Quick Summary ↬ Using quotes and stories from the Bible, we can deduce how God expects us to pray. Doing so increases the chances of getting the prayers answered for Christians.
Prayer is one of the most important aspects of a Christian’s life. God desires Christians to pray because, when done correctly, prayers can significantly transform our lives, making us new creations in Christ, as God intended us to be (2 Corinthians 5:17).
However, praying can be challenging sometimes, especially when we are unaware of or forget what scripture says about prayer.
This article will explore the key ingredients of effective prayer and why implementing them is crucial to our spiritual growth by combining all the scriptural quotes related to prayer.
So if you want to improve your prayer experience and increase your chances of getting your prayers answered, keep reading!
Properly Preparing For Prayer
Properly preparing for prayer may be a mouthful of P’s, but in all seriousness, for a prayer to count, some essential ingredients have to be present before starting to pray:
- ASK
- Confession
- Thanksgiving
- Supplication
Remembering the ingredients as the mnemonic ACTS before praying is a good habit. Our prayers will likely fall apart if any of those ingredients are missing.
Let’s dive deeper into each ingredient.
ASK
The first ingredient is to ask or invite God into our hearts. We’ll use the verb A.S.K. as a mnemonic, building a simple and effective way to prepare our minds for prayer. We’ll see why this is a crucial step shortly, but for now, think of this step as preparing our bodies, minds, and hearts before prayer.
Awareness
When we think of God, we think of the Creator of the universe, the Alpha and Omega, and the source of all power and wisdom. If we aim to commune with Him, we must first be aware of His presence. But should this awareness be based on our feelings?
If our feelings dictate our awareness of God, our temper and mood will affect our prayer. Since our feelings are not constant, they may hinder our prayers. But relying on scripture, the never-changing Word of God, will assure us that He is always there and listening, regardless of how we feel.
2 “Thus says the Lord who made the earth, the Lord who formed it to establish it—the Lord is his name: 3 Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.
We should also never doubt our worth to Him, for the Bible is clear: every hair of our body is valuable to God.
6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Therefore, before starting prayer, it’s a good practice to be aware of God’s presence by calming ourselves and our thoughts, acknowledging his presence, and being willing to be open and receptive, regardless of how we feel. That way, our prayers are less likely to feel like a one-sided conversation.
As the psalmist writes in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Sincerity
When we pray sincerely, when we pray with our hearts, we are speaking God’s language. What follows is a beautiful realization for all Christians to benefit from:
What matters is only showing up, even if it’s just sitting and saying, “Hey, I’m here…”. Couple this with the awareness of God, and we’ll have enough faith to realize God is on the other side, replying, “Hey, I’m here too, and I’m listening to your heart.”
God is not looking for us to say the right words when praying. Our intention and sincerity in prayer are all that count. Translating what’s in our hearts—what we sincerely wish for—into words we cannot express is the job of the Holy Spirit. It’s through the Holy Spirit that our prayers will be embellished and magnified:
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Our specific words are less important than our intention and devotion to the prayer. Scripture emphasizes how God searches our hearts:
9 And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
21 would not God discover this? For he knows the secrets of the heart.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?
Therefore, we should seek to remember that what’s important is to start praying. Instead of reciting memorized words for prayer, we let our hearts reflect our genuine desire for connection, even if it’s a simple “Hello God, here I am…”
Kneeling
During prayer, kneeling (or having an open posture) holds immense significance.
One reason is that the ground is considered sacred in many biblical stories. In Exodus 3, when Moses encountered the burning bush, God instructed him to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground. This event teaches us that God’s presence can sanctify the ground we stand on. Similarly, when we kneel or bow before God, we acknowledge His holiness and submit to Him. This humility demonstrates our reverence for God and willingness to submit to His will.
Furthermore, the Bible encourages us to approach God with a humble and repentant heart:
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
We physically demonstrate humility and repentance when we kneel or bow before God. This posture allows us to focus our hearts and minds on God, blocking out distractions and allowing us to draw closer to Him.
In addition to these biblical reasons, when we adopt a proper open posture, our breathing deepens, and our body relaxes, which is not only physically helpful but also calms our minds. When we open ourselves up physically, we become more sensitive to our emotions and thoughts, which creates an opportunity for introspection and spiritual growth.
Confession
Why is confessing our sins crucial when praying? Because scriptures mention that sin hinders prayers:
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.
In the first article in this series on prayer, we quoted from John’s letters that whatever we ask from God, we will get (1 John 3:22). It’s interesting to add more context to the quote by reading verse 21 because we’ll realize that sin will affect your prayer (as does sin affect your relationship with God):
Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him.
Even before Jesus, the psalmist knew that sin affects our prayers:
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.
But, before asking for forgiveness, we must quickly examine ourselves and check if we hold any grudges against anyone. Holding grudges against others will hinder God’s forgiveness of our sins and prayers!
