Do prayers have to be said/thought?

Mark Noo · Nov 9, 2017

I am working on a prayer because I am stymied in my growth. I am following the ACTS format. I have tried to support everything with scripture. For instance, the A in ACTS is Adoration, so I used portions of 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 for my adoration in the prayer.

11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

That is what I mean when I say scriptural support. I have tried to give use God's words to say why I think the request should be granted.

Normally I pray inside my head and only occasionally give voice to my prayers. (like in church, at meals, or if other people need to be involved) But mostly I just think the prayer.

It is a long prayer, should I read it out loud for God, or since He has helped me with the research and he already knows should I just finish the paper and call it good.

It has taken me all day to do the research and check that no scripture is taken out of context or otherwise abused. I asked for the Spirit to help me with all of this so I wouldn't make any mistakes. Anyway, how do I deliver the final product to our Master?

Grace2022 · Nov 9, 2017

Mark Noo said:
I am working on a prayer because I am stymied in my growth. I am following the ACTS format. I have tried to support everything with scripture. For instance, the A in ACTS is Adoration, so I used portions of 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 for my adoration in the prayer.

11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

That is what I mean when I say scriptural support. I have tried to give use God's words to say why I think the request should be granted.

Normally I pray inside my head and only occasionally give voice to my prayers. (like in church, at meals, or if other people need to be involved) But mostly I just think the prayer.

It is a long prayer, should I read it out loud for God, or since He has helped me with the research and he already knows should I just finish the paper and call it good.

It has taken me all day to do the research and check that no scripture is taken out of context or otherwise abused. I asked for the Spirit to help me with all of this so I wouldn't make any mistakes. Anyway, how do I deliver the final product to our Master?

Hi
just talk to God, from your heart. He already knows what you need. As you pray sincerely, the Holy Spirit helps you to communicate with God.
I pray in every way, aloud when alone, in my head when in company. Tell God what you need, praise Him for all his mercy on you. Thank Him. Then rest in faith.
Of course it is vital and so enriching to read the Bible, especially Psalms. I personally love reading hymns, they express beautifully what I need to say.
Prayer is a dialogue between you and God, it absolutely does not need to be perfect, we are flawed and full of sin, to pray is to humbly throw ourselves on Gods mercy. He always listens.

Tolworth John · Nov 9, 2017

Mark Noo said:
I am working on a prayer because I am stymied in my growth

Mark Noo said:
Normally I pray inside my head and only occasionally give voice to my prayers. (like in church, at meals, or if other people need to be involved) But mostly I just think the prayer.

Like training for a marathon, the important thing is to train.
In the same way it is important to pray.
What are you praying about?
Who are you praying for?
Why are you praying?

God wants us to communicate with him, he isn't worried about whether our gramer is correct or theologically correct.

He wants us to pray as intelligently and as passionatly as we can.

may I suggest using a set of bible reading notes that also give pointers for praying about. Taking your churches notices sheet and praying about church meetings, for those known to be sick or having problems.
Enroling in your churches missionary society so you get regular updates to pray about missionaries and their situations.

Spiritual growth happens when one exercises ones spirituality.

brinny · Nov 9, 2017

There is no "formula" to prayer. Prayer is heart-communication with God. As mentioned earlier in this thread, Psalms is a wunnerful book to read, especially to get a sense of David's prayers to God, and his love and adoration for God. He poured his heart out to God. This is perhaps why God called David a man after His own heart, and the "apple of His eye". David sought God's face when he prayed. This delights God, and perhaps is why God delighted in David.

Praying for you.

“When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” ~Psalm 27:8

brinny · Nov 9, 2017

In addition, here is a quote that is rather precious in it's breaking down what prayer to a God Who infinitely loves us, is. Our God DELIGHTS in us and rejoices over us with singing. HIS joy is our strength. How can we not pour out our hearts before Him, like David did?

Praying for you, brother.

“Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one's heart, it's pleasures, and it's pains, to a dear friend.

Tell him your troubles, that he may comfort you; tell him your joys, that he may sober them; tell him your longings, that he may purify them; tell him your dislikes, that he may help you conquer them; talk to him of your temptations, that he may shield you from them; show him the wounds of your heart, that he may heal them; lay bare your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell him how self-love makes you unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and others.

If you thus pour out your weaknesses, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want for subject of conversation. They do not weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back, neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of their heart, without consideration they say just what they think. Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intimacy with God.” ~Francois Fene'lon

Pilgrim · Nov 9, 2017

Welcome to Christian Forums, Mark. I'm praying for you.

O LORD, teach us about prayer: in your Word, and through your Holy Spirit. Make prayer the center of our lives and our lifeline to God. Father, we glorify your name. In the power of the Holy Spirit, God's will be done. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Luke 11:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:17

lettuce · Nov 9, 2017

Mark Noo said:
I am working on a prayer because I am stymied in my growth.

Mark Noo said:
I have tried to give use God's words to say why I think the request should be granted.

Mark Noo said:
Anyway, how do I deliver the final product to our Master?

Prayer is for you and you pray with faith and if you want to read aloud what you have written, do so and if you want to just finish what you have written and all is good, so be it. There is no formula to follow when it comes to prayer for prayer is open communication between you and the Father. Interesting to note in Luke 11 that when the prayer is over, Jesus has lots to say, Luke 11:5-13 such as you are in bed with the Father and not the pest at the door and pay special attention to Luke 11:9-10, you are not a begger, you are a seeker.

Galatians 4:6-7, Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Matthew 6:33, But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Greg Merrill · Nov 9, 2017

Mark Noo said:
I am working on a prayer because I am stymied in my growth. I am following the ACTS format. I have tried to support everything with scripture. For instance, the A in ACTS is Adoration, so I used portions of 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 for my adoration in the prayer.

11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. 12 Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.

That is what I mean when I say scriptural support. I have tried to give use God's words to say why I think the request should be granted.

Normally I pray inside my head and only occasionally give voice to my prayers. (like in church, at meals, or if other people need to be involved) But mostly I just think the prayer.

It is a long prayer, should I read it out loud for God, or since He has helped me with the research and he already knows should I just finish the paper and call it good.

It has taken me all day to do the research and check that no scripture is taken out of context or otherwise abused. I asked for the Spirit to help me with all of this so I wouldn't make any mistakes. Anyway, how do I deliver the final product to our Master?

Father, help this one to know that various people pray in various good ways. May You direct this one to pray from their heart, or to write it down, or other things, or a combination of these things. Let them experiment with You in these things, and seek Your peace of approval on what You would have for them. Amen.

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Do prayers have to be said/thought?

Mark Noo

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Grace2022

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Tolworth John

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brinny

everlovin' shiner of light in dark places

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brinny

everlovin' shiner of light in dark places

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Pilgrim

Praying without ceasing

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lettuce

Active Member

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Greg Merrill

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