:13; Luke 5:16, 6:12, 22:41,42). Even in the busiest or most distressing times, Christ could be found in prayer.  This is a strong message for us today. You can pray a silent prayer in the busiest of circumstances. And you can know God inclines His ear to your petitions (Psalm 116:2). When we pray , we receive power for the Christian life. By abiding in prayer throughout the day, we can walk with Christ and bear fruit to His glory (John 15:4, 5).  Practical Prayer From the Life of Christ The Bible tells us that if we desire to abide in Jesus , we should align our lives with His (1 John 2:6). This means that His life is our example. We can look to Him each day and behold His words and His actions. In choosing to live like Christ, the Spirit of God will supply the strength needed (2 Corinthians 3:18; Acts 5:32).  Here are some practical prayer points that you can consider and practice: And in the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and prayed there for a time. Mark 1:35 (NASB) But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. Luke 5:16 (NASB) Jesus would rise early in the morning to pray and seek His heavenly Father. Jesus found a quiet and solitary place to pray. Jesus would often pray throughout the day. Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. Luke 9:28 (NKJV) And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.“ Luke 22:31, 32 (NKJV) Jesus not only prayed alone, but He prayed with others. Jesus prayed for people by name. Jesus prayed that others may deepen their connection with God.  The prayer life of Christ can both be inspiring and, at times, seem overwhelming. The simple point here is the Savior of humanity saw the need to pray earnestly and constantly. How much more do we need prayer?  We can seek God with reverence, acknowledging Him as the creator—yet He even says He is our Friend (John 15:15)! We can pray earnestly to truly know Him and His ways.  God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Christ can save all who approach God by Him, and we can approach Him through prayer (Hebrews 7:25). Through prayer, we can receive the power to be aligned with God. We can experience His life-changing presence in our lives.  Even though it’s easy to get busy, prayer is something God wants from us and it’s something that can do a tremendous amount of good for us! Imagine what it would be like if we truly brought everything to God in prayer.  As the old hymn says,  What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. oh, what peace we often forfeit; oh, what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Let your love for Christ grow and flourish as you pray to your Creator, who loves you dearly.  

The Heart and Purpose of Prayer

How Does Prayer Work? Prayer is a simple act, but the process is fascinatingly complex and powerful. How does God hear the prayers in our heads, or the unspoken feelings in our hearts?
Prayer works because God, through His love for us, wills it to work. He makes Himself accessible and available for us when we want to commune with Him. We all have that someone we want to tell our good news to, or someone we need to talk to when things aren’t going well. God can be all of that and more, through prayer. The Bible tells us that God hears us whenever we pray (1 John 5:14; Jeremiah 29:12). And He responds to us through His Word and the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). But how does it all work? Why does prayer seem so mysterious sometimes? Let’s look closer at what the Bible can tell us about how prayer works:  And finally, we’ll discuss how the heart of prayer is about trusting in our Creator and Redeemer God, who cares for us more than anyone else in the universe. Let’s start with the basics. What is prayer? Prayer happens whenever we speak to God , through thought or voice. He is always listening, so whenever we initiate prayer, that’s all it takes to establish the connection. When we pray we are inviting God to be a part of our lives by opening our hearts and thoughts to Him. Prayer is our direct line of communication to our Heavenly Father. And the more we communicate with Him, the more our relationship with Him can grow. If prayer is new to you, it might feel strange or mysterious to be communicating with someone you can’t see or hear in typical ways. And sometimes it can be frustrating when we’re looking for specific answers or blessings, and then they don’t happen. But the good news is that Scripture has plenty of examples of effective prayer that will help us learn how to pray .  One thing we’ll look at first is how prayer can put us in tune with God’s will. 1 John 5:14 says, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.”  Then that brings up the question, “What is God’s will for our prayer life?”  According to Scripture God wants us to: Understand and communicate our need for salvation. If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) Communicate your need for strength; tap into His power. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV) Build trust, reliance, and faith in Him. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15, 16 (ESV) See also Psalm 9:10; 37:3-5; Proverbs 3:5, 6; John 14:1; and Hebrews 13:6. Turn to God for strength against temptations. Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 (ESV) Remember that we are not in control. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 (ESV) He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17 (CSB)  What makes prayer work? It’s not what we do but what God does that makes prayer work. He hears us because He never stops listening. Any sincere prayer directed to Him will reach Him. Jeremiah 29:12-13 says, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”  Prayer is one way for us to “seek” a relationship with God. We don’t have to have the perfect words to say. The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit helps us when we don’t know how to pray.  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. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 (ESV) As we seek that relationship “with all our heart,” prayer works through God’s power to hear, see and know all.  The Bible says in 1 John 5:15, “And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. ”  And we know our prayers will be answered because God is all-powerful and all-knowing.  What is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:19-21 (ESV) Not only do we have an all-powerful and wise God, but we also have a profoundly loving Heavenly Father.  Jesus tells us, “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! ” (Luke 11:11-13, ESV).  So we know that God wants to bless us, His children. All we have to do is ask! But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Psalm 66:19 (ESV) Prayer works because God promises it does. Jesus promises us in Luke 11:9-10, “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”  He makes this promise after He demonstrates how to pray (Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13). In the Lord’s Prayer, we see Jesus demonstrate how prayer gives God the Father the glory and praise due to Him. Plus we see the request for daily needs to be met, as well as asking for the forgiveness of sins .  Right after Jesus’ prayer, He tells a short parable that is often referred to as, “the persistent neighbor” (Luke 11:5-8).  In this parable, the first neighbor needs bread for a traveler that arrived at their home in the middle of the night. He doesn’t have any, so he goes to the second neighbor’s door to see if he can borrow some bread. (And yes, it’s still the middle of the night.) The second neighbor is taken aback by the audacity of this request. He makes excuses to avoid getting up to provide the bread.  But then the second neighbor thinks twice and decides to get up and give the first neighbor the bread. Simply because he asked. The point of this parable is not necessarily the persistence of the first neighbor. And it’s not saying that effective prayer is synonymous with pestering.  The point is that if an inconvenienced neighbor will positively respond to an audacious request, then how much more will a loving God respond to our requests? Following the Lord’s Prayer in Luke 11, Jesus promises that we cannot inconvenience God!  He is better than our best neighbor. He wants to hear from you. We also see in verses 11-13 that God is better than the best parents. He wants to give us good things! God’s Word promises: We can approach God with confidence because He understands us (Hebrews 4:15-16). He hears us (Psalms 66:19). We can’t inconvenience God with our requests (Luke 11: 5-8). He wants to bless us (Luke 11:11-13).  Prayer works more effectively as we build our relationship with Him. We stay connected to God when we have a healthy prayer life. It makes sense, in the way our conversations grow with people as we become better friends with them. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul tells us to “pray without ceasing” (ESV).  This doesn’t mean that we should always be on our knees, or have our nose constantly stuck in a prayer journal. John 15 uses the word “abide” to describe the kind of relationship God wants with us. He wants us to “remain” or “stay” with Him. We make ourselves open for prayer at all times . If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 (ESV) This continual communication, or communion, strengthens our relationship with God. As we grow in our relationship with God, our prayers will become fuller and deeper. As we understand His will better, we will better understand how to communicate with Him.  We have a wonderful example of this kind of prayer in Psalms 63. When David wrote this psalm he was in the wilderness of Judah. He had no water, no food, and was in need of help because he was being followed by King’s Saul army. O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you. Psalms 63:1 (ESV) Here we see that David desires a relationship with God over the blessings He provides. This prayer could have been a request for food, water, and victory over his enemies. Instead, it’s a prayer of praise and worship! Prayer works by being more than just talking to God. The Bible has a lot of examples of prayer being used to request things, confess things, and say things to God. But, there are elements of prayer that strengthen us just by opening ourselves to God and abiding in His presence.  Prayer helps us contemplate who He is and what the Bible says about Him (Psalm 46:10; Psalm 63:6-8).  When we consider that God is infinitely powerful (Ephesians 1:18-19), and He is love (1 John 4:8), and that love is directed toward us (1 Corinthians 2:9), how can that not affect us (2 Corinthians 3:18)?  Our mindset or perspective changes. We can “rejoice in the Lord always” and “not be anxious about anything” because we know that God has it under control (Philippians 4:4-7, ESV). Prayer works because our loving God wants it to work. He listens to us, no matter when we call on Him, and desires to bless us. Prayer works by strengthening our relationship with Him. And it works by changing our perspective and bringing us peace and joy that can only be found in Him.

