How To Pray?

[Buggyman]

Face it.. we've all had a time when we didn't know how to Pray.
That's a strong statement isn't it. But it's true. even today many Christians are running around not sure they know how to Pray. many have never grew up in a Praying Christian Home and are left clueless in what Prayer is and what purpose it has in our relationship with the Lord. They are the ones who looks down when a meeting is gathered and someone is needed to Open with prayer.. Hoping they are not called to Pray.To me they are missing a Blessing of fullfillment with a relationship with the Lord.
One of my goal here is to post a thread on how to Pray. It's my prayer that we can teach many who don't know how to pray and are embarrass to admitt it.

My goal in this thread is to have Praying members to share with us how they learned to Pray and the Scriptures that helps them with their Prayer Life.I would like for them to share what they believe Prayer is. I would like to compost a list of referance and suggestions on How to Pray and then make it a announcement post.

It is not my intention to have anyone admitt their lack of knowing how to Pray... but rather learn from those who do know who to Pray. So if you do  not know how to Pray.. please don't admitt it here. Just read along and Learn as we did.

So.. without further delay.. Began "How to Pray, How I learned and what the Bible says about it".

Your Brother In Christ.
Buggy

 

[wvmtnkid]

Well, Buggy, I hope what I share below is what you are talking about!

I have taught Sunday school classes from kindergarten to third grade. When I first started teaching 12 years ago, it was very hard for me to pray in public. I got all tongue tied and flustered! But I really wanted to teach the kids how important it was to pray. So I made it a goal that we would always end our class in prayer. I purchased a little angel that I held in my hands as I prayed to use as a signal to the children that it was time to pray. In the process of teaching them, it helped me get over my fear. I wanted them to learn that praying was just talking to God. You didn't have to do it in "King James language" as I called it, but talk to God as if He were sitting in front of you and you are having a conversation with your best friend. I also wanted them to learn that you could talk to God about anything, nothing in our lives was unimportant to God. I asked the kids what they wanted me to pray about. I have prayed for dogs, cats, fish, crabs, grandma's, grandpa's, trips, soccer games, dance recitals, little cousins that drowned, houses that caught on fire, other children that were being mean to them, just whatever the children asked. Sometimes we get in a circle and hold hands and go around the circle and let each child say something. In this process, it helped me realize that I didn't have to use big words and flowery language to talk to God, but I just had to have a sincere heart. God would hear my prayers. This summer, I had a break from teaching and I was able to attend an adult Sunday school class. More often than not, I was the one who was called on to pray. I sure have come a long way (with God's help) since that timid Sunday school teacher that started out 12 years ago!

 

[Gerry]

I have enjoyed watching people in these forums. I have enjoyed watching those who claim to be Atheist and how they conduct themselves. I have likewise enjoyed watching how the one's who say they are Christian conduct themselves.

I have learned a geat deal here. I shall enjoy this thread too. I know I will learn much from this. Thanks so much for posting it.

 

[GraftMeIn]

Wow good thread here! I know for me I can't stand to be the center of attention, or feel as if I'm being placed in a spotlight so to speak.

To me prayer is how we communicate with God. We need to focus on Him instead of on who might be watching us, or what they think. Because when you get right down to it, the only one we need to worry about pleasing is God, and not the others that might be hearing the words we speak to him.

 

[ChristDied4U!]

Nice thread...talking to God is just great! Although, sometimes a lot when I pray I feel as if God isn't even listening to me...or that he doesn't hear me...and well then there are other times when I know that he is listening to me. I like to call it a "praying zone"...you just know he is there. For the times that I feel like I have a bad connection or something I just keep talking to him...because I know he sees all, knows all, and hears all.

Amen

 

[Gerry]

I copied and pasted the words below from a thread Altya started on 17 June. These are her words from then and I thought some my find them of interest here.

Many of the psalms are written in the style of prayer or petition, and are thereby suitable in helping us learn how to pray, and how to express those innermost emotions and needs of which we often lack the words to express ourselves.

THE EXAMPLE OF THE EARLY CHURCH
Notice the prayer of the apostles in Ac 4:24-26
a. Addressing God, they quoted from Ps 146:6.
b. In expressing their problem, they referred to Ps 2:1-2
This prayer was offered as a result of persecution, and they chose to use the Psalms to express their problems to God.

