Prayer is the act of seeking contact with and worshiping God. We pray with supplication, which is humbly asking God for something, or intercession, which is intervening on behalf of another, directed towards God.
How often should we pray?
1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
Jesus taught the disciples how to pray, but not with those words. More importantly, he taught them what prayer should cover.
Luke 11:1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
Luke 11:2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
Luke 11:3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
Pray in secret.
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.
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.
Don’t use repetition.
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.
Jesus taught us to pray in secret, not for show in front of others. Some people even take front-row seats to make themselves look holy.
We are unsure of what or whom to pray for, so the Spirit within us groans to make an intercession.
The Bible describes Jesus’ prayers as accompanied by groanings, tears, and crying.
When Lazarus had died, he was said to have only gone to sleep, as no real Christian dies but sleeps until the resurrection.
Luke 11:13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
Jesus groaned in his spirit and cried, which people around him thought he cried. However, that was not a cry of personal love, but Jesus was using his spirit to pray.
Luke 11:33-35 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. Jesus wept.
Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.
Christians are encouraged to pray with a deep sense of sincerity, expressing their emotions through groaning and tears that come from within their spirit.
Romans 8:6 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
The Bible says to lift your hands up when praying.
1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
“When you pray, it is customary to kneel down on your knees.”
Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalms 95:6 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. We should always be in contact with God.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
Confess to God when you pray if you have sinned.
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.
“When you pray, remember to forgive anyone who has wronged you.”
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
“Let us remember 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.
Anoint anyone in need of healing with oil, which represents the Holy Spirit in the Bible.
Mark 6:13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
James 5:14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
“When you pray, it is important to have faith.”
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
“Come boldly into the throne room.”
Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
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