A KJV Bible Study on Prayer
Prayer God Hears: Sincere Faith or Empty Words?
Discover what Scripture says about heartfelt prayer, vain repetition, and outward religion—and learn to seek God with faith and humility.
The Question Behind Every Prayer
What Makes Prayer Pleasing to God?
Is prayer heard because of polished words, repeated phrases, or a faithful heart seeking the Lord? Jesus warns against speaking “vain repetitions” to be heard for “much speaking” (Matthew 6:7), while Scripture says, “The prayer of the upright is his delight” (Proverbs 15:8). This study at Life Covenant Ministries in Centralia, Illinois, examines the difference between sincere communion with God and religious practice that looks devout but leaves the heart far from him. We will consider what strengthens prayer, what hinders it, and how to approach common questions with biblical care. Every Scripture reference and quotation on this page is from the King James Version (KJV).
Godly Prayer Compared With Empty Practice
The Heart Behind It
Godly prayer: seeks God sincerely (Jeremiah 29:13).
Vain repetition: trusts in much speaking (Matthew 6:7).
Outward tradition: honors God with lips while the heart is far away (Mark 7:6).
What It Relies On
Godly prayer: comes in faith, trusting God (Hebrews 11:6).
Vain repetition: assumes repeated words secure an answer (Matthew 6:7–8).
Outward tradition: prizes human precepts over God's word (Mark 7:7–8).
How It Approaches God
Godly prayer: asks humbly according to his will (1 John 5:14).
Vain repetition: multiplies words without meaningful trust (Matthew 6:7).
Outward tradition: focuses on being seen by others (Matthew 6:5).
What Scripture Commends
Godly prayer: the righteous cry, and the LORD hears (Psalm 34:17).
Vain repetition: Jesus says, “Be not ye therefore like unto them” (Matthew 6:8).
Outward tradition: worship rooted in human commandments is vain (Mark 7:7).
The Heart of Prayer God Hears
Come in Faith and Humility
Ask believing that God hears, and draw near with a humble heart—not a performance for others (James 1:6; Luke 18:13–14, KJV).
Turn, Obey, and Forgive
Confess sin, heed God’s Word, and forgive others rather than holding on to what hinders prayer (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:9; Mark 11:25, KJV).
Seek the Father’s Will
Bring your requests to God through Jesus Christ, trusting that he hears prayer offered according to his will (John 16:23; 1 John 5:14–15, KJV).
What Strengthens Prayer—and What Stands in Its Way
- Enhances: Ask in faith — James 1:6 (KJV).
- Enhances: Pray with thanksgiving — Philippians 4:6 (KJV).
- Enhances: Confess your faults — James 5:16 (KJV).
- Enhances: Forgive others — Mark 11:25 (KJV).
- Enhances: Continue in prayer — Colossians 4:2 (KJV).
- Enhances: Ask according to God’s will — 1 John 5:14 (KJV).
- Hinders: Cherishing sin — Psalm 66:18 (KJV).
- Hinders: Refusing God’s instruction — Proverbs 28:9 (KJV).
- Hinders: Asking to satisfy lusts — James 4:3 (KJV).
- Hinders: Doubting God — James 1:6–7 (KJV).
- Hinders: Praying to be seen — Matthew 6:5 (KJV).
- Hinders: Harboring unforgiveness — Mark 11:25–26 (KJV).
- Choose private sincerity over public display — Matthew 6:6 (KJV).
- Choose meaningful words over vain repetitions — Matthew 6:7 (KJV).
- Choose God’s command over tradition that displaces it — Mark 7:8–9 (KJV).
- Choose reverence when addressing the Father — Matthew 6:9 (KJV).
- Choose submission over self-will — Luke 22:42 (KJV).
- Choose steadfast asking over giving up — Luke 18:1 (KJV).
Pray with Purpose, Not Empty Repetition
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
“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 6:6 (KJV)
Jesus directs our attention away from performance and toward honest fellowship with the Father. Sincere prayer still begins with a heart seeking God, whether we pray alone or with others.
Prayer Questions, Answered from the KJV
To whom should we pray?
Jesus taught us to address “Our Father which art in heaven” (Matthew 6:9, KJV). We come to the Father through Jesus Christ, our one mediator (1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:13–14, KJV), and the Spirit helps us in our weakness (Romans 8:26, KJV).
How should I pray?
Come humbly and sincerely, praising God, seeking his will, asking for daily needs and forgiveness, and forgiving others (Matthew 6:9–13; Mark 11:25, KJV). Pray with faith and thanksgiving rather than trying to impress people (Matthew 6:5–6; Philippians 4:6, KJV).
When and how often should I pray?
Scripture says, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17, KJV). That calls for an ongoing life of dependence on God, not nonstop spoken words. Daniel prayed three times a day, and Jesus prayed early in the morning (Daniel 6:10; Mark 1:35, KJV).
Why do some prayers seem unanswered?
God invites us to ask according to his will (1 John 5:14–15, KJV), but his answer may differ from our request. Paul’s plea about his thorn was met with “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:8–9, KJV). Examine your motives, keep trusting God, and do not mistake delay for abandonment (James 4:3; Luke 18:1, KJV).
Is repeating a prayer always wrong?
No. Jesus warned against “vain repetitions” that treat many words as a way to be heard (Matthew 6:7–8, KJV), yet he himself prayed again using the same words in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:44, KJV). The issue is empty ritual, not a heartfelt request repeated in faith.
Does God require a particular posture or place?
No single posture makes prayer acceptable. Scripture describes kneeling (Daniel 6:10, KJV), standing (Mark 11:25, KJV), and praying in secret (Matthew 6:6, KJV). What matters is a humble, truthful heart, not a prescribed setting or pose (John 4:23–24, KJV).
Should prayer be joined with fasting?
Fasting can help us set aside distractions and seek God earnestly, but it does not earn an answer. Jesus said “when ye fast” and warned against displaying it for praise (Matthew 6:16–18, KJV). The church prayed and fasted while seeking direction (Acts 13:2–3, KJV).
Can I pray for other people?
Yes. Scripture urges prayers “for all men,” including leaders (1 Timothy 2:1–2, KJV). We are also told to pray for one another (James 5:16, KJV) and even for those who mistreat us (Matthew 5:44, KJV). Intercession is an act of love, not a substitute for their own response to God.
Does God hear every prayer? What helps or hinders prayer?
God knows what is said, but Scripture distinguishes hearing from answering with favor. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18, KJV); selfish motives and refusal to forgive also hinder prayer (James 4:3; Mark 11:25, KJV). Repentance, faith, obedience, and prayer according to God’s will help us draw near (Proverbs 28:13; James 1:6; 1 John 3:22; 5:14, KJV). The Lord is attentive to the righteous and welcomes the humble sinner who seeks mercy (1 Peter 3:12; Luke 18:13–14, KJV).
Take the Next Step in Prayer
Set aside a quiet moment to speak honestly with the Father, then read Matthew 6:5–13 and 1 John 5:14–15 in the KJV. Bring your questions to Life Covenant Ministries in Centralia, Illinois, and explore Scripture and prayer in fellowship with others.
