Thanks for asking such an important question. After all, prayer is an important part of our Christian life because it helps keep us focused and oriented toward God.
As for how often we should pray, Jesus, in instructing us to pray "give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11Give us this day our daily bread.
See All...), teaches us that we should be praying every day. And 2 Corinthians 4:16For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
See All... also confirms this principle, saying the inward man is renewed "day by day." While once a day is the minimum, King DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. prayed three times a day (Psalm 55:17Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
See All...), as did Daniel (Daniel 6:13Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
See All...).
In considering what to say, Christ's model prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 [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.
See All... gives us an outline of things we can pray about. For example, the first part of the prayer says, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name." To begin our prayers, we can address God as our Father, our Creator, who is in heaven. Hallowed means honored and holy. We can tell God that we are honoring Him and that it is our desire to continually honor Him. For each part of this model prayer, we can say these things in our own words and add our own thoughts to them.
Of course, praying for others is good. So is asking God to forgive us for our sins and mistakes. Sometimes we may come to God with a specific issue we want to pray about. At other times, we may wish to use this model prayer as an outline of things to pray about. On other occasions we may wish to turn to the Psalms and read some of them as a basis for our own prayers, interjecting our thoughts along with the words.
As for repetition, don't worry if you ask for some things on a regular basis. While God doesn't want us to use "vain repetitions as the heathen do" (Matthew 6:7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
See All...), these are worthless repetitions because they are insincerely based on being seen of men rather than genuine, heartfelt concerns. If you are sincere about what you are asking, it isn't a vain repetition—it's a good repetition.
Don't get discouraged if you have a little difficulty in praying. Instead, persevere and keep trying. It will get easier the more often you do it. And be assured, God does appreciate our effort. In RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 8:3-4 [3] And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
[4] And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
See All..., it describes the prayers of the saints as mingled with incense (a sweet, pleasant smell) as they ascend up to God.
Got a question? If you don't see your question here, ask our team of caring, dedicated ministers for a personal answer. (Please allow a week or so for an e-mail response.)
Nobody has commented yet. Be the first to kick off the discussion!