How to pray?
PRAY ALONE as Jesus prayed Mark 6:46-47(NIV) ; Matthew 26:36-46(NIV) “And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him,” Luke 9:18 NKJV
PRAYER Matthew 6:5-13(NIV)
1. Pray in your room secretly to God.v.5,6. Pray quietly within you in public places. God knows your hearts and He can hear your prayers.
2. Pray short. Long prayers bores you & God. Mark 4:39(NIV) ; John 11:43(NIV) . Pray in tongues long time. 1 Corinthians 14:2(NIV) ; Jude 20-21(NIV) .v.7,8.
3. Pray with praise & thanks giving. Rejoice always. Submit petition, prayer with thanks giving Philippians 4:4-7(NIV). No use in repeating Lord’s Prayer. v.9,10,13.
FASTING Matthew 6:14-18(NIV)
4. Pray with fasting to bring your flesh into control. Let no one know you are fasting except God. Jesus prayed 40 days without eating Matthew 4:1-2(NIV). v.16,17.
5. Pray by meditating on the Word of God; through which Faith comes Romans 10:17(NIV).
6. Pray and wait for answer without giving up. It takes time for things to happen from spiritual realm to physical realm. Mark 11:14(NIV).
7. Pray with positive words. Do not complain and talk about your problems to God. Talk to your problem and chase it to go. When you pray believe you received and it is yours Mark 11:22-24(NIV).
8. Pray in Jesus’ Name John 16:23-24(NIV). Peter used the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth to heal the lame beggar Acts 3:6-8(NIV).
9. Pray for Holy Spirit anointing more than anything Luke 11:9-13(NIV).
10. Pray without ceasing in Spirit for the Holy Spirit Himself prays through you Romans 8:26(NIV) ; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19(NIV) .
11. Do not beg. God is not like that friend in the parable Luke 11:5-8(NIV). You are only receiving what God had already provided for.
Contents of prayer:
SITTING AT THE FEET, LOVING, WORSHIPPING & FELLOWSHIPPING WITH GOD.
Like Mary who sat at Jesus’ Feet and listened to His Words. And Jesus appreciated her saying this One Thing is all that you need Luke 10:38-42(NIV). “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalms 16:11 NKJV)““You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.””(Revelation 4:11 NKJV)
For whom to pray?
ALL MEN 1 Timothy 2:1-5(NIV)
1. Pray for all men v.1.
2. Pray for kings and authorities v.2.
3. Pray for what the Holy Spirit reminds you. John 14:26(NIV)
4. Pray for all saints. Ephesians 6:18(NIV)
What to pray?
GOSPEL TO REACH EVERYBODY Ephesians 6:17-20(NIV)
1. Pray for Gospel to be preached with right words Ephesians 6:19-20(NIV) / Boldness / healing , signs & wonders Acts 4:29-30(NIV) / protection 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2(NIV) / open doors / to proclaim the mystery of Christ Colossians 4:2-4(NIV)
2. Pray not to be anxious about anything. Philippians 4:6-7(NIV)
3. Pray for wisdom and revelation. Ephesians 1:15-19(NIV)
4. Pray for the eyes of the hearts to open. Ephesians 1:18(NIV)
HOLY SPIRIT POWER Ephesians 3:14-20(NIV)
5. Pray so that God grant you, according to the riches of His Glory, Power by Holy Spirit in the inner man. v. 14-16
6. Pray for Christ to dwell in you hearts. v. 17
7. Pray that you know the Love of Christ which passes all knowledge. v. 17-18
8. Pray that you are filled in the fullness of God.v 19.
9. Watch & Pray so that you don’t enter into temptation. Matthew 26:40-41(NIV)