Prayer—it is easy to do and yet so often, we fail to pray to God unless we are in a place of despair or trouble. When we neglect to pray, we miss the tremendous blessing that comes from daily conversations with our Creator. Unlike other relationships, God not only loves you with an incomprehensible love, but He is also always available, always listening, and always ready to hear from you. Most of us recognize the importance of prayer, but many have questions about how to pray.
What Is the Correct Way to Pray to God?
Where Should We Pray to God?
Does God Always Answer Prayers?
Who Should Pray to God?
What Is the Correct Way to Pray to God?
That may seem like a simple question, but even the apostles asked Jesus how to pray. Prayer is a conversation that becomes easier with frequency, just as a conversation with a new friend becomes easier over time. But Jesus did illustrate that we are to pray to the Father, not to the Son. The Father is the ultimate Authority, while Jesus is our Mediator. Jesus always encourages us to go to the Father, submit our will to Him, and approach Him with reverence and awe. The ultimate example is the “Lord’s Prayer” or “Disciples’ Prayer” found in Matthew 6. Jesus instructs:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
(Matthew 6:9-13)
We often forget about the importance of simplicity in our prayers. We don’t need to use grand figures of speech to express ourselves, for Christ tells us the Lord already knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8). This promise is His comfort to us.
Where Should We Pray to God?
Prayer is not limited to a certain place. It goes wherever you go. You can whisper a prayer in your car, an elevator, a cathedral, or the wonders of creation. Wherever you go, the Holy Spirit is with you, Jesus is watching over you, and the Father is lovingly listening for your heartfelt supplication through prayer. If you feel convicted in your heart of unconfessed sin, stop and pray wherever you are right now and ask God to forgive you. Don’t allow unconfessed sin to keep you from spending time with God in prayer.
Dear God,
Even the apostle Paul admitted at times he didn’t do what he wanted to do, and what he didn’t want to do, he did. Lord, I confess that my own heart, too, is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Father, forgive me of the sin that has crept into my life. Forgive me of my sin—my failures and faults. Forgive me for hurting others. Forgive me for failing You. Forgive my trespasses as I forgive those who have trespassed against me. Dear Father, thank You that the Lord Jesus Christ shed His blood for my sins. He is my Advocate, my Intercessor, and my eternal Savior. By His grace, heal me, restore me, revive me, and create in me a pure heart. Renew a right spirit within me. Restore my broken relationships. Grant healing in every way. May I declare Your praise and speak of Your mercy all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
You Might Also Enjoy:
• A Guide to Christian Prayer: Q&A
• Trusting God When Your Prayers Aren’t Answered
• How to Pray for Your Family
Does God Always Answer Prayers?
In Matthew 7, Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (verse 7). As believers, God hears and answers each one of our prayers. God may respond with “Yes.” He may reply with “No,” so we must trust in His plan, not our own. He may even answer with “Wait.” In which case, we should continue to pray to God and wait patiently for His answer. But we can trust that He will answer.
We need to be aware that our timetable is different from God’s. We cannot see the beginning from the end, so when we pray, we must be persistent and consistent, trusting that God will answer in His perfect time. We cannot expect an immediate answer after a prayer. God has good gifts He wants to give us. And when we pray, that’s what we should expect. He is faithful and just to hear and answer our prayers.
Throughout Scripture, we read about how God answered prayer. Here are some examples:
- Prayer opened the Red Sea for the Israelites (Exodus 14).
- Prayer made the sun stand still as God’s chosen people fought their enemies (Joshua 10:1-15).
- Prayer brought fire from the sky on Elijah’s sacrifice (1 Kings 18:20-40).
- Prayer healed the sick and raised the dead (Acts 9:36-43; 28:7-10).
And God continues to answer the prayers of His people—for provision, for protection, and for peace. God’s faithful answers to our prayers point to His infinite love—a love that is far beyond our human comprehension.
Who Should Pray to God?
Are you a Christian? Or are you someone who wants to know God? Call upon the Name of the Lord! Don’t allow concerns about how to pray prevent you from talking to God. During times of blessing and times of trial, turn to the One who knows your needs even before you ask.
If you haven’t included prayer in your spiritual arsenal, now is the time to begin. Surrender your will to His and give Him your hopes, anxieties, and requests. Pray to God for wisdom, for your family, for your neighbors, for your church, for the world today, and so much more. The Father is ready to hear and answer your prayers.
Prayer is not a mystery—even though it is sometimes difficult to comprehend. It is a beautiful gift that allows us to speak directly to God. Prayer is a blessing that opens the doors of heaven to our adoration, supplication, praise, and worship. Begin your prayer journey today.
This article contains excerpts from Answers to Questions About Prayer by Dr. David Jeremiah.
