It is interesting to trace the development of prayer in the
Scriptures.
In the life of the patriarch Abraham prayer seems to have taken the
form of a dialogue--God and man drawing near and talking to each
other (Gen. 18; 19); developing into intercession (Gen. 17:18;
18:23, 32), and then into personal prayer (Gen. 15:2; 24:12); Jacob,
(Gen. 28:20; 32:9-12, 24; Hosea 12:4). The patriarchal blessings
are called prayers (Gen 49:1; Deut. 33:11).
During the period of the Law. Not very much prominence is given
to formal prayer during this period. Deut. 26:1-15 seems to be the
only one definitely recorded. Prayer had not yet found a stated
place in the ritual of the law. It seems to have been more of a
personal than a formal matter, and so while the Law may not afford
much material, yet the life of the lawgiver, Moses, abounds with
prayer (Exod. 5:22; 32:11; Num. 11:11-15).
Under Joshua (7:6-9; 10:14), and the judges (c. 6) we are told that
the children of Israel "cried unto the Lord."
Under Samuel prayer seems to have assumed the nature of intercession
(1 Sam. 7:5, 12; 8:16-18); personal (1 Sam. 15:11, 35; 16:1).
In Jeremiah (15:1) Moses and Samuel are represented as offering
intercessory prayer for Israel.
David seems to regard himself as a prophet and priest, and prays
without an intercessor (2 Sam. 7:18-29).
The prophets seem to have been intercessors, e.g., Elijah (1 Kings
18). Yet personal prayers are found among the prophets (Jer. 20--both
personal and intercessory; 33:3; 42:4; Amos 7).
In the Psalms prayer takes the form of a pouring out of the heart
(42:4; 62:8; 100:2, title). The psalmist does not seem to go before
God with fixed and orderly petitions so much as simply to pour
out his feelings and desires, whether sweet or bitter, troubled
or peaceful. Consequently the prayers of the psalmist consist of
varying moods: complaint, supplication, confession, despondency,
praise.
True prayer consists of such elements as adoration, praise, petition,
pleading, thanksgiving, intercession, communion, waiting. The closet
into which the believer enters to pray is not only an oratory --a
place of prayer, it is an observatory--a place of vision. Prayer
is not "A venture and a voice of mine; but a vision and a voice
divine." Isa. 63:7; 64:12, illustrates all essential forms of
address in prayer.