Facts About Prayer

Basics of PrayerPrayer has no language barrierPrayer has no language barrier. Eventhough man thinks and speaks indifferent languages, God understands allof them. He is the God ofall nations and Scripturesays, “All nations whomthou hast made shallcome and worship beforethee, O Lord; and shallglorify thy name” (Psalm86:9). This certainlygives evidence to the fact that languageis no barrier when it comes to praying toGod (Acts 2:4, 11; Acts 10:46). God evensearches the heartsof His children andthereby knows theirmotives, needs anddesires, no matterwhat language theythink or speak in(Romans 8:27).Prayer can be presented to God in various formsSince God knows both the hearts andthoughts of everyone, prayer may beexpressed mentally, audibly or in song(psalms). In times of great trials, wemay prayerfully sit before His thronethough without the power to express ourthoughts. In times like these, the HolySpirit searches our hearts and makes ourfeelings and thoughts known unto God(Romans 8:26; Hebrews 4:15).There is a time for offering up our prayersin a proper, clear and formal manner.This should be the case,especially when we praybefore a congregationor fellowship group.However, we can comebefore God with brokenhearts and weeping,crying audibly (1 Samuel1:10; Psalm 34:18). Attimes, it may be expressed in the form ofmaking a vow (1 Samuel 1:11; Acts 18:18),making sacrifices (Psalm 20:1-3) andsinging songs (Psalm 59:16, 17; Acts 16:25).People in the Bible prayed sitting in ashes(Job 1:20-21; 2:8), wearing sackcloth(Psalm 35:13), crying with tears (Psalm6:6), smiting their breasts (Luke 18:13),throwing dust on their heads (Joshua 7:6),tearing garments (1 Kings 21:27), fasting(Deuteronomy 9:18), sighing (Ezra 9:4-15),groaning (Psalm 6:4-6), crying out loud(Hebrews 5:7) and sweating as if bleeding(Luke 22:44).Sometimes, Christiansmay engage in prayerfor several days (Esther4:16), several hours – allthrough the night(Luke 6:12), or shortejaculatory prayers(Matthew 14:30). Somewould even take time to pray several timesa day (Daniel 6:10).ConclusionPrayer is to be a total way of life—an openand continual communion with God. Itis not limited or restrained by factors suchas time, posture and place. Under anycircumstance, a child of God can call onHis God.Bible Witness 19