WHAT THESE EXAMPLES TEACH US
1. That it is appropriate on occasion to use phrases from the Psalms in our prayers
2. When we realize that found in the Psalms are man's deepest emotions expressed in inspired terms, it is only natural that we would want to use them to express our own feelings
3. Of course, we want to avoid the danger of "vain repetition" (Mt 6:7), so we should use expressions from the Psalms only when truly heart-felt

BEAR IN MIND THE PROPER FORMAT OF PRAYER AS TAUGHT BY JESUS IN
MT 6:9-13...
1. Addressing the Father (9)
2. Praying for God's purposes (10)
3. Praying for our material needs (11)
4. Praying for our spiritual needs (12-13a)
5. Concluding praise (13b)

 

[Buggyman]

Excellent responses so far.. Keep them coming in.

So we know there are difference way people pray and how they they came to Learn How to Pray. There is a PROPER FORMAT OF PRAYER (more on that in a Little bit.)
Ok .. let add something here... Do any of you believe there are two kinds of prayers? I had mentioned this in another thread.and I really believe it. It has helped me with my own Prayer Life.

So does anybody know what I believe are two kinds of Prayers? and if you do.. what are there differences?

Don't be shy.. jump in and help others learn a very personal relationship with the Lord.


Buggy

 

[Gunny]

The following books have been beneficial to me regarding the subject of prayer:

1. E.M. Bounds on prayer

2. The Weapon of Prayer - E.M.Bounds

3. The Meaning of Prayer - Harry Emerson Fosdick

4. Too Busy Not to Pray - Bill Hybels

5. The Secret of Believing Prayer- Andrew Murray

6. The Power In Prayer - Charles Spurgeon

7. Praying Successfully - Charles Spurgeon

8. How To Pray- R.A. Torrey

9. The Puritans on Prayer - (John Preston on The Saint's Daily Exercise, Nathaniel Vincent on The Spirit of Prayer, Samuel Lee on Secret Prayer)


The guide for prayer that has helped me the most is the Lord's/Disciples Prayer from scripture:

LUKE 11:1
1 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

LUKE 11:2
2 And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

LUKE 11:3
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.

LUKE 11:4
4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.


This prayer is a framework for all my prayers.

 

[stephen1964]

Wow, what a great thread! I have often struggled with how to pray (mostly opting for silent prayer throughout the day). Being Episcopalian, I'm not used to being too demonstrative or loud. WVMTNKID, I loved your post. Being a father of two young boys, I am always looking for a good way to introduce them to prayer (besides our table grace).

 

[wvmtnkid]

Thanks Stephen1964! I am always looking for ways to also introduce kids to prayer too and help them feel comfortable with it. Something else we have done is this. Right after 9/11 last year, the other person I teach with came up with this and I think it was very effective. When it came time for our prayer time, we all got in a circle. She gave a piece of candy to each child that they liked. She asked the kids to think of something this week that was pleasant and made them happy. She then passed out a piece of sour candy and asked the kids to share something that had happened that week that was unpleasant. Then she passed out a piece of chocolate and asked the kids to remember a dark time or something that had made them sad. Then to close, she passed out another piece of sweet, good candy to show God's love is good and that He will be there to help us through the sour and dark times. Of course, the children loved the candy, but I think they also got the point of the lesson too. It was also a good reminder for the adults as well!

A lot of times when I am at a loss for what to say, I turn to the Psalms. They cover just about every human emotion and can sometimes say exactly what I am feeling. They have also taught me you can express all of your emotions to God: anger, hurt, joy, happiness. He wants it all!

 

[GraftMeIn]

Buggyman,
I would think there's even more than two types of prayers, depending on what you're considering as being a type of prayer. But If I had to point to two different types I would say there are prayers we say ourselves, and prayers that are given to us by the Holy Spirit to pray.

 

[stephen1964]

Yes, the Psalms are a great blessing. I read one or two every day when I get to work. I especially like Psalm 100 (being a struggling musician).

Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing.

 

[Buggyman]

Excellent Points so far.. Man I'm really learning even more.
You make a valid point GraftMeIn. The Two that I was refering to is Praying in Private and Praying in Public.

Praying in Private is where you go to a quiet privat place and pour your heart out to the Lord. God knows your heart and he want YOU to tell him yourself your innermost thoughts. This is where you build a one on one relationship with him.

Praying in the Public.. This is where you may do intecessory prayer on someone's behalf. My Public prayer is the Prayer Warrior List I carry in my sig file. I do this to bring a need to others attention. but we need to be reminded that some people perfer their concerns not be made public. I call these "Unspoken" request. again.. God Knows all so all we need to do is List that person up to the Lord.

