learning how to pray
I have benefitted tremendously from utilizing the following prayer guide and for that reason, I share it with you! I had been a Christian for about 2 years when I received this guide back in 2005 (entitled “Keeping Prayer Alive in 2005!”) and it has served me well ever since. I hope that you will find it helpful to further strengthen and fortify your prayer life, or perhaps help you start cultivating one that you never really had. There are six main areas of prayer according to this guide. The challenge is to pray each section for 5 minutes each for a total of 30 minutes. For the starter, the goal is to build up to 30 minutes over time – perhaps this lengthening of your prayer time will take place over the span of a year. Now the duration in prayer doesn’t make you any holier or guarantee greater effectiveness in what you are praying, but the duration of time is a precious time seeking and drawing close to the Most Holy One that will surely result in affecting our hearts, the core of our being - which will have positive ramifications in light of eternity. Patience and perseverance brother and sister. Sometimes it takes 5 minutes just to quiet down our minds and focus. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, Jesus doesn’t say “if you pray” but “when you pray” (Matthew 6). It’s already assumed. In fact, the Scriptures exhort us towards prayer as heavily communicated through brother Paul in his epistles. Luke 16:1 also reveal the eagerness of the disciples to learn how to pray - One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples. And Jesus taught them. There are so many passages in the Scriptures on prayer (Matthew 6:5-13; Luke 11:2-4; Romans 9:12; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 5:15-16: 1Peter 3:12; Revelation 8:3-4 & many more). Part of our Christian heritage is markedly laden with prayer as is exemplified in the lives of our brothers and sisters from ages past (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Hannah, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, David, Ezra, Nehemiah, Job, Jeremiah, Daniel, Jesus, Peter, Paul, Silas, Cornelius, Epaphras and Christ-followers for the last 2 millennium, just to name a few.)
Now in specific reference to this prayer guide. It has helped me to memorize each of the Scripture references to each of the 6 sections below – and to meditate on the verse that corresponds to each section upon entering that area of prayer. There will come a point when you really don’t have to “use” this prayer guide, but you will simply value the various areas of prayer deep within your heart along with the Scriptures foundations. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer – Romans 12:12.
Luke 18:1 ‘The Jesus told them a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.’
(each section (6) 5 minutes each = 1/2 hour with God)
PRAISE – Recognize God’s Nature. Psalm 63:3-4 – Because yoursteadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
Select a specific theme for praise, such as God’s righteousness, His Word, or His creative acts. With your selected theme, declare vocally all that God is.
WAITING – Silent Soul Surrender. 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!
After your moments of praise, bring your mind and spirit into a time of complete silence. Think no thought but thoughts of God the Father, His Son Jesus, or the Holy Spirit. If words are to be voiced, let them be quiet whisperings like, “I love you Lord.”
CONFESSION – Temple Cleansing Time. Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Following your time of silent waiting, immediately ask God to search your heart for any unconfessed sin. Mentally examine your recent activities. Confess to the Lord any specific sins you may be guilty of, either against God or your fellow-man.
INTERCESSION – Remember the Word. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 – First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Plan a special prayer for God’s work in your family, friends, church, America, and countries around the world. Your KEY prayer will be to reach out to the lost people who don’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Ask God to cause a person, or group of people, to feel a deep desire to know God and trust Him.
PETITION – Share Personal Needs. Matthew 7:7 – Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Begin your petition by asking the Holy Spirit to help you claim only those desires that will bring special honor to the Lord. Make a list of specific needs you have for that day and offer each need to God. Frequently examine your motives for each need. Be certain they are pure in the sight of God.
THANKSGIVING – Confess My Blessings. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Begin by thinking about all that God has given you in recent days. Thank God for at least one particular blessing you have not thanked Him for previously. Example: Your job, health, car, clothes, etc… Frequently thank God “in advance” for blessings you expect Him to give you in the future. Look back at the devotional half-hour and praise God for hearing each of your requests. Let your spirit “rejoice” for a few moments at the close of prayer. Repeat the universal word for praise, Hallelujah…God is trustworthy!
Why Should I Pray?
Proverbs 3:6 – In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
John 15:5 – I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
