Supplication

The Hebrew word pronounced tef-il-law means supplication, a plea to supply. It is most-often translated as "prayer" - i.e. prayer, by its literal, original definition, is a request, to God, for help (although many pray to dead saints for "intercession," such prayers go unheard because the dead are dead - see What Happens When You Die?).

Jesus Christ was a man of prayer, in private and in public, depending on the purpose and circumstance.

"^14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone." (Matthew 14:23 KJV)

"^1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." (Mark 1:35 KJV)

"^3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, ^3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." (Luke 3:21-22 KJV)

"^17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come [note: this prayer was spoken during the Passover observance on the night before His Crucifixion]; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee ... ^17:9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine." (John 17:1,9 KJV)

"Our Father which art in heaven"

Whether in public or private, prayer must be sincere, "thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are."

"^6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. ^6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:5-6 KJV)

The famous "LORD Prayer was intended as an outline of understanding of living a truly Christian life while awaiting the coming Kingdom of God. It is not merely words that are to be repeated over and over, "use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do." God already knows ("your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him"); prayer is an offering of faith.

"^6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. ^6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. ^6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye:

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ^6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ^6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. ^6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. ^6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." ((Matthew 6:7-13 KJV) KJV)

Along with sincerity, prayer also requires faith, to not give up if the prayer is not immediately answered (keeping in mind also that, according to God's purpose, some things, although undesirable or unpleasant, will be allowed to happen for one's greater good - e.g. see No Pain, No Gain).

"^11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; ^11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?

^11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. ^11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.

^11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. ^11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

^11:11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? ^11:12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? ^11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" (Luke 11:5-13 KJV)

Fact Finder: Was the Messiah praying when the "transfiguration" happened? What did the vision portray?
Luke 9:28-35 and see A Vision Of God's Kingdom

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