How and when should you pray?

Question

I am having a hard time in my prayer life. I have heard it said that you should pray like you eat. Three times a day. Is this true?

Answer 1

There is no set number of times in Christianity that you should pray, however when you awake you should seek to spend time with God in prayer. Praying does not mean just crying and complaining to God about what's not right in your life, or asking for things. Praying also includes praising/ exalting him etc. Also at different times during the day 10-15-or 30 minutes, longer if you wish ( doesn't have to have time restraints), whenever needed or whenever you just want to spend time with him. Even at night before bedtime. If you love God spending time with him should be delightful. Now how should you pray? Well in Matthew 6:6 it says that when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.) Now this is used as an example, however you can pray anywhere without distractions. If your prayer is sincere, He will hear ( listen). You can read more on this Matthew 6: 5-14.

Answer 2

Jesus gave the Lord's prayer when the disciples asked Him how they should pray. (Matthew 6)

Find a place where you can be alone and at peace. A place where you are most relaxed. Jesus used to go away and spend time in prayer alone. Always nice to start with praise and thanks. Move on needs of your family and friends. Finally come to your needs. In so doing entrust your life in God's hands pray that His will be done in yours.

Pray as often as you can or at least once a day. Many find themselves speaking to God in the small breaks they get during the day. Prayer often exposes you to the needs of others and makes you a more compassionate person.

Another way is meet with other believers and pray together.

Prayer is compared to food because it nourishes us spiritually as food nourishes us physically. When we are strong in our spirits we become empowered to do great things for God.

Answer 3

Well, the New Testament says "Pray without ceasing..."

The early Celtic Christians believed that everything they did was a prayer, whether it was work or play, it was all done to the glory of God as worship, and the mundane tasks of daily life were an opportunity for meditative prayer (because they could be accomplished while thinking about God).

When you pray, just talk to God as though God is right there with you in the room. Your language style can be your normal style, there is no need to become artificially formal.

You can use the Lord's prayer as a model of how to pray--

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name--
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Acknowledge who God is, and pray for his will).
Give us this day our daily bread (Tell God your needs).
And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us (forgive my sin, and help me to be forgiving of those who have wronged me).
And lead us not into temptation (keep my heart and mind clean)
But deliver us from evil (save me from the evil one and all who would harm me)
For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the glory forever, amen (Again ackowledging and worshipping God).

You can also use the book of Psalms to help you pray -- they are wonderful prayers themselves and can be a springboard to your own renewed prayer life.

God bless you as you come into his presence through prayer.

Answer 4

Your thinking to much.