When did prayer become an exercise? It happened when people on earth started to multiply. It would seem that Cain’s offspring had a monopoly on every part of life. They were the ones who were involved and pioneering the building and owning of cities, ruling over and killing others, marrying the way they wanted, running all the businesses, military and entertainment places.

Where were the people who were following after God, who were the ones involved with the one dimension not mentioned above, the one they left untouched?

Seth had a son whom he named Enosh. It was then that people began using the Lord’s holy name in worship. – Genesis 4:26 GNT

That makes it prayer, for worship is a form of prayer. This is the first mention of a kind of public and private, corporate and personal, scheduled and as needed call on the Lord.

Jesus shared the same experience for a prayer of deliverance not only requires attitude but demands action. Jesus faced temptation on several occasions and with a submissive attitude, acted in obedience to God. In a prayer of deliverance, we are affirming that God truly is our Deliverer from all forms of evil.

Look at what Ezra had to face, do you think he could have faced these without prayer.

Work on the Temple had been stopped and had remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Emperor Darius of Persia. – Ezra 4:24 GNT

What a great reminder to pray for those in authority and for those under their authority. All the quietness and peaceableness of our lives depend very much upon the integrity and wisdom of inferior leaders as well as those who are above them. There are consequences of poor leadership, but we are called to pray through them.

What about those early Christians? Did they not pray for boldness?

And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness. – Acts 4:29 GNT

Do not be fooled in thinking this was done in ignorance because they had just come out of a situation – they knew what it meant when they prayed and the cost of that prayer. However, the mission did not change, neither had the source of their power. Look at the amazing example of how to pray.

When the believers heard it, they all joined together in prayer to God: “Master and Creator of heaven, earth, and sea, and all that is in them!  By means of the Holy Spirit you spoke through our ancestor David, your servant, when he said,

‘Why were the Gentiles furious;
    why did people make their useless plots?
 The kings of the earth prepared themselves,
    and the rulers met together
    against the Lord and his Messiah.’

 For indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together in this city with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Jesus, your holy Servant, whom you made Messiah.  They gathered to do everything that you by your power and will had already decided would happen.  And now, Lord, take notice of the threats they have made, and allow us, your servants, to speak your message with all boldness.  Reach out your hand to heal, and grant that wonders and miracles may be performed through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.”

It is marvelous in its simplicity and its comprehension of the Person and purposes of God.

God’s kingdom must include prayer to know God Himself. The Westminster Shorter Catechism tells us that our purpose is to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” In this famous sentence we see reflected both kingdom prayer and communion prayer. – Timothy Keller