When you are sick or in trouble, you probably pray about it. But do you have the faith and the understanding to leave a matter completely in God’s hands—to absolutely know that He will deliver His children from sickness and trials of every kind? Very few people do.
When we seem to lack the wisdom or the power to solve our problems, we often become frustrated and unhappy. We may completely forget and ignore the fact that we have the right to call on the Supreme Creator of Heaven and Earth for help with all our problems. The greatest wisdom and power in all the universe will be with every one of us—if we will only do our part.
Jesus Christ set a perfect example that we “should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). He lived a full and abundant life—a life that, though cut short, was filled with love and power from God. He knew how to keep in contact with, and draw upon, the Supreme Power of the Universe.
Christ the Example
Can you imagine Christ acting as if God had “gone way off somewhere”?
Yet that is the exact attitude displayed by most who call themselves “Christians” today. Do they completely rely on God to heal them when they are sick, to rescue them from disaster, or to bless them in material as well as spiritual matters? Of course not! They do not have the same faith shown by Christ’s apostles, who saw firsthand that Christ, unlike most people, actually expected God to intervene and heal the sick, cast out demons, and even to quiet a storm on the sea. Christ’s own apostles wanted that kind of intimate contact with God, just as we do. They knew, by His fruits, that Christ understood the correct way to draw close to the Eternal God, and to call upon His power to help in every pressing situation.
That key, the correct way to call upon God’s power, is something you and I should be utilizing every day of our lives! Its use can put new meaning and power into our lives!
But that “key” has been incorrectly employed by many people of many different religions—even many who call themselves “Christian.” Remember that Christ is our example. He knew how to use this “key” perfectly. His way brings results!
Christ Teaches Us How To Pray
In Luke 11:1–4, we read that the disciples came and asked Jesus the way to establish right contact with God. “Lord, teach us to pray,” they asked. People do not know how to pray until they are properly taught. So Christ gave them a “type”—or pattern—of a prayer that will get results.
Let us analyze this perfect example. The prayer is addressed to “Our Father in heaven.” When you pray, think of God as your Father. Not your Father only, but “Our Father.” Remember that there are others who are trying to serve their Creator and Spiritual Father, and that God loves us all far more than a human father would be capable of doing.
Moreover, He has power to help you in ways that would be impossible for a human father. Would your earthly father let you rot away and die of disease if he could possibly help it? But God can help it, and He has promised to heal (Psalm 103:3; James 5:14-–15).
Claim God’s promises when you pray, and always think of Him as your Father.
“In heaven” reminds us that God is not an ordinary father, but One who has all power and should be worshiped. We must be humble and reverent when we pray to the true God.
“Hallowed be Your name,” shows us that God’s name—and all that it stands for—is to be held in reverence. God’s name will someday be our name, if we overcome and are born of God. That name carries authority to rule. It must always be respected.
What To Ask
“Your kingdom come,” is the first request of this perfect prayer. First of all, we should learn to pray for God’s kingdom—His government, His rule—to come on this earth. How many so-called “Christians” really want God to rule their lives? Most carnal-minded people use every imaginable device to avoid the truth that God is Supreme Ruler. Christians should pray that God will rule this earth. Only His rule will bring about the peace and happiness that this world is striving in vain to achieve (Isaiah 11).
“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” teaches us to surrender our wills to God as we pray—to acknowledge His rule—His authority. Remember that God knows what is best. You need to study God’s word, in order to learn the principles of God’s will, so you can pray accordingly. Paul wrote, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).
Drink in of God’s word, so that you may begin to think as God thinks, and have His will made a part of your very character. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Then you will automatically pray according to God’s will, as revealed in the Bible—and your prayers will be answered.
“Give us day by day our daily bread” certainly shows that God wants us to ask for our material needs. But notice that we are not to ask for great wealth, but rather for our daily bread. God has promised to supply every need (Philippians 4:19). It is God’s will that we prosper and be in health (3 John 2), but great wealth might become a stumbling block to our faith. So, remember Christ’s example of asking only for our daily bread—not necessarily for several years of sustenance in advance.
