Effective Prayers 6 Verses.
WE MUST APPROACH GOD LIKE AN INNOCENT CHILD
BE INNOCENT AND TRUSTING WHEN PRAYING
There is no other way to come before God. Laying pride and arrogance aside, seeking the comfort of His presence while we offer praise and worship coupled with our sincerest concerns and desires for our daily living and seeking His will. We should speak to our Father, God with confidence and hope. This is for us and about Him. Christ is there with God as our priest. It is how we become effective in our prayer lives.
Here is a once popular prayer written in 1698 by George Wheeler. This is one of several versions. It is a child’s prayer.
“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.”
Matthew 18:1-5 “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “So who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? He called a little child and had him stand among them. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child - this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name welcomes me.” Wouldn’t you agree we should take heed; “Now I lay me down to sleep … “
Effective Prayer Availeth Much
Effective prayer starts with a belief that God and Christ are real. From our place in existence, the world we know, everything must start and end with prayer. We should pray for every reason; here are a few to consider:
Because nothing genuine and lasting for God is done without it.
Because only through prayer and the Holy Spirit can believers become pure, committed, usable vessels for God.
Because the fires of evangelism have gone out in many churches as is foretold in Revelation.
Because this land, engulfed in humanism, immorality, superficial religion and unbelief needs revival. Revival starts with you and begins with prayer.
Because of the untold millions of people who need to be saved.
In 1 Samuel the prophet speaks to the people of Israel. 1 Samuel 12:23 “As for me I vow that I will not sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you. I will teach you the good and right way.” Israel was seeking his help to recover from their latest sins. Samuel lets us know that failing to pray is sinful.
Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul told us that we should pray always (Luke 18:1; 1 Tim 2;1). The nature of prayer is our talking directly with God. It becomes one of the foundations of a successful Christian life. God pursues us and seeks that proper fellowship that we also seek.
6 Points On How Jesus Taught Us How to Pray
Christ became the author of the format for prayer as he taught His disciples how to pray in Matthew 5:9-14 “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven hollowed by thy name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen”
Christ addressed six points in his instructions. Every prayer can use this approach. Regardless of whether you “know” what to say or are uncomfortable approaching God, use this approach to get started. Even if all you do is use the Lord’s Prayer you cannot fail. Follow Jesus’ example on how to offer your prayers effectively.
Tell God who he is and what he means to us…
Praise God for the ways that he blesses our lives, both big and small…
Give up your desire to control your life and allow Him to deal with situations for you …
Share specific requests of God for ourselves and others…
Acknowledge and confess our sins, and commit to living differently…
Prepare our hearts for battle against the accuser and the ways he will try to get us to return to sin…
There are no restrictions on time here. Review John 17:1-24 wherein Christ prays for himself, the disciples and us the church. He touched on every step shown above. It took 24 verses.
Take advantage of this teaching by our Lord and Savior. Prayers can be long or short, whatever length works. Use the example provided and see how your prayer life changes.
Did you know that any position is correct for prayer? There are examples of prayer standing up, sitting down, on your knees and lying down in scripture. It is about talking with God. Physical, and health issues as well as circumstances should not be a hindrance to spending time with God or his Son.
7 Considerations for Effective Prayer
“Prayer is a sincere, a sensible affectionate outpouring of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to the Word of God, for the good of the church with submission to the will of God.” John Bunyan
Open your heart and be yourself. No fancy words needed, nothing memorized, just talk with God. Share your hopes and concerns, let Him know of your fears and struggles. Be sincere, be your yourself!
Be practical. Do not ask for every whim or fantasy. Align your petitions for yourself and others with God’s will for your life and true needs.
Through prayer develop your relationship with God. He equips and enables us as with an inner source, the Holy spirit.
Lean in on the Holy Spirit in your prayer time. Call on His strength and assistance to find the right words and the right prayers. The Holy Spirit prays for you constantly. He will support you in your prayer life.
Study Scripture: know the promises of God. What gifts does He offer you as a believer? Refer to God’s words and ask for the strength to remain in God’s will as you go about your day.
Focus on God’s will for you and others. Praying through the lens of God’s will can run counter to your fleshly desires. Nevertheless, this is the proper approach to being in God’s care.
Prayer is not a shopping list. It is primarily about entering into a meaningful relationship with the Creator. It serves faith building, becoming a partner with God for your life. This becomes you developing a receptive heart; willing to submit to God’s plan for you as an individual.
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Psalm 5:3 “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer to thee and will look up.”
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Psalm 64:1-3 “Hear my cry, O God: attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.”
Prayer Point: Develop a Devotional Life
Psalm 145:1-2 “I exalt you, my God the King, and bless your name forever and ever. I will bless your name everyday; I will praise your name forever and forever.” CSB
Habits dictate how we live. If something you wish to do is not a habit it will fade away after some time. Therefore, one must make a Devotional Life into a habit; it just doesn’t happen just because are a believer. You have to concentrate, you must commit. It takes an investment of your time and effort to praise and worship God. Our initial zeal and ferver often just fall away. How may we consistently pray? The following suggestions will help what you desire to do become a habit.
:: Begin by praying that God, via the Holy Spirit, will continue to draw you nearer to him.
:: Study the devotional life of Christ: Matt 1423-24; Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12; John 6:15 … you will find that Christ habitually sought to speak with God the Father.
:: Make your devotional life private: Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door and pray to the Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret reward you.” This is to be your private time with God.
:: Choose the best time of day: Mark 1:35; Ps 5:3 and 88:13 … make it fit your schedule. No free time? Then get up early or stay up later … it is that important. Pray driving to work if you must!
:: Gather together your Bible and any study helps you need like “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers or have a study Bible. It can inspire your prayers and intentions.
:: Formulate a plan; when, where, to pray, study. Something as simple reading five verses of scripture a day preceded by prayer is a wonderful place to start.
To know God you must be with Him alone in conversation daily! Use the Lord’s Prayer to get started.
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The end of it is this:
“The instruction of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul, the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold - than honey dripping from the comb.” Psalms 19:7-10 Maranatha Lord!
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