I always have prayed, but not as much as I do now. For the past 3or 4 months, I've been praying extensively. I'm about to start getting back into the church. The question I have is, is there a right/wrong way to pray? I don't ask for things, I mainly just thank the LORD for another beautiful day, my children, family and so on. Please, please let me know or give me some advise.
2006-09-23 16:27:08 · 30 answers · asked by Love 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well according to the bible you need to direct your prayers to God, through Jesus' name.
Also it's important to pray w/faith and work in harmony w/your prayers, meaning our actions need to match our prayers.
Also if you are having a problem or something or you want to find answers to some of life's biggest questions like why is there so much suffering, why do ppl grow old and die, what is God's purpose for the earth, pray to God about them and ask for the truth, and continue asking. He will answer those that are sincere in their requests.
Thanking him is good, but matthew 6:9 ,10's a good start too-however that is just an example Jesus gave, you don't want to pray by rote or say the same things over and over again.
Also, our prayers should be according to his will, meaning, we would want to match God's requirements for us found in the Bible.
2006-09-23 16:52:52 · answer #1 · answered by AmJ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For one thing, the Bible says you should not be repetitious in what you say in your prayers (for example, just saying the Lord's Prayer). It is also very clear concerning the fact that God does not hear (turns a deaf ear) toward the prayers of those who are acting wickedly. It is important that you always act in harmony with your prayers (ie: not go out and buy cigarettes if you are praying for help to quit smoking). It is also true that you MUST pray to God through Jesus as he is "the only mediator between God and man". If all these things are observed, I see no reason why God would not hear your prayers and it may just be a matter of timing--God's time does not always coincide with our time. He will answer all prayers that are in harmony with his will but at the time which seems to be best in his eyes--not necessarily our own.
2006-09-23 23:51:26 · answer #2 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is a very personal thing in most context, but always pray from your heart and ask God to bless those that you pray for, understanding that we dont always know everything that will done by God's will. As the bible says, God knows everything we need before we ask any. And when praying in a corporate setting always pray for the people that you are praying with.
2006-09-23 23:31:59 · answer #3 · answered by papaofgirlmegan 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there are no right or wrong ways to pray... some people pray while standing some sitting some laying down still others kneel..some talk out loud ..some pray silently and some even just write letters of prayer to God...but there are right and wrong reasons to pray for instance self fish ambitions...(praying for what WE want rather than praying for Gods will). we are all unique and we all have a unique relationship with our Father find the style you are comfortable with...remember that prayer is communing with God it is not some ritual we have to do, it is something we should LONG for. But always remember to be honest with God and yourself when you are talking to him...he knows everything anyway...if we are angry about something we can tell him and he understands..if we are jealous about something we can tell him and ask him to help us with that emotion..he wants to help us and that is what prayer if for..it is like talking to your mom or dad when you don't have a clue what to do...God will guide us we just must seek his wisdom and guidance. PS most Christians will tell you they do not feel like they don't pray enough...and sometimes we don't feel like our prayers are working or are powerful...most likely because we always feel like we are unworthy..but remember when we pray it is up to us to do the asking it is up to God to do the answering. Hope I have helped you a little bit..Most important when praying BE YOURSELF
2006-09-23 23:55:32 · answer #4 · answered by candi_k7 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Praying is a way we communicate with God. You can pray ( or talk ) to God about anything. He is always there to listen. When we prey it is our time to thank the Lord for all that he has done for us and to ask for his guidance in life. It's OK to ask for things just be sure to always be thankful as well. Sounds like you are doing fine as it is. God Bless!
2006-09-23 23:31:44 · answer #5 · answered by ~wishful~ 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are many ways to pray, but it always pays to be complete.
1) Always remember to give God thanks and praise.
2) Always remember to apologize for the times you "fell short" and promise to try to do better next time.
3) Freely ask God for all that you need, providing as much detail, and taking as much time as you need. Don't forget to pray for yourself, too. There's no harm in that.
4) Have faith. Firmly believe that God will answer your prayers, and then move ahead in faith, as well. Believe that you will receive.
It never hurts to begin or end by reciting the Lord's prayer.
Say hi to God for me, too.
2006-09-24 00:15:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also thank him. Jesus gave us an example on how to pray. It starts out: "Our Father, which art in Heaven...." In that prayer is a line about asking, when he said: "Give us this day our daily bread, and we are to ask for forgiveness, the line being forgive us our debts and we forgive our debtors."
Asking is OK. We are told that we may not receive what we ask for when we ask amiss. Answers may not come in our time frame of things and the answer may be different than we thought it would be and so we don't always recognize the answer.
2006-09-23 23:57:25 · answer #7 · answered by Pepsi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are right by thanking the Lord for your family and another beautiful day.When I pray, I thank God for my home,family,food,friends and my husband.But I also pray for all the ones who are not as fortunate as I.For the homeless and the families who are struggling.And most of all I pray for the ones who deny God and our Lord Jesus Christ, bacause they are the ones who need him the most.I pray for our soilders and their families. I pray more for other people than I do for myself. I'm like you I am just thankful.And remember always confess your sins and ask for forgivness.Ask God to guide you and he will.Make sure you listen to him don't just pray-listen too.
2006-09-23 23:37:23 · answer #8 · answered by marisajeff2001 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of people can you a ton of ways that they pray - some have very strict guidelines of kneeling, saying specific prayers, etc. But if you are talking to Him, isn't that prayer? Isn't prayer communicating with Him? I believe it is. I talk to Him regularly and also ask him to guide me and be with me. Doing ritualistic things are very helpful to alot of people and if it works for them to feel closer to the Lord then I think that's great but isn't necessary for everyone. Speak to Him in what way makes you feel comfortable and close to Him. You can even ask Him about it. He'll tell you what to do. :)
God's Most Abundant Blessings to you and your family!!
2006-09-23 23:33:35 · answer #9 · answered by MissHazel 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Jesus spoke about wrong ways to pray when he said that people who do it for others to see have received their reward. (Matthew 6)
It sounds like your prayers are from the heart, and don't seem at all selfish. But, when you don't know what to pray for, God even provides the way for you to be heard:
As it is written: "In the same way, the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself intercedes with groans too deep for words..." (Romans 8:26)
So don't worry. As long as your heart is bent on seeking God, and not for selfishness, you're doing just fine.
2006-09-23 23:37:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