We believe that the true God, revealed in the Bible, hears and answers prayer. For the Scripture says, The righteous cry out and the Lord hears (Psalm 65:2). The Lord is addressed as, O You who hear prayer (Psalm 34:17). God expresses His personal interest by saying, I have surely seen … and have heard their cry … for I know their sorrows (Exodus 3:7). Jesus affirms that the Father who is in heaven hears and answers by encouraging us to ask … seek … and knock (Matthew 7:7,8). Because we can know that God has great love and favor for us (Psalm 56:9; Romans 8:31,32), we can run to Him with our needs and requests (Philippians 4:6) and find great hope (Isaiah 58:9). This stimulates our confidence and continuance in prayer (Psalm 86:7) (1 John 5:14a).

We believe that prayer is commanded by God. For the Scripture says, … men (everyone) always are to pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). God knows our hearts and wants to free us from the tendency to simply lean into ourselves for what we need (James 1:5). The provision that we need for all things is only found in God – and we are to constantly be keeping this in mind as we maintain a commanded spirit and attitude of prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Even though the full workings of prayer remain a mystery to us, God continues to affirm that the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16).

We believe that prayer is primarily a spiritual work and an exercise of faith. For the Scripture says, … let him ask in faith (James 1:6). As believers, we are called to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10) – and in that power we are to be praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (6:18). Our reality is that we do not know what we should pray for as we ought (Romans 8:26), but thankfully we are given full support through the efforts of the Spirit of God. This is the spiritual help that we need.

We believe that prayer requires a true spirit of humility and dependence. For the Scripture says, … if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray (2 Chronicles 7:14). This can be reflected in an accurate view of ourselves (Genesis 18:27) and even by how we posture ourselves in prayer (Ephesians 3:14). Many times it is our own pride that keeps us from what we really need (James 4:2,3). The primary model for prayer in the New Testament is one of family relationship – particularly the relationship of a child with a father. We should remember that God is the Father of the one who believes – and we come with the dependence of a child. When Jesus was teaching how to pray He said, Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven (Matthew 6:9). His fatherly love and concern inspire us to come.

We believe that prayer requires a true spirit of submission. For the Scripture says, God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Submit therefore to God (James 4:6,7). Prayer is never a means by which we attempt to get our own will accomplished, but instead it gives us the privilege of partnering with God for the fulfilling of His purposes. This is what it means to pray in the name of Jesus (1 John 5:14; John 14:13,14; 15:16). Jesus taught us in the Disciples’ Prayer that we should pray for the fulfillment of the will of God on earth as it already is in heaven (Matthew 6:10) – and to keep in mind that God’s name and His kingdom have priority. And then, in an incredible way, Jesus modeled this Himself (John 4:34; Luke 22:42). We are called to follow in His steps.

We believe that all believers should be regularly praying for one another and for the lost. For the Scripture says, Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men (I Timothy 2:1). What higher joy and privilege could we have as we seek to effectively minister into the lives of others than to be able to pray for one another (James 5:16)? This is why we regularly publish a Prayer Bulletin and have a weekly Prayer Meeting on Wednesdays – and routinely provide times for the body of believers to be praying. A Prayer Chain has been established so that you can benefit from prayer in an emergency situation. We encourage you to pursue and embrace opportunities to pray and to let us know how we can pray for you. Of course, we always need to be keeping in mind the greatest need of those who have not yet trusted in Jesus (Matthew 9:36-38).