Sound Doctrine, the Bible above all. by E.G - HTML preview
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How to pray?
● The Bible teaches us to pray in faith (James 1:6).
● In direct direction to God (Matthew 6:9).
● In Jesus' name (John 14:13).
● We are to offer our prayers with reverence and humility (Luke 18:13)
● With perseverance (Luke 18:1)
● In submission to God's will (Matthew 6:10).
● The Bible teaches us to avoid prayers that are hypocritical, designed only to be heard by men (Matthew 6:5), or to rely on vain repetitions (Matthew 6:7).
James 1:6 |
But ask in faith, doubting nothing; for he who doubts is like the wave of the sea, which is carried by the wind and tossed to and fro. |
Matthew 6:9 |
Therefore you shall pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. |
John 14:13 |
And whatever you ask of the Father in my name, I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. |
Luke 18:13 |
But the tax collector, being far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." |
Luke 18:1 |
Jesus also told them a parable about the need to pray always, and not to lose heart, |
Matthew 6:10 |
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as it is in heaven, so also on earth. |
Matthew 6:5 |
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men; Verily I say unto you, they have their reward already. |
Matthew 6:7 |
And in prayer, do not use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do, who think that they will be heard by their words. |
Examples of Prayers in the Bible:
OLD TESTAMENT: (All the psalms are models of praise and prayer.)
Moses' conversation with God before the burning bush. |
Exodus 3:1-4:17 |
Job recognizes the greatness of God. |
Job 42:1-6 |
Ana asks for a child |
1Samuel 1:10,11 |
and praises God after He gives it to him |
1 Samuel 2:1-10 |
David's prayer of repentance. |
Psalm 51 |
Solomon's prayer for wisdom. |
1 Kings 3:6-9 |
Elijah's prayer on Mount Carmel. |
1 Kings 18:36-39 |
King Hezekiah's prayer that God will deliver Israel from its enemies. |
2 Kings 19:15-19 |
King Hezekiah's prayer when he is sick. |
Isaiah 38:2-5 |
Daniel's prayer. |
Daniel 9:3-19 |
Habakkuk's prayer of worship and rejoicing. |
Habakkuk 3:2-19 |
Jonah prays from the belly of the fish. |
Jonah 2:2-9 |
NEW TESTAMENT:
The Lord's Prayer |
Matthew 6:9-13 |
Publican's Prayer of Repentance |
Luke 18:13 |
Jesus' prayer in favor of Lazarus. |
John 11:41-42 |
Jesus prays for his disciples |
John 17 |
Jesus' prayer on the cross. |
Luke 23:34 |
Thief on the cross. |
Luke 23:43 |
Prayer of believers. |
Acts 4:23-31 |
Some of Paul's prayers for his fellow Christians |
Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Philippians 1:3-11 Colossians 1:9-12 |
Conclusion: God does not like us to use vain repetitions to pray, believing that by speaking a lot of "talk" or that by repeating we will be heard, what He desires is a sincere and heartfelt prayer, with our words as a conversation with God as we see that many characters did, also as Jesus urges us, that we approach the Father believing (Hebrews 11:6), that whatever we ask is in His name, and that whatever we ask He will give it to us.