When
we read the Bible, we are letting God talk to
us. When we pray, God is letting us talk to Him.
As in any effective conversation, it is very important
to be a good listener and not do too much of the
talking. We are to have a prayerful attitude all
day long, or as the Bible says, "Pray without
ceasing". We can pray with our eyes closed,
which may help us to focus, but it is not necessary,
especially when you pray while driving your car!
James 5:16 tells us that prayer
is effective: "The effective, fervent prayer
of a righteous man avails much."
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"And when you pray,
you shall not be like the hypocrites. For
they love to pray standing in the synagogues
and on the corners of the streets, that they
may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you,
they have their reward."
We are to be sincere in prayer.
Our prayers are lifted up to our heavenly
Father. They are not to be fashioned to impress
those with whom you are praying.
Matthew 6:6: "But
you, when you pray, go into your room, and
when you have shut your door, pray to your
father who is in the secret place; and your
Father who sees in secret will reward you
openly."
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Prayer is not only
a solitary experience:
In addition to private prayer, (one-on-one
between you and God), public prayer is important.
We need to join with other believers and lift
our prayers up to the Lord. God also gives
us his spirit to aid us in prayer, even when
we do not know what to pray (Romans 8:26-27).
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Pray from your
heart:
Matthew 6:7: "But
when you pray, do not use vain repetition
as the heathen do. For they think they will
be heard for their many words."
God does not call on us to
quote memorized prayers. He desires us to
pray from our hearts, with sincerity.
Matthew 6:8: "Therefore
do not be like them. For your Father knows
the things you have need of before you ask."
God knows our needs, but
He still wants us to lift them up to Him in
prayer. As an early father wants his children
to bring their needs and desires to him, so
does our heavenly Father.
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Prayer is modeled
for us by spirit:
Matthew 6:9: Jesus
said: "In this manner, therefore pray:
Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name…
Here Jesus is telling us
to pray "in this manner." This is
an example of prayer. There are some who teach
that we are to pray this exact prayer over
and over, but in verse 7 we are told, "do
not use vain repetition."
Jesus is teaching how to
pray, not words but how we should approach
prayer, with a spirit of love and reverence.
Notice that Jesus starts
by saying "Our Father in heaven…"
This is important because
you are now a child of God and have the right
to come boldly before the throne of God (Hebrews
4:16)
Matthew 6:10: "Your
kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as
it is in heaven."
In our prayers, we should
indicate our submission to the authority of
God in our lives.
Matthew 6:11: "Give
us this day our daily bread."
Express your thankfulness
for God meeting your daily physical needs.
Matthew 6:14: "For
if you forgive men their trespasses, your
heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Forgiving someone does not
necessarily mean forgetting what that person
has done. God may or may not take away the
memory of the hurt, but we are to remember:
Philippians 3:13:
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have
apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting
those things which are behind and reaching
forward to those things which are ahead. I
press toward the goal for the prize of the
upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
If there are people who you
are having trouble forgiving, ask God to give
you the ability. Remember, He forgave you!
Matthew 6:13: "And
do not lead us into temptation, but deliver
us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory forever. Amen."
Request protection from Satan,
for there is a spiritual battle going on and
you are in the middle of it.
Ephesians 6:12 tells
us: "For we do not wrestle against flesh
and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places."
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Sin hinders prayer:
Sin in our life separates
us from God. When there is sin. Prayers fall
ineffectively to the ground. (John 9:31, Isaiah
59:1-2, Psalm 66:18). It is said that sin
keeps you from the Bible, and the Bible keeps
you from sin.
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Prayer enables us
to seek forgiveness:
We must pray with a pure heart. (Psalm
24:3-4). 1 John 1:9 says:
"If we confess our sins,
He is faithful and just to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
We are to pray believing
that God can and will answer our prayers.
(Matthew 21:22)
We are to pray in the name
of Jesus. (John 14:6,13)
We are to pray according
to God's will. (1 John 5:14)
We are to be persistent
in our prayers (Luke 18:18)
Don't stop praying (1
Samuel 12:23)
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God hears and
answers prayer: (2 Chronicles 7:14 )
God's answers are not always
"yes". He knows what is best for
us, so sometimes the answer is "no"
or "wait". Prayers are answered
in God's timing. Prayer is God's appointed
way for us to relate our concerns and to present
our needs to him. (See James 4:2-3).
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Prayer helps us
overcome worry:
In the midst of trouble, we can receive
God's peace through prayer. (Philippians
4:6-7)
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Prayer increases
our spiritual knowledge and maturity:
God will give us greater
spiritual understanding through prayer. But
do not expect God to reveal deep things to
you in a casual prayer. If you want the deep
spiritual answers that God wants to share,
you must spend quantity and quality time with
Him in prayer and Bible study. (Jeremiah
33:3)
