"Instead I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruits - fruits that last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask in my Name. - John 15:15 - 16
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." - Matthew 21:22
"If you remain in Me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you." - John 15:7
From the verses above, we will come to know that indeed God do answer to our prayers. But the key to it is that we must ask in Jesus' name and also to remain in Him inorder that our prayers can be effective. By that it simply means that we have to believe in God, acknowledge Jesus, and to remain faithful.
We must never doubt God. For if we doubt, our prayer will be ineffective.
"When he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord: he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does." - James 1:6 - 8
"Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig-tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done." - Matthew 21:21
So how should one pray?
Prayer is a very personal affair between you and the Lord and in whatever way that you pray to Him, He will hear you. There is no fix and fast rule to prayer. Whether you want to kneel down, grasp your hands together, bow your head, just do it if you feel comfortable. What matter most in prayer is that you ask in accordance to God's will for you and also by faith in God. It is most important that you find a quiet place to do your prayer, not so because it is a shameful act but more so because you would want to be with the Lord in peace and to concentrate being with Him and feel His presence.
"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. And when you pray, do not keep babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." - Matthew 6:6 - 8
When should we pray?
We can pray at any time and at any place whenever we feel the urge to do so. It could be that we are taking a bus, while working, while having a shower or even when we see an incident that we feel we would want to pray for. And our prayer can come just from our hearts too. It isn't necessary that you speak out your prayer, God hears you even if we pray through our hearts. But do remember to give thanks to God in the name of our Lord Jesus.
"always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 5:20
Always end your prayer in Jesus' name and with an "AMEN". "Amen" simply means "may it be so."
For more on prayer........... |
