What's the Right Way to Pray?

Matthew 6: 5-7 5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Prayer is communication with God. Talking with Almighty God is the greatest privilege you have. God desires a growing relationship with you. Communication is essential for a relationship to develop.

Involve God in every part of your life: every decision and every action. In that sense you should pray without ceasing -- always being in communication with God. However, we need special prayer times focused completely on the Lord. He is worthy of our time and attention -- and we require this time with Him to develop spiritually.

Remember the instruction given in Psalm 100:4, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise." If you seem to run out of words to praise God, use some of the Psalms, or praise and give thanks in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:16-18).

Matthew 6:9-13New International Version (NIV) 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Many use the model prayer our Lord gave in Matthew 6:9-13 as a guideline for their special daily prayer time. Some of the principles taught are: *You are praying to your Father. *First worship and honor God. *Pray that God's will be done before praying about your own or others' needs. *Ask for God's forgiveness and help. *Finish by praising God. During times of prayer many find it helpful as a memory aid to have a prayer list of people and things to pray for. Also, keeping a journal of your prayer requests and answers is beneficial and will bless you tremendously as the years go by.

Always base your prayer on Scripture. Scripture is God's answer. Receiving from God in prayer involves taking His answer (His Word) to Him and receiving your request by faith.

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