How To Pray?

HOW TO PRAY

It is the privilege of every Believer to pray. Prayer is so important that Jesus taught his disciples how to pray (see Luke ch. 11) The main reason we see no results when we pray, is we don’t know how. In the book of James it states “you don’t have, because you don’t ask.” and “you don’t have because you don’t need it.” (James 4:1-3 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? [2] Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. [3] Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. )

God isn’t some “sugar daddy” your motives must be pure. God knows what you need before you even before you ask. (Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.)

Successful prayer can be summed up by remembering the ACTS of prayer.

A- Adoration of God. Praise Him for everything that He has done.

C-Confession of sins. The Bible says if we confess our sins He will forgive our sins. (1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.)

T-Thanksgiving. Thank God in advance. One must first believe that God hears your prayers and that He wants to give you what you ask for.

S-Supplications. (that’s a fancy word for requests) Notice this is last. That’s for a reason.

Prayer is talking to God. You don’t have to talk in old English to talk to God. He will understand you anyway.

******* INTERCESSORY PRAYER

This is a prayer a Believer makes on behalf of someone else. In the book of James we are told to pray for each other (James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.)

Circumstances can be changed in people’s lives through intercessory prayer. In the book of James it tells us to not only pray for each other, but the effectual (or capable, effective, powerful) prayers of a righteous man avails much. Who is righteous? Believers are! We know that His blood that was shed on the cross cleanses us from all unrighteousness therefore, Believers are made righteous! (not by anything we did on our own, but what Jesus does inside us)

******* PRAYER OF SALVATION (or “sinners” prayer)

This is the starting point of a Christian life. In the book of Matthew when the man told Jesus he would follow Him after he buried his father, and Jesus told him to follow now and let the dead bury the dead (Matthew 8:21-22 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. [22] But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.) Jesus was talking on a spiritual level and when He said “let the dead bury the dead” He meant the spiritually dead.

The words of this prayer may vary. One needs to realize that they have sinned (Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God) and their sins separates them from God. The only way to cleanse our sins and get back to God is by the cross. (John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.) By believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth that Jesus is the Son of God, and He died on the cross for our sins and God raised Him from the dead 3 days later, you will be saved.

An example of this is as follows;

“Dear Lord Jesus;

I know I’m a sinner. I believe that you are the Son of God and that you died on the cross, paying the debt for my sins. On the third day God raised you from the dead. I repent of my sins and ask you to create in me a clean heart.”

******* THE WRONG MOTIVE

Many times prayer is made with a doubting heart. “Well, I’ll pray, but I doubt it will do any good.” or people pray and in their hearts they have already failed. (told ya it wouldn’t work.)

Some people think more about impressing other people than praying to God. You know the type. They want people to hear them pray. Jesus talked about this type in Matthew. He told us not to be like them, because the only reward they will get will come from the people they are trying to impress! (Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward) Now, that doesn’t mean that it’s wrong to pray in public, but always remember you are having a conversation with God and He sees your heart. (Psalm 44:21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.)

A “prayer closet” (Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.) indicates that it is just between you and God.

******* THE LORD’S PRAYER

This prayer was given as an example, nothing more. (Matthew 6:9-13 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.)

There is nothing “magic” about it. It doesn’t matter how many times you repeat it. God herd you the first time. As a matter of fact, we are taught to avoid repeating the same old prayer. (Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.)

******* “TOKEN” PRAYERS

There are certain times when due to tradition-like before meals or before bed-that people feel “obligated” to pray. These are “token” prayers.

One must guard these prayers don’t become rutene and you just do it because it is always “done like that”. There is certainly nothing wrong with token prayers, but always remember who you are praying to. The almighty God!

******* THE NAME OF JESUS

We are told to ask in the name of Jesus and the Father will hear. (John 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.) That is why we pray the name of Jesus.

******* PURPOSE OF PRAYER

(Philip. 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.) When the verse says “be careful for nothing” it doesn’t mean that God will spoil you. Jesus pointed out things in nature-the birds and flowers as an example of God’s love-to explain what is meant by “be careful for nothing”.

How would you like it if your kids only talked to you when they wanted something and ignored you the rest of the time? Prayer is often approached with this mindset. Prayers of thanksgiving are powerful things.

The purpose of prayer, be it thanksgiving or a petition of personal want, is communion with the creator of the universe-almighty God!

****** CLOSING PRAYER

“Dear God, maker of Heaven and earth;

I praise you in all things. The Heavens declare the works of your hands.

Thank you for hearing my prayers. I know that you hear me when I pray, and thank you for the grace by which I am saved.

IN THE NAME OF JESUS

AMEN