Prayer is a simple act, but the process is fascinatingly complex and powerful. How does God hear the prayers in our heads, or the unspoken feelings in our hearts?

How Does Prayer Work?

Why Should We Pray? Prayer is the primary communication method we have with God, so it’s surely important. But what are the actual reasons we should make it a point to pray?
We pray to communicate with our Creator God. Prayer methods may vary, but the overall purpose is the same.  The Bible is rich with wisdom about the many reasons humans can and do pray, and why God welcomes us to pray to Him. Let’s explore these reasons and what Scripture teaches us about prayer:  We’ll start with the most common reason people think about praying—for help. We pray for help and guidance The ever-present opportunity to communicate with God is an invaluable gift. It’s a privilege to use prayer to request help from our caring Father in heaven.  And the Bible provides us with promises that God hears our prayers for help (1 John 5:14; Philippians 4:6, 7), and that we can cast all our “anxieties on Him” (1 Peter 5:7).  We can pray at home with the family, during quiet time alone, with another person, or in a group. And throughout the Bible we see many examples of this.  Hannah prays for a child, and to be delivered from her distress Hannah desperately wanted a child but couldn’t get pregnant—a condition many women can relate with.  To add to that, she was ridiculed by her husband’s other wife who could bear his children.  Still in agony, she went to the temple and made a vow to God in prayer.  She prayed, O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head. 1 Samuel 1:11 (ESV) Hannah’s prayer was answered (1 Samuel 1:20). And in the next chapter we can read her full prayer of gratitude (1 Samuel 2:1-10).  She named her son Samuel, and dedicated him to God to be a servant at the temple. Later on, he became one of the most well-known prophets of the Bible.  Hezekiah prays for restoration of health Hezekiah became extremely ill. And the prophet Isaiah visited Hezekiah on his deathbed to warn him that his death was near. This message, while meant to prompt Hezekiah to get his “affairs” in order, drove Hezekiah to pray like his life depended on it. Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, ‘Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 2 Kings 20:2-3 (ESV)  Before Isaiah left, God told him that Hezekiah would live. Not only would God heal Hezekiah, but He would also grant him another 15 years of life. He would deliver Hezekiah’s people from the King of Assyria, and He would defend the city. King Solomon prays for wisdom Regarded as one of the wisest people who ever lived, Solomon’s story shows how his wisdom came from God.  He had an opportunity to ask God for anything, but he was grounded enough in his reality to know that what he really needed was the kind of guidance and discernment only God could give him. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of your people whom you have chosen, a great people, too many to be numbered or counted for multitude. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people? 1 Kings 3:7-9 (ESV) God answered Solomon’s prayer, pleased that He asked for wisdom instead of wealth or power. So He granted him even more than he asked for: …Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. 1 Kings 3:12-14 (ESV) The early church of Acts prays for Peter’s deliverance Peter was imprisoned and scheduled to be executed. According to Acts 12:5, “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church” (ESV).  Kept in chains and guarded by soldiers, Peter had no hope. But the church communicated their needs to God in prayer.  Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, ‘Get up quickly.’ And the chains fell off his hands. Acts 12:6-7 (ESV) The angel then led Peter past the guards, out of the prison, and to the city gates. He went straight to Mary’s, where the church was gathered in prayer. Jesus Christ prays for deliverance, yet accepts His mission Jesus prayed daily to commune with His Father. He prayed for strength. He prayed before performing many miracles. He prayed before choosing His disciples. He even prayed before His arrest, feeling the very fear and dread any human would have felt in that situation. But Jesus knew that whatever He needed, His Father would provide. He prayed: My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will. Matthew 26:40 (ESV) Even Jesus Christ our Savior expressed to God the vulnerability He felt in His human form. He actually prayed to ask if there was any way He didn’t have to go through with His painful, sacrificial death on the cross.  But through His connection with the Father, and His unmatchable love for humanity, Jesus was able to acknowledge His fear while also taking courage that God’s will would lead to the best possible outcome of all. This prayer gave Him renewed strength to face what would soon be happening to Him.  Through prayer we can communicate with God about our wants, our needs, our hardships, and our questions. He promises to hear us and provide what we need to go on. We pray to spend time with God Prayer is a conversation. And it’s also an intentional time of communion with God . So it’s possible to spend time in prayer even when we aren’t saying anything at all. While as children we might be taught about prayer as a way we both ask and thank God for things. But we’re meant to grow beyond that. Prayer isn’t only about listing out what we want God to help us with. Prayer means we are opening ourselves up to connecting with God. Even if we haven’t yet said a word. When we pray, we prioritize time with God. So making it a habit amid our busy lives is an ideal way to put God first.  Because when we pray, we direct our thoughts toward God. It helps us dwell less on the tedium of life and more on God, His power, His love, and His work in our life.  And aside from turning our thoughts to God, we also let God into our minds when we pray. We give God an invitation to enter the deepest corners of ourselves. We allow Him to see our thoughts, our feelings, our worries…anything that might be going on with us. And this can happen anytime, anywhere. That’s what it means to “pray constantly,” as listed in 1 Thessalonians 5:16 (CSB). We can turn our hearts to God while walking, driving, lying in bed, and even when talking to others.  In the book of Daniel, we see how he made prayer a priority, even under dangerous circumstances. But prayer was too important for him to give up. When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10 (CSB) Jesus Himself made time for prayer and devotion with His Father. Luke 6:12 tells of how He “went out to the mountain to pray and spent all night in prayer to God” (CSB). And when John the Baptist was murdered by Herod, John’s disciples buried him and then immediately went to tell Jesus. When Jesus heard of John’s death, He sought time alone to pray and reflect. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23 (ESV)  And if Jesus, our ultimate example for a perfect human life, made time for this, we can be certain that it’s beneficial for us as well.  We pray to thank God and praise Him Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord” (ESV). A regular practice of gratitude has many benefits. It’s not hard to find a book about how living with an “attitude of gratitude” helps improve your life.  