What is prayer?

Prayer is one form of communication with God. Other ways God communicates with us is through his word and his creation (that could be him speaking to us through other people or him showing us his wonders in his creations like nature and animals). The difference with prayer to these other forms of communication is that prayer is two ways. We speak to God; God listens and vice versa. God speaking back is not in an audible voice but can be through others and through our feelings.

 

Two-way communication is essential for any relationship to grow whether that be with humans or God. The more we communicate with each other the more we’ll know about each other and as the relationship grows trust will follow.

 

Why should I pray if God already knows our needs?

The bible stresses we should pray ceaselessly (1 Thessalonians 5:17/ Ephesian 6:18). But why pray if the bible says, “Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, knows it completely” (Psalm 139:4)?

 

This clearly shows God wants to communicate and have a relationship with us. He could read our minds, but

1. he wants us to be willing to share with him

2. he wants us to know it was him when a prayer is answered,

3. he wants us to practice coming to him for everything,

4. he wants to be part of our lives,

5. he wants to be our first point of call,

6. he wants us to speak to him during the good and hard times

7. he wants us to spend time in his presence.

 

Prayer is not just about asking for our needs; but we can be prayerful in thanking and worshipping God.

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In short, God wants a relationship with us all and prayer is a big part of it!!!!!!

(Walk humbly with thy God - Micah 6:8 KJV)

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Types of prayer

Prayer takes different forms for different people at different times of their life, but prayer can usually be categorised under 5 headings. When we pray it can include all five or just one, but we should not focus on one type of prayer all the time.

 

1. Worship - praising God for what he has done or who he is

2. Thanksgiving – thanking God for what’s he done

3. Confession - saying sorry when we have done something wrong

4. Supplication - asking for help or guidance for ourselves

5. Intercession – asking for help or guidance for others

 

How do I pray?

When you pray it doesn’t have to be lengthy with elaborate words, it doesn’t always have to be aloud, in a group or in a church kneeling down. (Matthew 6:5-15). We can pray anywhere at any time as God is omnipresent (present everywhere at the same time). You could see something as you walk down the street and just feel moved to internally exalt and praise him or you can be struggling at work and just need to quickly ask for help.

 

Sometimes you may struggle to articulate your words or know how to start praying, in this case try using verses from the bible or songs from the hymnbook to help.

 

Jesus also left us with the perfect prayer called the Lord’s Prayer found in Luke 11:2-4 and Matthew 6:9-13:

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

Amen”

 

What makes an effective prayer?

No matter your age or how long you have been a Christian below are the 5 essential keys for an effective prayer:

1. A sincere heart

2. An open heart to receive and listen to the response

3. Frequency, we must pray regularly

4. Our prayer must be in line with God’s will (1 John 5:14)

5. And lastly, we have to believe it will be answered (Mark 11:24/James 1:6)