How Do I Pray

Jesus is the best teacher of prayer and our best example in prayer. His counsel on how to conduct personal prayer is simple and concise:

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matt. 6:6, NIV)

Because Jesus knew that many people prayed to idols and false gods, He clearly identified the Father in heaven as the One to be addressed in prayer.

A Christian writer comments about this passage: "Christ's lessons in regard to prayer should be carefully considered. There is a divine science in prayer, and the illustration brings to view principles that all need to understand. He shows what is the true spirit of prayer, He teaches the necessity of perseverance in presenting our requests to God, and assures us of His willingness to hear and answer prayer." Ellen White, Christ's Object Lessons, page 142.

Jesus gives us another ground rule for prayer in John 15:16: "Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in My name." John 15:16, last part. We must not only pray to the Father, but also in the name of Jesus, our Elder Brother, our Redeemer.

The idea of talking to Someone you cannot see with your physical sight or hear with your physical ears is sometimes daunting. Although there is a science to the art of prayer (conditions for answers to prayer: humility of heart, confession of sins, faith, etc.) yet prayer is the channel of an individual relationship with God. God loves our individuality-so we don't need to recite written prayers but can speak them from our own hearts, speaking as though face-to-face with a friend.

PRAYER
by Carrol Johnson Shewmake

No words make
prayer,
only a heart
reaching out
to God
is prayer.

You may speak
Spanish, German,
any dialect;
God can understand,
He made the languages,
He made
you.

You may
express
no words,
only long
for God
to make you
wholly His.
The intensity
of your desire
is prayer.

No words make
prayer.
only a heart
reaching out
To God
is prayer.

Like speaking with a friend, talking with God can differ from time to time. Sometimes we pray in great immediate need, sometimes it is because we have sensed God calling us to praise Him. Many of us come at a regular time each day to receive forgiveness, to learn more of Him, seek guidance. There is no one-way to pray. You can't describe the perfect way to pray. As long as you come to Him with a humble, contrite heart, He hears you.

Different personalities and cultures may find different ways to make prayer more meaningful to them. Sometimes it helps all of us to better sense God's presence when we experiment with various ways to pray. Here are a few suggestions of ways that can easily lead into a deepening heart-felt devotional prayer time.

Many Christians find that a guide not only helps them find more meaning and enjoyment in daily prayer, but also helps them in understanding God. Here are a few suggestions of prayer guides:

Some people receive great blessing in praying through the four steps of the acronym of ACTS: adoration (acknowledging God as the Creator of the Universe), confession (confessing our own sinfulness and weakness, specific sins), thanksgiving (thanking God for His personal benefits to us-forgiveness, family, and material comforts), and supplication (asking for what we need.)

Portions of scripture can also be used as guides, such as the passage we know as The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 7:9-13) The concepts expressed in this passage can be put into our words and our time. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), the Armor of God (Philippians 6:10-18), and many other passages can be used in the same way as a guide for prayer.

My personal favorite is the model that God gave Moses as he led the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt to become God's chosen people. Although I realize that the sanctuary was set up in the wilderness to point forward to the ministry of the coming Redeemer, Jesus, and that the antitypical (pointing forward) services ended when they met fulfillment at His crucifixion, yet His intercession and judgment ministry in the heavenly sanctuary is still going on. Following the steps the priests took daily in their sanctuary work we can consciously cooperate with our High Priest Jesus in His intercession and ministry for each of us personally in the heavenly sanctuary. Also we can begin to understand more fully the extent of the redemptive work necessary for our salvation and thus more full appreciate the character of God.

Some people find their quiet time with God more meaningful when they sit at a desk or table with pen in hand composing letters to God. Often these letters are written in a daily journal that can be reread to remember the needs expressed, the sorrow or joy put into words, the contrition of a heart lifted up to God. This is not a diary-but a journal written to God. The form they use is as individual as the people they are. A friend sent me this verse that expresses her use of journaling prayers:

May I write You letters God
To tell You how I feel?
May I put on paper
The thoughts that are so real?

The ache that's surging in my heart
The tears that seem to flow-
Am I telling You something new
Or do You already know?

To say with ink and pen
That You know my every care,
Are these just letters that I write
Or do You call it prayer?

This is a favorite way for many people to have their morning devotional time with God, especially if they live in the country or have access to a walking or hiking trail. Carry along a small Bible or New Testament. Scripture should be the entrance to each prayer time. Prayerwalking may be combined with most of the above prayer guides.

Prayer Partner Ministry	Home/Purposes/HowToPray/Meditations/Resources/Requests/Bookstore
How Do I Pray	Personal Prayer/Group Praying/Types of Prayers