Prayer originated in the Old Testament. Worship occurred during the Feasts of the Lord such as when "the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering" (Lk 1:10). Even Cornelius, a Roman soldier, explained, "'I was praying in my house during the ninth . . . [and he was told] your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God'" (Ac 10:30-31). Daniel was devoted to prayer and "continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God" (Da 6:10) and "speaking in prayer" (9:21). He prayed, "'Our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and . . . let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary'" (:17). He said "I gave my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and supplications" (:3). Paul said "I want men in every place to pray" (1Ti 2:8). Methods vary. Jesus "knelt down and began to pray . . . [and then] rose from prayer" (Lk 22:41,45). He referred to when you "'stand praying'" (Mk 11:25). It is a matter of relationship and respect. Jesus taught them to pray, "'Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name'" (Mt 6:9). "Jesus spoke these things; and [lifted] up His eyes to heaven" (Jn 17:1).
Solomon emphasized the value of prayer when he interceded for Israel. He said God would deliver them if they "'repent and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity'" (2Ch 6:37) and "'pray to their land which You have given to their fathers'" (:38). Solomon prayed to dedicate the temple. He quoted God saying, "'I have chosen Jerusalem that My name might be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel'" (2Ch 6:5). Prayer is appropriate for important events. Solomon said, "'Have regard to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplication . . . to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before You'" (6:19). After that "fire came down from heaven . . . and the glory of the Lord filled the house" (7:1). Next "the Lord appeared to Solomon at night and said to him, 'I have heard your prayer'" (:12) and "My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place'" (:15). Praying and listening to prayer is not incidental. To pray is crucial to the communication built into the undertaking. Covenants are established via the message and warnings are explained by responses. "'If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land'" (:14).