Forgive Others, Resist the Devil!
“And forgive us our debts, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.” You may ask God’s forgiveness only if you first forgive others. When you kneel before God in prayer, never come before Him with feelings of bitterness, resentfulness or hate. If you cannot first rid yourself of those feelings, ask God to clean you up and replace the spirit of hate with His Spirit of love. That love is charitable and patient with others.
It is a wonderful feeling to know that you hate no one, and that in your way, however clumsily, you are trying to show love to everyone. God hears and answers the prayers of those who are of this Spirit.
“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” God himself tempts no man (James 1:13). However, He does permit us to be tempted by Satan and our own lusts. We should constantly pray that He would not permit us to be brought into, or partake of, any temptation—that He would give us the spiritual power to master any wrong desires. Ask God each day to give you the strength to “resist the devil and he [the devil] will flee from you” (James 4:7).
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Satan the devil will try his best to upset you day and night! Ask God for strength and faith.
Ask For What You Need
Jesus continued teaching His disciples about prayer by giving them a parable (Luke 11:5–13). He showed that if we are in truly dire need, as was the man who had an unexpected guest, we can be sure that God will answer our prayer if we throw ourselves completely on His mercy.
The disciples were still unconverted, because the Holy Spirit had not yet been given. So Jesus told them, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (v. 13). God is totally willing to give of His Spirit to those who respond to His calling.
Do you need wisdom, knowledge, faith and love? These are all gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12; 13). Ask God for these gifts. He is more willing to give you these things than you are to feed your own hungry child.
This is His will, so ask in faith!
Two Mistakes to Avoid
During His “Sermon on the Mount,” Christ showed that He expects His true followers to pray (Matthew 6:6–8). He did not say, “If you pray,” but rather “when you pray.” He knew that anyone who was truly serving God would be praying often.
Are you?
He cautioned the disciples never to pray “to be seen of men,” but instead to enter into a closet or “secret place,” and there commune with their Heavenly Father. Christ taught that it is wrong to make long prayers in front of others to “show off” (Matthew 23:14). Those who delight in this sort of showmanship are disobeying God.
Also, you have probably heard members of some religions, and even some “Christian” denominations, repeating the same prayers over and over again. Christ said, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words” (Matthew 6:7).
Memorized prayers—including the “Lord’s Prayer”—soon lose their meaning and sincerity.
Nowhere in the entire New Testament is the “Lord’s Prayer” repeated. The Apostles did not repeat it over and over again. Jesus gave it as a pattern or example after which we could fashion our own prayers.
The world’s churches are in error when they practice repeating any prayer over and over again each week. Avoid this error. Also, try not to offer thanks in the same way at the table every meal.
When you pray, do not just “rattle off” so many words. Think about your blessings and your needs, and pray from the heart.
Never Be Ashamed
We should be careful not to pray “to be seen of men.” But does this mean that we should be overly secretive—as if we were ashamed—when we pray?
Absolutely not!
Many “babes in Christ” are faced with this problem. Some are afraid to pray as often as they should because they are afraid other people will know about it! Have no such fear! Should the nearness of your wife, husband or children prevent you from maintaining an intimate contact with your Creator and God? Of course not!
In Luke’s gospel, we find two examples where Christ—our perfect example—prayed a short distance from His disciples and they knew where He was and what He was doing (Luke 9:18, 28).
So do not be ashamed if anyone knows you are praying! Just be careful not to pray “to be seen of men,” and try hard to find a closet or “private place” where you will not be disturbed.
When Jesus was staying at Peter’s home with His disciples, “having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35).
You can be alone with God if you will follow Christ’s example and make a way!
