Prayer Is A Dialogue
Approaching God With the Right Heart
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What Prayer Is Not
It is very important for us to know what God says about prayer rather than relying on our own beliefs or the opinions of others. Rabbis, priests, pastors, and other spiritual leaders can provide valuable biblical guidance and encouragement, and many sincerely desire to help us grow in our faith. However, each of us has the personal responsibility to read and study God’s Word until we gain a clear understanding of how He instructs us to approach and commune with Him.
One clear example of placing greater emphasis on what people say than on what Jesus said is the celebration of Christmas. Let me be clear: I have no objection to people celebrating Jesus' birth. However, Jesus did not instruct His followers to celebrate His birth as a way of honoring or remembering Him. Instead, He commanded His disciples to partake in communion in remembrance of Him. Yet, far more people celebrate Christmas than regularly partake in communion as He instructed.
Again, there is nothing inherently wrong with celebrating Christ, but we should place greater emphasis and practical application on how He commanded us to celebrate and remember Him.
Now, let’s focus on some biblical basic facts and truths.
Your word is truth. John 17:17
Every Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that each person who belongs to God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17
The sum of Your word is truth. Psalm 119:160
In order to accept what Scripture teaches about how we should pray, we must first accept that the Holy Bible is a source of truth. When our beliefs, traditions, or personal convictions conflict with Scripture, God's truth must take precedence over the "truths" we hold dear in our hearts.
Based on Scripture, we arrive at a clear understanding of what prayer is not.
Prayer is not a monologue where you do all the talking
Prayer is not a spiritual complaint box
Prayer is not just summoning God for… (fill in the blank)
Prayer will not manipulate God
Prayer will not force God’s hand to move
Lets take a look at each of these in detail.
• Prayer Is Not a Monologue
Prayer is not a monologue where you do all the talking while the Holy Spirit remains silent, simply listening to you for the entirety of the session.
Monologue: a long speech by one person during a conversation that stops other people from speaking or expressing an opinion. ("Monologue")
Let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2
Therefore, my beloved brothers, let every person be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. James 1:19 WMB
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5–6 WMB
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 WMB
• Prayer Is Not a Spiritual Complaint Box
Prayer is not a spiritual complaint box where you unload your thoughts, frustrations, and concerns before God and then move on without seeking His guidance, wisdom, or response.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 KJV
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7 WMB
• Prayer Is Not Just Summoning God
Prayer is not simply summoning God, your humble servant, only when it is convenient, expecting Him to fix problems X, Y, and Z according to your desires.
Summon: to order somebody to come to you. (“Summon”)
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will exalt you. James 4:10 WMB
“Seek the LORD while He may be found. Call on Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6 WMB
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways,” says Yahweh. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8–9 WMB
You shall seek Me and find Me when you shall search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 WMB
• Prayer Will Not Manipulate God
Prayer is not a force that summons God to behave like a genie, granting wishes whenever we want them. Our prayers will never manipulate God to fulfill our desires.
Manipulate: to control, use or change something with skill; to control or influence somebody/something, often in a dishonest way so that they do not realize it. (“Manipulate”)
Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it. Job 35:13 WMB
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Romans 9:20 WMB
• Prayer Will Not Force God’s Hand to Move
Prayer will not force God to do your will.
Prayer will not compel God to follow your plans.
Prayer is not a tool to control God, regardless of how desperate our circumstances may appear from our perspective.
Prayer is not a means of making God do what you want.
…Your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. Matthew 6:10 WMB
You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4:3 WMB
This is the boldness which we have toward Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He listens to us. 1 John 5:14 WMB
Prayer Is
Prayer is a relationship with God that includes listening, seeking His will, and receiving His instruction—not merely speaking your own thoughts.
Prayer is surrendering your heart to Him, seeking His wisdom, and aligning yourself with His will.
Prayer is a humble act of faith where we seek God’s will, trust His timing, and surrender our desires to His perfect wisdom and purpose.
Prayer is approaching God with humility and submission, recognizing that He is Lord and that His wisdom is greater than ours.
Prayer includes bringing your concerns before God while aligning your will with God’s will, not the other way around.
It is an act of faith, worship, and dependence upon Him. God answers according to His wisdom, love, and purpose.
Part 2 coming soon…
Reference
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries. “Manipulate.” Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries, Oxford University Press, Manipulate definition. Accessed 9 July 2026.
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries. “Monologue.” Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries, Oxford University Press, Monologue definition. Accessed 9 July 2026.
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries. “Summon.” Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries, Oxford University Press, definition. Accessed 9 July 2026.