How to Pray: 12 Helpful Points

How to Pray: 12 Helpful Points

Prayer is a fundamental aspect of faith, serving as a means of communicating with God. It encompasses praise, confession, thanksgiving, and requests, allowing believers to build a deeper relationship with Him. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to pray, enriched with scriptures and practical steps.

1. Understand the Purpose of Prayer

  • Communication with God: Prayer is both speaking to and listening to God.
  • Relationship Building: It's a way to cultivate a personal relationship with Him.
  • Spiritual Growth: Prayer aligns your heart with God's will and fosters spiritual maturity.

Scripture:

  • Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17: "Pray continually."

2. Find a Quiet and Comfortable Place

  • Choose a location where you can focus without distractions.
  • It could be a dedicated prayer room, a quiet corner in your home, or a peaceful outdoor setting.

3. Set Aside Regular Time for Prayer

  • Establish a consistent prayer routine, whether daily or multiple times a day.
  • Morning and evening are common times, but prayer can be integrated throughout the day.

Scripture:

  • Psalm 5:3: "In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."

4. Adopt a Prayer Structure

Utilizing a structured approach can help ensure that all aspects of prayer are addressed. One popular method is ACTS, an acronym for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

          A. Adoration (Praise)

*Purpose: To worship and honor God for who He is. - 

*Action:  Begin by acknowledging God's greatness, His attributes, and His works. 

*Scripture

 - Psalm 145:3: "Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom."

 - Revelation 4:11: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

 

         B. Confession (Repentance)

 *Purpose: To confess sins and seek forgiveness.

 *Action: Honestly acknowledge your sins and shortcomings before God, asking for His mercy and grace.

  *Scripture

  - 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

  - Psalm 51:1-2: "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."

 

         C. Thanksgiving (Gratitude)

  *Purpose: To express gratitude for God's blessings and faithfulness.

  *Action: Thank God for specific blessings, answered prayers, and His presence in your life.

  

  *Scripture:

  - 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

  - Psalm 100:4: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."

 

       D. Supplication (Requests)

  *Purpose: To present your needs and the needs of others to God.

  *Action: Ask God for guidance, provision, healing, and other needs. Also, intercede on behalf of others.

  

  *Scripture:

  - Philippians 4:6: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

  - 1 John 5:14-15: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."


5. Pray Using the Lord’s Prayer as a Model

Jesus provided a model for prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. This prayer encapsulates the elements of adoration, submission to God's will, thanksgiving, confession, and supplication.

Scripture:

  • Matthew 6:9-13:
    "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'"

Action:

  • Use the Lord’s Prayer as a template for your own prayers, adapting it to your personal circumstances and needs.

6. Incorporate Scripture into Prayer

Praying the Bible involves using passages as a foundation for your prayers, aligning your heart with God’s Word.

Scripture:

  • Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."
  • Colossians 4:2: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

Action:

  • Choose a verse or passage and meditate on it. Pray through the scripture, reflecting on its meaning and how it applies to your life.

7. Be Honest and Sincere

  • Authenticity: Speak to God openly and honestly about your feelings, fears, joys, and struggles.
  • Vulnerability: Don’t be afraid to express doubts or uncertainties. God understands and welcomes your honesty.

Scripture:

  • Psalm 62:8: "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
  • Hebrews 4:16: "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

8. Listen and Be Still

  • Listening: Prayer is a two-way conversation. After speaking, take time to listen for God’s voice.
  • Silence: Embrace moments of silence to reflect and be receptive to God’s guidance.

Scripture:

  • Psalm 46:10: "Be still, and know that I am God."
  • John 10:27: "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

9. Pray with Others

  • Community Prayer: Praying with others can provide encouragement, support, and a sense of unity.
  • Intercessory Prayer: Pray on behalf of others, lifting up their needs and concerns to God.

Scripture:

  • Matthew 18:20: "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
  • James 5:16: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

10. Maintain a Heart of Gratitude

  • Gratitude Attitude: Regularly cultivate thankfulness, recognizing God's blessings in every aspect of life.
  • Acknowledgment: Thank God not just for big blessings, but also for small daily provisions and moments.

Scripture:

  • Psalm 107:1: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."
  • Ephesians 5:20: "Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

11. Persist in Prayer

  • Consistency: Keep praying regularly, even when it feels difficult or when answers seem delayed.
  • Faithfulness: Trust that God hears and responds in His timing and way.

Scripture:

  • Luke 18:1: "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."
  • Romans 12:12: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."

12. Pray with Faith

  • Belief: Approach prayer with the assurance that God hears and responds.
  • Confidence: Have confidence in God's goodness and His desire to answer prayers according to His will.

Scripture:

  • Mark 11:24: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
  • Hebrews 11:6: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Practical Steps to Begin Praying

  1. Prepare Your Heart:
    • Spend a few moments in silence, calming your mind, and focusing on God's presence.
  2. Start with Praise:
    • Begin by praising God for His attributes and what He has done in your life.
  3. Confess Sins:
    • Acknowledge any sins or wrongdoings, asking for forgiveness and cleansing.
  4. Express Gratitude:
    • Thank God for specific blessings, answered prayers, and His continuous provision.
  5. Present Requests:
    • Bring your personal needs and the needs of others before God, asking for His guidance, provision, healing, etc.
  6. Listen:
    • Take time to be silent, allowing God to speak to your heart through thoughts, feelings, or scripture.
  7. Close in Jesus’ Name:
    • Conclude your prayer by thanking God and affirming your faith in Jesus Christ.
  8. Scripture:
    • John 14:13-14: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

Example Prayer Using the ACTS Method

Adoration: "Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your greatness, Your mercy, and Your love. You are holy, righteous, and faithful."

Confession: "Lord, I confess that I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Please forgive me for my shortcomings and cleanse me from all unrighteousness."

Thanksgiving: "Thank You, Lord, for Your countless blessings, for my family, friends, health, and provision. I am grateful for Your guidance and presence in my life."

Supplication: "Father, I ask for Your help in my current challenges. Please grant me wisdom, strength, and peace. I also lift up my loved ones and those in need, asking that You bless and protect them."

Listening: (Pause and be open to any impressions or feelings God may place on your heart.)

Final Thought

Prayer is a personal and evolving practice. As you grow in your faith, your prayer life will deepen and become more meaningful. Remember that there is no "right" or "wrong" way to pray; what matters most is the sincerity and openness of your heart before God. Continually seek to align your prayers with God's will, trusting in His goodness and faithfulness.

Scripture for Encouragement:

  • Jeremiah 29:12-13: "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."
  • Matthew 7:7-8: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Embrace prayer as a vital part of your daily walk with God, and allow it to transform your life as you grow closer to Him.


Thank you for reading,

Rj #rjnmore

Follow me on Instagram @ajrandomeats  

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