This is written for those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior: You have now a new life that naturally wants to pray. God is your Father and you can talk to Him as His child. Christ is your Savior and you can talk to Him as your Lord and Friend. The Holy Spirit dwells within you, and although the Bible does not instruct you to pray to Him directly, yet it is He who gives you the power to pray and the desire to pray.
Talk to God your Father and to the Lord Jesus Christ as you would talk to a close friend or relative. Use words from your heart that you know the meaning of and speak in a reverent and respectful spirit. Believe that you are being heard even though you cannot see the One who is listening. Look for opportunities to be alone with God. It is often a helpful thing to pray aloud softly. This will keep your mind from wandering. But He knows even our deepest silent thoughts; and will hear them as well.
When the disciples wanted to know how to pray, the Lord Jesus told them how: In Matt. 6:99After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6:9) He said: "After this manner therefore pray." He did not intend to teach them a prayer to memorize and repeat over and over, but rather intended to teach them HOW to pray. Let's consider carefully this manner of praying as found in Matt. 6:9-139After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11Give us this day our daily bread. 12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9‑13).
OUR FATHER
Talk to God as One to whom you are personally related.
HALLOWED E THY NAME
Talk reverently, being respectful of His greatness and holiness and majesty.
THY KINGDOM COME
THY WILL BE DONE
Fit yourself into His purposes and plans as you have learned them from His precious Word. Submit yourself to what He is doing now. Ask Him for what you know will please Him.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
Tell Him exactly what you need in plain and specific words. Mention food, the weather, your work, your health, or whatever else is on your mind. God specializes in attending to details.
FORGIVE
Confess personal shortcomings or sins that have hindered your joy in the Lord. Be specific.
WE FORGIVE
Hold no grudges or unkind thoughts against any person anywhere. Ask Him to strengthen those who are weak or have failed, and ask Him to convert those who are still not saved.
LEAD US
Ask for help to know the right direction to go so that you may avoid the things that will not be good for you.
THINE IS THE KINGDOM AN THE POWER AND THE GLORY
AMEN
End your prayer respectfully and sincerely. "Amen" is saying "I really mean it." It is like signing your name. And if someone else is praying with you, it is a word that expresses agreement with what has been said. (See 1 Cor. 14:1616Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? (1 Corinthians 14:16).)
When you have prayed about a matter and the answer does not appear immediately, PRAY AGAIN. Leave your prayer with God. Sometimes His answers take a little while to reach you. Because He loves us so much, He may sometimes say "No" if what we have requested is not for our good. Sometimes His delays are better than immediate answers. As we abide in Christ, daily reading His precious Word, and seeking to live in conformance to His will only, we will learn better how to ask for the things that are in tune with His will. (See John 15:77If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7))
"I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." 1 Tim. 2:11I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; (1 Timothy 2:1) & 2
"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:66Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6) & 7
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