1) Introduction

A person of understanding is someone who has insight into things, an intelligent person. Elohim’s [1] standard of intelligence is not the one we are familiar with. We humans associate intelligence with abilities such as general thinking, logical reasoning, concentration, learning ability, memory, problem recognition and solving, planning, etc.

Ps 14:2: „YHWH looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek Elohim“.

With Elohim, it is different. When he looks down on the earth, he only notices those humans as intelligent who seek him, that is, who spend time searching for his will. This happens through reading/hearing the word of Elohim (the Bible) and through prayer.

2) Prayer – what is it?

Elohim desires fellowship with humans. Fellowship always has something to do with communication. You have a direct counterpart and understand each other, with and without words. So you speak with your mouth, possibly with your body language (including gestures and facial expressions), but above all with a certain attitude of heart.

We conclude: Prayer = dialogue, conversation with Elohim

In prayer, as in any conversation, there is a sender (speaker) and a receiver (listener). It is not a one-sided action. So we speak to Elohim and expect an answer. He is our communication partner. That is why we do not talk incessantly when we pray, but also become silent in order to hear what Elohim has to say to us. Incidentally, even when Elohim speaks, he expects an answer from us. The following model illustrates this:

Speaking to Elohim is the lesser problem for us humans. It is easier to express what moves us. It is more difficult to listen to Elohim and to act according to what Elohim tells us (this is our response to his words). To do this, we must

take the time and
be obedient.

Overall, it is important to always remain in Elohim’s presence and to have fellowship with him. That is what prayer is all about.

3) Praying – to whom?

There are many people in different religions who pray to their Elohim or their gods. So it may seem insignificant to many which of these deities one addresses. That is why people often say, ‘The main thing is to believe in something.’

However, from the definition in the first chapter, we can already see how important the personal relationship with this Elohim is, the mutual talking, listening and responding. What use is an Elohim who does not listen? Therefore, it is a relief when Ps 65 enlightens us as to who our counterpart in prayer should really be:

„O you that hear prayer. To you will all flesh come“ (Ps 65:3)

Verse 2 indicates that this is the Elohim of Zion, that is, Yahweh. He is the heavenly Father whom Yehoshua (Jesus) describes in Lk 11 when he speaks about prayer. When the verse mentioned above says that „all flesh“ will come to this Elohim, it is a foreshadowing of things to come.

4) Praying – why?

There are numerous reasons why we should have a solid prayer life. (The following is a list in no particular order and does not claim to be exhaustive).

To remain under Elohim’s protection: „He that dwells in the secret place of Elyon will abide under the shadow of Shadday. 2 I will say of YHWH, He is my refuge and my fortress: my Elohim; in him will I trust“ (Ps 91:1-2)
To be sanctified: „For every creature of Elohim is good, and nothing is to be rejected, taken with thanksgiving, 5 for it is sanctified by the word of Elohim and prayer“ (1 Tim. 4:4-5)
To drive away enemies: „When I cry to you, then will mine enemies turn back: this I know; for Elohim is for me“ (Ps 56:10)
To be kept from temptation (e.g. food): „Watch and pray, so that you do not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak“ (Matthew 26:41). Yehoshua also urges his disciples to watch and pray in order to remain steadfast; especially in the Gospel of Matthew, we see that the Lord insists on the disciples‘ prayer several times.
In order not to fall into the snare of the devil: „34 But be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be overcharged with giddiness and headache caused by drinking wine to excess or drunkness, and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly. 35 For he will surprise like a trap all that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be sleepless therefore, praying all the time, so that you be judged worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of human“ (Lk 21:34-36)
To hear Elohim: „Keep your foot when thou goest to the house of Elohim, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil“ (Eccl 4:17)
To bring our problems before Elohim (Phil 4:6): „Be anxious for nothing; but, in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Elohim“
To glorify Elohim: „And anything you may ask me in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son“ (Jn 14:13)
To be strengthened in our weakness (Lk 22:40-43). Yehoshua himself gives us an example here of how he acts at a point where he has no strength left: He would like to reject the cup out of his own fleshly will, but in the end he surrenders to the will of Elohim, asks for strength, and an angel of Elohim strengthens him in the difficult situation: „And an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him“ (V.43).
To be freed from sins: „Come now, and let us reason together, says YHWH: though your sins be as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they will be as wool“ (Isa 1:18; also 43:25-26). Elohim reveals therefore to the prophet Isaiah how important it is to remain in Elohim’s presence, to „reason“ with him, that is, to negotiate with him, so that sins may be blotted out.
So that Elohim’s promises may be fulfilled: Daniel wrestles in prayer so that the prophecy given earlier may be fulfilled (Dan 9:1).
Prayer is a clear and explicit command in the Bible: „Pray without ceasing“ (1 Thess 5:17). It is a MUST!

