ARTICLE: The Power of Prayer: Why Prayer Is Central to Christian Doctrine and Practice

Prayer is foundational to Christian life because it is the means by which believers commune with God. Prayer is not ritual but relationship.

Jesus modeled prayer constantly (Luke 5:16) and taught His disciples to pray (Matthew 6:9–13). Scripture reveals prayer as both privilege and responsibility.

Prayer aligns believers with God’s will. 1 John 5:14 assures that prayers according to God’s will are heard. Prayer changes hearts before it changes circumstances.

Biblical examples show prayer’s power: Elijah’s prayer altered weather (James 5:17–18), Daniel’s prayer shifted empires (Daniel 6), and the early Church’s prayers released miracles (Acts 4:31).

Prayer also strengthens faith, brings peace (Philippians 4:6–7), and releases divine intervention. It is the believer’s lifeline to heaven.

A prayerless Christian is spiritually vulnerable, but a praying Christian walks in authority, discernment, and victory.