Turning gratitude into prayer has the added benefit of connecting with God, as well. We learned about how Hannah prayed for a son in 1 Samuel 1. And after God answered , she expressed a beautiful prayer of gratitude in 1 Samuel 2:1-10. And we can look at Mary’s prayer in Luke 1, where she expresses thankfulness for being chosen to be the mother of Jesus. My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. Luke 1:46-49 (ESV) We can praise God simply for who He is, and for what He’s done for us through Jesus Christ .  God created the heavens and the earth and everything in them. He is worthy of praise (Genesis 1). God forgives us our sins (1 John 1:9). God heals the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3). God has given us His Son and Eternal Life (1 John 5:11-12).  And overall, just as Paul concluded his letter to the Colossians, it is good to go about “with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16, ESV). We pray to confess and to grow (repentance) We were all born into a sinful race and a sinful world , yet prayer can be an antidote to sin’s prolonged influence on our lives. We can confess to God in prayer and make steps to grow spiritually stronger for the future, under His guidance. This can be an incredibly intimate, humbling, and even inspiring experience. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (ESV) Confession requires faith and humility. We have faith in the One we pray to, and we humble ourselves to admit we’re wrong. And God promises to help us through our challenges, encouraging us to unload our stress and anxiety onto Him—the One who can truly guide us through everything. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV) Prayer is how we allow God to work within us . The more time we spend with Him, holding nothing back, the more He can clean us up into the person He knows we all can be. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 (ESV) David’s entire prayer in Psalm 51 is a perfect example of humble confession and transformation through prayer. David points out God’s goodness and mercy. He asks for forgiveness . He asks God to help him overcome temptation. He even asks God to take away every exposure of evil. Like David, we can confess, repent, and grow into better people through prayer.  We pray to strengthen our faith If faith is like a seed, then prayer is like watering that seed. And when we use Scripture in our prayers, we can claim God’s promises. And finding biblical examples of powerful prayers can further inspire us and boost our faith. Prayer helps us consciously put our trust in God.  We can learn from those in the Bible who prayed boldly, showing their faith in the process. They prayed with complete trust in the God who would hear them.  In Hebrews 4, the Apostle Paul offers the best case for bold prayers. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 4:14 (ESV) Whatever our prayer, we can rest assured we have a high priest in heaven (Jesus Christ) who hears it. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 (ESV) This high priest can sympathize with how we’re feeling and he remained sinless. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (ESV) Because of Jesus, we can pray confidently. Not only do we draw near to his throne with confidence, but we can receive his mercy and grace through bold faith. In fact, Jesus Himself encouraged His disciples and followers “always to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1, ESV).  The Bible also has examples of people praying for their faith to be strengthened: In Mark 9, a boy is possessed by an “unclean spirit.” This spirit would often throw the boy into a fire or into water to try and kill him. The boy’s father, desperate to help his son, brings him to Jesus for healing.  When Jesus tells the man, “all things are possible for one who believes,” the father immediately “cried out and said, ‘ I believe; help my unbelief!’” (verses 23-24).  In Acts 4, Peter and John are imprisoned, but that doesn’t keep them from praising God. The other Christians with them praised God along with them, publicly praying to God and acknowledging His power, and asking for all believers’ faith to grow.  They concluded that prayer with inspiring words, and God provided an awesome response: ‘And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.’ And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29-31 (ESV)  We pray because God asks us to In Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he offers this new Christian church some basic but important instructions for success.  Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) Paul didn’t mean we should walk around day and night with our hands folded and our eyes closed. When Paul instructed the early church to “pray without ceasing,” he meant to live a consistently prayerful life.  We can live a prayerful life by praying often and sincerely. We can pray while we’re at work, or when we’re making dinner, or caring for our kids…any time we want, we can direct our thoughts toward God. We don’t ever have to stop praying! Jesus even showed His followers how to pray in Matthew 6, where we can read the Lord’s Prayer (verses 5-13).  Scripture reinforces this encouragement to pray, and in many different ways: To relieve anxiety and worry Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 (ESV) To pray for one another: Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 (ESV) To ask for strength: Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) To support the ministry of others: At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison… Colossians 4:3 (ESV) God asks us to pray because He wants to commune with us. He wants our faith to grow, and our worries to subside as we learn to trust in Him. But…why would we need to pray to a God who knows everything? While it may seem strange to tell God things He already knows, it helps to remember that prayer isn’t just any old conversation like we have with other humans.  We pray to connect with God , plain and simple. When we think about prayer, we turn our thoughts toward Him and He is there with us before we even know what to pray about.  God knows that just the act of us praying to Him is beneficial for us. It isn’t merely an information transfer. It’s us consciously bearing our thoughts to Him.  Think about how we might talk to a friend about our struggles—even if they already know about them. They listen because they know it’s helpful for us. When we pray to confess, it helps us process our thoughts and actions so God can help us grow.  Talking out our needs to God helps us to sort them out and become aware of His responses and guidance.  We pray not as a means to an end, but to identify and accept help from our most valuable support system—our Redeemer and Creator. And as long as we’re sincere, it doesn’t even matter how “good” our prayer is. We’re told in Romans 8 about how the Holy Spirit helps us as we pray: 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. Romans 8:26 (ESV)  The goal isn’t to gain our greatest desire through our own willpower, but to connect ourselves to His will. Like Jesus, we can also gain victory over every challenge through the wonderful gift of prayer.