Position for Prayer
The Bible records many different positions for prayer. But it always shows that in private, personal prayer, you should kneel on both knees. It has always been a custom to kneel on one knee to a king or other ruler as a sign of respect and esteem. Yet the Bible always records that we should bow both knees to God in reverence and worship.
1 Kings 8:54 and Ezra 9:5 show an example of a very suitable position in prayer. Notice that Solomon and Ezra kneeled upon both knees and spread out their hands—upward—toward God. This is a position of humility and supplication. You will come more nearly praying fervently if you are in such a position.
God may not answer “sleepytime prayers” that you mumble to yourself in bed just before dropping off to sleep. If you truly want an answer, you should be willing to get out of that bed and kneel to pray fervently before your Creator.
In private, Jesus “knelt down and prayed” (Luke 22:41). In your personal prayers, you should often kneel before God and pray fervently (James 5:16).
How Often To Pray?
In Acts 13:22, we read that David was a man after God’s own heart. Many of the Psalms are simply David’s prayers. He prayed to God in time of trouble, for guidance and in thanksgiving. In every circumstance, David went to God in prayer.
Never think you are “bothering” God by sharing your joys and your problems with Him. Talk to God often—in every circumstance. That is undoubtedly one of the main reasons why David was a man after God’s own heart.
If you want to be a child of God, then “become acquainted” with your Heavenly Father. Talk to Him often. Share your life with God. David wrote, “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice” (Psalm 55:17). David went to God in prayer three times a day.
We read that God’s prophet Daniel “knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” (Daniel 6:10).These examples are not commands, but they certainly show that to kneel in prayer three times a day is a good way to bring God into our lives.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear.”
The Apostle Paul was inspired to teach the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This means we are never to discontinue our prayer life. It also—along with many other scriptures—shows that we should be constantly in an attitude or spirit of prayer. Talk to God as you go about your work or play. Ask Him to direct your every thought and action.
When you seem to be losing your temper—or when you are in doubt about a certain course of action—stop and think, “Would Jesus do that?” Ask God to show you the answer, and study your Bible so you will know what God would have you do. Then ask God for the wisdom, the faith and the power to carry out what is right.
This simple process will change your life! Your life will then have more meaning, and more real happiness, than you have ever before experienced.
How Long To Pray?
Prayer should be one of the most important and most enjoyable activities of your life.
If you really love God as your Father, you will want to spend a great deal of time talking to Him.
Your spiritual food is obtained by contact with God through Bible study and prayer. Preparing and eating your material food takes most people at least two hours each day. Is your “spiritual food” any less important? Spend more time acquiring it!
Time is precious. Use your time where it counts. It is better to miss a few physical meals—to fast once in a while—than to grow “too busy” to drink in the spiritual things of God.
That is the very purpose of your life!
Sometimes you will need to spend a long session with God. Christ prayed all night before choosing His twelve apostles. When you have a tremendous decision to make, or when facing serious trouble, remember that example. In such a crisis, spend a long time in God’s presence. Pray with all your might. God will hear, and it will be an experience that you will never forget.
What To Pray?
Do you have trouble knowing what to pray about? First of all, “count your blessings” and thank God for “every good and perfect gift.” How little most appreciate God’s boundless love!
Then study your Bible and find what God’s true servants prayed about. Fix your mind away from self once in a while. Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for the saints and for him, God’s servant (Ephesians 6:18–20). He wrote that he remembered the Philippian church in every prayer (Philippians 1:4). Apply these principles to God’s true ministers, His Work and His true Church.
Each of us has a part in God’s great Work by contributing what we should in tithes and offerings, but also in crying out to God day and night to guide and protect His servants. God’s ministers are only human, but we have a job beyond our human power to perform. We need your prayers!
Power in Prayer
When a crisis comes, when you are sick or afflicted, know that God is a God of power! You can tap that supreme source of all power just by kneeling down in a private place and fervently beseeching God to intervene and help you.
Learn to expect an answer. God reveals Himself as real—a living, acting God. Take Him at His word!