When I was in elementary school my preacher called on me to say the blessing at a covered dish supper. I could not tell you what I did. But I know what I didn't do - say the blessing! Now, if you are not comfortable praying aloud I understand. There was a time if I would have been called on to pray out loud in Sunday school I would have left and not come back. Because of that I never call on other's to pray out loud unless I know it does not bother them.
I understand being uncomfortable to pray aloud. Now I will share a pet peeve of mine. When people say, "Will you pray because you have a direct connection!" I sure do! And so do you!
Jesus has invited, urged and commanded us to pray in His name and has promised incredible results. The best way to learn to pray is....to pray! Prayer is a two way conversation between you and God. Yes, that means you have to listen and not do all of the talking. We must trust God to have a relationship with Him. Our prayers should be personal, spontaneous, from the heart and filled with praise. The more I grow in my Christian walk the longer my praises take because the more I realize my blessings. I have a "rule" that when I exercise I can only praise. That has taught me to be so much more grateful. Things I always took for granted become blessings. Like the fact that you got up this morning!
Prayers are to be prayed with confidence. Confidence that we know Who we are praying to! Almighty God! We are confident that He hears us. Hebrews 4: 16, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Luke 11: 2, "He said to them, 'When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come." John 16: 23, "In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name." 1 Timothy 2: 5, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” We do not pray to the Holy Spirit. It is always to the Father; through the Son, Jesus Christ, and by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8: 26, "The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."
While we ask for things and receive things we may not get everything we ask for. If our motives are wrong we will not receive. James 4: 3, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures."
Years ago I heard a way to pray - follow ACTS. Starts with adoration which is praise. Acknowledge who God is! Praise Him for His faithfulness, goodness, power, love and mercy. Psalm 35: 10, "With every bone in my body I will praise him: 'LORD, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?'” Confession of our sins comes next. God always forgives us when we confess our sins. 1 John 1: 9, "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong." Thanksgiving is our giving thanks for the many blessings God has given us. All the things - big and small! 1 Chronicles 16: 34, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." Supplication is when we present our requests to God. He is our Father and He is delighted when we bring our request to Him. Philippians 4: 6, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."
The best way to learn to pray is....to pray!
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