I. Example and teaching of Jesus Christ
The special character of the Fourth Gospel should be remembered. Of the Synoptics, Luke is specially instructive as to prayer (cf. Acts also).
1. Christ’s example
- ( a ) Prays at great moments in His life:
- baptism (Luke 3:21),
- election of Apostles (Luke 6:12-13),
- miracles (Luke 9:16; cf. John 6:23, Mark 7:34 [implied] Mark 9:29, John 9:30-33 [implied] John 11:41-42),
- transfiguration (Luke 9:29);
- Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46),
- crucifixion (Matthew 27:46, Luke 23:46);
- ( b ) intercedes for disciples ( John 17:1-26 ), Peter ( Luke 22:32 ), soldiers ( Luke 23:34 );
2. Christ’s teaching
The range of prayer is chiefly for spiritual blessing (cf. Lord’s Prayer, and esp. Matthew 6:33), but not exclusively so (‘daily bread’ in Lord’s Prayer and Matthew 24:20). The conditions and requisites of prayer are numerous.
( a ) Earnestness ( Luke 11:5-13, where note juxtaposition with Lord’s Prayer, Luke 18:1-8 ); and His attitude to the Syrophoenician seems to teach urgency of petition ( Mark 7:27 ).
( b ) Humility ( Luke 18:9-14; the juxtaposition with preceding parable is suggestive, Luke 17:10 ); ambition rebuked ( Matthew 20:20-23 ).
( c ) A forgiving spirit: as in Sir.
( d ) Privacy recommended; Christ’s own example of solitary prayer ( Luke 6:12 ).
( e ) Without ‘battology’; the reff. show that the repetition discouraged is that of mere mechanical prayer (cf. heathen incantations) or of pretense ( Mark 12:40 ).
(f) With faith. Mark 11:23 contains just such hyperbole as would appeal to an Eastern mind and enforce the value of prayer; while the seeming paradox of v. 24 must be taken along with this and understood in the light of Christ’s general teaching. The need of faith is further illustrated by Christ’s attitude to those seeking aid ( e.g. Matthew 8:13; Matthew 9:28, Mark 5:35; Mark 9:23, Luke 8:48 ).
( g ) Agreement when two or three join in prayer ( Matthew 18:19-20 ).
( h ) In His name ( John 14:13; John 15:16; John 16:23-25 ). This specially Johannine feature suggests frame of mind rather than form of speech (cf. Matthew 18:5; Matthew 18:20; Matthew 10:22 etc.; on the other hand, cf. Acts 3:6; Acts 3:10 ).
II. Customs and ideas in Apostolic times
Evidence is afforded by Acts, and by Epp., whose writers had inherited the best traditions of Jewish piety and had also assimilated their Master’s teaching (which, however, they may not in every point have grasped fully).
A glimpse of prayer-triumphs would be afforded by such passages as Acts 3:10; Acts 4:31; Acts 9:40; Acts 10:4; Acts 12:5; Acts 12:12; Acts 16:25; Acts 28:8. One or two detailed points have already come up for notice, but it may be well now to collect, from Acts to the Apocalypse, some passages showing the practice and teaching as to prayer in the Apostolic Church.
(i.) Prayer is found in connexion with:
- (1) Laying on of hands:
- ( a ) in healing ( Acts 28:8; cf. Acts 9:17 );
- ( b ) after baptism ( Acts 8:14-17; cf. Acts 19:6 );
- ( c ) on appointment to office ( Acts 6:6; Acts 13:3 ), with which also prayerful lot-casting is associated ( Acts 1:24; Acts 1:26, cf. Proverbs 16:33 ).
- (2) Public worship ( 1 Timothy 2:1-15 ).
- ( a ) Both sexes participate (cf. 1 Timothy 5:6, 1 Corinthians 11:4-5 );
- ( b ) prayer and gift of tongues ( 1 Corinthians 14:14; 1 Corinthians 14:16, where it is suggested that the head as well as the heart is concerned with prayer);
- ( c ) ‘state-prayers’ in the Apostolic Church (1 Timothy 2:1).
- (3) Sickness ( James 5:13-16, where notice conjunction of prayer and outward means [for unction cf. Mark 6:13 ] with confession; physical and spiritual healing are associated, and both with prayer;
(ii.) (1) A distinctive Idea in NT prayer is the work of the Holy Spirit . He aids us in prayer ( Romans 8:14-16, Ephesians 6:18, Judges 1:20 ), interceding for us ( Romans 8:26 ). Christ also intercedes ( Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25;). Ct. [Note: t. contrast.] presentation of prayer to God in Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:4. By Christ we enjoy free access to God ( Galatians 4:4-7, Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12, Hebrews 4:15-16; Hebrews 10:19-22 ); prayer offered to Christ direct ( Acts 7:59-60; Acts 9:14 (?), 1 Corinthians 1:2 (?)).
(2) Prayer needs faith (James 1:6-8, 1 Timothy 2:8, Hebrews 10:22), must have right alms (James 4:3), and be backed by conduct ( 1 John 3:22). Such prayer succeeds (James 5:16-18, 1 John 3:22; 1 John 5:14-15). Prayer for temporal gifts is not very conspicuous in NT, but see Rom 1:10, 2 Corinthians 12:8, Philippians 4:6.
(3) Exhortations to prayer (Romans 12:12, Col 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16, 1 Peter 4:7, Judges 1:20).
(4) Reminiscences of OT occur in prayer as colloquy (Acts 9:13-16; Acts 22:17-21), as struggle (Romans 15:30, Colossians 2:1; Colossians 4:12; cf. Genesis 32:24), as cry for vengeance (Revelation 6:9-10, ct. [Note: t. contrast.] 1 Timothy 2:8).
(5) Intercession, which in OT is specially characteristic of the prophetic office, is here a general duty, and is very prominent: Apostles for converts (Romans 10:1; Rom 15:5, 2 Corinthians 13:7, Ephesians 1:15; Ephesians 3:14, Philippians 1:4; Philippians 1:9, Colossians 1:9; Col 2:1, 1 Thessalonians 1:2, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, Philippians 1:4, 3 John 1:2); converts for Apostles (Acts 12:5, Rom 15:30, 2 Corinthians 1:11; 2 Corinthians 9:14, Colossians 4:3, 2 Thessalonians 3:1, Philippians 1:22); for one another (James 5:15, 1 John 5:16 [within limit]).
(6) Thanksgiving abounds (Romans 1:3, 1 Corinthians 1:4, 2 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 8:15, Philippians 1:3, Col 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2Th 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Timothy 1:12, 2 Timothy 1:3).
(7) Note also the salutation and blessing at the beginning and close of Epistles. The NT closes with a threefold prayer for Christ’s coming (Revelation 22:17; Revelation 22:20).