Prayer is the primary communication method we have with God, so it’s surely important. But what are the actual reasons we should make it a point to pray?

Why Should We Pray?

Does it Matter When we Pray Surely there’s no “wrong” time to pray…but can it make a difference when we make time for prayer? Let’s see what Scripture tells us.
God hears any sincere prayer to Him, no matter when it is prayed (1 Peter 3:12; 1 John 5:14, 15).  1 Thessalonians 5:17 even encourages us to “pray without ceasing” (ESV), going about our days in constant communion with God.  Sounds like there’s never a wrong time to pray! We can always stay in touch with God, seek His counsel, and find refuge in His presence—no matter the situation we find ourselves in.  But can the intentional timing of our prayers make a difference for us?  What does it really mean to pray without ceasing? And is there any benefit to scheduling our prayer time? Let’s look at what the Bible says, and consider how we can apply what we find to our everyday lives. We’ll go over:  Specific times that are good for prayer Looking through Scripture , there are particular times during the day when prayer is encouraged. One of the most well-known passages is found in Deuteronomy 6, where Moses delivers God’s instructions to the children of Israel. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV) This passage points out the importance of a daily connection with God, of thinking on His word every day, when we lie down and when we rise. This applies just as much to prayer as it does to other forms of devotion. We are to get in touch with God every day in order to strengthen our relationship with Him .  Praying in the morning As mentioned in the above verse in Deuteronomy, there is benefit to praying “when you rise.” Other passages also encourage us to seek out God first thing in the morning. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. Psalm 5:3 (ESV) Jesus Himself even made time for this kind of early-morning connection with God while He was on earth . And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed. Mark 1:35 (ESV) It makes sense, doesn’t it? Right after we wake up, before we’re bombarded by all the burdens, obligations, and distractions of the day, we can have a clear mind to connect with God.  Some people who have a long commute to work even have dedicated prayer time in the car, spending time with God before they arrive at the office. Taking this opportunity for morning prayer can help us start the day with organized thoughts, along with renewed faith that God will be walking with us throughout the day. It’s a way to be intentional about including God in the day’s plans.  So we can see some good reasons for seeking God first, before we begin our day and the business of life gets us distracted. These passages of Scripture urge us to take advantage of opportunities to get in touch with God, and to seek His aid and guidance. Mid-day prayers Also included in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 is praying when we “sit in the house,” and other phrases that suggest making time to pray part-way through the day.  Often in the middle of the day, we’re ready for a break. This could be a lunch break, or it could be any downtime that doesn’t correspond with a meal. But either way, it’s a great time to pray. Daniel, for example, prayed three times every day (Daniel 6:10). Psalm 55 suggests this as well, keeping our connection with God strong by coming to Him morning, noon, and night, “when you lie down, and when you rise”. The principle here is to take a break to refocus on God. We dedicated the day to Him in the morning, but sometimes the rush of the day can tempt us back into stress mode. But He’s still there, walking with us throughout the day. And it can do us good to remind ourselves of that before we conquer the second half of the day.  And if we do stop for lunch, it’s always appropriate to thank Him for the time to pause, and thank Him that we have food to eat. It helps us continue the day with an attitude of gratitude.  Bedtime prayers You may have noticed that the verses quoted from Daniel and from Deuteronomy also included references to the end of the day, when we “lie down.”  Here’s the perfect opportunity to discover the blessings you’ve received throughout the day. Knowing that you committed your day to God, even if it was a difficult day, can bring you peace. Because in this time of reflection in prayer, you might be made aware of little things here and there that helped you get through even the toughest parts of the day.  When I remember you on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Psalm 63:6 (NKJV)  And after a tiring day, it’s also a great time to claim some of God’s promises in prayer, such as: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28, 29 (ESV) I lie down and sleep; I wake again because the Lord sustains me. Psalm 3:5 (CSB) In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 (ESV) Maintain sound wisdom and discretion … then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant. Proverbs 3:21, 23, 24 (CSB) And if you find yourself awake at night, think of it as yet another opportunity to pray. What better way to encourage sleep than talking to our Creator and Protector?  Are there any wrong times to pray? We’ve seen how God is willing to listen to our prayers, day or night, and that the Bible urges us to keep our relationship with God strong by including Him in every part of our day.  This illustrates that there are no wrong times to pray. There are absolutely no situations where it is inappropriate to talk to God.  He is always listening. He is right beside you, no matter where you are. There is no time when our prayers might interrupt or distract Him. What’s more, God certainly doesn’t want prayer to feel obligatory or ritualistic. Sincerity is what matters. Even if your hands aren’t folded and your head isn’t bowed, He hears you and knows your heart. For example, if you’re driving your car while you pray, you’re not going to close your eyes. And God still hears you. If you’re praying for guidance while in the middle of a tense conversation with a family member or co-worker, God hears you even if you’re fitting in this prayer between thoughts and responses. God isn’t like some genie in a bottle where the prayer will only work if you say certain words or assume a specific posture. Prayer is active communication. It’s communion. And it’s building a relationship. There’s no template or formula that makes it work—just an open heart. Are routine prayers important? We’ve seen how God is always willing to listen to us when we pray and how there is never a wrong time to pray. But what about the prayers we pray as part of a congregation, or as part of a personal routine?  Why are those prayers important? Are they really as valuable to God as the personal ones we offer to Him when we pray on our own whims? And how can we keep routine prayers from getting repetitive and boring? After all, we don’t want to feel like we’re just going through the motions of a habit. There’s a well-known quote with several versions, but the gist of it is: “half the battle is just showing up.” Well, that’s what we’re doing for God, even in prayers that happen in groups, planned events, or routines we’ve set up ourselves. Just because it’s not impromptu doesn’t mean it isn’t, or can’t be, sincere. We’ve made the effort to “show up” in His presence, open to commune with Him. Prayers before meals Let’s start with a custom some of us might remember from childhood—praying before a meal. This small bit of thanks might not seem that important, but there’s plenty of value to be found in it. Pastor James Black, Director of Prayer Ministries for the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, explains the importance of the routine before-meal prayer: It is the perfect opportunity to express to God how grateful we are for every meal. It is also an opportunity to pray for those who are impoverished. The value of mealtime prayers is that they are simplest when teaching children to pray. During these formidable years, children catch a glimpse of God our provider. When we’re young, routines and traditions have a strong impact on us, and as we grow older, that impact remains. We begin to see God as a loving provider, the one responsible for all the good things we have, and before-meal prayers become a reminder of that love.  In a day full of problems and distractions, it gives us an opportunity to stop and be grateful for what He’s given us. It also allows families and groups of people to acknowledge their relationship to God and to each other. Corporate prayers Another form of routine prayer is congregational prayer at church. Such prayers might not seem as meaningful or personal as the ones we have during our own devotions, since they’re given by someone up at the pulpit and not by us. But these prayers have their place in the Christian life as well. They remind us we are part of the body of Christ . We are not alone—we have an entire church family to care about, pray for, and pray with. Also, just because we aren’t the one offering the prayer we’re not still in communion with God. If we have a prayerful spirit and a genuine desire to connect with Him, God connects with us through a prayer at church just as easily as if we were alone in our rooms. Pastor Black explains it this way: Prayers prayed during church are very meaningful to a believer. Prayer should be the center of what takes place between God and you during this time. Whether sitting the pew or kneeling at the altar, the closeness one encounters with God in the sanctuary is inspiring. We can ‘leave it all at the altar,’ as it were. We empty ourselves before God and receive His forgiveness and cleansing. Whether it’s a prayer given by a pastor up front or our own personal praises and desires, God is always nearby, ready to listen.  The ones we pray as part of a routine or among a group of people are no less meaningful than our own personal devotions. Sometimes they might even have an impact that adds onto what we experience in our personal prayers to God. We see that the early church understood the importance of praying as a group, of uniting together to thank God for His blessings and lay their worries and troubles before Him, knowing He would care for them (1 Timothy 2:1-9; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). They understood this sort of fellowship would bring them closer together, strengthening their commitment to God and to each other.  When we pray as part of a church, a family, or a community, it allows us to see past our own personal struggles and gain a wider perspective. We see ourselves as a part of the Body of Christ, here to help and encourage others. We don’t always get that in our personal devotions, when we’re so focused on our own lives and obligations. Communal prayer allows us to look past ourselves and see the larger purpose God wants us to be a part of. Prayer is how we connect with God . So any time at all that we open our minds to connect with Him, we are praying. While some times of day might be easier for us to focus, or easier for us to call to mind everything we want to share with God, there’s never a time when it isn’t beneficial to pray.  Think of it like a relationship with any friend. If you both want to see each other, is there ever a bad time? Sure, there might be more convenient times…or times that allow for more dedicated communication. But you’d never pass up an opportunity to see someone you care about. We don’t only see people we want to see what it’s the best possible time. We talk to them whenever we can! It’s the same with prayer. There’s no wrong time to pray. That’s part of how we “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). But we can also remember what we’ve learned about the benefits of designating certain times for prayer, which can deepen our experience.

Surely there’s no “wrong” time to pray…but can it make a difference when we make time for prayer? Let’s see what Scripture tells us.

Does it Matter When we Pray

How did people actually pray in the Bible? When we look at Scripture’s most famous prayers, our prayer life can grow in deep and unexpected ways.

