Armando V. Munoz

S.C.F. Ministries

“What is Prayer?”

May 21, 2014

Quality Time with Father…

What is prayer?  For me it is investing quality time with the Father.  There are many words in Hebrew and in Greek for prayer.  In Hebrew, the most common is the verb palal which means to pray, intervene, mediate, and judge.  Another Hebrew word is tepillah which is the general word for prayer which includes intercession, entreaty, and supplication.  Other general terms for prayer are pi’elhala (to seek His favor, literally make His face pleasant), shala (to bow in worship), nagash (to draw near), zaaq (to cry out for justice), shaal (to ask or petition), and athar (to supplicate by appearance before the face of the Lord).  In the Greek there are various words for prayer.  The Greek words with a brief definition are as follows:  euchomai (desire expressed in prayer), proseuchomai (prayer toward God), erotao (to ask as an equal), deomai (praying for a specific need), parakaleo (to call to one’s side), euche(prayer which includes a desire and or a vow), proseuchei (prayer to God in general), deesis (supplication for specific benefits), enteuxis (intercession to God for self or others), hiketeria (to come or approach in prayer), aiteo (request to a superior), entugchano (to meet in order to converse), proshuneo (worship, to kiss towards), and eucharisteo (thanksgiving, or the proper response to grace).

If we incorporate these terms into a single definition, prayer is coming to appear before God for the purpose of communion and conversation.  Prayer includes worship, thanksgiving, petitioning for our needs, and interceding on behalf of others.  Moreover, there is a real expectation for two-way communication, therefore, prayer also requires us to be open before the Lord.  Additionally, faith and assurance that all of our prayers will be answered is clearly established (Mark 11:24; 1 John 3:22-23; 5:14-15).  This is precisely what the writer of Hebrews had in mind when He said, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).  As people who were created to have relationship with God and with one another, effective communication then is of utmost importance.  Prayer is simply communicating with God.  Prayer transcends this world and reaches into His throne room to the very “Throne of Grace” where we commune with the Father.  Christ was our perfect example.  When He prayed we see He prayed expecting an answer, which He received in timely fashion (John 11:41 f.).  This was so consistent for Him that the disciples were prompted to ask Him to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1).

Jesus instructs us to pray, “Our Father,” implying a familial relationship, “which art in heaven,” indicating our words transcend the natural world into the very presence of God, “Hallowed by they name” revealing His character and nature as holy as well as our fearful, honorable, and reverential response to Him as our Father.  “Thy kingdom come, they will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” acknowledges His complete reign in heaven.  Moreover, it petitions Him to bring His reign completely into the earth.  “Give us this day our daily bread,” is a request for Him to provide for our needs pertinent to this life in a way that is harmonious in all aspects with the Kingdom of light in a fallen world.  “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors,” is our acknowledgment of our sins for which we have received forgiveness.  It also reminds us of the price paid by His dear Son our Lord, as well as of our need to forgive those who offend us.  Additionally, we are reminded to forgive in the same way we were forgiven:  totally, unconditionally, and freely.  This way our prayers will not be hindered.  “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil,” is our appeal to His divine direction throughout each day as well as a request for His intervention if evil should befall us.  “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever,” is our acknowledgment of God’s authority and power to answer our prayers and the glory He will receive that will be readily apparent in His response to our prayer(s) now in this age with continuing results in and throughout the age to come without end.  “Amen,” is the affirmation that it be of a truth or according to His will (Matthew 6:9-14).

In a practical sense, prayer/communication is absolutely necessary for our relationship with the Father to thrive.  We must come to the Father day and night and invest quality time with Him, rather than simply learn about Him.  As we do, we will soon see that to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is actually living with the one we love in constant active fellowship day by day and moment by moment for the rest of our existence in this age and in the age to come.  Amen.