5) Types of prayer

In worship, we tell Elohim who He is.
In praise, we think of Elohim’s works, that is, everything He has done (in our own lives and in general: creation, in the Bible…).
Thanksgiving: We can thank Elohim always and for everything (Phil 4:6).
Confession of sin takes place in stages: Admitting/confessing mistakes, asking for forgiveness, consciously deciding to stop sinning, asking Elohim for strength so that you do not repeat this sin (see also our teaching „The conversion„).
Intercession: (Ex 32:30) (Num 14:11 ff) Moshe (Moses) prays for the people after their sin: To lead the people, one must have a father’s heart/mother’s heart!

Another example: through Abraham’s intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot escapes judgement (Gen 18:23-33).

Request (1 Pet 5:6) „Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of Elohim, so that he may raise you up in due time“ (also Phil 4:6).

We note:

The different ways of praying are closely intertwined.

Phil 4:6: Request, supplication, thanksgiving: „Be anxious for nothing; but, in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Elohim“

Example: I praise Elohim because he has forgiven me and I thank him for it. At the same time, I worship him because he is so merciful.

Example: I ask the Lord for something and at the same time thank him for already answering my request.

Example: I pray for my situation and at the same time for people who are in the same situation as me.

The above list is not necessarily complete. Under no circumstances should we see the list as a prayer sequence or as points that we must work through in prayer, otherwise we will fall into religiosity.

In any case, we allow ourselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit in prayer.

6) The attitude of the heart in prayer

Mt 6:1-8: „1 Beware of practicing your righteousness before human beings to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in the heavens. 2 Therefore, when you do your alms, do not sound the trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may have glory from human beings. Amen, I say to you, they receive their reward in full. 3 But when you do your alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand does, 4 so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in the secret, will reward you openly. 5 And when you pray, do not be like hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of human beings. Amen, I say to you, they receive their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 But when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the pagans do, for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not look like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask him“

We read from this passage that Yehoshua is concerned with speaking to the Father personally and pouring out his whole heart to him, especially at home!

But even in the assembly, you should always know to whom you are praying, namely to Elohim, not to men.

You do not pray for a prayer request so that your brothers and sisters will notice that you are also praying, but it must be a matter of the heart between you and the Father in heaven.

So if, during your prayer, the Lord points out something in your heart that you have not yet settled with him, there is no point in continuing to pray for the other request. First settle what the Lord is showing you. Talk to Him about it.

This is one reason why it is important to always pray at home: so that the Lord can deal with personal matters with you alone! The Lord changes your heart during prayer.

Pray as the Father puts it in your mind: you may sing, even if everyone else is praying with words; you may pray, even if everyone else is singing; you can pray loudly when everyone else is quiet, or vice versa. It is a matter between you and Elohim! When praying, you just have to be careful not to disturb others.

The goal of prayer is for you to be changed and for other people to be touched!

You must examine your motivation for prayer. Jas 4:3: „You ask, and receive not, because you ask wrongly, that you may waste it on your pleasures“.

Be truthful in prayer: „But the hour comes and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. For the Father seeks such worshipping him“ (Jn 4:23)

When we ask for something, we should believe that we have already received it (1 Jn 5:14-15).

First, we should rejoice in Elohim, then he will give us what is ours: „And take delicate pleasures in YHWH, and he will give you the desires of your heart“ (Ps 37:4)

7) Examples of perseverance in prayer

The widow

Yehoshua tells a parable about how persistent we should be in prayer: the parable of the unjust judge and the widow (Lk 18:1 ff).

