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This article is about prayer in the New Testament.
According to the New Testament, to pray is a positive command (Col 4:2 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=58&ch=004&l=2); 1 Thes 5:17 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=59&ch=005&l=17)); one is commanded to take leisure or a vacation for prayer (1 Cor 7:5 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=53&ch=007&l=5)).
Prayer is God's appointed method by which we obtain what He has to bestow (Dan 9:3 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=32&ch=009&l=3); Mt 7:7-11 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=47&ch=007&l=7-11); Mt 9:24-29 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=47&ch=009&l=24-29); Lk 11:13 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=011&l=13)).
The lack of the necessary blessings in life comes from failure to pray (Jas 4:2 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=66&ch=004&l=2)).
The Apostles regarded prayer as the most important employment that could engage their time or attention (Ac 6:4 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=51&ch=006&l=4); Rom 1:9 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=52&ch=001&l=9); Col 1:9 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=58&ch=001&l=9)).
Lengthy passages of the New Testament are prayers or canticles, such as Lk 1:46-55 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=001&l=46-55); Lk 1:68-79 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=001&l=68-79); Jn 17 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=50&ch=17); and Eph 1:3-14 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=56&ch=001&l=3-14).
The Apostles frequently incorporated verses from Psalms into their writings. For example, Rom 3:10-18 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=52&ch=003&l=10-18) is borrowed from Psalms 14:1-3 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=21&ch=013&l=1-3) and other psalms.
Jesus encourages the disciples to pray in secret in their private rooms. This is said to be done as a corrective to the prayer of the Pharisees, whose practices in prayer were regarded as inpious by the writers of the New Testament.
(Mt 6:6 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=47&ch=006&l=6)).
Prayer is a public office of the Church, seen from the earliest moments (Ac 3:1 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=51&ch=003&l=1)).
Jesus frequently seeks to pray alone, for hours at a time, e.g. Lk 6:12 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=006&l=12).
Prayer of petition is found e.g. "And whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive" (Mt 21:22 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=47&ch=021&l=22)).
References to contemplative prayer are found e.g. "Mary has chosen the best part" (Lk 10:42 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=49&ch=010&l=42)).
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