questions about praying

[Stjernkvist]

Hey, praying is very important thing, but i want to pray more,

I pray for like 15 minutes and then i'm done, i've heared about people that prays for 5-7 hours.

My question is, how do they pray?
What do they pray about? i'm done on 15 minutes and then I thanked God, Prayed for people and what i'd like to happen.
Any tips how to pray more? what to pray about and how to pray

Bless

 

[Macx]

Prayer should be like a conversation. God doesn't dig people saying the same thing over and over again . . .. when you run out of things to say (and have given adequate time for listening, wrap it up just a phone call with someone you like. I understand youngsters have a hard time hanging up the phone because of insecurity . .. but we as Christians can be secure in Christ. You don't have to worry that God will break up with you if you don't spend hours "on the phone" yet I think that is what people who talk about "praying for hours" may be doing.

On the other hand, when one is doing a task, like cleaning or machining parts or doing something that is relatively mindless . .. praying while working makes sense. You aren't praying the whole time, it is recognizing the presense of God with you and periodically talking abit, working a bit, talking a bit . .. like God is standing right across the work bench from you (because He is) and so you chat, while doing the task. That is a beneficial form of long prayer.

 

[seashale76]

Here are some articles/prayer resources. The last person I posted these to about took my head off without reading them as she thought it was an insult to post them to her, because she said that she knew all about prayer already (though she started a thread about prayer- so the response confused me). I have personally found them to be quite helpful. The articles discuss things such as what is prayer, how to pray, what to pray for, the types of prayer, etc. It is a big and often overlooked topic. I've been given a prayer rule by my spiritual father. I have difficulty in following through and saying my prayers as I should and I have to work at it as I don't find it an easy thing. I hope you find them helpful.

P r a y e r
Let us
Abbreviated Prayerbook
The Message of the Lord's Prayer

 

[fm107]

Wanting to pray more is a good thing and I'd only wish to encourage you to do so.

Look at how often Jesus prayed:

Luke 6:12
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

But at the same time, our prayers should be meaningful and from the heart. Don't say a long prayer just for the sake of it. Don't get me wrong, a long prayer is ok, but as long as it is from the heart, and is not artificial.

Matthew 6:7
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.

This does NOT mean you cannot ask God for something more than once, but rather the opposite. (See also Philippians 4:6 below - "petition")

Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

It's good to spend time alone in prayer:

Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

But this doesn't mean to say we can't pray at other times. I mean, we are at work or at school all day, so how can we pray then?

During these times, try thinking about God and meditating on him.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Talk to him in your head, he still hears you. It doesn't have to be long, it can just be a few short sentences now and again. "God, thank you for that" or "God please help me with this."

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.


Thanks for asking this question, it has helped me with a problem I have.

 

[Peripatetic]

Our attention spans are shorter now due to all the multi-tasking, technology, and rapid access to lots of information. Studies show that even the older generations' brains are changing. I've seen it in myself too. When I was young, I used to be able to read a novel for hours at a time, but now my mind quickly starts thinking about what to "click on" next.

Unfortunately, prayer and meditation suffer too. Even when I'm in a quiet room, I sometimes struggle to keep my mind on prayer without something else jumping in. Just do the best you can on regular days. Then maybe set aside an hour once or twice a week to just shut off everything else - no internet, no phone, etc. Pray, meditate, and maybe take a few notes. I really should do this more myself, because it's worked well when I've done it.

 

[NoelAsa]

This is an interesting topic. Thank you Seashale76 for the links. I did read them.

I have just one question, I am told that if we are worried about something to just give it to God in a prayer and then you do not have to go back to it as he will take care of it. Then on other occassions I am told to pray for someone in need, but they are asked for daily for the same persons. Why can not all prayers be a one time pray for something or someone? Why do we need to ask for the same thing over and over again. Does praying for it more than once make it more meaningful? If more than one person prays for it does it make it more important?

 

[Stjernkvist]

Thanks Every one !! you have been to great help
I'll try the advices you have given me.

To day i have gotten a cold and is sick, no better time to spend with God

 

[goldenviolet]

​

it's a journaling technique called S.O.A.P. It works like this:
“S” Scripture. Select and write a scripture of your daily reading.
”O” Observation. Write a personal observation from the selected scripture.
”A” Application. Write a description of a way to apply this to your life today.
”P” Prayer. Write a little prayer.
it’s just a tool that can help studying. For me, sometimes its 15 minutes and other times an hour. I just follow what the Lord has for me that day and follow the pen. You will find you can go back to these later and learn about your "heart condition." It is simple and amazing.
if you want you can select a section or chapter. then fallow the journal s.o.a.p

xo dee​

 

[ezeric]

I like generally what is be said here and its a great question Stjernkvist.

I would simply add this:

1) if you are praying and NOT getting results or answers, then you are
praying wrong.

2) become real when you pray, engage the LORD (FATHER, or to me PAPA or DAD)
but be passionate, be expressive, be specific. How can you know if you got an
answer if you don't ask specifically? Its the fervent prayer that gets results. James 5:16

3)There is HUGE difference between praying and commanding. There is a time
to ask the LORD and pray, and another when we command and use our covenant
authority. Note we NEVER command GOD, but we do 'speak to things' and see
results.

4) Dont expect your prayer to change anything on the outside before it changes
you on the inside. Prayer does change everything but it starts with you before
it 'fixes' others.

5) Lastly, make sure everything is done with love as the motivator. Every gift and
miracle works through love - once you understand HIS GRACE and LOVE things start to
make sense. I put it this way for my kids "GOD'S kingdom's currency is not money, but love!"

-eric

 

[fm107]

1) if you are praying and NOT getting results or answers, then you are

praying wrong.

Brother Eric,

Whilst I like your posts and enjoy reading them, can you please have a re-read at what you have said here in light of this scripture:

1 Samuel 1:27
For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

God tells us in many places in the bible to keep praying for things:

1 Thessalonians 5:17
pray continually

1 Thessalonians 1:2
We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;

Ephesians 1:16
I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

We can see from the above scriptures that this Apostle gave thanks and prayed for these saints regularly.

When we do pray, if we want our prayers to be answered, we must:

- Have the faith that God can do what we are asking for. (Mark 11:24)
- Ask with the right motives. (James 4:3)
- What we ask for must be in accordance with God's will. (1 John 5:14)


God bless.

 

[ezeric]

Hey brother FM107

Simply JESUS tells us that there is a 'right way' and a
'wrong way' to pray. See Matthew 6

If our prayers are not be answered, we are not
seeing results, no miracles, no growth, no help then...

STOP!!!

Because prayer changes things, (first changes us) and then
done like you said with right motives, in faith (which is simply
trusting HIS love) then you should start to get answers.

Prayer isn't begging GOD.
Prayer isn't some long boring 'thing we must do'.

Prayer is communication (2 way, GOD speaking to us, and
us to HIM).
Prayer is exciting, when we see HIM come through in
ways impossible to us.

I think you and I are really saying the same thing here!

Keep up the good posting - lifting JESUS higher!

-eric