7 Powerful Prayers in the Bible, and What We Can Learn From Them

Using the Psalms to Pray Psalms can provide powerful enrichment to your prayer life in ways you might not expect! Here’s how you can use this beautiful book to commune with God in new ways.
Much of the book of Psalms are prayers and songs to God. And they can serve as a profound, powerful guide for our own prayer lives. In the Psalms we find the full spectrum of human emotion. This book is rich with praise, but it also includes prayers of surrender, faith, wonder, confession, adoration, boldness, even cries of desperation.  At some point in our lives, we’ve been in each of those places. So it can significantly deepen our prayer experience as we adopt these words and sentiments into our own conversations with God.  There is no other book in which we are more perfectly taught the right manner of praising God, or in which we are more powerfully stirred up to the performance of this religious exercise. John Calvin So what does it mean to pray the Psalms? How do we do this? Let’s take things step by step:  We’ll begin by looking at the idea behind this practice. What does it mean to pray the Psalms? Praying the Psalms helps broaden our perspective with the beautiful language given to us in the Psalms. In a church setting, praying the Psalms can look like congregational reading. In our personal prayer times, it may be memorizing Scripture to use in our prayer time, or reading from the Bible as we pray.  In short, Praying the Psalms involves: Reading the Psalms Writing the Psalms Meditation on the Psalms Memorizing the Psalms  Just like a Bible reading plan, the Psalms can serve as a “Bible praying plan.” To look closer at what it means to pray through the Psalms, we can look at scripture itself.  The Psalms work perfectly as prayers because many of them are prayers. David prayed for his guilt to be pardoned: “For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great” (Psalm 25:11, ESV).  David prayed for God’s direction: “Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths” (Psalm 25:4, ESV).  David prayed for safety from his enemies: “Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me” (Psalm 25:19, ESV). David prayed for mercy and love: “Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old” (Psalm 25:6, ESV).  These prayers in the Psalms made their way into other Bible passages as well. Many of the great teachers and authors of the New Testament actually quoted Psalms in their own lectures, letters, and prayers.  Paul quotes Psalms as proof Paul quotes Psalm 19:4 as proof that Israel has heard the gospel.  In Romans 10:18, Paul uses David’s words to express his own belief that the Jews have heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ . But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for ‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world (NKJV). In quoting Psalms, Paul also reminds those he’s ministering to that they believe the same Scriptures they always did as Jews.  There are other instances where Paul quotes the Psalms as well, such as Romans 8:36 and 1 Corinthians 3:19, 20. He uses these passages to connect current events to Israel’s history in Scripture, and to support what He claims about God to those he’s writing to. John quotes Psalms to proclaim In Revelation, John the Elder uses imagery from Psalms to help us picture what the second coming will be like. John also quoted a variety of Messianic Psalms to proclaim the victory of Jesus Christ.  A great example is when he quotes Psalm 90:2 in Revelation 1:8. ‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty’ (ESV). John used this Psalm to conclude his greeting to the church as a declaration of God’s Almighty Power.  In the same way, we can use Psalms in prayer to proclaim God’s power over our lives and our circumstances. Jesus quotes Psalms in prayer If no other reason to pray the Psalms, we can follow Jesus’ example. Jesus Christ Himself quoted Psalms in prayer.  He quoted many scriptures throughout the New Testament as He preached and served in God’s name. And it’s particularly beautiful how He used Psalms on the cross in an emotional prayer.  From where he hung on the cross, Jesus said “ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).  Jesus is actually quoting Psalm 22, in which David laments over God forsaking Israel. He quotes a Psalm of suffering and of glory—a picture of the gospel.  Then, before he takes His last breath, Jesus quotes a Psalm again. In Luke 23:46 we see Jesus crying out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” just before taking His last breath. This too is an important quote from a Psalm in which David followed a theme of trust and redemption.  Psalm 31:5 says, “into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.”  Jesus never sinned or acted selfishly, but He definitely needed to trust God in this moment on the cross. After all, His connection to God the Father was what made Him able to overcome Satan’s temptations.  The King of the Universe set an example of heartfelt prayer on the Cross, in the most trying of times.  Benefits of praying the Psalms When we read and Bible, we can bring about even more benefits when we also pray the Bible .  Praying the Psalms is a special way of praying the Bible because the Psalms are already written directly to God. Praying Psalms to get comfortable with prayer If you’re just beginning your prayer life, communicating in the way of the Psalms can take some getting used to. Not knowing what to expect, or how it can feel, can get in the way of the peace prayer can ultimately provide. It helps to remember that prayer is simply communication . It’s establishing a connection and welcoming interaction with God. If it helps, think of it like reading a poem to someone you admire or care about. It may not match the way you’d converse with them over lunch, but it’s specially prepared to communicate your adoration or appreciation.  Through prayer, God ensures us the opportunity to tell Him our concerns, worries, requests, praises, and anything else on our minds. The Psalms help give us the language to do so. When these things are hard to articulate and we’re unsure how to pray, we can look to the Psalms for words that resonate with our current experiences.  Using Psalms to pray also gives us an opportunity to grow in our knowledge of God through His Word.  Praying Psalms helps us express our pain The author(s) of the Psalms experienced the whole spectrum of human emotion. We’d be hard-pressed to find a Psalm that didn’t remind us of how we felt at a sad or difficult point in our lives.  In Psalms we find passages about grief, pain, death, confession, surrender…you name it.  When we read things like, “I’m languishing ” and “my bones are troubled” in Psalms 6:2, the author may be writing about his distress over the kingdom of Israel, but this language speaks to our anguish as well. When he says, “my wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness” in Psalm 38:5, he may be speaking of his own sins, but we can use this powerful imagery to describe how awful we can feel sometimes.  Within the Psalms, we also can find the sharing of praise, goodness, and restoration.  On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. Psalm 145:5 (ESV) And when prayer is painful, using God’s Word can offer us comfort and peace. When prayer is intimidating, looking to real humans from the Bible can make us feel less alone. Praying Psalms helps us make sense of our thoughts and feelings When life is confusing, prayer can also be confusing. But when we don’t know how to put our words and emotions together in prayer, we can look to Scripture.  When David is angry, anguished, and grieved, his Psalms still reflect the goodness of God. Psalm 119:33-40 can become the perfect personalized prayer when life and spirituality get confusing, especially in asking God to “lead me in the path of Your commandments” and “turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways” (ESV).  Praying through Scripture in general can help us through confusing times. In fact, there are other great examples of our biblical heroes quoting Old Testament scriptures in prayer.  You can use actual prayers from the Bible as a template for your own prayers.  Praying Psalms can help us feel closer to God The early Christian church promoted reading the Psalter (the book of Psalms) in prayer to grow closer to God individually and as a congregation. One of the biggest reasons we might struggle with prayer is because we don’t feel like we know who it is we’re praying to. We can’t see God or hear His voice in the way we do when we talk to humans. God can feel very far away at times, and diving into the Word is a way to move closer to Him.  Getting into the Psalms helps even more because it’s one big collection of stories, songs, and poems that depict a relationship. The Psalms tell the story of the relationship between God and Israel, of God and David, and of God and ourselves. Personalizing the Psalms for our prayers can transform something cold and difficult into something warm and comfortable. Psalms 61:1-4 is just one example of an extremely intimate moment of prayer for David:  Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah. It can serve as our own intimate prayer as well. How to start praying the Psalms  All you need is a Bible (or the internet). You can do a simple search for a topic that relates to your current situation or you can randomly choose a Psalm to begin with.  You don’t have to do everything in the list here, and you may come up with some ideas of your own as you get to know the Psalms a little better. But here are some tips for getting started. Read Psalms aloud to yourself or someone else, either before you pray or as a prayer. Write out a Psalm in your own handwriting. Read through a Psalm and personalize it through drawing or some other form of art. Memorize part of a Psalm and incorporate it into your normal prayer. Meditate on a passage of Psalms until it feels like your own prayer. Envision that you’re saying it straight to God. Make a Psalm your own by using “I” or “we” in the text. Copy the structure of a Psalm in your own written prayer. Insert words and names into the existing structure and sentiment of the verse. Because the Bible was written by people like you and me, many of the verses we find in Psalms can fit into our everyday prayer.  Here are some Psalms to start with, based on the feelings and ideas expressed within them: Psalms for protection Psalms 27:1 Psalms 121:1-8 Psalms 4:8 Psalms 91 Psalms 25:20-21 Psalms 116:1-9 Psalms asking for help or guidance Psalms 38:21-22 Psalms 70:5 Psalms 143:1 Psalms of praise Psalms 100 Psalms 145 Psalms 103 Psalms 34 Psalms 8 Psalms of confession and surrender Psalms 38 Psalms 130 Psalms 51 Psalms 32:5 Whether you’re just beginning your prayer journey or whether you already pray several times a day, praying through the Psalms can enrich your prayer life in ways you might not expect. Some of the most beautiful poetry of the Bible can guide us into new experiences with the God who created us and loves us dearly.

