How Should I Pray?

The disciples asked this very question of Jesus in the book of Luke (11:1). His response to this question has been followed and recited by every Christian down through the ages. That prayer is called the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke (11:2-4).

The Lord's Prayer is the model prayer. It is simple and complete. It is a prayer that unites us in corporate worship together. It is a prayer that offers glory to God, calls for his provision and blessing and is not proud or boastful in any way.

But this is not the only prayer that the scriptures tell us about or gives examples of. We see Jesus going away all night for prayer both by himself and with a select few. There are prayers of confession, adoration, intercession and healing. We see the prayers of David in the Book of Psalms, the prayer of Jabez, etc. There are morning prayers, bedtime prayers and mealtime prayers. We have the ACTS model for prayer. We have breath prayers - short one sentence prayers offered throughout the day. Of all the examples, of all the types of prayer that we see, I believe there is one verse that sums it up best.

1 Thessalonians 5:17,“Pray continually”; NIV. It is “Never stop praying” in the NLT and God's Word. It is “pray without ceasing” in the KJV, ESV, ASV, NKJV, Darby and in Douay-Rheims. It is “pray all the time” in the Message. It is “Continually pray ye” in the YLT and it is “Keep on with your prayers” in the BBE Bible. So regardless of the bible that you read the message is clear. We are to be a praying people.

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

Jesus sets the expectation - “that they should always pray”- that Paul then reinforces in his letter to the Thessalonians. Regardless of the translation it is clear. Do not stop praying. The method or style is less important than just praying. All the different types of prayer are important to learn and can convey different messages, emotions to God. But do not stop praying. Be honest and spend time talking to God. The more time you spend in discussion with God, the more that you can be sure that you are covering all the aspects of a righteous prayer life.

So how do you pray - continually. God will be pleased and you will be blessed. Your prayers are always heard and answered by God, but the more that you pray the louder and clearer will the answers be. You will find yourself going deeper and being more open with God the more time that you spend in prayer.

Praying is more about honesty than it is about style. Praying is more about time than it is about rhyme. Praying is the lifeline of a righteous life in Christ. We are called to worship, serve and share God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The strength and guidance for that comes through prayer. Amen.