How to Pray

Prayer and faith goes hand in hand. One cannot exist without the other. As we wade through the troubled waters of life, it's important to consistently practice building up our faith through study of the Word and diligent prayer. 

How to pray exactly is subjective. There are multiple ways to pray. Some people prefer to pray out loud while others prefer to silently pray. God will hear you either way. 

It's the intent that counts not the position or technique used. There's a prayer quote by Oswald Chambers that goes, "We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties." That is so true. We have to come in faith and belief that our prayers can be answered, that there is a way. Faith is an action word that we activate and empower during prayer.

Lessons on How to Pray

In Matthew 6:8 (NKJV) Jesus speaks on prayer saying, "For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.

In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven, 

Hallowed by Your name.

Your kingdom come. 

Your will be done

On earth as it it 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

This is considered the traditional daily prayer from the New Testament but as Christians we are not limited to only this form of praying. In the Bible we are instructed to constantly pray for others and for ourselves. There are four core types of prayer. They are referred to as adoration, contrition, petition, and intercession.

In prayers of thanksgiving and adoration the focus is on praising God for his mercy, mighty power, and grace. It's also about expressing gratitude. Below is an example from the Bible of adoration:

Revelation 4:11, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” 

Contrition prayers are forgiveness based. They begin and end with the individual asking to be forgiven for their sins or misdeeds and blessed with a new start. Below is an example of a contrition prayer:

 Lord God, in Your goodness have mercy on me: do not look on my sins, but take away all my guilt. Create in me a clean heart and renew within me an upright spirit.

The most common type of these methods are petition prayers. Many of us already practice this form of praying in a general manner. In petition prayers you are simply asking God for whatever your needs are or particular issue that needs to be resolved. Below is an example:
  
Psalm 118:25 "Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. 

Petition prayers can be executed in a formal method by writing them down. Yes, you can write a prayer letter to God. Writing down your petition prayers in a letter is a faith-builder exercise. It serves as a reminder of the power of the Lord. When you review your written requests later, you'll have a stronger faith knowing that your previous petitions have been answered.

Your petition prayer letter should have three main components in it. The letter should start out with humility, humbling yourself to the Lord and giving thanks is essential in beginning your letter. The second part of the letter should be your specific request. And lastly, the letter should end with Thanksgiving and praise.

Intercession praying is when you pray for people you know or for strangers.

Pray can be formal or specific and conversational as well. Below is an excellent video from Pastor Mark Driscoll from the Mars Hill Church Ballard campus in Seattle, Washington on how to pray like a child.