What Does The Bible Say About Worship?

Prayer
If there is one thing that Christians can do together to help us with problems, fulfill our
needs, give us strength, draw us closer, enhance our lives, build us up, and transport
us to higher spiritual planes of communion with God—what would that one thing be?  
Prayer!  It certainly can do that—and much more.  The power of prayer with its limitless
resources is virtually untapped.  

Prayer is our connection with God.  It transcends the limitations of earth, time, and
space to draw us near to God (Hebrews 10:19-22).  Prayer stalls heaven as that world
listens attentively to ours (Revelation 8:1-4).  

Acceptable prayer involves many things.  We must approach God with reverence praying
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9).  Acceptable prayer is not
done for show, but to sincerely pour out our needs and our thanksgiving to God “But
when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do.  For they think that they
will be heard for their many words... For your Father knows the things you have need of
before you ask Him” (Matthew 6:7-8).  Acceptable prayer is offered with a spirit of
obedience “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His
commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22).

Prayer does not need miracles to work its power.  In today’s age when miracles are no
longer performed by God, let us not doubt that our prayers will be answered.  If we have
faith and confidence in God they will be “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he
who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6).  

Jesus told us to persist in prayer and God will hear “Then He spoke a parable to them,
that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1-8).  Most importantly, we
need to pray that God’s will be done “Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that if
we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us,
whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John
5:14-15; cf. Luke 22:42; James 4:13-16).

Prayer  is  powerful,  whether  offered  by  the  feeble voice of one lone Christian, or the
united voices of many devoted disciples “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man
avails much” (James 5:16).  The New Testament also emphasizes congregational
prayer.  The unmistakable conclusion is that prayer is a vital exercise, not just a worn
out ritual.  Whether it was new converts, elders, evangelists, apostles, or inspired
prophets, each one recognized his dependence on God.

The book of Acts overwhelms us with the importance of prayer.  After Jesus left, His
disciples knew they needed direction, so they prayed (Acts 1:13-14).  Prayer was a vital
part of their daily spiritual life (Acts 2:42).  When facing persecutions, hardships, fears
and discouragements they prayed (Acts 4:23-31; 12:5,12).  Before selecting and
appointing deacons and elders they prayed (Acts 6:1-6; 14:21-23).  Before sending
Barnabas and Saul to take the gospel to the world they prayed, knowing that without
God’s help, guidance, and strength, their efforts would be futile (Acts 13:1-3).  To
encourage one another and find strength in God and one another, they prayed together
(Acts 20:36; 21:3-5).  

Prayer held a place of prominence and importance in the church’s worship assemblies
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks be made for all men... Therefore I desire that the men pray everywhere, lifting up
holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (1 Timothy 2:1,8).  

On his preaching journeys, Paul always prayed for deliverance, strength, wisdom, and
open doors.  Yet, he asked the saints to pray for the same things, knowing the power of
the combined prayers of holy men and women, “Brethren, pray for us” (1Thessalonians
5:25).  He knew that God would supply all of His needs, but even more so through the
prayers of the brethren “For I know this will turn out for my salvation through your prayer
and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:19; cf. Romans 15:30-32; 2
Thessalonians 3:1-2).  

There is no power on earth, neither in heaven or hell, that can stop Christians when we
are on our knees praying to our Father!  

--Rob Harbison