Build a Right Prayer Attitude through Bible Figures

One example from Jesus’ life is His perseverance in prayer. The best time Jesus set aside to talk and have fellowship with His Father was at dawn. “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up and went out. He went to a solitary place and prayed there (Markus 1:35).” 

Perhaps you have already practiced the above, or made the Lord’s Prayer your guide. But do your prayers make you feel close to God? Or has your prayer life grown dull?

If this is what you are experiencing, know that you can find not only the example of a prayerful attitude from Jesus alone, but also from a number of Bible figures. Who are they?

Prayer Examples from Bible Figures

Solomon: Asking for Wisdom

King Solomon was a renowned leader of Israel, especially because of his wisdom. During his leadership, the kingdom of Israel became very famous and strong. What was Solomon’s secret?

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night. God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” – 1 Raja-raja 3:5

Try to imagine for a moment that you are Solomon. If God, the owner of this universe, came to you and said the words above, what would your answer be? Abundant wealth? A life partner? Children? A house? Healing?

Solomon’s answer was:

“Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” – 1 Raja-raja 3:9

Solomon asked for the most basic and most important thing, namely wisdom from God. Why did he prioritize wisdom to lead the nation of Israel? Why not long life, riches, or the lives of his enemies? 

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. – Amsal 9:10

Solomon knew he could not rely on himself, because he understood how difficult it was to lead a great nation that was also stubborn and stiff-necked. For that, he needed wisdom and insight.

In 1 Raja-raja 3:12, we see God grant Solomon’s request by giving him a heart full of wisdom and understanding. The Bible records how he became the wisest person in all human history. With this wisdom the nation of Israel entered its golden age.

What do you usually pray for? Have you ever prayed and asked God for wisdom, something crucial and fundamental? If not, follow Solomon’s example and begin praying for this. So that you can find solutions to face life’s challenges. So that you may have clarity of mind to solve problems or help others. Pray for wisdom, because relying on God is better than leaning on your own understanding. 

Elijah: Praying with Faith

Elijah was a prophet known for his faith and courage. He lived during the reign of Ahab, a king who led the people of Israel into the worship of other gods. Ahab built temples and idols that grieved God’s heart, even more than the conduct of the previous kings of Israel (1 Raja-Raja 16: 29-33).

What made Elijah such a remarkable figure was the event when he challenged the prophets of Baal before King Ahab and the people of Israel on Mount Carmel (1 Raja-Raja 18:20-46). Here, Elijah prayed for two things with full confidence:

1. asking God to send down fire on the sacrifice that had been drenched with water three times (1 Raja-Raja 18: 36,37)
2. asking God to send rain (1 Raja-Raja 18:41-42, Yakobus 5:17-18)

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and no rain fell on the land for three years and six months. Then he prayed again and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruit. – Yakobus 5:17-18

After praying, Elijah told his servant to go up to a higher place seven times, only to look for signs that rain would come. He was so certain in every prayer he prayed, and believed that when he asked for rain, God would send rain. 

What attitude of faith do we have when we pray? Do we have the same confidence that God will answer our prayers, just as with Elijah? Or do we pray, while we ourselves are not sure about what we are praying?

For I tell you the truth: if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. – Matius 17:20

Let him ask in faith, with no doubting at all, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. – Yakobus 1:6

Daniel: Continuing to Pray Even in Difficult Situations

Prayer was a delight to Daniel. Like a healthy eating pattern, he did it three times a day, by kneeling, praying, and praising God (Daniel 6:11). Even though Daniel worked as an adviser to King Darius in the kingdom of Media, he still made time at set moments to pray to God. 

The high officials who were jealous of Daniel had no grounds to bring him down, except in matters concerning his worship of God (Daniel 6). Through a scheme, they urged the king to issue a decree that “anyone who within thirty days makes petition to any god or man except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den (Daniel 6:13).” 

Nevertheless, Daniel remained steadfast in prayer. He did not let go of his prayer life, even though it was forbidden and he was trapped in a difficult situation. When he was finally thrown into the lions’ den, he did not stop praying. God showed His power, and the lions did not devour Daniel. 

Perhaps today no one is forbidding you to pray. So, has prayer become your delight? Do you set aside special times to pray? Do you remember to pray and rely on God in difficult times? Daniel understood the importance of building a relationship with God through prayer, and in every prayer he not only made requests, but also praised God. 

“But when you pray, go into your room, shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. Then your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” – Matius 6:6

God is always waiting for us to come and pray to Him. These three figures give us examples of prayer, to ask for the most important thing, namely wisdom, to pray with faith, and to keep praying in difficult circumstances, or even when forbidden. Enjoy your beautiful time with God through prayer. Amen.

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