10 Easy Steps on How to Pray Effectively

Do you find it difficult to pray? Do you get tongue tied when you need to pray? Does prayer seem like an exercise in eloquent speech that you just don't possess or the reserve of those who possess eloquent speech? Or do you wait until you get home before you pray? We all know how important it is to pray. We are not in control of our lives, there are many forces at work daily around us, these are the end times,  therefore, the need to pray at all time is important.  

What is prayer? Prayer is simply talking and listening to God - just like you would talk to a friend. The only difference is that God is a spirit; therefore, you can talk to Him in your mind as well as aloud, you can talk to God in whispers or in a loud voice. You can talk to God in a song or by simply praising Him. Anyone can talk to God anywhere, anytime.  

If you are new to prayer or you are struggling with what to say in pray, here is some helpful hints…

1. What Does the Bible Have to Say About Prayer?
The Bible has a lot to say about prayer. The first mention of prayer is found in Genesis, Chapter 4.

Genesis 4:26  
“And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then men began to call on the name of the LORD.” (NKJV)

2. What is the Correct Posture for Prayer? There is no specific posture for prayer. The Bible tells us of different ways in which people prayed.  

• Pray on your knees. In 1 Kings 8:54 – After praying, “Solomon arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.”

• Bow your head. In Exodus 4:31, when Aaron told the children of Israel about the promises of God they believed and bowed on their faces before God. In 2 Chronicles 20:18, “Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground…worshiping the LORD.” Also Jesus prayed by bowing and kneeling on the ground according to Matthew 26:39

• Stand to pray. In 1 Kings 8:22, “Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven.” You may also pray with your eyes opened or closed, quietly or out loud—however you are most comfortable and least distracted. You may pray on the buses, before an important meeting, in the kitchen on your bed and so on.

3. Should I Use Eloquent Words or Christian Slang?
Your prayers do not need to be impressive in speech nor is there a set way to pray. Speak from your heart. Think about what you need to pray about. Write it down if that makes it easier. Take each prayer point at a time and just ask God or tell Him what’s on your mind and how you want Him to help you.

Matthew 6:7 reminds us that "When you pray, don't babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered only by repeating their words again and 
again."(NLT).   

Ecclesiastes 5:2 that you should not “be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.”(NIV) 

  4. Why Should I Pray? As children of God, God is our father. He is older, bigger, stronger and better than us. He is more experienced about the world we live in because He created the universe and He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the first person you should have a relationship with therefore. And if prayer is communicating with God, then prayer develops our relationship with Him.
If we never speak to our parent/spouse or never listen to anything they might have to say to us, our relationship will quickly deteriorate. It is the same way with God. Prayer—communicating with God—helps us grow closer and more intimately connected with God.
 
Zechariah 13:9
“I will bring that group through the fire and make them pure, just as gold and silver are refined and purified by fire. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'These are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God.”(NLT)
 
John 15:7 
“But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted!” NLT
 
5. Jesus Instructed Us to Pray.
One of the simplest reasons to spend time in prayer is because our Lord Jesus Christ instructed us to pray. To be disciples of Christ we must obey Him.
 
Matthew 26:41
"Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!" NLT

Luke 18:1
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” NIV
 
Ephesians 6:18 
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” NIV
 
Matthew 7:7
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek , and ye shall find ; knock , and it shall be opened unto you.”

1 Timothy 2:8
“I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

7. What If My Prayer Is Too Complicated? 

Nothing is too difficult for God. Nothing is too hard for Him to sort out. Remember He is the Commander-in-chief of the affair of the universe who else but Him should you turn to in times of trouble?
 
Mark 11:22-25  
“Have faith in God,' Jesus answered. 'I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
 
8. Can I Ask For Anything?

Never pick and choose what you need to ask for in prayer. Remember, God is the Almighty as long as you ask in good faith and your request is line with His will, it shall be done. Jesus confirms this when he said in John 14:13-14. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I 
will do it."
 
9. Prayer is Effective

As Christians we have no one but God to save us from the calamities of this world, so prayer brings goodness and peace into our life.
 
1 John 5:14-15
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him"
 
Philippians 4:6-7  
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus"  

10. What If I Don't Know How to Pray? The Bible tells us even in times when you are lost for words and don’t know what to say or how to pray that Holy Spirit will help you in.  

Romans 8:26-27 
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.”NIV 

©Morin Okenla JIL 2012

Morin Okenla is the founder of Jesus is Lord Ministry. She posts daily bible quotes, Christian news ans articles on the internet. 
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