What is Prayer?

The following devotion is by Matt Carroll and asks What is Prayer?

Matt writes: Perhaps the most famous prayer is Daniel’s in Daniel 9:3-19 where Daniel sought God for his nation’s future and was rewarded with a revelation of the future. [Read more here: Daniel 9:3-19]

David prayed based on the understanding of God’s promise of a future dynasty for him. [Read more here: 1 Chronicles 17:16-27.]

The Lord Jesus is recorded as spending time alone in prayer:

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35

When they asked him, He taught the disciples to pray based on His example. [Read more here: Luke 11:1-13.]

Paul urged that prayers be offered for all men and that governments be prayed for:

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour. 1 Timothy 2:1-3

James states that the fervent prayer of a righteous man is truly effective:

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16