PSYCHOLOGICAL PRAYER

Why study psychological prayer? At first, the answer appears simple. People pray

because we need to know God the more and also it is what we need to survive in this life in

order to have a fulfilled destiny. Prayer is central to the psychology of religion and calls upon

the essence of psychology itself. Prayer is thus the psychology of religion in action and

literally reflects virtually every facet of behavioral scientific psychology. Nowadays, there

has been a lot of misconceptions and misunderstanding of the concept of “worship” and

“prayer”. In this article, there will be religious re-orientation, for this is what we need in

Nigeria to have an acceptable worship and prayer by God.

Sharply distinguishing between “worship” and “prayer” has some legitimate appeal.

The term “worship” has been applied to virtually all religious activities. However, some

reserve the concept of worship for collective religious activity in which large numbers of

people participate in orderly structured public services, usually within an institutional (i.e.

church) setting. In a sense, “worship” refers to the sanctioned actions of people as prescribed

by institutional doctrine and practice. Specifically, questions relating to the role and

significance of prayer often include other actions and practices such as Bible reading, saying

grace, or employing such physical accoutrements. Prayer is commonly submerged within the

complex concept we label as “personal faith.”

What is the meaning of Psychology? Psychology can be defined as “the science of the

nature, functions, and phenomena of the human soul or mind”. Now what is Prayer? “Prayer

may be simply and comprehensively defined as man’s intercourse with God.”Prayer is a

solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God. Prayer is a practice of

communicating with one’s God. It is when you prayer you go extra ordinary to interact and

request something needed from the super natural God. This shows that there is a connection

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and communication between two beings. Prayer is rarely viewed dispassionately. It is an

activity that elicits the deepest of human feelings.

However, religious inclinations for predispositions do not necessarily compromise an

objective psychological view of prayer. In fact, theology might even properly serve as a guide

to developing valid psychological theory. Prayer is communication. Through it, one relates to

and even identifies with the Divine. The inspirational literature on prayer and praying

emphasizes “loving God,” “union with God,” and a host of similar terms such as “praise,”

“adoration” and the like. A relationship exists between one who prays (i.e., the pray-er) and

the Entity prayed to, with the pray-er bringing to this interaction various understandings and

expectations. Clearly, prayers attribute power to God and in most instances anticipate

benevolence on the part of the Deity.

Having explicitly highlighted the definitions of Psychology and prayer, this article

would be incomplete if there is no definition of “Psychological prayer”. Psychological prayer

is a prayer prayed in the spirit in which mouth may not move or the person next to you could

not be able to hear your prayers. Psychological prayer is praying using the mind or mental to

pray. Psychological Prayer can also be defined as an act of praying unto God while observing

other things or working.

The Bible explained how an acceptable worship should be and how we can worship

God. In John 14:24; God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and

in truth. We need to worship God in truth and in Spirit. This is what the word of God made us

to understand. In this sense, that means someone can be doing a hard Job and still pray to

God. This will be helpful for those that always have a hectic day and find it hard for them to

pray at night alone and also with their others.

Prayer is a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God. Prayer

is a practice of communicating with one’s God. It is when you pray you go extra ordinary to

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interact and request something needed from the super natural God. A prayer prayed in the

spirit will open heaven. Jesus prayed and heaven was opened {Luke 3:21-22}. Elijah prayed

and his request was granted {1 kings 18:36-38}. Moses prayed and tribulations ceased

{Numbers 11:2}. Abraham prayed and miracle happened {Genesis 20:17}. Isaac prayed and

testimony followed {Genesis 25:21}. Jacob Prayed and he prevailed {Genesis 32:9}.

The Bible tells us the importance of prayer: Phil 4:6, Do not be anxious about

anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests

to God. {NIV}. And also in Col, 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and

thankful {NIV}. Do you now see the need for you to pray? If you want to be successful in

life, watch and pray!.

Psychological prayer is what we need to inculcate in our daily life to have a good

communication with God in an easy way. There are four (4) major forms of prayer called

(ACTS)

A–Adoration

C–Confession

T–Thanksgiving

S-Supplication

These are forms of prayer and this could help in observing psychological prayer.

When observing Adoration form of worship, it a kind of worship to God to reference Him

and adore His Holy name to show is mighty works and acts by calling God Almighty

wonderful names. In this form of prayer (Adoration) it can be done psychologically by

singing praises to God (Tehillah) while working, this makes communication easier with God

by giving him adoration. Also, confession is another form of prayer that could be done

psychologically, confession is a kind of worship that makes individual acknowledges that he

has gone wrong and he is unworthy to be at God’s presence. Thanksgiving is another form of

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worship that could be done psychologically. This act of worship is giving thanks and praises

to Most High God in a way that is convenient while doing some things that may not permit to

have an assigned time and a particular place to give God thanks due to tight schedule. This

can help individual to have a good rapport and fluent/easy communication with God.

Supplication is also part of forms of prayer and it is done by making petitions known to God.

When supplication is done psychologically, requests are tendered to God in a polite manner

while working but this is done in the spirit but not in the flesh. This is Biblical and it can be

found in Philippians 4:6 “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God”. Traditionally, psychology has

associated prayer with relaxation but done in the spirit. One can consciously attempt to relax;

however, the induction of relaxation via prayer may signify heightened feelings of personal

security and a reduction of anxiety plus a sense of growth, enhancement, and self-

actualization.

Psychological forms of prayer aids in managing someone’s time. Psychological

prayer antagonizes procrastination. And there is an adage that says “procrastination is the

thief of time”. Psychological prayer should be encouraged in our time most especially the

working class people that always engage in one activities or the other to make a living.

Psychological prayer is a prayer prayed in the spirit that gives life and that makes prayer

easier while working in which the mouth may not move or the next person close to you may

not hear the prayer being prayed that moment.

Psychological prayer discourages religious fanatics or being just religious but not

practicing the real faith for in Nigeria, we are irreligiously religious. The solution to this

problem is that we need religious reorientation. When we have religious reorientation, there

will be true Christians and those that will truly carry out God’s work in a way that will glorify

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God. When practicing psychological prayer, it gives no room for disturbance of those around

you or others that are working with you around that time.

Hypocrisy is discouraged in psychological prayer because you cannot practice it and

show eye service, it is a prayer being prayed that the mind and the soul is connected

spiritually but also at the same time caring out some other works in the body. This is a prayer

that a true Christian needs to practice not hypocritical worship but praying in the spirit and

not in flesh as it can be found in Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and

supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for

all saints”. The Bible is complete, this shows that prayer done outside the spirit cannot be

heard by God, for our God is a spirit and He is a holy God.

Psychological prayer should be imbibed among the youths and among those that finds

it difficult to pray due to their activities (tight schedule) carried out day by day that did not

give them much time to have communion with God. This should also be a way to penetrate to

lazy Christians that does not like prayer but can get into them by introducing psychological

prayer.

By: Adeniran Victor Adetayo.

Department of Religious Studies (UI).

Phone Number: +2348147257142