In this first blog post on the definition of prayer, I have found from my study that there are many different definitions of prayer.  One author, John R. Rice, says that prayer is nothing but petition.  He insists that prayer is not meditation or communion or spiritual enjoyment or praise or confession or humiliation; “[it is simply] asking something definitely from God.”1 

Many other authors (that Rice would say are liberal or modern) seem to say the opposite—that prayer is fellowship and communion and friendship with God, and not a demand for His gifts. For example, E. M. Bounds said, “Prayer is communion and intercourse with God. It is enjoyment of God.”2

Ronald Dunn seems to agree with Rice. He wrote, “Prayer is an act. While we should live in an attitude of prayer, prayer is more than an attitude.”3

Others I have read would disagree.  They would say that since prayer is communion and fellowship with God, that would make prayer a consistent attitude and not merely an act.

So, as we see, with just these few authors, there are huge differences.   And there are many other definitions and descriptions of prayer, each different—some are just a bit different, others extremely different.  So, what are we to conclude? Whose view should we follow?

Well, let me say right from the start that it is extremely important to know what prayer is, because you will conduct your prayer habits and your life according to that definition of prayer that you choose.  But, in saying that, I think it is also important not to be too rigid and narrow-minded in choosing a definition, as I think some authors tend to be. Therefore, in this chapter I intend to broaden your thinking about the definition of prayer.

I have read so many good definitions of prayer.  And you know what?  I think 98% of them are right—even though they disagree with each other.  So, what am I suggesting, that we just agree with all of them because they sound good?  No.  I am suggesting that prayer, and the definition of prayer, is bigger and broader than we may have thought.  Actually, the word definition is itself quite broad.  It includes the nature or meaning of a thing, its description, and its form or forms. 

1 John R. Rice, Prayer Asking and Receiving (Murfreesboro, Tennessee: Sword of the Lord Publishers, 1970), pp. 47-49.

2 E. M. Bounds, The Reality of Prayer (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1978), p. 9.

3 Ronald Dunn, Don’t Just Stand There, Pray Something (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1959), p. 184.

Source: The Basics of Prayer, p. 9-10.