This has to be a sticky topic. I imagine that if you're praying with a good heart it can't be wrong, but either way my prayer life could be improved. I have very recently been saved and I feel like I have so much work to do on myself that I often feel very selfish in my prayers even though I do want him to work through me and change me for the sake of glorifying Him. Anyways... any suggestions would be appreciated!
2007-09-25 20:57:33 · 22 answers · asked by THATgirl 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Again... newly saved Christian. I am reading the Bible... but when I have no study guide (a book you could suggest) I don't know where to turn. So... help a sister out.
2007-09-25 21:05:50 · update #1
"How to Begin the Christian Life" by George Sweeting. Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, 1976. Another great book is "Life of Christ" by Fulton J. Sheen, Doubleday, 1977-reprint. You also ought to look into getting a post doctorate level Bible called "The New Jerusalem Bible." Around 75 theologians wrote it and it is translated from Hebrew into English - OT and from Greek to English - NT. It is a brain burner though.
2007-09-25 21:14:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Like you said, if a prayer is done with a pure heart, a focused heart, and you mean what you say, it can't be a bad prayer, there is no such thing. I can't say I know a good book for you on how to pray, but all i can say, if your a new christain, just pray with every ounce you have and let him fill you up. One of the greatest thigns i have ever been taught abour prayer, is it isn't a one way converstation. God has TONS to say but we have to listen, I find if you just get in a quite room and start to pray and open yoru heart you will fidn your mind is dirrected to things in your life that are troubling you or perhaps to someone who needs help. I also find listening to praise music while praying is an awsome way to stay concetrated. I find it hard to pray in silence but with praise music, even if you start singing, its still a prayer to God, and sometimes the words will hit home and you will have a great moment with God. I know this was'nt really an answer to your question about the book but i hope you find some of the info helpful. And just remember to keep living for him no matter what the world may say or think. If you want feel free to ask me more questions, im always out there to help my fellow brothers and sisters.
2007-09-25 21:09:14 · answer #2 · answered by william Z 1 · 3⤊ 1⤋
My suggestion would be to read the Bible and go to Bible study. It is the ONLY book that will teach you to pray correctly. Any correct information in an outside book would be simply interpretation of the bible, or worse could be something just made up by the author with nothing to back it up with, as the bible being the word of the Lord. Assuming you are going to church, ask the pastor about bible study...this will open ways to interpret the bible so that you will be able to decide for yourself with the help from the Holy Spirit how you should be praying.
2007-09-25 21:32:07 · answer #3 · answered by Somaesthesia 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Congrats sister! Angels were holdin' a party the day you accepted Christ as your Savior! There are so many books and articles on prayer. The Bible has many passages on prayer too. Below are links to:
** An online archive of books by Pastor Chuck Smith. One of them is called "Effective Prayer Life" which includes chapters titled
1. What is Prayer?, 2. The Purpose of Prayer
3. The Privilege of Prayer, 4. Effective Prayer
5. Strength in Prayer, 6. Pray and I Will Answer
7. Sin of Prayerlessness
** Charles Spurgeon on prayer.
** Also, Christian answers.net - an article on prayer for new believer's.
2007-09-25 21:12:03 · answer #4 · answered by Sandra C 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you can´t pray correctly , read the Model Pray in Matthew 6:9 but also Psalms are prayers and songs
2007-09-26 01:17:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I would recommend a book called "Don't just Stand there, Pray Something" by Ronald Dunn
It was written in 1992.
Congratulations on being newly saved!
EDIT: I hate to disagree with another Christian, but please stay AWAY from the King James version.
Also. I am a Christian, and I love John Lennon and the song Imagine. Please don't be discouraged by all the negativity on this site. You just found the light and now you will always walk in it.
2007-09-25 21:16:11 · answer #6 · answered by out of the grey 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋
hey sis,
bible means "the book". i was once crazy after study guides to "study " my bible.Coz bible doesnot say anywhere to read the book but study, meditate. you can use other books. but they are gonna divert your attention from the book i.e, bible to a book.. the best guide is the holy spirit. If you are beside your teacher who authored a book and study that book the teacher can clear all your doubts. the holy spirit rught beside you when you study the bible. He gave it by inspiration and he can interpret it for you when you meditate.. all you need to is JUSTAsk......then how to pray.. just follow the bible.. every life situation has a prayer in the bible... search the scriptures... there is life eternal... contact me for any queries...
2007-09-25 21:13:34 · answer #7 · answered by what would jesus do 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Amen sister on being saved, such a wonderful thing, see you in heaven. I have this really good study book it is called the ABC's of christian growth. Go to this website http://www.lvbaptist.org/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BHCP&Category_Code=ED
We use it in our sunday school class, it really helps with a lot of things. But don't forget to keep going back to church because the devil will do what he can to keep you out. Stay safe and strong, don't let the devil trick you. Remember when you pray use the acronym JOY Jesus Others Yourself. Thank Him for your salvation and for blessing you for things to come and things that have come already. Pray for others that they too will be saved, or simply pray for those that are sick etc. Than you can ask God to help you grow in relationship with Him that you may become closer.
But the most important thing I believe is to keep going back to that church, or if that is not how you got saved. Find a baptist church, or a church that preaches salvation. I will pray for you and may God bless.
2007-09-25 21:07:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
The Bible offers the best advice on how to pray and be heard by God. Jesus instructs us to pray to the Father (Matthew 4:10, Matthew 6:9)
We must pray in Jesus name (John 14:6)
We must be sincere in trying to live our lives in harmony with the righteous principles of God’s Word (1Peter 3:12)
God’s name and purposes should be our first concern. Next, we may ask for our material needs, for forgiveness and for deliverance from temptation and from the wicked one (Matthew 6:9-13)
When praying, a person should think not just of himself, or of his own problems and needs. Instead he should unselfishly broaden out his prayers to include others. (James 5:16)
What we pray for must be in harmony with God’s will. (1John 5:14)
Jesus indicated that it is good to have privacy in personal prayer, going into one’s own room to pray. (Matt. 6:6)
We all reach times in our lives when no human help is available or when the help humans offer is not sufficient for our needs. Then it is to God alone that we must turn. However, if we love Jehovah God and appreciate the privilege of prayer we will not wait for such occasions to speak to him. Instead, we will approach him regularly, frequently, with expressions of thanksgiving and praise, as well as with our petitions and requests. (Ephesians 6:18; 1Â Thessalonians 5:17, 18)
2007-09-25 21:18:42 · answer #9 · answered by babydoll 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Seems like everytime they describe someone praying in the Bible, they've got their head down on the ground. If you're reading the Bible (and it seems like you are,) maybe try praying the way Jesus did.
This is just one reference. There are many many more examples in the old and new testaments, describing this same position for prayer :
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Matthew 26:39 (NIV)
2007-09-25 21:03:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