Christianity & Prayers (Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies B)

Christian teachings about prayers

What are prayers?

• Prayer is a way of communicating with God to ask for help or to express thanks

• It enables religious believers to encounter God and to know God better as many people believe that God speaks directly to them through prayer

• People also feel that God listens to their prayers and they can share problems and worries in life with God and God will show them a way of dealing with their problems

• There are different types of prayer within Christianity

  • Adoration: Praising and worshipping God for His greatness and holiness

  • Confession: Asking God for forgiveness for any wrongdoings and seeking reconciliation

  • Thanksgiving: Giving thanks to God for His blessings and grace

  • Supplication (Intercession): Asking God for help, guidance, or blessings, either for yourself (supplication) or others (intercession)

Christian teachings about prayers

• Christians believe that prayer is a way to talk to God and build a relationship with Him, expressing feelings and seeking His guidance

• Prayer is not just about asking for things; it is also about listening to God and being open to His will

• There are many examples of prayer in the Bible which act as examples of how and why Christians should pray

  • Jesus gave His followers a model of prayer known as the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). It includes praise for God, a request for daily needs, forgiveness, and help in times of temptation

  • In Matthew 6:6, Jesus teaches that prayer should be done privately and sincerely, not for show. Christians are encouraged to pray from the heart, rather than using empty words

  • Christians believe that the Holy Spirit helps them to pray, especially when they don’t know what to pray for

    • The Holy Spirit can guide prayers and help people express things they cannot articulate themselves (Romans 8:26-27)

  • Jesus taught in parables like the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8) that Christians should keep praying and not give up, trusting that God will answer prayers in His time

  • Christians are encouraged to pray in community, as seen in the early church (Acts 2:42-47)

    • Group prayers can build a sense of unity and shared faith

    • In many Christian traditions, prayer meetings and services are held to bring people together to pray for each other and the world

  • While public prayers in church are important, personal, private prayer is also seen as vital

  • Jesus emphasised this in Matthew 6:6, where He says, ‘When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen’

  • Public prayers, such as those said during church services or for special events, are important too, as they bring people together in worship and petition to God

• Christians believe that prayer has real power to bring about change

  • It is not just about asking for things, but also about transforming the person who prays

  • Prayer is seen as a way to align oneself with God’s will and bring peace or healing

• Christians believe that through prayer, God can bring healing, perform miracles, or give strength in difficult times

Christian teachings about prayers and belief in God

• Prayer can lead to or strengthen belief in God for Christians

• This can happen if Christians feel that their prayer is being answered and that they are being listened to

  • In the Bible, there are numerous examples of answered prayer

    • In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you’ (Matthew 7:7)

    • In the Old Testament, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord … the word of the Lord came to him … ‘I have heard your prayer and have seen your tears; I will heal you … I will add 15 years to your life’ (2 Kings 20:1-6)

    • In Acts of the Apostles Peter was in prison, but the church was praying to God for him … an angel of the Lord appeared … and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists … Peter said, ‘I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me’ (Acts 12:1-17)

  • Christians believe that God answers prayers in their own lives

• Christians believe that when they pray, they can experience a sense of God's presence

  • This feeling of peace, comfort, or guidance can lead them to believe that God is real and actively involved in their lives

• Prayer is a way for Christians to communicate directly with God, making their faith more personal

  • As they pray regularly, they feel closer to God, which can lead to a stronger belief in His reality and presence in their lives

• Christians believe that prayer is a two-way conversation

  • Through prayer, they not only speak to God but also listen for His responses, which might come in the form of thoughts, feelings, or a sense of guidance

  • This deepens their relationship with God and strengthens their belief

• Many Christians experience a sense of peace and comfort when they pray, especially in difficult times

  • This peace is often seen as a sign of God's presence and love, helping them trust and believe in Him more

• Prayer can offer hope, assurance, and strength in the face of life's challenges

  • As Christians pray and feel supported by God's presence, their belief in His existence grows stronger

• Christians learn to trust that God has a plan for their lives

  • As they pray and see how God works in their lives, they may come to believe in His will and purpose, even if it is not immediately clear

• Christians believe that God guides them through prayer

  • As they pray for direction and see how their lives unfold according to God's guidance, their belief in God's role in their life is strengthened

• Prayer helps Christians grow spiritually

  • Through regular prayer, they may experience a transformation in their attitudes, behaviour, and outlook on life, which deepens their trust and belief in God

• Through prayer, Christians learn more about God's nature, such as His love, mercy, and power

  • As they experience God's attributes first-hand through prayer, their belief in Him becomes more personal and real

• Christians often pray together in church or in prayer groups

  • Sharing prayer experiences with others can strengthen an individual's belief, as they witness the faith and experiences of others

  • Seeing how God answers prayers for others can lead to a deeper belief in His existence

• Prayer is also a way for Christians to support each other in their faith journey

  • As they pray for one another and see positive outcomes, their collective belief in God is reinforced