Spiritual Theology (Ascetical Theology): Prayer
Prayer is at the center of spiritual theology, expressing the relationship between God and his people. It is not merely a religious exercise but an essential act of faith, an elevation of the heart and mind to God. Prayer reflects both dependence and devotion, a discipline that sustains the believer’s life before God.
Made possible through Christ’s mediating work, prayer is a gift of grace. By his death and resurrection, believers gain access to the throne of God, approaching in boldness and confidence (Hebrews 4:16). The goal of prayer is not to alter God’s will but to align ourselves with it, finding joy in the unfolding of his purposes.
Spiritual theology recognizes prayer as the highest act of worship and the most practical expression of theology. True knowledge of God is cultivated not only through study but through prayerful communion, shaping theology “on our knees.” Prayer thus belongs at the heart of Christian discipleship and is central to living faithfully in the last days as we await the return of Christ.
1. Nature of Prayer
Prayer is best understood as conversation with God, grounded in faith and trust. It requires belief in a personal, supreme, and merciful God who hears and responds to his people. Scripture describes prayer in various dimensions:
Petition – Asking God for daily needs and deliverance (Philippians 4:6).
Confession – Acknowledging sin and seeking forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
Adoration – Praising God for his character and works (Psalm 145:1–3).
Thanksgiving – Expressing gratitude for God’s grace (Colossians 3:17).
Prayer is both militant and possessive. It is militant in its struggle against sin, temptation, and spiritual opposition (Ephesians 6:18). It is possessive in that it lays hold of God’s promises, claiming them in faith. These dual aspects show that prayer is both battle and rest—striving against the enemy while resting in the sufficiency of God.
2. Access to God through Christ
Prayer is possible only because of Christ’s mediating role. Without his atoning sacrifice, humanity would remain alienated from God. Through Christ, however, believers are reconciled and given the Spirit of adoption, enabling them to cry, “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).
This access is twofold:
Bold approach – Believers may enter the presence of God with confidence (Hebrews 10:19–22).
Mediated prayer – Christ intercedes for his people as high priest (Romans 8:34), and the Spirit aids in prayer when words fail (Romans 8:26).
This theology of mediation safeguards prayer from presumption on one side and despair on the other. Prayer is not a demand upon God but a privilege of grace. It assures believers that every prayer is heard and held within the perfect will of God.
3. Purpose of Prayer
The ultimate purpose of prayer is the realization of God’s will. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). This reflects the heart of prayer—not to twist God’s purposes but to yield to them in faith.
Several purposes emerge from Scripture:
Conformity to God’s will – Prayer aligns the believer’s desires with God’s plan (1 John 5:14).
Growth in holiness – Prayer shapes the heart, cultivating humility, patience, and love.
Dependence upon God – Daily prayer acknowledges God as the source of life and sustenance (Matthew 6:11).
Participation in God’s mission – Prayer advances the kingdom as God’s people intercede for the world (Colossians 4:2–4).
Thus, prayer is not wasted words but participation in God’s redemptive plan. It is both a personal act of devotion and a cosmic act of witness, contributing to the advance of Christ’s kingdom.
4. Prayer and Theology
Theology and prayer are inseparable. Prayer grounds theology in humility, guarding against intellectual pride and sterile abstraction. To pray is to acknowledge dependence upon God, and to do theology without prayer is to risk treating revelation as a closed book rather than a living word.
The saints have testified that the best theology is learned “on our knees.” This is not opposed to rigorous study but complements it. Prayerful theology combines precision with reverence, scholarship with awe. Through prayer, the theologian encounters the God about whom theology speaks, ensuring that knowledge leads to worship rather than arrogance.
This dynamic keeps theology living and vital, as the Spirit guides the church into all truth (John 16:13). Prayer sustains theological inquiry by keeping it rooted in God’s presence rather than detached speculation.
5. Gospel and Last Days Perspective
Prayer is profoundly connected to the Gospel. The same Christ who reconciled sinners to God now invites them to continual communion. Evangelism, discipleship, and mission all flow from prayer, as the church intercedes for the lost and depends on God’s Spirit for boldness (Acts 4:31).
Prayer also has an eschatological dimension. Believers pray, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20), expressing longing for the final consummation of God’s kingdom. In the last days, prayer sustains perseverance, strengthens faith amid tribulation, and points forward to the day when faith becomes sight.
Thus, prayer is not merely preparation for life—it is participation in God’s eternal plan. Every prayer is a sign that the kingdom is breaking in, a foretaste of unbroken fellowship with God in the new creation.
Conclusion
Prayer is the lifeblood of spiritual theology, uniting the believer with God through Christ. It is conversation, worship, and dependence, grounded in Christ’s mediation and empowered by the Spirit. Prayer aligns the believer with God’s will, strengthens the church’s mission, and sustains hope for the last days.
Far from being opposed to theology, prayer is theology’s truest expression, shaping thought with reverence and humility. It is the church’s highest act of worship and its greatest weapon in spiritual warfare. Ultimately, prayer proclaims that God is sovereign, Christ is King, and the Spirit is present with his people until the day of redemption.
Bible Verses on Prayer
Matthew 6:9–10 – “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven…your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’”
Luke 18:1 – “They ought always to pray and not lose heart.”
John 16:24 – “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
Romans 8:15 – “You have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”
Romans 8:26 – “The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Colossians 4:2 – “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.”
Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.”
Revelation 22:20 – “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
