How Should I Pray?
List by Ami Hendrickson
When we pray, the words we say fly straight to the throne of God. People pray in different ways, for different reasons. The Bible is full of suggestions for how to pray, including the advice in these verses:
Pray with earnest insistence
James 5:16-18
Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and it didn’t rain on the earth for three years and six months. He prayed again, and the sky gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
Pray in Jesus' name to glorify God
John 14:13-14
Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.
Pray in faith without anger
1 Timothy 2:8
I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and doubting.
Pray in Jesus' name to receive joyful gifts from God
John 16:24
Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
Pray as Jesus demonstrated
Matthew 6:9-11
Pray like this: “Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.”
Pray with belief
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.
Pray consistently
Luke 11:9-10
I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
Pray in secret and with humility
Matthew 6:6-8
But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.
Pray with tenacity
Luke 18:1
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray, and not give up.