Psalms can provide powerful enrichment to your prayer life in ways you might not expect! Here’s how you can use this beautiful book to commune with God in new ways.

Using the Psalms to Pray

Why does the Bible seem to say different things in different places? Learn how studying context can help us understand Scripture more completely.

Contradictions in the Bible - Do They Really Exist?

How to Understand Symbolism in the Bible Why is the Bible full of so many confusing symbols? Dive into biblical metaphors & figurative language, looking at underlying meanings and the reasons for their use.
Unlock Deeper Meaning by Studying Biblical Symbolism and Allegory Blood, swords, goats, oil… what does it all mean? Especially if it is your first time reading through the Bible, coming across so many odd word choices can make you stop and think, “ What did I just read?”  While the amount of symbolism and figurative language in both the Old Testament and the New Testaments can seem overwhelming at first, you’ll soon learn to recognize and understand their spiritual meanings—especially with the right guidance and tools for studying Scripture.  You may even find it quite fascinating!  Why so many symbols? How do you explain something complex? Probably by using something simple as an example. Or if you wanted to tell the person in front of you a secret without the person beside you understanding, you use vague terms or codewords.  In both examples, you go beyond the literal definition of what you’re trying to say, so the intended people can understand the full meaning you want to express.  Symbols are everywhere.  We have visual symbols that represent law enforcement, highways, or hazardous waste. Some symbols are actions, like a bride and groom lighting a unity candle to represent joining their lives together.  Other symbols are words or expressions, such as calling a person your “rock” to illustrate how they are strong and steady. If a person constantly bothers you, however, you might call them a “thorn in your side.” When it comes to the Bible, however, you might ask, “Why does it need to use so many weird symbols? Why use metaphors in a way that can seem literal? Why didn’t the authors just say what things actually were?”  To answer these questions, first think of why symbols would be used at all . What do symbols actually do? Symbols can add new levels of meaning to any message in many different ways Symbols add color, feeling or emphasis. For example, rather than just saying, “Satan is evil,” the devil is referred to as “roaring lion ” who “prowls around,” looking for someone to “devour.” He’s also described as a dragon in Revelation.  These visuals create a more memorable, lasting effect. You might find yourself automatically applying traits of those creatures to the devil—insatiable hunger and violent disregard like a lion; powerful and destructive like a dragon.  Symbols convey significance. Since purple dye was expensive and hard to come by, it was considered the color of royalty.  Another symbol of kingship—a crown—was used as mockery and torture when the soldiers shoved crown of thorns on Jesus’ head before He went to the cross.  Symbols of significance can be used in positive expression or negative expression. Symbols describe something unfamiliar, special, or even dangerous. If you saw something you’d never seen before and you didn’t know what it was, how would you describe it to a friend? You’d probably compare it to something similar-looking that was familiar to your friend. Otherwise, explaining it literally would be ineffective. There may also be a time you would want to describe a new concept to a friend, but you didn’t want to give it away at the beginning. You knew they’d understand it better if they figured it out for themselves. This reasoning for symbolism is also common throughout fictional literature. Symbolism adds depth to a message. If you’ve taken a literature class in high school or college, you might remember several works that were full of symbolism. More often than not, the author used symbols to make the reader think deeper.  Or maybe you had to speak in code because you didn’t want people standing nearby to hear what you were telling your friend. Even Jesus often used symbols because His own disciples did not yet understand the concepts He was teaching them ( Luke 8:9 and Matthew 15:5 ). He cautioned His disciples that if people weren’t in tune with Him, they would never be able to understand what biblical symbols meant ( Matthew 13 ; 10-15 ). He also commended them when He said,  “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God; but those who are outside get everything in parables” ( Mark 4:11 , NAS).  “Outside”? That sounds divisive, but Jesus is separating those who are “inside” or “outside” the understanding of His word by whether or not they look to Him for understanding. That’s it. In fact, the Apostle Paul, one of Jesus’ later followers, wrote:  “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit” ( 1 Corinthians 2:14 , NIV). Some powerful truths are enhanced by religious symbolism and are meant for readers who look to God for insight. These truths, or their corresponding symbols, don’t have to be bizarre or extreme.  The thing is, without reading those passages as an intentional part of your journey to Jesus Christ, you’ll more than likely come away with a weak interpretation that only skims the surface of the deeper truth within. In other words, intent matters…as well as where you turn for further guidance.  Symbolism can protect an important message. In other cases, sometimes Bible authors had to find a way to widely share information that would have been difficult, dangerous, or even impossible for people to understand while in their current political situations. When explaining events, or prophecies of the future, these authors had to hide the message in symbolism, so people who wanted to understand it could, but others—such as oppressive political authorities—could not. One example of this is the book of Revelation.  The book’s author, John, was describing the astonishing visions of the future he received from God. The prophecies in this book connected his current time to the “end of time”: when Jesus Christ would return to Earth , stop the man-made madness, and take His believers with Him to heaven.  Revelation covers the power struggle of nations throughout history, and the effects of each of those paradigm shifts on the rest of the world. It shows how the forces of good and evil are constantly warring against each other all through the ages. Kings and kingdoms are represented by various animals that symbolized different traits, or by horns growing out of the heads of great beasts.  To further understand the purpose of these crazy, biblical symbols, imagine if a prolific author wrote something like that today… without using symbolism!  What if the book both named and described—in literal detail—who will rule which countries, who will conquer, and what will happen to the rest of the world as a result. Certain leaders would likely be offended, shocked, or overtaken by anger and disbelief that an author would publish a piece claiming to know all the gory details of future events.  Can you imagine the chaos? News programs or talk shows might pick up the topic and make a spectacle of it. Some world powers might even try to “engineer” the progression of events, attempting to ensure the things written in the book didn’t come true (Daniel chapters 2 and 3).  In other words, all this uproar could affect the intended purpose of the book: to assure its readers that things of this world come and go—but even when things get bad, good will ultimately triumph over evil.  