It is not complicated, just look at the things God puts in front of you and pray.
Instead of complaining about problems, pray about them.
We are to pray for our leaders, because they make decisions for the whole country. Pray for leaders of other countries as well.
Pray for missionaries, pray for your pastors and other pastors, pray for your unsaved family, pray for anyone and everyone God shows you!
Many people have strange ideas about prayer. But we don't need to pray in a certain way of talking, position or know something special.
If you see a need, pray for it!
It's that simple. However, there are principles of prayer given in the Bible, that will help your prayer life.
While in Nigeria, I was inspired to spend 5-10 minutes every service just teaching through all the prayers in the Bible. Because many people just don't know how to pray.
I encourage you go through this study and revolutionize your prayer life as you learn how Jesus and the godly men of the Bible prayed.
Download my study on prayers in the Bible or read it below.
Another great resource is Operation World which I used in Bible college. It tells all the stats of every country in the world and what the biggest prayer points are. It also has stats on what religions are there, the percentage of Christians and a little history.
These studies are part of my notes from a year’s worth of short lessons on how to pray biblically. They give practical advice on how to apply prayers from the Bible to your own life. My prayer is that you find it useful in helping you expand your own prayer life.
Matthew 6:5-8
5 – first, talks about what not to do. God knows your heart and why you are praying. Also says inside synagogues; today we could say church. Don’t pray so others will hear you and know how spiritual and how fervently prayerful you are.
6 – for those who pray out loud in the church, do you pray when you are alone? That’s the test of a true believer, if you seek God on your own.
Reward – mentioned twice - there is a reward for praying (heavenly reward) – This should encourage you to pray more
7 - Don't just repeat, like gentiles, or unbelievers. Pray genuine prayers.
8 – God knows what you need, so don’t need to spend so many words but just talk to Jesus.
Matthew 6:9-11
In this manner – don’t repeat the thing word for word but follow the principles (He just said don’t use repetitions in prayer) – worship God, allow His will to be done, confess your sins,
Lord’s prayer – starts with praise (why we sing praise in church)
In Heaven – have a heavenly perspective in prayer, don’t be praying all for worldly things.
Repeats “You” cause it’s all about God. Prayer shouldn’t be all about us.
Prays only for food – bread is a common food, not even meat. Prays for today, not suspected problems of the future, because that would be lack of faith.
Praise God, Be heavenly and God minded. Pray for needs of the day.
Matthew 6:12-15
What we’ve learned – God’s will be done, no vain repetitions, heavenly reward in praying, praying is praise to God & have heaven in mind.
Forgiveness a big part of prayer.Luke 11:4 – forgive sins. This is an example prayer, which means we should always be confessing our sins, which will keep us humble.
Setting is to go to your room (verse 6 – shut the door and pray in secret), not to a priest or pastor to ask forgiveness for sins. Between you and God.
Forgiveness is a very serious matter because it shows your heart. But I want to make it clear, God can forgive all sins.
Mat 12:31 "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.
Mat 5:22-24 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother (Fellow Christian) without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' (empty one/worthless) shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!'(Stupid) shall be in danger of hell fire. (Why hell?, shows you have no love) Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
1Jn 4:20-21 If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
Jesus takes this further and says to love even your enemies but we should at least love our brethren here.
Being led into temptation refers to falling into or becoming a part of. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Lead means to set forth or launch out.
Jesus didn’t counter the Devil with harsh prayers but with the Word of God. The Word of God can be prayer for you because you will know God’s will for every situation, if you know the Bible. Ends with praise again.
Luke 22:40-44 – Jesus prayer not answered
40 - What this Jesus prayer? No, it was for the disciples. Luke 11:4 – Forgive us our sins.. Did Jesus sin? No, He was perfect. So this was an example for us to pray.
They asked Jesus how to pray and He said, in this manner pray.
Knelt down – we must come to God in humility, not demanding
Prayer was very short – God knows what we need before we ask
Twice He said God’s will be done - Our prayers should always be that God’s will be done
Was His prayer answered? – No, but rather angels we sent to strengthen Him
Don’t always pray for deliverance but pray for God’s strength to pass through
Jesus prayed again but I believe His prayer now changed, for God to help Him get through this thing. He knew what was going to happen and it caused Him great stress.
This passage does not mean we should pray till we are stressed and hurting.
Drops of blood, not because of He was praying so hard but because of the answer God gave
Recap – First, come to God in humility, not demanding. Second, short prayers. Third, ask God’s will be done. Third, accept the answer God gives.
1st Timothy 2:8
Pray every place
Be praying wherever you are (can’t make prayer meeting, not just Sunday’s or in the morning and evening)
Holy hands – leave your gift before the alter/ask forgiveness of sins
Wrath – don’t pray out of anger – don’t pray against anyone. Don’t pray to God that He is not answering or doing as you ask (Job’s wife)
Doubting – The just shall live by faith. Know that the Lords will be done and rest in that.
1st Timothy 2:1-2
First of all – prayer should be the first thing we do, not the last thing, when all else fails.
Prayer divided into 4 categories:
Supplications – asking for something, request – main thing we do but not only thing
Prayer – worship – praising God for who He is and giving Him glory – Lord Jesus, singing songs, thinking of the great things He has done and will do.
Intercessions – praying on someone else’s behalf. Pray for others when they ask (do it right away), pray for others when they don’t ask. Pray for unbelievers.
Giving thanks – thank God for the answered prayers in your life, those around you and what God has done for you.
Pray for everyone – don’t discriminate.
Pray for those in authority – pray for pastor and church leaders
Pray the nations leaders bring peace, don’t complain about them.
http://www.brettschoice.com/how-to-witness/pray-for-the-lost.html
~Only a relationship with God can save you from hell~~
