Is there a proper way to pray?

Question

In the bible does it state that there is a proper way to pray? I have heard that it is in the bible. Does it state that we have to kneel, bow heads, and pray in silent? I have also heard that praying in public or at least outloud is forbidden in the bible.

Does anyone know if this is true? Do you know where in the bible it states that you have to pray in silence?

Answer 1

Matthew Chapter 6

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

http://christiananswers.net/bible/mat6.html

Answer 2

There is no proper way of praying. Praying is just like talking. Except the only think is your talking to God. and you don't have to kneel, bow heads, and pray in silent. i pray all the time!

Answer 3

Jesus condemned the teachers of the law for praying in a way that would gain them attention. That's why Jesus said to pray quietly. That does not mean you must keep your mouth shut or you can't pray with others. The purpose of prayer is to communicate with God, not tell everyone you're praying.

And there is only one way to pray – with your heart. You don't need fancy words and you don't need to read prayers from a book. Just have a conversation with God. He's always there to listen.

Answer 4

I do not think so, I think you can pray anywhere anytime and your God will hear you. I think when you are in church or any one of gods houses, It is a respectful thing to kneel or do what ever feels comfortable to you.or your traditions. But I believe the prayers are heard wherever you are. I think good christian or any religious music is a form of prayer. But I cannot recall anything from the bible that says you must pray in silence.

Answer 5

The others have it right according to the scriptures they show. I would add, how did you talk to your father when you weren't trying to be a jackass? That is how you should pray to your heavenly Father. The wants, dreams, the true wishes of your heart is what you should talk about.

The first two paragraphs of Matthew ch. 6 speaks of how the clergy of Jesus' day as well as today (nothing has changed) prayed by showing off their faith by, it says in the vs.2 "trumpets". Vs. 6 is what you were asking about.

What Jesus was talking about is the clergy's showing off their insincere prayers. Christians are to behave in private the same as in public. In silence as well as talking. That is the definition of integrity.

Answer 6

Praying in public was rebuked by Jesus, because the Pharisees and other self-righteous groups of His time used to pray in public for people to see them and think they were pious. You can pray in whichever manner you feel closer to God. Standing, sitting, kneeling, with your eyes open or close... as long as you pray to God in a sincere manner and with faith.

Jesus did give us a hint on how to pray, that's the Lord's Prayer:
Matthew 6: 9-13 and Luke 11, 1-4.

I recommend this clip to you: http://www.interviewwithgod.com/playprayer.htm

Answer 7

The only proper way to pray is sincerely! Jesus mentions that "wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be also" but he also specifically enjoins us not to make a show of prayer. When asked how we should pray, Jesus did say it is better for us to find a quiet place (go into your room and close the door). As far as what to say when praying, he recommended prayer we know as "Our Father".

Answer 8

Someone asked Jesus how to pray and He responded. People take the scripture in which that information is found too literally, though. You must pray from your heart. The Holy Spirit helps you, so really, there is no need to worry about how to pray.

Answer 9

Jesus gave an example of how to pray in Matthew and Luke. I think Matthew is 6:9-13. . "Our Father who art in Heaven..." We don't repeat that word for word, but we should 1.) Address Him and tell him his name is honored (Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name). 2.) Pray that His kingdom will come soon and that His perfect will will be done with our lives on earth as it will be in the next life (Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven). 3.) Ask Him to be our sustainer, our provider (give us this day our daily bread). 4,)Ask for forgiveness of our sins and ask that we have the strength to forgive others (forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us). 5.) We should ask that we have strength to resist temptations from satan (lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil). Jesus tells us that our Father knows what we need before we even tell Him. We can talk to God about anything - He should be our best friend. What Jesus was saying is not to pray the same thing over and over and over until the words just don't have any meaning to us anymore. We can talk to God about anything, anytime, anyway, anywhere, but it needs to be with a sincere heart and with the proper motive (don't pray for a new car! lol)

Answer 10

No there is no proper way to Pray its just between you and God when you pray its just like talking to freind

Answer 11

Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The proper way to pray is to pour out your heart to God. Be honest and open with God, as He already knows you better than you know yourself. Present your requests to God, but keep in mind that God knows what is best, and will not grant a request that is not His will for you. Express your love, gratitude, and worship to God in prayer – but do not worry about having just the right words to say. God is more interested with the content of your heart than the quality of your words.

The closest the Bible comes to giving a “pattern” for prayer is the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Please understand, though, the Lord’s Prayer is not a prayer we are to memorize and recite to God. It is an example of the things that should go into a prayer – worship, trust in God, requests, confession, protection, etc. Pray for the things the Lord’s Prayer talks about, but use your own words and “customize” it to your own journey with God. The proper way to pray is by expressing your heart to God. Sitting, standing, or kneeling; hands open or closed; eyes opened or closed; in a church, at home, or outside; at morning or at night – those are all side issues, subject to personal preference, conviction and appropriateness. God’s desire is that prayer be a personal and real connection between us and Him.

Recommended Resource: Prayer, The Great Adventure by David Jeremiah.