Question

Is prayer a gift of the Holy Spirit?

Short Answer

Not Sure!

Bible Answer

1 Tim. 2:8 "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;"

Inspired Answer

"One worker may be a ready speaker, another a ready writer, another may have the gift of sincere, earnest, fervent prayer, another the gift of singing. Another may have special power to explain the word of God with clearness. And each gift is to become a power for God because He works with the laborer. To one God gives the word of wisdom, to another knowledge, to another faith. But all are to work under the same Head. The diversity of gifts leads to a diversity of operations, “but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”—Letter 1, 1902, p. 2. (To S. N. Haskell and wife, January 18, 1902.) { 7MR 397.1 } 

"The prayer of faith is the key that unlocks the treasury of heaven. As we commit our souls to God, let us remember that He holds Himself responsible to hear and answer our supplications. He invites us to come to Him, and He bestows on us His best and choicest gifts—gifts that will supply our great need. He loves to help us. Let us trust in His wisdom and His power. O what faith we should have! O what peace and comfort we should enjoy! Open your heart to the Spirit of God. Then the Lord will work through you and bless your labors."—Letter 49, 1903, p. 4, 6-8. (To Elder Daniells and His Fellow-Workers, April 12, 1903). { 8MR 196.2 } 

"When such a worker offers prayer to God in the family where he is visiting, the hearts of the members are touched as they would not be by any prayer offered in a public assembly. Angels of God enter the family circle with him, and the minds of the hearers are prepared to receive the word of God; for if the messenger is humble and contrite, if he has a living connection with God, the Holy Spirit takes the word and shows it to those for whom he is laboring." { 8MR 196.3 } 

Further Thoughts

There are many calls to pray throughout the Scriptures. In the New Testament we find Jesus and Paul, as well as others, calling for prayer. Accordingly I am not convinced that anyone reading this should feel excused from praying just because they don't feel they have the gift of praying—We have all been called to pray! Some may feel a special calling to pray. Others may have a special burden to pray about a particular situation. Some may have more time to pray. But every born-again person has been called to pray.