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How To Pray

 

God tells us how to pray. We are to pray with the spirit, in the Spirit and in the Holy Ghost.

Praying with the spirit, in the Spirit and in the Holy Ghost is mentioned three times in Scripture:

1 Corinthians 14:15: What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

Ephesians 6:18: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Jude 20: But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

The Greek word translated "pray in" means "with the help of," "in the sphere of," and "in connection to." Praying in the Spirit does not refer to the words we are saying. It does refer to how we are praying. Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is praying for whatever the Holy Spirit leads us to pray for.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26

The Holy Spirit helps us pray and teaches us to pray.

Praying in the Spirit is praying in the power of the Holy Spirit, by the leading of the Holy Spirit according to His will.

Prayer is communicating with God. It takes different forms, but basically it occurs when man talks with God and God talks with man.

Prayer is not just talking to God, but it involves listening also. Prayer is two-way communication. As you are praying, expect God to speak to you. Most often He will do this through His written Word, the King James Bible, or by a "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:11-13). Sometimes God will give you a vision or interpret back to your spirit what you have prayed.

Don't just rush in, make all your requests to God and then end your prayer. Take your time, wait for Him to give scriptures to you. He will give answers to your questions, guidance for the day ahead, and help you order your priorities. Sometimes, He will give you a scripture of encouragement to share with someone you are praying for.

The Bible reveals that prayer is answered at times:

Immediately: Isaiah 65:24; Daniel 9:21-23

Delayed: Luke 18:7

Different: II Corinthians 12:8-9

Beyond our expectations: Jeremiah 33:3; Ephesians 3:20

Jesus made prayer a priority in all aspects of His Life. Prayer should be as important to us as it was to the Lord Jesus. Jesus is our greatest model of intercessory prayer.

Prayer was a priority in the Life of Jesus:

-He prayed any time of the day or night: Luke 6:12-13

-Prayer took priority over eating: John 4:31-32

-Prayer took priority over business: John 4:31-32

-He taught prayer to his disciples: Matthew 6:9-13

Any Event of Importance was accompanied by Prayer in the Life of Jesus:

-At His baptism: Luke 3:21-22

-During the first ministry tour: Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16

-Before the choice of the disciples: Luke 6:12-13

-Before/after feeding the 5,000: Matthew 14:19,23; Mark 6:41,46; John 6:11,14-15

-At the feeding of the 4,000: Matthew 15:36; Mark 8:6,7

-Before the confession of Peter: Luke 9:20

-Before the transfiguration: Luke 9:28,29

-At the return of the seventy: Matthew 11:25; Luke 10:21

-At the grave of Lazarus: John 11:41-42

-At the blessing of the children: Matthew 19:13

-At the coming of certain Greeks: John 12:27-28

-For Peter: Luke 22:32

-For the giving of the Holy Spirit: John 14:16

-On the road to Emmaus: Luke 24:30-31

-Prior to His ascension: Luke 24:50-53

-For His followers: John 17

-Before His greatest trial: Matthew 26:26-27; Mark 14:22-23; Luke 22:17-19

There are levels of prayer:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

There are three levels of intensity in prayer: Asking, seeking, and knocking:

Asking: is the first level of prayer. It is simply presenting a request to God and receiving an immediate answer. Seeking is a deeper level of prayer. This is the level of prayer where answers are not as immediate as at the asking level. Knocking is a deeper level. It is prayer that is persistent when answers are longer in coming.

Worship and praise: worship is the giving of honor and devotion. Praise is thanksgiving and an expression of gratitude not only for what God has done but for who He is.

Commitment: prayer committing your life and will to God. It includes prayers of consecration and dedication to God, His work, and His purposes.

Petition: requests made at the levels of asking, seeking, or knocking. Supplication is another word for this type of prayer.

Confession and repentance: confession is repenting and asking forgiveness for sin.

Intercession: pleads in prayer on behalf of another person.

To learn & study all the prayers in the Bible, click on the link below, it is a free downloadable pdf file.

All The Prayers Of The Bible by Herbert Lockyer
http://www.gospelpedlar.com/articles/Christian%20Life/Prayer.pdf

 

 

 

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