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 (Genesis 25:22); supplication (Zechariah 12:10); entreaty (Exodus 8:8); wrestling (striving) with God (Romans 15:30); lifting up the soul (Psalm 25:1); pouring out the heart (Psalm 62:8); looking up to God (Psalm 5:3); taking hold of God (Isaiah 64:7); crying (1 Samuel 7:8); asking (John 15:16); seeking and knocking (Matthew 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!