We must pray on purpose and be disciplined in how we go about it. Waiting until you’re in bed after being dead tired and nodding off watching the news doesn’t cut it. All that does is give God a cursory few seconds of your time before your eyes close. What we need is a regular appointment time with God in prayer to talk over our concerns. We need a quiet place where we are comfortable and we won’t be disturbed or hurried. We should pray to God as often as we need to and as often as we can with our busy schedules. Nothing should have priority over talking to God. You don’t always have to be formal when talking to God. You can talk to God informally when walking or driving somewhere. God would rather hear from you informally than not at all. Note during your day things you need to discuss with God during your formal prayer time.
There are five basic types of prayers I think we should all be familiar with:
1. Prayers in praise of God’s mercy, love and grace.
2. Prayers for the confession of sins and asking for forgiveness.
3. Prayers asking for God’s protection from evil and harm.
4. Prayers asking for God’s understanding, instruction and guidance.
5. Prayers for rejoicing in the goodness of God Almighty.
Most prayers should include, as a matter of course, introductory praise to God’s glory and majesty. We then should take the opportunity to ask for our sins to be forgiven by God followed by asking for God’s protection from evil and harm. These first three items in my mind are perfunctory for every prayer. Then we get into the reason for most prayers to God which is seeking God’s guidance in our lives. Of course we always close by invoking the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior who is our Mediator with God (i.e. in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen). The last prayer is a stand alone prayer of rejoicing in the attributes of the Lord God Almighty! I’m ashamed to say we don’t rejoice in God as often as we should but we need to start taking the time to revel in our great God.
Hebrews 12:2 – Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:12 – Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees.
Mark 11:24 – Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.