Learning how to pray is essential for all Christians. Whether you have been a Christian all your life, or you are just beginning your journey, this guide on prayer is for you.
The first thing to keep in mind when praying, is that there is no "magic word" or "chant" we can say to make the Lord listen and respond to our prayers.
There is nothing we can do in and of ourselves to force a prayer to be answered.
We simply submit a prayer to God in humility, then trust in His goodness to answer our prayer in His perfect timing.
We can, however, teach ourselves "how to pray" contrite prayers that will be received in heaven.
Below is a guide I share on "how to pray" using "The Lord's Prayer" as a formula to follow.
I stumbled upon this simple approach to prayer while trying to find my own voice as a young Christian woman.
As you read my account of overcoming the fear of speaking, you might see yourself through the story.
Have you wanted to lift your voice in church? Share a prophecy? A testimony? Or a simple prayer? But fear holds you back?
Well, keep reading. This blog post is for you!
What's in this Blog Post
Enhance Your Self-Image
The Lord's Prayer Can Help You
The Holy Spirit Will Guide You in Prayer
Improve Your Life with Prayer
Enhance Your Self-Image
During my young adult life, I was scared to death of speaking in a public setting.
Whenever I began talking out loud I became startled at the sound of my own voice. This would make me fumble my words, and cause me to recoil within myself.
This crippling fear prevented me from engaging in conversations with friends and family, and I found myself terrified to even give a testimony at church.
As I matured, and developed a strong relationship with the Lord, something deep inside my spirit wanted to come out.
I began to realize this was the Holy Spirit prompting me to share the work that was happening inside my heart.
The more I fed upon the word of God and grew in faith, the more I felt the need to share what the Lord was working in my spirit.
There was only one hang-up, I was terrified to speak in public. Let alone, share the word of God with someone one on one.
A common denominator surfaced within my thoughts, and I realized the core root of these issues was a lack of confidence.
I didn't feel qualified to pray.
"How does one pray anyways?"
"What is the correct way to pray?"
At this point, I had been a Christian almost all of my life. How could I NOT know how to pray?
One day, I went to the church library to look for a book that teaches someone how to pray but nothing motivated me to come out of my shell.
I was so desperately wanting to improve myself in this area.
Not only for personal development but for spiritual growth as well.
The Lord's Prayer Can Help You
After exhausting all other sources, I opened my Bible to The Lord's Prayer in Matthew chapter 6, and read it over repeatedly, and asked the Lord to help me learn how to pray.
Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
I was searching for some kind of hidden pattern or spiritual keys that would help me pray more confidently when I was alone and when I prayed in public.
My searches were not in vain, the Lord heard my heart's cry and answered me according to His good nature.
Through the Holy Spirit, the Lord revealed to me a simple way to pray effectively, and I still use this pattern today.
Many people, say The Lord's Prayer several times a day, which is not wrong necessarily, it is a way to rehearse Scripture, but, it isn't an effective way to pray.
Although The Lord's Prayer is a Scripture passage, the Lord does not want to hear us saying the same thing repeatedly.
He wants to hear a prayer from a contrite, humble heart.
An effective prayer comes from someone who isn't confident in themselves and their abilities, but one is humble of mind and does not put on airs.
For example, someone who is humble, understands their need. They are honored to bring their request before their Heavenly Father, who can do something about their situation.
We can liken this to a commoner going before a king with a request or need.
The commoner submits a need to the king, who is a higher power of authority.
Usually, this is done by bowing low before the king, and expressing devotion to their power and kingdom.
When we pray, we have to imagine ourselves walking up to a king --The King of Kings. Bowing low, and giving all honor due His name.
Your Step-By-Step Guide on Prayer
The following step-by-step guide on how to pray effective prayers and master the art of prayer can be exercised mentally, spiritually, and physically, depending on where you are at. Keep reading.
How to Begin Your Prayer
Take a humble stance and bring your prayer to the King of Kings. Lay the prayer before His throne. When you are in His presence, bow, and give Him reverence.
When you speak to the King of Kings, greet Him by saying, "O Lord, You are great, Your ways are wonderful, may Your kingdom be established forever. May Your will be done on earth and in heaven."
Ask The Lord for Your Daily Bread
Then ask Him to give you what is needed for your day, which would be your "daily bread." This "daily bread" is provided to you as you read the word of God.
John 6:35 (KJV)
"I Am the Bread of Life."
Your "daily bread" could consist of wisdom, direction, or a word of comfort.
Ask the Lord for Forgiveness
"Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive others who have trespassed against us."
This is the part in your prayer where you ask the Lord to forgive your sins so your prayers may not be hindered in heaven.
As you ask the Lord for forgiveness, consider whether you have forgiven those who have done you wrong. The word of God makes it clear that we need to forgive so we can be forgiven.
Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV)
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Ask the Lord for Protection and Direction
"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Take the time to ask the Lord for divine protection over your life so you will not fall into sin.
Bring your ideas and intentions before the Lord every day and dedicate your tasks to Him. The word of God states, "In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."
Present Your Prayer Requests
At this point in your prayer, humbly present each prayer request with specific verbiage, clearly stating who and what you are praying for.
Give Glory to the Lord
Thank Him for hearing your prayer, then acknowledge that nothing can be done apart from His divine involvement.
"For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever."
Amen
The Holy Spirit Will Guide You in Prayer
When you pray, allow your heart to be softened in the Lord's presence and let the Holy Spirit fill your mouth with wise words.
The Holy Spirit already knows what you have need of and He will direct your prayer according to God's will.
Jeremiah 1:19 (ESV)
Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth."
Stay humble.
A good thing to remember when you pray, is to keep the focus off of yourself and direct your attention to the Lord.
I imagine myself standing before the throne of God, and laying my requests before Him.
This stance helps me remember to stay humble, because the Lord resists the proud and arrogant
James 4:6-8 (KJV)
Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
Improve Your Life with Prayer
I'm so thankful the Lord met me early on in my young adult life, and gave me the power to be victorious over the fear of speaking in public.
This guide on how to pray, was a life-line for me at a time when I was longing for spiritual growth and development.
Now that I am a pastor's wife, grandma, Sunday school teacher, and ministry teacher, I can speak out in prayer, prophecy, and give testimonies, without hinderance, for the glory of God.
The Lord's power and grace has enabled me to be victorious in this aspect of Christian living. Praise the Lord!
And, He can help improve your life too!
Let's Pray Together
Father in Heaven,
We thank You for Your Holy Word that gives us direction and wisdom in life. You have even provided an outline of prayer for us to follow. How great You are! And how neat, that You should want to hear from us. May we learn humility when we pray, and may we learn to give You the reverence due Your name.
Bless each person reading through this blog post, and grant to them the requests they are lifting up to You. I pray that You will hear their humble attempts at prayer and see their need, move from heaven, and quicken their spirit. Give them new life as they look to You for all their needs.
We rejoice before Your presence, O Lord, and we thank You for helping us learn how to pray more effectively.
In Your Precious Name,
Amen
Blessings ~
Angie Viola
The Founder of My Sun & Shade Ministries
to Women, Children, Marriages, and Families
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