|
|
|
|
|
Prayer In The New TestamentThis article is about prayer in the New Testament. According to the New Testament, to pray is a positive command (Col 4:2; 1 Thes 5:17); one is commanded to take leisure or a vacation for prayer (1 Cor 7:5). Prayer is God's appointed method by which we obtain what He has to bestow (Dan 9:3; Mt 7:7-11; Mt 9:24-29; Lk 11:13). The lack of the necessary blessings in life comes from failure to pray (Jas 4:2). The Apostles regarded prayer as the most important employment that could engage their time or attention (Ac 6:4; Rom 1:9; Col 1:9). Lengthy passages of the New Testament are prayers or canticles, such as Lk 1:46-55; Lk 1:68-79; Jn 17; and Eph 1:3-14. The Apostles frequently incorporated verses from Psalms into their writings. For example, Rom 3:10-18 is borrowed from Psalms 14:1-3 and other psalms. Jesus encourages the disciples to pray in secret in their private rooms. This is said to be done as a corrective to the prayer of the Pharisees, whose practices in prayer were regarded as inpious by the writers of the New Testament. (Mt 6:6). Prayer is a public office of the Church, seen from the earliest moments (Ac 3:1). Jesus frequently seeks to pray alone, for hours at a time, e.g. Lk 6:12. Prayer of petition is found e.g. "And whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive" (Mt 21:22). References to contemplative prayer are found e.g. "Mary has chosen the best part" (Lk 10:42).
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|