The Bible provides guidance on the proper way to pray, emphasizing sincerity, faith, humility, and alignment with God’s will. Prayer is a central part of a believer’s relationship with God, allowing for worship, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Jesus and other biblical figures modeled effective prayer that believers can follow.
1. Pray with Sincerity
Prayer should come from the heart, not for show or empty ritual.
- Matthew 6:5-6 (NIV):
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 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.”
2. Pray in Faith
Faith is essential for effective prayer. Believers should trust in God’s power and goodness.
- Mark 11:24 (NIV):
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” - James 1:6-7 (NIV):
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
3. Pray in Alignment with God’s Will
Effective prayer seeks God’s will above personal desires.
- 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV):
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” - Matthew 6:10 (NIV):
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
4. Pray with Humility
Approach God with a humble and repentant heart.
- Luke 18:13-14 (NIV):
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
5. Pray with Thanksgiving
Prayer should include gratitude for God’s blessings.
- Philippians 4:6 (NIV):
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” - Colossians 4:2 (NIV):
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
6. Pray Persistently
Persistence in prayer demonstrates faith and trust in God’s timing.
- Luke 18:1 (NIV):
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV):
“Pray continually.”
7. Pray in the Name of Jesus
Jesus taught that prayers should be made in His name, acknowledging His role as mediator.
- John 14:13-14 (NIV):
“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
8. Use the Model Prayer (The Lord’s Prayer)
Jesus gave a specific model for prayer that emphasizes worship, dependence on God, confession, and deliverance.
- Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV):
“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.’”
9. Pray in the Spirit
The Holy Spirit helps believers pray effectively, even when they do not know what to say.
- Romans 8:26-27 (NIV):
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
10. Pray for Others
Prayer should include intercession for others, including family, friends, and even enemies.
- 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV):
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” - Matthew 5:44 (NIV):
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Practical Steps to Proper Prayer
- Start with Worship
- Acknowledge God’s greatness and holiness.
- Psalm 100:4 (NIV):
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
- Confess Sin
- Ask for forgiveness and seek a pure heart.
- 1 John 1:9 (NIV):
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- Present Your Requests
- Share your needs and desires with God.
- Matthew 7:7 (NIV):
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
- Listen and Be Still
- Prayer is a two-way conversation; take time to listen for God’s guidance.
- Psalm 46:10 (NIV):
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Conclusion
The proper way to pray involves sincerity, faith, humility, persistence, and alignment with God’s will. Prayer is a vital part of the believer’s relationship with God and should include worship, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. By following the biblical principles and the example of Jesus, believers can experience meaningful and effective prayer.
- James 5:16 (NIV):
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”