Pray

Prayer is not a solitary experience

The idea of talking to God can be intimidating. Prayer can be a wonderful experience if we do it God’s way. We have God’s Word to teach us how to pray. God only desires that you pray from a pure and sincere heart.

Prayer was modeled for us by Christ. The disciples observed the profound effect prayer had in Jesus’ life and ministry. They witnessed how Jesus would often go off by Himself to spend time in prayer with His heavenly Father. Jesus’ prayer life so impressed these men that they asked Him to teach them to pray. Jesus took the time to show His followers how to pray.

Because prayer is an essential ingredient to walking with Jesus Christ, we need to examine its elements found in God’s Word.

God has given us His Holy Spirit to aid us in prayer.

Romans 8:26–27 NASB95

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

As you realize how intimately God is involved in your prayers, you will begin to feel a unique closeness to your Father in heaven. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you voice your concerns and needs to God.

Prayer allows us to voice our requests to God. Prayer is God’s appointed way for us to relate our concerns and present our needs to Him.

James 4:2–3 NASB95

You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

Understand that this passage does not advocate that you demand things from God. God wants to bless you because you are His child. Many of us fail to receive what God has for us because we don’t pray.

Prayer enables us to seek forgiveness. God will hear our prayers and restore us.

James 5:15–16 NASB95

and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

We can receive God’s peace through prayer.

Philippians 4:6–7 NASB95

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

God wants us to be the first One we turn to in times of worry or crisis.

Don’t ever think that your need is too insignificant for God’s attention.

Tell God your needs.

We can thank God for His answers in advance because of the promises He has made to us in His Word.

Receive God’s peace. Verse 7 says that you will receive God’s peace. This verse literally means that God’s peace will “mount a guard or garrison” aro