Learning to Develop a Prayer Life

How should one pray? What should be said to God? Answers to these questions, as well as many other guidelines to developing an effective prayer life are found in the Bible. The study of prayer can become quite in-depth when considering the various types of prayer, the diversity of situations in which the Christian may find himself, and the specific requests of which the prayer itself is composed. Below are six of the most basic biblically based suggestions that even the new believer can immediately put into practice.

1. Although Christians should pray together, each individual believer should regularly spend time alone with God.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret... (King James Bible, Mat. 6.6).

The effort that the apostle Peter made to be alone with God is evident in the scripture of Acts 10.9, where he is seen going up to the rooftop to pray. Even Jesus, when he was on earth, made time to be alone to pray to the Father. He distanced himself even away from the people closest to him, the twelve apostles, in order to be alone with his heavenly Father.

And it came to pass in those days, that he (Jesus) went out into a mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God (Luke 6.12).

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder (at a distance) (Mat. 26.36).

2. The prayer that Jesus told his followers to make must not be neglected because it's one of his commandments regarding prayer, and when prayed with full understanding and in sincerity, effects change in the believer's spirit. In Matthew 6.9-13, Jesus said, "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."

A slightly different version of this prayer is found in Luke 11.2-4. It doesn't matter which one is prayed. This is a prayer that sadly, most believers don't understand. Nevertheless, nothing should be a hindrance to praying in this manner. There's much confusion particularly over two parts of the "Our Father" prayer. They include the request to God to not lead into temptation and the imperative for his name to be hallowed. The Christian article "Why Pray? 'Hallowed Be Thy Name'"? at the website of Heavenly Manna thoroughly explains what it means for God's name to be hallowed and why its important to the believer. This prayer may be prayed at the beginning or end of any prayer session whether alone or in the congregation.

3. The believer must persevere in prayer. The apostle Paul wrote, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5.17). Jesus said, "...Men ought always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18.1). Some prayers are answered in a short period of time; however, this is not always the case. Years may pass before the answer to some prayer requests are seen, even if they're the will of God. Nevertheless, the believer doesn't faint (give up) in his prayers to the one in which he trusts. This guideline applies specifically to those prayer requests that the believer is fully assured to be the will of God. Awareness of the general will of God is acquired through knowledge and understanding of the scriptures which reveal what God desires, demands, dislikes, condemns and, rejects. However, knowledge of his will regarding one's personal life requires not only knowledge of scripture, but also the maintenance of a close walk with God, and diligent seeking. Such a study is beyond the scope of this article.

4. The prayer of the giving of thanks must be made to God.

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (1 Thessalonians 5.18). Tribulation comes in many forms and may last an uncomfortably long time during which the Christian finds little for which to be grateful. It's the passage of time in the midst of trouble that usually gives rise to perplexity, doubt, anger, and in turn, begins to eat away at the believer's faith, strength, and appreciation for God's provision which may be far from what the believer wants or expects from God. Again, it's beyond the scope of this article to deal with reasons, not including the pure trial of one's faith, for which the Christian may linger in distress.

5. Jesus is the great Counselor (Isaiah 9.6). Those who want to be helped must turn to him and accept his counsel. King David understood this and withheld nothing from God. It may seem illogical to tell the Lord anything since he knows all things. However, when the servant turns to God for help, obviously he's not informing the Lord of his situation, but rather acknowledging that he wants and needs the Lord's intervention. King David understood this and withheld nothing from God who never failed to hear, answer, and rescue him. David prayed, "O Lord God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee. Let my prayer come before thee. Incline thine ear (listen) unto my cry; for my soul is full of troubles, and my life draweth nigh (close) unto the grave" (Psalm 88.1-3).

6. Special attention should be paid to this last guideline. If one really wants to draw close the Lord, he will let God point out to him the things in his life that hinder his prayers and in turn, his walk with Jesus. God's love doesn't cancel his command to all to obey his word. Sometimes sins are committed in ignorance, nevertheless, they cause spiritual harm. Whatever the sin, weights, or misunderstandings may be, God will surely attend to his servant's need to be made aware of them so he may repent. This prayer can be very simple, but most effective when prayed in sincerity and humility. The believer simply asks the Lord to reveal anything in his life with he (God) is not pleased. Such prayer requests are fully Bible-based.

Search me, O God, and know (examine) my heart, try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (of life) (Psalm 139.23-24).

There are many other things, people, situations and world wide problems for which the Christian is commanded to pray. However, these guidelines can certainly serve to encourage people to engage in a committed and biblically based prayer life.

© 2007-2008 Heavenly Manna and Hannah Henderson