How long, where, in what physical position, with what kinda attitude, and where should I actually pray to God?
And how?
I say pray specifically, ask.. pray fervently, earnestly and biblically.. trusting that He knows best. Pray from anywhere and in any kinda position where God might lead you.. not making it all religiously complicated in any way.. cuz God ain’t that way. Never been that way--not Him.
I say, pray until you have His peace and joy and love inside that passes all human understanding ..peace from enjoying a right relationship with Christ. Pray until you see God move in and through your life to bless others.. and then pray some more to be edified and maintain this most valuable of friendships.
The Lord is far from the wicked: but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29
Pray voicing Bible verses you can learn if you like, reminding God of what He has said--the promises He’s given to you, to us believers. Me thinks this is great with thanksgiving and praise.. perhaps more than any other way of prayin'. Just get real with Him--that's the main thing and keepin' the main thing is always the main thing. Yes, thank and praise Him. Prayin' in the Spirit. Do...
1. Rejoice
2. Repent
3. Request
Remind yourself of the 3 R’s of prayer, Christian. Could help ya be helped by the Lord!
* Rejoice in worship – O Lord, you have richly blessed me more than I deserve cuz of Your Cross and Resurrection. What a privilege that I can call you my God.
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed.." ~ Paul, Romans 12/2
Why become worldly or puffed up as so many do? Don't do it. Why get so hard-hearted-rebellious or copy the behavior and customs of this world which would include so much of what happens in dead religiosity or that twisted Hollywood type of "spirituality" ..minus Christ. Let God completely transform you from the inside out, into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to grow mature and know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
"Worship is no longer worship when it reflects the culture around us more than the Christ within us." – A.W. Tozer Thank you Lord for making me a little lower than the angels whatever that means.. and for crowing me with glory and honor too.
* Repent ...turn from sin and pray – Forgive me for being blind to your splendor and majesty. Though you are very great, my circumstances and disappointments often feel greater.
I’m sorry for being so ungrateful and taking your blessings for granted.
* Request, ask, seek, inquire of the Lord – Give me eyes to see as you are. Tune my heart to sing your praise. Help me see your glory in the world you’ve created, in the people around me, and in the face of Christ.
Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6
I say pray gobs, it's enjoyable. Get alone when you can and talk to God through Jesus His Son by faith with a humble, non-entitled don’t-really-deserve-the-blessings kinda attitude. Jesus made work for us cuz of the Cross--now we can go to and get through to the Father. We can be heard by God. He loves to respond. No worries if He opts to stay silent workin' on it as He likes.
I say pray until your situation changes, until miracles happen that you need to happen, until you are filled with His Holy Spirit, until the need get’s addressed. Never stop believing in Him. He is the One who changes things and prayer is the way He has given for us to take part in seeing change happen. God can change things very quickly in your life and He delights to bless His children.
Christ is God.. duh!.. and He is our BFF.. best Friend forever, but He is also our kind Lord.. so be sure to go do what He says. Hint: quickly responding beats slowly responding.
I love love Love LOVE to talk about prayer, intercession.. yes how to intercede, or to give supplication, as well as to worship the Lord from the heart cuz I love Jesus and this reminds me that this is our highest ministry calling as Christians. It comes before all other Christian or other type of activities that we can do and it pleases the Lord.
Prayerfully go study in context what God has to say about contacting, and remaining in union with Him.
Matthew 7:11 - If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Luke 6:12 - And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Luke 18:1 - And he spoke a parable to them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Colossians 4:2 - Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.
1 Timothy 2:8 - I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Hebrews 4:14 - Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
James 1:7 - For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
James 4:3 - You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it on your lusts.
James 5:16 - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
