THE BIBLE AND PRAYER

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God – Romans 10.17

And He spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint – Luke 18.1

Why is the Bible important?

God gave us a special Book. That Book is the Bible. The Bible was written by God Himself[1]. In the Bible we read what we should believe and what we should do to live a blissful life and to be with God forever when we die[2]. In the Bible this is called ‘salvation’. Being baptized or knowing how to cast out devils or knowing how to preach will not save us from hell. The only way to be saved is written in the Bible[3]. This is why it is so important to read the Bible. 

What is written in the Bible?

In the Bible we read that all people are sinners[4]. This means that every person does, thinks and wants things which are prohibited by God. It also means that no one does, thinks or wants what God has commanded.

The Lord Jesus gave an example of this in the Bible. Adultery is sin[5], but Jesus said that even looking at a woman (or a man) is sin if that person wants the woman (or man) to be his (or hers)[6]. God knows what is in our hearts[7]. Another example that is written in the Bible is that it is sinful to kill somebody, but even wishing somebodies death (hating) is sin, because God tells us to love everybody[8]. 

In the Bible we read who God is. God is holy[9]. This means that  He is perfectly good and does not sin. God hates sins. God cannot be close with people because they are sinners[10].

In the Bible we read that God is love[11]. Therefore He provided a solution for God and sinners in order to restore their relationship. God the Father sent His Son Jesus to earth[12]. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of His people[13], so all their sins are forgiven.

Even you can become one of His people so that you will be saved and the relationship between God and you will be restored!

The Bible teaches us how God wants us to live. So, if we want to serve and honour God in our lives, it is important to know what is written in the Bible[14]. In everything we do we should only follow the instructions God has written in His Word, whether it is about raising children, work, money or church, in everything we are supposed to obey God.

How are we supposed to read the Bible?

Some will say that the Bible is difficult to read. Others might say that they do not have money to buy a Bible. In that case you should ask yourself the question: ‘Do I value the Bible, is the Bible precious to me[15]?’ Is reading the Bible, which might lead you to salvation, not worth your effort and money[16]? It is impossible to really love God if you do not want to read the Bible to know more about God.

When we read the Bible we always need to ask God for His guidance so that we might understand what God says to us. To ask something from God or to speak to God is called praying. In the Bible we read how important it is to pray[17].

Praying is speaking to God

Somebody who does not pray is not a Christian. Somebody who prays, but does not mean what he or she says, is not a Christian. A prayer that is said without thinking is not a prayer. The characteristic of a Christian who is saved by God is that he or she sincerely prays[18]. Everyone may pray: both children and adults, rich and poor, educated and unlearned people. Praying is telling God everything that keeps our minds occupied.

Praying is confessing our sins[19]. Praying is asking God for forgiveness. Praying is thanking God for Who He is and asking Him for His Holy Spirit so that we will learn to live according to God’s will. We may also ask God for blessings, but we have to realise that the purpose of our lives is to serve God and not just to live a comfortable life with our family and friends and without financial problems[20].

Our prayer should be humble and respectful because God is holy[21]. We are people who disobey God every day but still we may pray to God. That is amazing!

Praying in Jesus’ name

In the Bible God encourages us to pray[22]. We may pray in Jesus’ Name. This means that God can answer our prayers because Jesus died on the cross. We do not need to do anything good, to pray a lot or a long prayer in order to make sure that God listens to us[23]. We should not pray to be praised by people[24]. God knows what we need. We do not need to shout to God when we pray because God hears us, even when we speak softly or when we whisper[25].

Forgiveness of sins, salvation and a new relationship with God are only possible because of Jesus who died on the cross and rose again. Jesus lives and He prays[26]. We may ask Him for forgiveness many a time. If we do not know what we should pray, we can pray the prayer which Jesus taught His disciples[27]. Real prayer in the way God wants us to pray is taught by the Holy Spirit[28].

Encouragement

Those who do not read the Bible and do not pray, are in great danger. Their lives neither show that they love God nor that they are Christians, even though they say that they love Him or that they are a Christian. Read your Bible[29] and pray every day. Do it respectfully and be humble, do it with perseverance and the desire to know God. Read and pray when you are alone, but also with your family and in church.

Reading the Bible often and praying a lot is important for you to understand what God says and asks you to do and it also helps you to sin less.

Those who read the Bible and pray, will experience comfort, in whatever circumstances they are[30]. Reading the Bible and praying is a way to honour God! Let reading the Bible and praying be most important in your daily life and you must persevere[31], even if you do not understand everything. Thank God that He has given us the precious gift of the Bible and the privilege that we can always go to Him through prayer.

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[1] 2 Timothy 3.16, 2 Peter 1.21 [2] John 3.18, [3] 2 Timothy 3.15 [4] Romans 3.10, 1 John 1.8 [5] Exodus 20.14 [6] Matthew 5.27 and 28 [7] 1 Samuel 16.7, Hebrews 4.12 [8] Matthew 22.39 [9] Isaiah 6.3, Joshua 24.19 [10] Isaiah 59.2 [11] 1 John 4.8 [12] John 3.16 [13] Acts 2.38 [14] Psalm 119.9, 2 Timothy 3.16 and 17, [15] Psalm 1.2 [16] Psalm 119 [17] 1 Thessalonians 5.17 [18] 1 Peter 1.17, 1 Corinthians 1.2, [19] Daniel 9 [20] Ephesians 2.1-10, Matthew 22.37-3 [21] Ecclesiastes 5.2 [22] Psalm 81.10, John 14.13 and 14 [23] Matthew 6.7 and 8 [24] Matthew 6.5 and 6 [25] 1 Kings 18.21-39, 1 Samuel 1, Psalm 147.9 [26] Hebrews 7.25 [27] Matthew 6.9-13 [28] Galatians 4.6, Zechariah 12.10, [29] Acts 17.11,= [30] Psalm 50.15, Philippians 4.6 and 7, Romans 15.4 [31] Colossians 4.2