Prayer

Why Should a Christian Pray?

A Christian should pray because prayer is a vital part of their relationship with God. It is more than just a ritual or obligation; it is a form of communication with God that reflects faith, trust, and dependence on Him. Here are some key reasons why prayer is essential for Christians:

1. Biblical Instruction: The Bible commands Christians to pray.
   • Matthew 6:9-13 teaches the Lord’s Prayer as a model for how to pray.
   • Philippians 4:6-7 encourages bringing all concerns to God in prayer.
   • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 urges believers to pray continually.
   • Prayer is a direct response to these instructions.
2. Deepening the Relationship with God: Just as communication is essential for any relationship, prayer allows Christians to connect personally with their Creator. It’s a way to grow closer to God, understand His will, and experience His presence in life.
3. Following Jesus’ Example: Jesus frequently prayed during His ministry, setting an example for Christians. His prayers demonstrated trust in God the Father, a desire for God’s will to be done, and a heart of praise and intercession (e.g., Luke 5:16, John 17). By praying, Christians follow in His footsteps.
4. Spiritual Growth and Transformation: Consistent prayer leads to spiritual growth. It nurtures faith, fosters humility, and aligns a believer’s heart with God’s purposes. It helps Christians discern God’s will and develop Christlike character.
5. Finding Peace and Strength: Prayer provides comfort, peace, and assurance in life’s challenges. Philippians 4:6-7 promises that turning to God with our anxieties will result in peace that transcends understanding. Prayer is a source of strength and hope during trials.
6. Interceding for Others: Through prayer, Christians have the opportunity to bring the needs of others before God, seeking His intervention, healing, and guidance on their behalf. This reflects love and compassion for others.
7. Praise and Thanksgiving: Prayer allows Christians to worship God for who He is and thank Him for His blessings. It’s a way of recognizing His provision, faithfulness, and sovereignty.

 

Ultimately, prayer honors God by acknowledging His authority, love, and role as the source of all wisdom and power. For a Christian, prayer isn’t just an act—it’s a lifestyle of dependence and communion with God.

Guidance for Christian Prayer

 

1. Methods and Approaches to Prayer

There are a variety of proper methods when it comes to praying. These methods can help believers align their hearts with God’s will and ensure their prayers are effective:

 

A. Two Models with the Essentials of Prayer Incorporated

The PRAY Model – (Integrated with the Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:9-13)

1. Praise: Begin your prayer time by praising God. Acknowledge His greatness, express your gratitude, and set your heart on worship.

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

2. Repent: Move into repentance, focusing on confession and seeking forgiveness for sins.

1. • “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”

3. Ask: Present your petitions and intercessions to God. This is the time to pray for personal needs, others, and guidance in your life.

1. • “Give us this day our daily bread. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

4. Yield: End your prayer with surrender, aligning your heart with God’s will and listening for His voice.

1. • “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

The ACTS Model

1. Adoration (Worship and Praise): Begin prayers with a focus on God’s greatness. Express reverence and gratitude for who God is.
   • Example: “Hallowed be Thy name” in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9).
2. Confession: Acknowledge sins and shortcomings before God, asking for His forgiveness.
   • Example: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).
3. Thanksgiving: Give thanks to God for His blessings, even in difficult circumstances.
   • Example: “In every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
4. Supplication and Intercession: Present requests to God for personal needs (supplication) and for others (intercession).
   • Example: Praying for others, such as Paul often did in his epistles (Ephesians 1:15-23).

 

B. Specific Practices

1. Pray in Faith: Approach God with confidence and belief in His power and willingness to respond.
   • Example: “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:22).
2. Pray in the Spirit: Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer, especially in moments of uncertainty.
   • Example: “the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).
3. Pray According to God’s Will: Ask for things aligned with God’s purpose and character.
   • Example: “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us” (1 John 5:14).
4. Pray According to Scripture: Use the Bible to inspire and guide your prayers.
   • Example: Pray through the Psalms for worship and trust (Psalm 23, 103). Use the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) as a pattern. Reflect on promises of God (e.g., Philippians 4:6–7) to shape your prayers.

 

C. Postures in Prayer

The Bible describes various postures in prayer, each reflecting humility, reverence, or dependence:

• • • Kneeling: Daniel knelt three times daily in prayer (Daniel 6:10).
    • Standing: Jesus described a Pharisee standing to pray in the temple (Luke 18:11).
    • Prostration: Falling on one’s face as an act of submission (Matthew 26:39).

D. The Role of Fasting

Fasting often accompanies prayer, enhancing focus on God and deepening spiritual devotion.

• • • Example: Jesus fasted for 40 days and prayed before beginning His public ministry (Matthew 4:2).

 

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2. Jesus Christ: The Ultimate Model of Prayer

Jesus exemplified how believers should pray through His own prayer life:

1. 1. 1. Personal and Private Prayer: Jesus often withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16).
         • Make time for private, personal prayer to develop intimacy with God.
      2. Persistent Prayer: He prayed all night at times, such as when choosing His disciples (Luke 6:12-13).
         • Persistent prayer expresses genuine faith and dependence.
      3. Submission to God’s Will: In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).
         • Surrender personal desires to God’s greater purpose.

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3. Motivations and Obstacles in Prayer

A. Pure Motivations: Pray with the right motives, seeking God’s glory rather than selfish desires.

• • • Example: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss” (James 4:3).

 

B. Common Obstacles

1. 1. 1. Unconfessed sin: Sin can hinder prayers (Psalm 66:18).
      2. Lack of Faith: Doubt reduces effectiveness (Mark 11:24).
      3. Distractions: Jesus emphasized a quiet, solitary prayer life (Matthew 6:6).

 

Conclusion

Proper prayer is marked by sincerity, humility, faith, and alignment with God’s will. Biblical examples and teachings emphasize the importance of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Through the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus provided a perfect example for approaching God, while theological models like PRAY and ACTS offer practical guidance. Ultimately, prayer is about cultivating a deep, ongoing relationship with God through honest, heartfelt communication.

Other Suggested Lessons on Prayer:

• Routines for Prayer
• Prayer Practices for a Deeper Spiritual Life
• Contemplative Prayer