Jesus taught us to pray sincerely—to address the Father, not to impress people; it is not the number of words that makes a prayer heard, for God knows our needs beforehand. He also provided a model for the content of prayer, while the apostles urge us to tell God about our needs with thanksgiving, pray with faith and trust, forgive others, and pray continually.
What Does the Bible Say About This?
- Pray not to be seen by people, but before the Father “in secret” (Matthew 6:5–6).
- A prayer is not heard because of many words: the Father knows our needs before we ask (Matthew 6:7–8).
- Jesus provided a model for the content of prayer (Matthew 6:9–13): addressing the Father, His name, His kingdom and will, daily needs, forgiveness, and deliverance from the evil one.
- We are encouraged to present our needs to God “with thanksgiving”; the peace of God is promised in response (Philippians 4:6–7).
- Prayer is joined with faith (Mark 11:24) and a willingness to forgive (Mark 11:25).
- We should pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17); when a person does not know how or what to pray for, the Spirit helps (Romans 8:26).
- Conclusion: Mark 11:24 should be read together with 1 John 5:14—confidence in prayer is based on asking “according to His will,” not on the strength of the desire itself.
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
8 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
Matthew 6:5–6
5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have already received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and, after closing the door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.
Matthew 6:7–8
7 And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words; 8 do not be like them, because your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.
Matthew 6:9–13
9 Pray then in this way: Our Father who is in heaven! May Your name be hallowed; 10 may Your kingdom come; may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven; 11 give us this day our daily bread; 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors; 13 and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. [[For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]]
Philippians 4:6–7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but always, in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Mark 11:24–25
24 Therefore I tell you: whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have already received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Heavenly Father may also forgive you your trespasses.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that when we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Romans 8:26
Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses; for we do not know what we should pray for or how we should pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes [for us] with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Related Questions
- Why Doesn’t God Answer Prayers?
- How Can I Draw Closer to God?
- How Can I Hear God?
- How Can I Know God’s Will?
- What Is Fasting, and Is a Christian Required to Fast?
