How to pray

[DJ B.K.]

I've been wondering lately about praying. Is there a certain way we have to pray? Do we have to be on our knees when we pray or does it even matter? When I pray I usually just lay in my bed and talk to God. Thanks ahead of time for any responses.

 

[jesus_freak_for_life]

Hey
I don't think there is a certain way to pray, but Jesus gave us a GREAT example. I recommend you reading How to be like Jesus by Pat Williams, good book. I'll summerize what it says about how to pray like Jesus. In it, Williams discusses the Lord's Prayer. Personally, I don't believe it needs to be said word for word. It kind.. impersonalizes it. But according to Williams, there is 5 elements to this prayer.
1. Praise. (Not because He needs to be flattered but because we need to grasp His awesomeness)
2. Surrender and Submission. (We need to make sure our will aligns with His. He does not answer to our requests unless it does, and He doesn't have to.)
3. Requests and Needs.
4. Forgiveness ( Remember to forgive others in your prayer otherwise you will not be forgiven!)
5. Protection from evil. (Temptation)
Hope this helps
-Jenn

 

[ukok]

as jffl said: God hears you anywhere you are, no matter what your doing.

I took part in a thread like this here a while back (it's prob lost) and the opverwhelming opinion was that actually, it doesn't much matter as long as you come before him with reverance.

 

[kimber1]

I agree, that it doesn't matter how you do as long as you do it!! My prayers usually end up sounding like i'm just having a conversation with God but in relaity tha'ts exactly what we're doing!!

 

[coolhandluke]

I'm agreeing with the above posters. I personally, pray whenever, wherever. I keep a prayer journal, and so I write out my prayers a lot. But I pray in my car, when I'm sitting in class, when I'm hanging out with my friends. It's not a big deal, the main thing is, is that you're keeping a conversation with God going. You can't get to know someone if you don't talk to them. We're supposed to pray without ceasing. We can't be on our knees all day long!

 

[KeepTheFaith15]

say it out loud say it inside, yell it at the top of your lungs whisper it either way he hears you and you dont even have to say anything he knows what on your heart.

 

[dreamcatcher]

i agree that it doesn't matter HOW you pray.i drive for a living and i am constantly praying while i drive.alot of my prayers are like conversations with God and alot of them are like"formal prayers",if you will.

 

[ukok]

Do you talk out loud dreamcatcher ?...or pray in your head...because sometimes I talk my prayers as I am driving and other people must be thinking that I am a nut or something.

 

[jesus_freak_for_life]

Who cares what other people think about your prayers outloud! We're all a little nutty anyway

 

[hugoguttman]

I've been wondering lately about praying. Is there a certain way we have to pray?

You can see how to pray in Holy Bible. Jesus teaches us how to pray. You can see the structure of "Pater Noster" praying...

 

[Blessed75]

I've been wondering lately about praying. Is there a certain way we have to pray? Do we have to be on our knees when we pray or does it even matter? When I pray I usually just lay in my bed and talk to God. Thanks ahead of time for any responses.

Well, I just talk to God like he's my best friend. There are times though when I'm compelled to get down on my knees and pray but I talk to him daily. I praise Him, thank Him, ask for help, etc. etc. Everyone has their own relationship with the Lord and I really don't think there is any right way to pray. I think that it thrills God that you know He's there.

 

[sbbqb7n16]

Ummm talk to God and listen to Him... not neccessarily in that order

People often make it way too hard.

 

[sparrow]

Please teach me, Lord ...
I want to know
Exactly how to pray.
I need some words
Which ones are right?
Please tell me what to say.

I've bowed my head
I have knelt down, But ...
should I be upright?
I've closed my eyes,
I've raised my hands, Or
should I fold them tight?

Do I stand up?
Should I sit down?
Dear Lord ... what do you like?
Are lights turned on
Or are they off? Maybe ...
candle light?

Wear my glasses?
Take them off?
Be at my desk or table?
Should I whisper?
Speak out loud?
Do I quote the Bible?

What do you think about the time?
Do You prefer the dawn?
Should I pray fast,
Or keep it slow?
Better short ... or long?

I'm new at this
What are the rules?
I want to do it right.
How do I know
You'll even hear
That I am in Your sight?

And while I sat there quietly,
Waiting for some sign,
I heard a gentle voice say,
"Oh, dearest child of mine,
Do you think I really care
About the time of day,
Or whether you are standing up,
Or kneeling when you pray?"

"I don't care about your posture,
Or about the place you choose;
Just open up your soul to me,
I have no other rules.

Tell me what is in your heart,
And tell me what you seek;
Tell me of your sorrows,
And of those things that made you weak."

"Speak to me in private
About what concerns you most;
I know about your good deeds ...
You have no need to boast.

My child, you don't need lessons,
Just talk to me each day;
Tell me anything you want, dear child,
Anyone can pray."

~ Anonymous ~

 

[OracleX]

I have a lamb skin rug that I kneel on to pray at night. Nothing really special about it other than that is what I have used for years to pray on and it is easier on the knees than the hard wood floor.

I find that there is something about kneeling that is different than any other way to pray. When I pray I usually speak out loud or in a quiet whisper. Between kneeling and speaking out loud I find that my prayers are not distracted and my heart and mind are in a better state.

Kneeling I feel is the proper position in prayer - atleast for me. God is God and there is a reverance and aspect of holy fear that is shown when one kneels. Even Christ fell down on His face and kneeled when He prayed.

As for what I pray. Thanksgiving is always first. Thanking God for the day and for all the blessings that He has graced us with. Then forgiveness. I can't pray for others or myself when there is sin in my life that has not been addressed. God hates sin and when I enter in to prayer, I enter in to His presence. Thanking Him then asking for forgiveness so that the rest of what is prayed is honoring. Clean up all those things that need to be cleaned up so that you can continue on in prayer with a pure heart clear of sin and shame. The next part is praying for others. Others come first. Pray for my wife and then my daughter. Then for my family and thier needs. Then for my close friends and so on. Once I have brought others before God then I bring my needs before Him. Every day praying for wisdom, knowledge, understanding and the humility and love to use it for the glory of God. Always praying to be a husband to my wife as Christ is to the Church and to be a father to my daughter as the Word commands me to be. Once my needs have been lifted, I always close in thanksgiving and praise and faith, knowing that He is God and that He will hear my prayers and meet the needs of His children.

Thanksgiving
Forgiveness for sins
Needs of others
Needs of self
Thanksgiving, praise and faith