If the book is written with symbolic language, however, those looking for the true, biblical meaning within will get the picture. Meanwhile, any potentially concerned oppressors would either pay no mind or have no grounds to prove any slander or treason.  This was the case in John’s day, and symbolism served as a form of protection.  Where do the symbols in the Bible come from? When each book of the Bible was being written, the Holy Spirit worked with each author to use the most appropriate symbol for the right time, place, and example.  God gifted each of the Bible’s writers with their own style, perspective, thoughts, and sometimes even visions or dreams. They wrote down their experiences in their own words.  Depending on their jobs, backgrounds, lifestyles, socio-economic status, etc., the biblical authors described what they learned in terms they were already familiar with. Most of the time they chose ordinary items to use for symbols—such as colors or animals—to help their readers make sense of complicated concepts. For example, the Holy Spirit is symbolized by oil and likely olive oil, rather than unrefined oil from the ground. Olive oil was a staple in daily life during the Hebrew Bible times and it represented health and vitality . It was frequently used in anointing the sick as an act of dedicating them to the Lord. In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit was symbolized by tongues of fire—which had other symbolic meanings as well, such as revival, purification, and warmth. While reading, you’ll find hundreds of symbols in the Bible.  And some of those symbols will be clear right away, while others will require further study to determine exactly what they represent. When that happens, no need to be discouraged. Any powerful, life-changing book can be expected to require study and research to fully grasp its truths.  After all, this Book’s sole purpose is to explain an infinite God to finite beings.  Symbols in action (use of allegory in the Bible) As we go deeper into parts of the Bible known for their use of symbolism, you’ll find passages with a collection of “storified” symbols that work together to illustrate a principle. This is a literary device called allegory . Its defining characteristic is that ideas are represented as people, or sometimes as personified animals. One of the most common uses of allegory is within a fable you might have heard when you were young: “The Tortoise and the Hare.”  The fast Hare constantly picks on the slow Tortoise, until the Tortoise finally challenges him to a race. Confident that he will win, the Hare takes a nap during the race. During the Hare’s nap, the Tortoise passes him and wins the race. The two key symbols in this fable are the tortoise, representing slowness, and the hare, representing speed and haste. The story of these two animals also represents something as a whole—the idea that innate ability isn’t everything (especially when accompanied by arrogance), and dedication and follow-through can accomplish the same goals.  “ Slow and steady wins the race.” You can also find helpful uses of allegory all throughout the Bible. One example can be found in 2 Samuel 12 , when God had a prophet , Nathan, approach King David with a message.  At the time, the king had recently schemed to have a man killed so he could take the man’s wife for himself. God was quite displeased with David’s actions and sent Nathan to rebuke the king.  The prophet didn’t directly accuse King David of murder, covetousness, and adultery . Instead, he told a story of a rich man with many sheep, and a poor man with only one. When the rich man wanted to entertain guests and prepare dinner, instead of killing one of his own sheep, he took the one special sheep from the poor man.  Not considering the underlying meaning, King David was furious that someone could do such a thing. And that’s when Nathan said: “You are that man!” The rich man represented the king. The poor man represented the husband and his one beloved sheep represented the wife King David stole from him.  The message sunk in. With this new perspective the allegory provided, King David realized the depth of his own guilt and sinfulness before God and was remorseful.  In the Gospels of the New Testament, you’ll find several uses of allegory within parables Jesus told to teach His followers about life, relationships, and what it means to follow God.  Jesus spent His time healing people, but the rest of His time He spent blowing people’s minds with his teaching—specifically his crazy stories:  “‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it” ( Matthew 13: 44-46, ESV ). The two super-short stories about hidden treasure and pearls are taken from Matthew 13 . Interestingly enough, this entire chapter of the Bible is about Jesus—the Master Storyteller and Communicator—telling His followers deep, life-changing, spiritual truth—in symbols!  No doubt there were many who were confused and didn’t understand what He meant by these two short stories. So, let’s look at what they really mean. Jesus spent a large amount of time trying His best to make people understand what His Kingdom would be like and how it would be different from any other Kingdom. In this first parable He explains His Kingdom as a priceless treasure, and in the next story, He demonstrates how the Kingdom is a “pearl of great value,” worth more than any other possession someone could have. The point of both stories is to explain to people who are searching for God’s Kingdom what the kingdom is like. These quick stories especially emphasize the desirable beauty of the kingdom and how it is something like we’ve never seen before. Just having these short descriptions stir up feelings of excitement in the hearts of God’s people.  Overcoming “Symbolophobia” Yes, it’s an actual word.  It literally means a fear of symbols.  But you don’t have to be symbolophobic!  With these four, easy steps you can begin the process of overcoming your fear. Okay… maybe “fear” isn’t the right word, but at least uncertainty or hesitation that comes from reading sacred Scripture with startling symbols.  1. Pray First: Always start any kind of Bible study with a prayer . In the Bible , God promises that, if you ask Him to give you wisdom in understanding and applying the biblical lesson, He will. 2. Yes, You Can Use Your Common Sense: Most—not all—of the symbols you find in the Bible are not based in literal reality, so they probably aren’t meant to be taken at face value. For instance, when was the last time you saw a dragon or a 10-horned beast? It’s safe to assume they must symbolize something else. 3. Read in Context: The Bible is its own best interpreter. If you’re not sure about a symbol or allegory, don’t rush to judgment or give up. Keep reading. Look for other spots in the Bible that use the same figurative language or mention the same situations. You’ll often find more. And nowadays most Bibles have concordances or other interpretative study tools that can be used to help you understand what the symbols mean. You can find a ton of them online. One great one is https://www.amazingfacts.org . 4. Ask For Assistance: When run into a difficult spot in the Bible, finding a family member, friend, or neighbor—or even contacting the pastor at your local Adventist Church —can help you get the guidance and encouragement you need. The Bible encourages us to “ meet together ” to study God’s Word. The Lord has given you the opportunity to discover deep spiritual truths that can, not only provide better understanding, but can influence your worldview in helpful ways.  When you diligently study the Bible’s symbols, metaphors, parables, and allegories, you can learn amazing things about the true character of God and His will for your life.

Why is the Bible full of so many confusing symbols? Dive into biblical metaphors & figurative language, looking at underlying meanings and the reasons for their use.

