Understanding How to Pray: A Bible Perspective

Prayer is a powerful part of a Christian life. There is no closer way for God to hear us and know what is in our hearts. Prayer is a large part of our relationship with God and brings us even closer to him. Whether you are in desperate need, suffering, or having a normal day, just know that God hears us. He listens to our prayers.

Our view of God is crucial in how we pray. When we start our prayer, saying Lord, Father, etc, we must remember who God is to us. This helps us understand how to pray better. He is a faithful and all-powerful God, ruler over all the universe. What we ask and how we live shapes not only our faith, but our prayers too.

In the Bible, Matthew makes it clear that we should not be like hypocrites. Hypocrites love to pray standing in the synagogues and on street corners to be seen by others, he adds. He advises us to avoid babbling while praying. He continues to say, Pagans think they will be heard because of their many words. Our father knows what we need before we ask him.

 How should we pray then?

Matthew 6:6 says “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.” God desires us to find a quiet, special place. We should be alone in our thoughts with him when we pray.

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

Matthew makes it clear that our heavenly Father will forgive our sins when we ask for forgiveness in prayer. But we must forgive others when they sin against us, too. Our sins will not be forgiven, though, if we do not forgive others. We should not love our neighbor and hate our enemy. We are to pray for those who do us wrong as well.

James 5: 13-20 tells us that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. A prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.

Each week, I write a new list of what I need to be reminded of when I pray. It includes not only my needs but also others’. My list is long, and I don’t want to forget a single thing or person. If you don’t already do so, try making a list to help aid you in your daily prayers.

God uses prayer to help the sinner repent. He heals us according to his will. He also encourages us in times of trouble. God needs to hear our confession.

In Romans 8, it is said that even when we can’t find the words, God understands us. We may not know what to pray for, but God knows the mind of the Spirit within us. Through our wordless groans, the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the Will of God. Even during silent times, God knows our heart. He works for the good of those who love him. They are called according to his purpose.

The word pray/prayer is used on average of 550 times throughout the bible. The words thank and forgive are used a lot in the passages with prayer. That tells me that through prayer, we should make sure we are thankful and forgive ourselves and others.

Ladies and gentlemen, it only takes five minutes to pray a day. Think about the time we waste on other things. Five minutes to talk to God is clearly crucial and it is so important that we say our prayers daily.