Prayer (a 6-part study)

What would you say to someone who said that they are unable to pray because they feel spiritually empty?

Do you ever feel like quitting praying? Do you ever feel that prayer just doesn't work? Do you need to have your faith about the whole question of prayer renewed? If so, read on.

Paul's instruction to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17) may have raised a few questions among the saints in Thessalonica. Are we not allowed to sleep, to work and provide for our family, to spend time with our children or relax? Do we have to be praying twenty fours hours a day? Obviously, Paul did not intend such a literal interpretation to be placed upon his instruction.

We often conclude our prayers with the words, "in Jesus' name". Why do we do this?

First, when teaching about prayer the Lord said: "You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it" (John 14:14) and "I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." (John 16:23)

If we are convinced that (1) people are lost and (2) the gospel is the only way of salvation, then we must fervently pray for conversions. All of us have family and friends not numbered among the redeemed. We live in countries where much of the population does not know the message of the cross. And there are still large sections of the world that have not been affected by the Christian message.

It's a common practice for some to pray to Mary and the Saints. But is this a practice that has the approval of God? Is there a need for such a practice or does the Bible teach something quite contrary?