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Let Us Pray

Matthew 6:9-13King James Version (KJV)

⁹ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ¹⁰ Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread. ¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. ¹³ 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.

The What, When and How’s

Have you ever wondered how to pray? What to pray for? How long should you pray? Or if your prayers are even getting through?

Let’s get real here. How often DO YOU really pray? When life gets tough? After your first bite of food because you failed to beforehand? In church because the preacher reminded you to? Around the holidays because needy causes are quick to remind you? Or are you consistently calling out to God—requesting and praising? We’re not judging you, rather asking you to take a deep breath and be honest with yourself here.

Let’s take a look at some statistics found on the Gospel Coalition

* Prayer is mentioned throughout the Bible over 300 times

*There’s over 650 prayers listed in the Bible

*The Bible references several bodily praying positions including sitting, standing, kneeling, kneeling with one’s face on the ground and with hands lifted up to heaven

*There’s at least 8 types of prayers

1. Prayer of faith

2. Prayer of agreement

3. Prayer of request

4.  Prayer of consecration

5.  Prayer of worship

6. Prayer of thanksgiving

7. Prayer of intercession

8. Praying in the spirit

God put so much thought into this, don’t ya think? Seriously though, He deeply reverences this concept so much that He repetitively offers advice, deeper meaning and understanding of this powerful weapon. What weapons are you using to fight your daily battles? Is it the weapon of choice?

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Prayer is quite simple, really. It’s a conversation WITH God, not TO God. It’s directly addressing and communicating your heart and soul’s desires. So if it’s this simple, how is it not a part of our everyday routines? In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18English Standard Version (ESV) ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 

God craves our attention. He wants us to personally check in with Him throughout the day. When something goes awry, seek God. When something goes perfect, praise God. When there’s a specific need, ask God. When you receive a blessing, thank God. It’s really that simple, we just need to make a conscious effort to speak to Him often. Still not convinced on how to pray? Imagine you’re speaking to your best friend. It’s that easy. And if you’re still struggling, the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning of this post is a perfect start.

Prayer is a vital key to living a successful Christian life. As we learn to walk in constant communion with God, it is imperative that we stay connected to our life source. We have learned this firsthand in our own life through some very difficult situations. We need to pray and seek God in the good times and the bad. Please don’t wait until you’re desperate for His divine guidance. He holds the key to every answer that we are seeking. Never underestimate the power of prayer. Reach out and take hold of His perfect strategy to overcome every scheme of the devil.

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Discussion & Reflection

1. What are your needs? What are your struggles? What is holding you back? Have you prayed about it as much as you’ve talked about it?

Many Blessings,

4 Sisters Blogging

Kendra, Tonia, Blake & Tiffany