Now back to the OP,


Do we need fancy or special words to use in Praying?
One thing A Praying Man told me years ago. Satan likes to think of himself as God himself or a Lord. So when we Pray we should make sure we say "Heavenly Father" or To the Father of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

I myself like to open with "Our Gracious Heaven Father" to make no mistake about who I sending this Prayer to. Once I say that.. then I may use Lord or God without concern who I'm prayig to because I've estabish who My God is.

Buggy

 

[stephen1964]

I remember going to a workshop at our church about prayer where we examined the four basic types of prayer: petition, praise, intercession on behalf of others and confession. I like your prayer banner Buggyman; I have just started carrying around a prayer list for my intercessory prayers. Sometimes it's hard to remember everyone I know who need my prayers.

 

[Gerry]

Well, when I pray, I can assure you there is no doubt in the Mind of God, or the mind of satan. or MY MIND, Who I am praying to! So when I say Father, THAT says it all. satan is certainly NOT my father and we all know it.

Originally posted by Buggyman
Excellent Points so far.. Man I'm really learning even more.
You make a valid point GraftMeIn. The Two that I was refering to is Praying in Private and Praying in Public.

Praying in Private is where you go to a quiet privat place and pour your heart out to the Lord. God knows your heart and he want YOU to tell him yourself your innermost thoughts. This is where you build a one on one relationship with him.

Praying in the Public.. This is where you may do intecessory prayer on someone's behalf. My Public prayer is the Prayer Warrior List I carry in my sig file. I do this to bring a need to others attention. but we need to be reminded that some people perfer their concerns not be made public. I call these "Unspoken" request. again.. God Knows all so all we need to do is List that person up to the Lord.

Now back to the OP,


Do we need fancy or special words to use in Praying?
One thing A Praying Man told me years ago. Satan likes to think of himself as God himself or a Lord. So when we Pray we should make sure we say "Heavenly Father" or To the Father of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

I myself like to open with "Our Gracious Heaven Father" to make no mistake about who I sending this Prayer to. Once I say that.. then I may use Lord or God without concern who I'm prayig to because I've estabish who My God is.

Buggy

 

[Buggyman]

Originally posted by Gerry
Well, when I pray, I can assure you there is no doubt in the Mind of God, or the mind of satan. or MY MIND, Who I am praying to! So when I say Father, THAT says it all. satan is certainly NOT my father and we all know it.

And I certainly Hope that I'm not inplying other wise Gerry. I was merly pointing out that what a gentleman told me and what MY way of opening up a Prayer is. I believe in making a statment of who My God is to any listening minds that may hear my Prayers. Do you follow me now?

Thanks for pointing that out.

Buggy

 

[GraftMeIn]

No fancy words are needed, God already knows what we're going to ask before we even ask it. He also knows our hearts and also knows that it is He who we are praying to.

I start my prayers in many ways..
If I say Lord he already knows that He is my only Lord.
If I start with Heavenly Father He already knows that He's my Father.

The number one important thing about prayer isn't what words we say, or in what order we say them, but that it comes from the heart.

If we pray in public we need to make sure we aren't doing it just for show, or to draw attention to ourselves, it needs to come from the heart.

 

[Buggyman]

Thank You Jesus.. this is great!

I've been told that when Praying that you should do the following.

1) Identify his Greatness
2) Give Praises to him for who he is
3) share with him your concerns..
4) ask him to take care of those concerns
5) acknowlege that his will will be done
6) Thank him for what he will do
6) acknowlege Jesus as his son.


Any comments on that?
You people really impress me and I thank you for that.

Buggy

 

[Gerry]

Don't be condescending. It is not becoming of a Christian. I am older than you and have been a born again Christian for 30 years. You may open and close your prayer in any way you choose, as far as I am concerned. I am simply stating that when I pray it is clear for anyone listening Who MY God is.

I apologize for my post. Please continue your lesson without interference.

Originally posted by Buggyman
And I certainly Hope that I'm not inplying other wise Gerry. I was merly pointing out that what a gentleman told me and what MY way of opening up a Prayer is. I believe in making a statment of who My God is to any listening minds that may hear my Prayers. Do you follow me now?

Thanks for pointing that out.

Buggy

 

[Gerry]

Amen! It is the Word of God that is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, and not any man.

Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

Originally posted by GraftMeIn
No fancy words are needed, God already knows what we're going to ask before we even ask it. He also knows our hearts and also knows that it is He who we are praying to.

I start my prayers in many ways..
If I say Lord he already knows that He is my only Lord.
If I start with Heavenly Father He already knows that He's my Father.

The number one important thing about prayer isn't what words we say, or in what order we say them, but that it comes from the heart.

If we pray in public we need to make sure we aren't doing it just for show, or to draw attention to ourselves, it needs to come from the heart.