Praying and Reading our Bibles are the best and most effective ways of getting to know God. For more information about reading your Bible, please read our post about reading your Bible.
Why We Pray:
Prayer is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey, serving various purposes in our relationship with God. Let's explore the "why" of prayer through these key aspects:
1. Communing with God:
Psalm 27:8 - "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek.” Prayer allows us to commune with God, building a deep, personal relationship. Through prayer, we draw near to God, seeking His presence and guidance. Prayer is personal because God is personal.
2. Gratitude and Praise:
Psalm 100:4 - "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Prayer provides a platform to express gratitude for God's blessings and to offer heartfelt praise for His character and deeds. It’s not just important to thank God for the good things in life. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in ALL things. This is the most challenging thing of all. It is a true test of character if you can be thankful at all times and in all seasons for all things.
3. Intercession and Supplication:
Philippians 4:6 - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” We pray not only for ourselves but also for others. Intercession involves lifting up the needs of others, while supplication seeks God's help for our own concerns.
4. Growing in Faith:
Romans 10:17 - "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Prayer is a means to nurture and grow our faith. It connects us with God's Word, enabling us to deepen our understanding and trust in Him.
Now that we understand why prayer is essential, let's explore the "how" of prayer. There are various approaches to prayer, each with its unique significance:
1. The Lord's Prayer as a Template:
Matthew 6:9-13 - "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…'" The Lord's Prayer, taught by Jesus, serves as a powerful template for structured and balanced prayer, addressing both our needs and God's glory. As you pray, use the structure that Jesus laid out.
- Our Father in Heaven Hallowed Be Thy Name: This is simply addressing God, then giving Him praise and thanking Him. As mentioned earlier, we enter his presence with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise.
- Your Kingdom come Your Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven: This is where we pray for God’s Will to be done in our lives.
- Give us this day our daily bread: Ask God to take care of your needs. This may be a tough one to do if you deal with a lot of pride in the area of asking for anything. God’s Word tells us that he will take care of our needs (Matthew 6:9:25-34). I’m not telling you to ask for a sports car or a jet, but use this as an opportunity that ask him and to thank him for providing your needs.
- Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors: Take this time to search your heart for anything that God wants to deal with you about. Ask him to forgive you for a sin, even a secret sin. Then offer forgiveness to those that you need to forgive. The bible is very clear how important forgiveness is on our part. There are too many scriptures for me to mention here, but I encourage you to do a word study on the subject of forgiveness if this is something you are struggling with, especially if you are dealing with any level of hurt from a loved one.
- And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one: Simply put, ask God to protect you and your family. One thing we do every night with our kids is pray for their protection. Praying Psalm 91 over them or Isaiah 54:17 (No weapon formed against you shall prosper…)
2. The Whole Armor of God:
Ephesians 6:10-17 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” As Paul say, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but principalities and powers and rulers of darkness so we need to put on our spiritual armor for a spiritual battle. Here is how to pray the armor and what the significance of each piece is about:
- Stand therefore having girded your waist with truth: The significance of the belt of truth is that Roman soldiers carried their weapon on their belt. Truth exposes lies. Pray that God exposes the lies of the enemy, and that you walk in truth, and the truth in who YOU are in Christ. You are a new Creature, all things have been made new (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Having put on the breastplate of righteousness: Protect your heart from attacks from the enemy. Remember that you are the righteousness of God in Christ (Romans 3:22)
- And Having Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace: Imagine being in a battle barefoot or rocks and rugged terrain. The Gospel of Peace allows you to traverse over the rough terrain of life and still have peace. Ask God to give you peace in all situation situations that you may continue to handle all circumstances and terrain (challenges) in life (Psalm 4:8, John 16:33)
- Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one: Putting on the shield of faith means to have faith and trust God, that the battle is already won! Jesus won the battle when he said on the cross “It Is Finished” in John 19:30. It may not look like it at all times, but the battle is won, which is why it is important to remember that faith is the evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1)
- And the helmet of salvation: Keep your salvation on your mind at all times, Christian life is not all sunshine and roses. It can be very tough. If you are looking for some light reading might I suggest Foxes Book of Martyrs (insert sarcasm here). Jesus saved us from the wrath to come, our reward is not here on this earth. That doesn’t mean that you can’t or won’t enjoy life, but when the troubles come… and they will… keep you mind on Christ and His sacrifice. Romans 12:2 tells us not to be conformed to this world be to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Keep your mind on the wonderful things of God! Focus on His Goodness, and his Mercy! (Phil 4:8).
- And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: The rest of the armor is DEFENSIVE, but the Sword, if OFFENSIVE. We use the spirit (prayer) and God's Word to fight the devil; just as Jesus did when He was tempted (Matt 4:1-11). This is the Word of God, so as mentioned before you need to be in the Word, reading your bible.
3. Listening and Waiting:
Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Sometimes, prayer involves silent listening and waiting for God's guidance. This practice helps us hear His voice and align with His will.
4. Asking in Jesus' Name:
John 14:13 - "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” Praying in Jesus' name signifies our alignment with His character and mission, ensuring that our requests are in accordance with God's will. When you pray in Jesus name, you are praying under His Devine authority. Think about when someone in a movie says that they are there in the name of the king. They are acting on the kings behalf. A good practice is to simply end a prayer “In Jesus Name, Amen” or In Jesus Name We Pray”. You can also say something to the effect of “Lord I come before you in the name of Jesus… There is Power in His name!
Stand, Sit, Kneel… that is the question. Here are some practical practices you may consider during your prayer time. Prayer practices can vary from person to person. Whether you stand, sit, kneel, or even lay prostrate, the posture of your heart matters most. Likewise, incorporating music into your prayer time is a matter of personal choice. Some find it enhances their connection with God, while others find it distracting and prefer silence.
Finally, the length of your prayer can also vary. Some prayers are long and detailed, while others, like Nehemiah's quick prayer (Nehemiah 2:4), are short and straightforward. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 tell us to rejoice always and to pray without ceasing. The key is to maintain sincerity, authenticity, and consistency in your communication with God. It’s about having a prayerful heart. Prayer is a dynamic and multifaceted tool that enriches our relationship with God. Understanding why we pray and how to approach prayer equips us to cultivate a vibrant and meaningful connection with our Heavenly Father. As you engage in prayer, remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach; find what works best for you and allow prayer to deepen your faith journey. Remember that prayer is much like a muscle, it gets easier to do the more you do it. It matters less that you check a bunch of boxes during your prayer time and more important that you spend time with the Almighty God whom desires to have a relationship with you.