According to the Scriptures, prayer is commanded by the Creator of Heaven and Earth (Luke 18:1; Romans 8:26), and something in which true believers are to be engaged in on a regular basis (Eph. 6:17-18; I Thess. 5:17). When would prayer not be a good thing?

The Scriptures indicate that prayer is only to be directed to the one true God--the God who is revealed in Scripture. Since other gods are idols (Psalm 96:5), to pray to them would be committing idolatry. In fact, we must not have any other gods than the true God (Exodus 20:3). By the way, "another god" could also refer to our own appetites, for example (Phil. 3:19), when they become our ultimate commitment. Additionally, nowhere does the Bible command us to offer prayers to a fellow creature.

The Scriptures also teach that when people are not seriously committed to being obedient to what the Creator has commanded, it is an indication that their prayers are an abomination (Prov. 28:9). Conversely, He hears the prayers of those who are called "righteous" (Prov. 15:8, 29).

But who are the righteous? Again, going back to the Scriptures, we find that righteousness is imputed to those who believe the gospel (Rom. 4:5; 4:23-25; Phil. 3:8-9). Finally, it is only when people become spiritually alive do they truly believe the gospel (see my article, "The Depravity of Mankind").

For a more in-depth discussion on this topic, please read "We Talk to God...in Prayer."