Written By Amanda Christopher

Prayer

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:6-8

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Colossians 4:2-4

Prayer is quite simply communication with God. As we pray, we are being with Jesus, experiencing Him as our great reward. In prayer, we contemplate God, thank Him, praise Him, confess our sins, feelings, and desires to Him, and ask Him for our needs, as well as for the needs of others. When we pray, we engage in fellowship with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We should pray to God in private and communally. Jesus prayed often to His Father in Heaven, many times in public as well as in solitude.

Practical Suggestions

  1. Journal your prayers. Slowing down enough to write your prayers can help slow your mind and focus your thoughts. Write your questions to God. Use the ACTS model (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication) to move through different areas of prayer.

  2. Pray Biblical prayers, with a special emphasis on apostolic prayer (prayers we find in the epistles). Praying these prayers and applying them to our present circumstances will teach us how to pray in a way that is vibrant and theologically grounded.

  3. Practice contemplative prayer and biblical meditation.Biblical meditation is the intentional practice of deeply reflecting on God’s Word to align your heart, mind, and actions with His truth

  4. Pray with others. Praying together helps us to unify around God’s purposes, remind one another of the Gospel, and teach through example, those believers growing in their prayer life.

    • Pray with your MC or DNA group

Resources

Amanda Christopher
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