Define for me what you think the Bible defines as "prayer" and how it works?

Question

Because, it seems to me, many of you have the wrong idea.

Answer 1

prayer is communication and growing in fellowship with god.

it is not asking for things you want. it is not asking for things you need. it is building a relationship with god.

Answer 2

Prayer can take several different forms or structures. When we pray we are opening a line of communication to our heavenly Father from our self. It is much like making a phone call to home, talking to Dad, finding out what He has going on today and how He wants you to participate. When we pray we are seeking God's will, God's way, God's guidance, provision, wisdom, knowledge with understanding and His grace and mercy in our life and the lives of others. When we do not pray we are hiding from God, His truth and His help in our life. It is through prayer that we are able to become intimate and build on the personal one on one relationship that was begun the day we asked Jesus to become our Savior and Lord.

Answer 3

as this definition shows, a prayer is a reaquest to God

1162 deesis { deh’-ay-sis}

from 1189; TDNT - 2:40, 144; n f

AV - prayer 12, supplication 6, request 1; 19

GK - 1255 { devhsi" }

1)need, indigence, want, privation, penury
2)a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man

For synonyms see entries 1783, enteuxis; and 4335, proseuche.
See entry 5828 for comparison of synonyms.
Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon, (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) 1995.

Answer 4

Prayer:
Talking with God for the purpose of praising Him, thanking Him, or making request.
In short, following the outline which we call "The Lord's Prayer."

Answer 5

Prayer is simply talking to God.

Answer 6

Jesus basically said you pray for God to have his way and you pray that god gives you the strength not to do bad things.

Many Christians pray for jobs and whatnot.

I guess they weren't listening.

Answer 7

Jesus told us clearly,pray in private {our closets } Pray The Our
Father.

Answer 8

Talking to yourself, and then pretending as if you're getting an answer.

It's like shaking a magic eight ball. "Outlook not so good?" Shake it again. "No." Shake it again. "Ask again later".

And that's why I worship the Magic Eight Ball. It has a better rate of success than praying.

Answer 9

Here is a short page I did on the subject. you may read if you like:
http://mikevanauken.pages.web.com/outreach/id91.html

Answer 10

Uh oh... let's see how many people you get to scream "WRONG" at today!

Hm... how many answers will you get? My guess is THAT'S how many people you'll get to tell "well, that doesn't match my understanding... so... *EH*, wrong".