How to Understand Symbolism in the Bible

Spiritual Growth: Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy Discover how keeping the Sabbath can strengthen your relationship with God. Set aside a special day for rest, prayer, and worship to renew your spirit.
When you want to become closer with someone, naturally you try to spend more time with them. The weekly Sabbath presents the perfect opportunity for intentional, prayerful time with God .  After all, it’s a day set apart to recognize and celebrate Him as our Creator. To make the most of the opportunity to deepen your relationship with Jesus , let’s look at:  What is the Sabbath?  The Sabbath is a day of rest, where we pause our regular weekly obligations to honor God’s role as Creator of the world. The Sabbath actually goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden.  This was God’s original intention for the Sabbath. Time to spend with Him and enjoy everything He created for us .  That’s why, on the seventh day of creation, God blessed the Sabbath day and “made it holy.” And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all his work that He had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that He had done in creation. Genesis 2:2-3 (ESV) God ceased His work of creating as an example to us. Not only do our bodies need physical rest—we also need to rest our minds and refresh our souls.  For 24 hours, starting Friday at sunset, we aren’t focusing on our to-do lists. We’re not doing business or expecting others to serve us. We’re making time to connect with our Creator.  So, let’s find out how we can connect with our Creator on the Sabbath day.  How can we make the most of this Sabbath opportunity? We can use the Sabbath to connect with God by using the time to learn more about Him, and by doing activities that keep our minds on Him and His creation. Quality time is big in any relationship, so of course it will be important in your spiritual growth with God.  And quality time isn’t necessarily about having time, it’s about making time.  Imagine coming home from work and your spouse is cooking supper. You walk right past them, hurrying to collapse on the couch. Maybe you eke out a quick “hey” before catching up on work emails with the TV on in the background. Then, when it’s time for bed, you make a comment about your schedule the next day before falling asleep.  Obviously, if this pattern continued, your relationship would suffer. When every interaction is rushed, social connections never deepen.  No, it’s not wrong to check your emails or update your appointment calendars. These things often need our attention.  However, it’s small things that pile up and consume our attention that can also keep us from actively pursuing a relationship with God.  Just as you would make time for a friend to strengthen that relationship, your relationship with God is strengthened when you take time to get to know Him better.  Here are some ways to do just that.  Study the Bible on Sabbath What better way to connect with God than to read the Word of God ? We even find that Jesus “went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read” (Luke 4:16, ESV). Studying Scripture has long been a Sabbath tradition, both in groups and in solitude. The Sabbath offers undistracted time to read and reflect on the passages you read. Try keeping a notebook or journal with your Bible, so you can write down any questions or thoughts that come to mind while you study .  Remember to pray before, during, and after your study as well. Make it not only a study time, but a time of communing with the One you’re wanting to learn more about.  Reading the Bible can also show us other ways to spend time with God. For example, reading the Psalms can teach us examples of praise, prayer, and worship to God. Worship God on Sabbath Worshipping God and praising Him, like we see David do in the Psalms, allows us to focus on how amazing and incredible He truly is.  As we welcome the 24-hour Sabbath at Friday evening’s sunset, we can tune our hearts to a spirit of worship. …True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth… John 4:23 (ESV) Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness. Isaiah 25:1 (NASB) Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28 (ESV) Worship is a heartfelt expression of adoration and respect. It can take many forms: Music (listening, singing, playing) Prayer Reflection Testifying of what God has done Church services / corporate worship The Bible gives us many examples of God’s people singing, shouting, clapping, or even simply praying together. All in the name of God’s sovereignty and love. Whichever form of worship you choose, know that God delights in it. Your sincerity is all that matters. Attending church on Sabbath This form of worship, praising God with a faith community, is such a great way to connect with God as we also connect with others who believe in and seek Him. The Bible even talks about gathering together on Sabbath for “a holy convocation,” or an assembly of God’s people (Leviticus 23:3). Both the Israelites and the early Christians met together to worship and encourage one another each Sabbath. As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. Acts 13:42-44 (ESV) And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24, 25 (ESV) It’s beneficial in multifaceted ways for believers to gather, learn, and worship together. Being an active part of God’s family of believers can be such a great blessing to you and your family each week. And Jesus promises that when we gather together, His Spirit is there with us: For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Matthew 18:20 (ESV) Just like we have an innate need for community in our everyday lives, we need the community of other believers as well. God is a relational God, and we all long for meaningful connections. And through these profound connections with others, we can also get profound glimpses of God. Praying on Sabbath Since we’re making time for God on Sabbath, it’s the perfect opportunity to enrich your prayer life. Prayer involves intentionally directing our attention to God.  Just like when we sit down with a friend, there’s eye contact, we silence our chatter, and we make it plain that we’re here to listen, share, and reflect together. It’s a similar intentionality with prayer, even if we can’t “see” God sitting with us. Through prayer we can more clearly hear God communicating with us. We can use prayer to praise God, confess our sins, express gratitude, and ask for guidance. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6 (ESV) And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1 (ESV) Prayer helps us connect to God in a meaningful, personal way. That’s why the Bible also encourages us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). God invites us to pray to Him anytime, anywhere, in any way. But the Sabbath is a special day that allows us to focus on connecting with God more deeply, without the distractions of everything else. We don’t have to feel rushed or hampered by the demands of the workweek. Fellowship with other believers on Sabbath As we established earlier, the Sabbath is a wonderful time to connect with other believers who encourage us in our walk with Jesus.  We can learn so much from each other, and by connecting with them, we can see the different creative sides of God. As a relational God that also valued uniqueness and cooperation, we can see different facets of God’s “personality” expressed in those He created.  And by gathering together with the intention to study God’s Word, or spend time with others with a spiritual focus, we’re following the example of Jesus’ disciples and the Christians of the early church . They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42 (NASB) Having friends to hold you accountable is also important to Christian growth. The perspective of others who care about God and about us is invaluable. And as Christians, we can help each through hard times, and “encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV). Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 (NASB) Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (ESV) Enjoying Nature on Sabbath Since Sabbath is a celebration of Creation, it only makes sense to celebrate His creative power by spending time in nature. With a day set aside, we can reflect on God’s love for us through the beauty of His creation. Enjoy the fresh air, colorful landscapes, and majestic sky. Experience the quiet and calm you can get by leaving behind the hustle and bustle.  The Bible talks about how we can connect to God through nature. God reveals Himself through His handiwork. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made… Romans 1:20 (ESV) The world around us testifies to God’s power. When we look for Him, we see Him in every work of creation. Even though the earth is flawed by sin , glimmers of the majesty of God’s creativity still shine through.  The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4 (ESV) It might even help to bring your Bible with you when you go outside. Read the story of creation, especially when it talks about the Sabbath. Take in the beauty around you, reflecting on how God spent the very first Sabbath.  Keeping Sabbath helps us put God first We make time for what’s important to us. If there’s something we want in our lives, we’ll often rearrange whatever we can to make it fit. The truth is, we’re all busy. But we all make choices each day about how we’ll spend our time. Each one of us has the same number of hours and minutes in a day.  What’s important to you? God commanded us to keep His Sabbath day holy for our own good. But just because it’s part of the Law of God doesn’t mean the Sabbath is about a list of dos and don’ts.  In fact, the Sabbath was given to us as a gift of God’s grace. Just like all of God’s laws, the point of them is to promote and preserve our happiness, our capacity to love, our strength, and our devotion to Him as Creator and Sustainer.  Keeping the Sabbath is something we do out of love for our Creator—not because we have to. And once we understand the significance of the seventh-day Sabbath, setting aside that time each week can become something we look forward to. It can be invigorating to discover how the Sabbath offers you time to rest and connect with God. Making the Sabbath a priority honors God and expresses gratitude that He made us and the world we live in.  It also expresses faith that, even though we broke the world He gave us, He still allows us to be connected with Him. And this points forward to heaven…when we will enjoy His creation in perfection, without the taint of sin. Embracing Sabbath like this can draw you closer to God in ways you may have never imagined. And it can be a sampling of His creative majesty, that we will one day experience in full, after Jesus returns .

Discover how keeping the Sabbath can strengthen your relationship with God. Set aside a special day for rest, prayer, and worship to renew your spirit.

Spiritual Growth: Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

Confused about the afterlife? The Bible clears the fog. See what really happens when we die, and why it matters today.

Where do We Go When We Die?

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Official online home of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a Christian denomination devoted to helping people understand the Bible & find freedom, healing & hope in Jesus.

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Adventist.org is the official website of the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Seventh-day Adventists are devoted to helping people understand the Bible to find freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus.