Having trouble praying?

[k.eliza91]

So, I've been having trouble figuring out how to pray. I never was good at it and now that I've been trying to get my life centered around God I've been reading the Bible and other christian literature to help my path.
I've heard different things saying 1) To go to God in prayer for everything. And 2) To pray daily...and the thing that's really confusing me though, is I have heard to trust God and give your thoughts/struggles/ect over to Him for Him to take care of.
So, I am not sure if we are suppose to pray for everything, or pray once and trust him to take care of it and not think about it again?

I'm sorry if this doesn't make since. Thanks in advance.

 

[bcmom]

Hi,
I'm a veteran Christian, I've been a Christian for 23 years. I know this forum is for new Christians but I felt compelled to answer your post. I don't claim to have all the answers, I just wish to share my experience with you, if I may.
I think BOTH are partially correct: to go God for everything and have quiet time of devotional prayer every day.
When I think of praying, I consider the verse:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
King James Version says:
16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
NIV says:
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Pray continually, pray without ceasing: to me that means to pray to God as a close confidant. I pray to God while I'm doing my housework. I tell God about my hopes and dreams, my disappointments and my heartaches. As soon as an something good or bad happens, I pray to God. He already knows this because He's the Almighty but it brings ME closer to Him to share my life with Him - just as it does to share your life with a friend or loved one - I also try to set aside time every day for daily devotion, to pray to God with devotion.
I pray this helped.
God Bless You

 

[k.eliza91]

Thanks, that did help alot.
I try daily to thank Him for the stuff in my life, that I do know about and for the stuff I don't know and take for granted. I try talking to Him about my life and everything. And I know that I need to come to Him for the things I need, but I don't know if I'm suppose to pray for the things I need daily, or ask him and trust that it will be here. I already trust that He will provide for me, but do I need to actually pray for it everyday?

 

[St_Worm2]

So, I've been having trouble figuring out how to pray. I never was good at it and now that I've been trying to get my life centered around God I've been reading the Bible and other christian literature to help my path.
I've heard different things saying 1) To go to God in prayer for everything. And 2) To pray daily...and the thing that's really confusing me though, is I have heard to trust God and give your thoughts/struggles/ect over to Him for Him to take care of.
So, I am not sure if we are suppose to pray for everything, or pray once and trust him to take care of it and not think about it again?

I'm sorry if this doesn't make since. Thanks in advance.

Hi Eliza, this may seem a little legalistic, but you might try following a "pattern" when you pray. This is especially important when you have intentionally set aside time for prayer (or even when you haven't but suddenly find yourself so engaged). It helps keep me focused and is a constant reminder of what/Who is most important as I pray.

The particular pattern I follow uses the acrostic A. C. T. S. This stands for:

A = Adoration
C = Confession
T = Thanksgiving
S = Supplication
​

The Billy Graham Crusade does a good job of explaining how to pray and it involves the use of the pattern I just mentioned, so I will include that here for you to read and carefully consider. They write:

There is no formula to prayer—it is simply conversing with God. It is essentially talking with God as you would talk with an earthly parent who loves you and wants the best for you. God is your heavenly Father who loves you perfectly.

The ACTS model will be helpful to you as you learn how to pray. ACTS stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

• Adoration means worship. We encourage you to begin your time of prayer by adoring and praising God. Praise Him for who He is and for all that He has done for you. God delights in your praises!

• Confession, the next component, means agreeing with God about the things that you have done wrong. It’s a time to express sorrow about what you have said, thought, or done that is not pleasing to Him. Ask God to forgive you for these things, and then believe that He does so freely. When you confess your sins, you receive God’s cleansing and this helps to remove any barrier in your communication with Him (read 1 John 1:9).

• Thanksgiving basically means being thankful to God. Thank Him for His love, protection, and provision just to name a few things.

• Supplication is the final component, and this means praying for your needs and for the needs of others, such as friends, family, your pastor, missionaries, government leaders, and persecuted Christians around the world. You may want to pray for such things as God’s guidance, wisdom, and opportunities to serve.
​

Keep in mind that the ACTS model serves as a guide to help you, not a rigid formula to follow. There is no “canned” approach that you need to take; just talk from your heart. There are additional steps that will help. Set aside a specific time to pray each day.

Pick a quiet place where you can be alone with God. You will also find a special blessing if you begin your time by reading the Bible. Select a passage to read (download a Bible reading plan if you'd like) and spend some time thinking about it deeply. Reflect on what God is impressing on your heart to you through the passage (and then talk to Him about it).

Ask God to help you apply what you are learning. God wants you to share your heart with Him, and He wants to share His heart with you—this can take place anytime, day or night!
​

One last thing I'd like to add, don't forget to pray as you are reading along in your Bible or studying it, IOW, whenever you feel led to do so, or whenever you simply want to do so .. It seems clear that God is interested in having a real relationship with us, and what better way to have a relationship with Him than to listen to what He has to say to you (in the Bible) and then respond back to Him just like you would if you were talking with Him face to face.

Scripture Memorization is also VERY helpful in growing in Christlikeness and in your walk with Him and I can tell you how to begin going about it, but that's for another conversation and only if it's one you really want to have ..

God bless! Numbers 6:24-26

--David

 

[1watchman]

Praying is essentially a conversation with God. One should speak to Him in reverence and humility, and talk to Him, confessing your failures.

1) If one is not a true "born again" believer in Jesus Christ, one should be asking our Creator-God to lead and teach one --first reading John 1; John 3; John 14 to see God's "...great salvation" in His beloved Son;

2) If one is devoted to Jesus Christ and trusting Him, then one can ask the Father in Jesus' Name about anything that concerns one (note John 9:31);

3) A real believer in God can talk to Him as a Father and give praise and thanksgiving for saving one, and can ask about any need. One has said: God only answers YES, NO, Wait; so a believer should discern what God is saying; also, the saints should pray as the Lord Jesus did: "...nevertheless, not My will, but Thy will be done".

 

[graceandpeace]

So, I've been having trouble figuring out how to pray. I never was good at it and now that I've been trying to get my life centered around God I've been reading the Bible and other christian literature to help my path.
I've heard different things saying 1) To go to God in prayer for everything. And 2) To pray daily...and the thing that's really confusing me though, is I have heard to trust God and give your thoughts/struggles/ect over to Him for Him to take care of.
So, I am not sure if we are suppose to pray for everything, or pray once and trust him to take care of it and not think about it again?

I'm sorry if this doesn't make since. Thanks in advance.

I regularly pray the Lord's Prayer & the Jesus Prayer.

 

[bcmom]

Thanks, that did help alot.
I try daily to thank Him for the stuff in my life, that I do know about and for the stuff I don't know and take for granted. I try talking to Him about my life and everything. And I know that I need to come to Him for the things I need, but I don't know if I'm suppose to pray for the things I need daily, or ask him and trust that it will be here. I already trust that He will provide for me, but do I need to actually pray for it everyday?

Jesus' teaching on Prayer:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+11:1-11&version=NIV

and

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6:5-13&version=NIV


From this, I draw the conclusion that God already knows what we need before we ask for it. So, unless God calls us to pray for something every day, no we don't need to ask for it daily. If God is calling you to pray for everything every day then you should - just be sure it's God that's asking you to and not man, or woman.
I'm reading the Old Testament right now and one thing I've noticed is that people such Abraham and Moses had a time when they walked and talked with God and they had a time of worship and prayer before God, a time of devotion. I think that's an example of how we are supposed to pray to God. Maybe I'm wrong but I think we over-think it. Does that make sense?
God Bless

 

[bcmom]

Hi Eliza, this may seem a little legalist, but you might try following a "pattern" when you pray. This is especially important when you have intentionally set aside time for prayer (or even when you haven't but suddenly find yourself so engaged). It helps keep me focused and is a constant reminder of what/Who is most important as I pray.

The particular pattern I follow uses the acrostic A. C. T. S. This stands for:

A = Adoration
C = Confession
T = Thanksgiving
S = Supplication​

The Billy Graham Crusade does a good job of explaining how to pray and it involves the use of the pattern I just mentioned, so I will include that here for you to read and carefully consider. They write:

There is no formula to prayer—it is simply conversing with God. It is essentially talking with God as you would talk with an earthly parent who loves you and wants the best for you. God is your heavenly Father who loves you perfectly.

The ACTS model will be helpful to you as you learn how to pray. ACTS stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

• Adoration means worship. We encourage you to begin your time of prayer by adoring and praising God. Praise Him for who He is and for all that He has done for you. God delights in your praises!

• Confession, the next component, means agreeing with God about the things that you have done wrong. It’s a time to express sorrow about what you have said, thought, or done that is not pleasing to Him. Ask God to forgive you for these things, and then believe that He does so freely. When you confess your sins, you receive God’s cleansing and this helps to remove any barrier in your communication with Him (read 1 John 1:9).

• Thanksgiving basically means being thankful to God. Thank Him for His love, protection, and provision just to name a few things.

• Supplication is the final component, and this means praying for your needs and for the needs of others, such as friends, family, your pastor, missionaries, government leaders, and persecuted Christians around the world. You may want to pray for such things as God’s guidance, wisdom, and opportunities to serve.​

Keep in mind that the ACTS model serves as a guide to help you, not a rigid formula to follow. There is no “canned” approach that you need to take; just talk from your heart. There are additional steps that will help. Set aside a specific time to pray each day.

Pick a quiet place where you can be alone with God. You will also find a special blessing if you begin your time by reading the Bible. Select a passage to read (download a Bible reading plan if you'd like) and spend some time thinking about it deeply. Reflect on what God is impressing on your heart to you through the passage (and then talk to Him about it).

Ask God to help you apply what you are learning. God wants you to share your heart with Him, and He wants to share His heart with you—this can take place anytime, day or night!​

One last thing I'd like to add, don't forget to pray as you are reading along in your Bible or studying it, IOW, whenever you feel led to do so, or whenever you simply want to do so .. It seems clear that God is interested in having a real relationship with us, and what better way to have a relationship with Him than to listen to what He has to say to you (in the Bible) and then respond back to Him just like you would if you were talking with Him face to face.

Scripture Memorization is also VERY helpful in growing in Christlikeness and in your walk with Him and I can tell you how to begin going about it, but that's for another conversation and only if it's one you really want to have ..

God bless! Numbers 6:24-26

--David

Very nicely put David

 

[k.eliza91]

David, thank you for that. I am going to print that out and put it on my wall so I can always remember that.

Thanks everyone for helping me. I have learned alot. I am going to try to have more conversations with God.

Thanks for the scriptures bcmom, you've help alot.
The main reason I ask about this is someone in my family is greatly sick, and everyone says they are praying everyday. So I was not sure if, in that situation, you are to ask God for healing of this person everyday, or once and let His will be done. I plan on looking through the bible for more guidance on this journey I just started taking. I have a lot to learn.

 

[St_Worm2]

Hi again Eliza, as far as repeating prayers is concerned, again, it's a matter of the heart. If you are worried or something is weighing heavily upon your heart, I think God knows and expects you'll be returning to Him multiple times in prayer. If you are concerned that God doesn't want to hear the same prayer from you about the same situation multiple times, perhaps this passage from Matthew 26 will help.

The Garden of Gethsemane​

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed.
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”
39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”
40 And He came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour?
41 “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.
44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.
45 Then He *came to the disciples and *said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46 “Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!”​

If the Lord Himself prayed the same thing three times over in a short period of time, I'm certain that it's ok if we do too ..

Yours and His,
David

 

[k.eliza91]

Oh that makes me feel alot better! I was worried that He did not want t constantly hear me saying the same thing over and over again, as if I am not trusting him. Thanks for showing me!

 

[insurchoftruth]

Psalm 119:164, 2 Timothy 2:20,21, Psalm 113:3, Psalm 27:6, Psalm 29:1, 2, Isaiah 6:1-4, 42:8,10,12, 43:6,7,21, 66:23, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, 10:31, 1 Chronicles 23:5,30, Acts 12:23, Romans 1:21, 12:1, Hebrews 1:6, Psalm 117, Revelation 1:6, 4:8-11, 5:10-14, 7:11,12, 19:1-10,16, 20:6, 22:8,9, Psalm 66:1-4

 

[AGTG]

God isn't fickle when it comes to His children coming to Him. The most practical advice I can give you is to be disciplined and make the time to talk to Him daily. It doesn't have be continual prostration on your knees. It can be as simple as meditating on all the glorious things He's done/doing in your life and just thanking Him.

Take time to sing Him songs. Play some worship music and sing along to Him. Break out the Bible and pray the Psalms aloud to Him.

The "Our Father" prayer is not to be used as a rote prayer, it's a framework for prayer.

- Start by praising Him: Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

- Align your will with His: Your kingdom come, Your will be done.

- Ask for Him to feed you with the spiritual food your spirit person needs: Give us this day our daily bread.

- Confess any renounce any sins that you know don't line up with His will for you: Forgive us our tresspasses.

- Forgive those who have hurt or done you wrong: Forgive those who trespass against me.

- Ask for protection from the temptations of the devil and the world: Lead us not to temptation, but deliver us from evil.

If we see this prayer as the framework that it is, we can see it's pretty comprehensive. These things are all important to Father God, so they should be important to us. If there is a particular area that you're struggling in, don't be afraid to pour out your heart. He understands everything. He knows our weaknesses and even in our fail, fragile state He looks upon us with compassion and love.

Carve out time each morning before work for Him. Carve out some time at the end of the day to be alone with Him. Don't walk through your day without thinking of Him. He is always right there to help you, guide you, comfort you, and strengthen you.

 

[AGTG]

So, I've been having trouble figuring out how to pray. I never was good at it and now that I've been trying to get my life centered around God I've been reading the Bible and other christian literature to help my path.
I've heard different things saying 1) To go to God in prayer for everything. And 2) To pray daily...and the thing that's really confusing me though, is I have heard to trust God and give your thoughts/struggles/ect over to Him for Him to take care of.
So, I am not sure if we are suppose to pray for everything, or pray once and trust him to take care of it and not think about it again?

I'm sorry if this doesn't make since. Thanks in advance.

It's ok to go to Him again if you feel the need. It's alright to leave it completely in His hands if you don't feel the need to ask again and again. Either way, you can trust Him to take care of your needs. This is a journey where we can learn to be like a son or a daughter, where we can become like His children. There's always a lesson and growth whether our prayers are answered in an instant or if they take a while (just know that your prayers are very effective and sometimes the answer will come quickly and other times it will take longer).

 

[Peripatetic]

First and foremost, prayer is just talking to God. Expressing ourselves about specific situations, observations, or ideas. If I find that I'm praying about myself too much, I might use one of the following:

1. Pray for others: people I know, total strangers walking by, or people on this forum
2. Think about and pray about things as they relate to God's purpose (thy will be done)
3. ACTS model (mentioned earlier) to keep it balanced - since I tend to jump right to the T (Thanksgiving) and S (Supplication), to the exclusion of A (Adoration) and C (Confession)

 

[parsley]

but I don't know if I'm suppose to pray for the things I need daily, or ask him and trust that it will be here. I already trust that He will provide for me, but do I need to actually pray for it everyday?

I think we all go through phases where we wonder the same thing, and it's not necessarily in the beginning of our Christian walks.

The pray-without-ceasing is such a beautiful arrangement, with God by our side all the time (within), bouncing ideas around. It is like having a companion. But when we get too vague with that and think we're always praying, we sometimes forget to actually ask for things.

And Jesus said we have not because we ask not. To which I give myself a doh every once in a while.

It's a conversation, a relationship; so it's good to review how you do it, like you might reflect on a conversation with a friend... "Oh I forgot to ask them how their grandmother was doing," "Maybe I should have suggested they..." "I should borrow a shovel from my neighbor but am afraid to ask..."

And we get coy or cautious worrying they will be offended if we ask too much.

 

[k.eliza91]

I know it's been awhile but I just want to say thank you again for all of your answers and suggestions. They really really helped. I will come back here whenever I start feeling this way again, and learn from you all again. Thanks!