When we pray, we want Elohim to grant our request immediately. We may even proclaim motivating Bible verses: „It is written that…“ If what we have asked for is still not granted, we become discouraged and doubts creep in. Therefore, it is best to continue and praise and thank Elohim for answering our prayers, even though we cannot yet see it, „for we walk by faith, not by sight“ (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Since there are many challenges and attacks for Christians, we conclude that a Christian must not ‘sleep’. For he is a watchman.

Matthew 26:41: „Watch and pray, so that you do not come into temptation“.

The enemy often attacks with his arrows at night, e.g. in the form of dreams or images. When Christians experience such attacks, they are called to prayer. Inconsistencies and difficulties during the course of the day often testify that the Christian has failed to watch, while the enemy had free rein to secretly pollute the life (soul, family, home…) of the believer.

Paul was a great intercessor:

Romans 1:9-10: „For Elohim is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers. 10 Always asking in my prayers, if after all now at last I will succeed by the will of Elohim to come to you“

Eph 1:15-17: „For this, I also, having heard of your faith in the Lord Yehoshua, and love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, 17 that the Elohim of our Lord Yehoshua Mashiah, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the precise and correct knowledge of him“

Eph 3:14-16: „For this cause I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Yehoshua Mashiah, 15 from whom the whole family in the heavens and on Earth is named, 16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner human being“.

Epaphras

Epaphras prayed. Col 4:12: „Epaphras, who is one of you, a slave of the Mashiah, greets you, always fighting on your behalf for you in prayers, that you may stand perfected and made full in all the will of Elohim“

Wrestling

The Christian wrestles against an enemy in prayer. This has nothing to do with a little book with daily devotionals and little pieces of advice that we read every day during our „quiet time“. The enemy only laughs at this kind of „quiet time“. The apostles really wrestled. And they won victories!

8) The gift of speaking in tongues

A special way in which we can persevere in prayer is through speaking in tongues (tongue prayer) as a gift from Elohim. Not every Christian must necessarily have this gift (it is only one of many gifts from Elohim), but those who have received it should use it properly.

First, we distinguish between different types of tongue prayer:

Acts 2:6-11: „And now this sound having occured, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another: Look, are not all these people who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in the proper language of the country in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, not only Jews but also proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs, how can we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of Elohim!“.

After the outpouring of the Spirit at Pentecost, the 120 did not speak in tongues, but in known languages to the different nationalities! In doing so, words from the Bible were prophesied.

Ro 8:26: „Likewise the Spirit also help our weaknesses, for we do not know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit itself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings“

1 Cor 14:2: „For he speaking in a tongue does not speak to humans, but to Elohim, for no one understands him, and in spirit he speaks mysteries“

This is personal prayer in tongues, which takes place only between the person praying and Elohim. This speaking in tongues is not a language spoken in any country on earth. It is impossible to understand the whole thing (1 Cor 14:14), and so some Christians initially find it difficult to utter the unknown words. As the Bible passages show, prayer in tongues should always be inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit. It can be used by any Christian when they run out of words in prayer or when human words are simply no longer sufficient to express what they want to say to the Lord.

Then praying in tongues helps you to persevere in prayer, spend even more time at the Lord’s feet and thus receive one or two revelations that are relevant to your prayer request or situation. In this way, we also give the Lord the opportunity to ‘speak’ in our prayer or to give us answers. Paul tells the church in Corinth that he would like to see everyone speaking in tongues (1 Cor 14:5).

1 Cor 14:13, 26ff: From this chapter of the Epistle to the Corinthians, we can see that there is a special form of speaking in tongues. It is interpreted/translated by the person praying or another member of the congregation in understandable language so that everyone can understand what has been said. Thus, this speaking in tongues serves to edify all those present and therefore represents a form of prophecy.

It is therefore important to read the Bible with the Spirit of Elohim in order to distinguish what Paul is talking about: speaking in tongues as personal prayer or speaking in tongues as prophecy.

We refer to another teaching on the subject of „answered prayer“ on the homepage of „Back to the Word“: „Ask, and it will be given to you…“

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[1] Elohim is the original name of the Creator, which is incorrectly expressed in English with the word ‘God’.