The True Nature of Prayer

The true nature of prayer may be best ascertained from a view of the manner in which it is spoken of in Scripture. It is called: inquiring of the Lord (Gen. 25:22); supplication (Zech. 12:10); entreaty (Ex. 8:8); wrestling (striving) with God (Rom. 15:30); lifting up the soul (Psa. 25:1); pouring out the heart (Psa. 62:8); looking up to God (Psa. 5:3); taking hold of God (Isa. 64:7); crying (1 Sam. 7:8); asking (John 15:16); seeking and knocking (Matt. 7:7). How plainly may we see, from this method of speaking of prayer, the unacceptableness and inefficiency of cold, formal and heartless repetitions before God!