By David Phillips
Tom has done a great job leading our study on prayer for the past several Wednesday nights, and I
personally look forward to the study he has in line for us next. Recently, I’ve given more and more
thought to prayers in the Old Testament. To most people’s minds, I think prayer would be a New
Testament subject. It is in the New Testament that we find most of the instruction we have dealing
with prayer. But have you ever considered how many prayers we find mentioned in the OT? What
was the first one? Were they similar in content, conditions and purpose to those recorded in the NT?
To our prayers today? At least 31 specific times, the OT text makes the statement that someone
“…prayed…” In addition to that, there are a number Of prayers that are documented in the text
without that specific terminology. For example, the book of Psalms is literally filled with prayerful
words directed to God, without actually labeling them as such.
The first specific mention of praying is found in Genesis 20:7, when God instructed Abimelech to
give Abraham his wife back, and Abraham would pray for him and his people, and they would be
spared. Verse 17 says Abimelech complied and Abraham prayed for him and his people. Read the
interesting story for yourself.
Then take some time to look up and study the following accounts of notable prayers in the Old
Testament record. You will certainly come to a clearer realization that God has always wanted His
people to pray:
- 2 Samuel 7:18-29 (1 Chron.17:15—27) David’s prayer of thanksgiving to God.
- 1 Kings 3:6-9 Solomon’s prayer that God would give him wisdom.
- 1 Kings 8:22-53 Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the new temple to God.
- 1 Kings 18:36-37 Elijah’s prayer on Mt. Carmel, before the prophets of Baal.
- 2 Kings 19:15-19 Hezekiah’s prayer that God would deliver His people from Sennacherib.
- Ezra 9: 5-15 Ezra’s prayer of confession on the people’s behalf.
- Isaiah 38:2-3 Hezekiah’s prayer that God would spare him to live a little longer.
- Daniel 6:10 Daniel’s praying that put him in the lions’ den.
- Daniel 9:4 Daniel’s prayer on behalf of God’s people held captive in Persia.
- Jonah 2:1-9 Jonah’s prayer from the stomach of the fish.
- Jonah 4:1-3 Jonah’s “I-told—You~so” prayer after Nineveh repented.
- Habakkuk 3:1-19 Habakkuk’s prayer of faithful commitment, no matter what.
There are more, many more prayers in the Old Testament record, and there is much for us to learn
from them. Spend some time in study!