Teach Me How to Pray?
What is prayer?
Prayer is personal communication with God. It’s not for God to find out what we need, He already knows (Matthew 6:8). He wants us to pray because it expresses our trust & dependence in Him, and increases our Faith. Prayer is about God, not us.
Prayer Tips
- Designate a place. (ie. prayer closet/war room/etc.)
- Try praying at the same time(s) every day.
- PRAY OUT LOUD!
- Keep a notepad handy.
- Make a list to track prayers. When they went up, and when they were answered.
- Bonus: “Pray the scriptures”
- Yes, you can pray scriptures word for word.
- Pray scriptures from The Bible that fit your situation as well as reverence God’s goodness.
A.C.T.S. (I) Prayer Guide
Adoration:
Adoration, Confession & Thanksgiving set the stage for Supplication (and Intercession). Starting prayer by making our requests without acknowledging God’s presence, existing, goodness, etc. truly exposes our fleshly & selfish desires. By expressing to God how good He is and how we’re nothing without Him, puts our humanity in check and our hearts in the proper posture to pray. The purpose is to seek His face, not His hand. This model is based upon The Lord’s Prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:5-13 NKJV)
5) “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. 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. 7) And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8) “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9) In this manner, therefore, pray:
- Tell God how much you adore/appreciate/love/praise Him (Ps. 68:35, 66:3)
- Be specific about where you’ve fallen short (1 John 1:9)
- Thank God, you have plenty of reasons (Ps. 69:30)
- Tell God what you want (Phil. 4:6)
- Standing in the gap for others (or praying on someone else’s behalf) (Rom. 8:26)
Adoration, Confession & Thanksgiving set the stage for Supplication (and Intercession). Starting prayer by making our requests without acknowledging God’s presence, existing, goodness, etc. truly exposes our fleshly & selfish desires. By expressing to God how good He is and how we’re nothing without Him, puts our humanity in check and our hearts in the proper posture to pray. The purpose is to seek His face, not His hand. This model is based upon The Lord’s Prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:5-13 NKJV)
5) “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. 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. 7) And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8) “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 9) In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10) Your kingdom come. Your will be done On 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 do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” -Jesus
Answered Prayers
Prayer is a consistent thing, not a one off. God is more concerned about your heart posture, intentionality & dependence on Him, than He is with the length of time you pray. Although the answers are solely up to God, prayer allows us the opportunity to be a part of the desired results of the situation.
Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV
7) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8) For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” -Jesus
Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV
7) “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8) For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” -Jesus