And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Jesus also shared the ‘Parable of the Unforgiving Servant’ with Peter when Peter asked how often he should forgive his brother when his brother sins against him (Matthew 18:21-35). In the parable, the servant should have forgiven the sin of his fellow servant, just as his King has forgiven him. But because the servant failed to forgive, the King sent him back to jail when he knew about his unforgiveness.
21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.
To sum it up, before praying (or at the beginning of the prayer), forgive everyone, then repent of your sins. Whenever you struggle to forgive, it would be wise to remind yourself that the Blood of Jesus cleanses our sins, and no one is worth losing such a precious gift!
Thanksgiving
Expressing thankfulness in our prayers helps us to shift our focus from what we don’t have to what we do have. We begin to recognize and thank God for everything He has done for us, which helps to develop our faith and deepens our relationship with Him.
In his letters, the apostle Paul encouraged the churches to give thanks to the Lord:
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you
Paul is instructing us that in difficult situations, even at rock bottom, we should still look for things to be thankful for.
Supplication
Sometimes, the answer to what to pray for comes easily: we or someone we know suffers an illness or needs guidance. Other times, we may be too proud to ask for things from God, claiming that we don’t need to bother Him and are handling things well by ourselves. This sign of strength only masquerades as a lack of humility, for the day will come when everyone will fall on their knees praying for help. But why wait until then? Wouldn’t it be better to establish a good relationship with God before that fateful day arrives?
Is there someone you know who needs a prayer? If not, can you think of anyone other than yourself who may benefit from the prayer? It doesn’t always have to be a family member; it could be someone sitting next to you at the metro station or standing in line at the grocery store. Here’s an extended list:
| Your Child | Your Spouse | Your Parent |
| Your Sibling | Your Boss | Your Co-worker |
| Your Neighbor | Your Friend | The Lost |
| The Sick | The Christians | The Missionaries |
| Your Church | Your Town | Your Country |
| All Churches | The Whole World |
It is hard to immediately think of what to pray for except for physical, material, or social desires. Here is a list to remind you what God’s providence has in store, waiting for you to ask for:
| Mind | |
|---|---|
| Reliance on God | Wisdom |
| Guidance | Direction |
| Purpose | Motivation |
| Encouragement | Insight |
| Discernment | Awareness Of Truth |
| Mental Strength | Mental Health |
| Peace | Comfort |
| Gratefulness | Contentment |
| Patience | Humility |
| Kindness | Love |
| Generosity | Compassion |
| Body | |
|---|---|
| Healing | Protection |
| Physical Health | Physical Strength |
| Soul | |
|---|---|
| Deeper Relationship with God | Unshakable Faith |
| Forgiveness | God’s Will |
| Purity | Mercy |
| Deliverance |
| Events |
|---|
| Guidance during or for a future event |
| Coming of His Kingdom |
| Salvation of the souls |
| Spread of the Gospel to all nations |
| Protection of the missionaries |
Things to Keep in Mind
Pray Relentlessly, with Heart & Soul
Paul instructs the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing:
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Don’t let your prayer be a mere one-time small request. Keep praying daily, like the widow who continually bothered the unrighteous judge in ‘The Parable of the Persistent Widow’ until she got what she wanted.
[…] Because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming […] And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?
Relentlessness in prayer is so vital that another story is mentioned in the Bible right after Jesus taught his disciples the Lord’s Prayer. Suppose a friend visits you at night, knocking at your door relentlessly and asking for food. Wouldn’t you eventually get up and give him some? How much more will your Heavenly Father bless you when you relentlessly knock on his door?
I say to you, though [the man of the house] will not rise and give [the bread] to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will rise and give him as many [loaves] as he needs.
Continually knock on heaven’s doors, and let your prayers shake the heavens.
Doubt Hinders Prayers
When we pray, it is essential to have faith and confidence in the power of God to answer our prayers. Doubt hinders the effectiveness of prayer and prevents believers from experiencing the fullness of God’s blessings.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
One example of the power of not doubting while praying is the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:22-33. When Jesus invited Peter to come to him on the water, Peter had faith but also doubted. As soon as he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the wind and waves, he began to sink. However, when he cried out to Jesus, “Lord, save me!” immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.
Another example can be found in Mark 5:25-34, where a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years believed that if she could touch Jesus’ cloak, she would be healed. As soon as she touched his cloak, she was instantly healed, and Jesus confirmed her faith by saying, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
When we have faith that God will come through for us, we can experience miracles like Peter walking on water or the woman healed by touching Jesus’ cloak.
Remember God’s Will
Let’s revisit John’s quote to note a significant point:
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us
Note the emphasis added: Our prayers have to align with His will. Ultimately, God’s omniscience is greater than our limited perspective. It may be hard to acknowledge that sometimes, our prayers may not benefit us and that we must wait because God has more significant plans for us.
This point may be the most challenging one to accept because it raises a serious question: Why would anyone pray if, eventually, our prayers won’t change what’s destined to happen? Doesn’t this mean our prayers are for naught?
To answer this, let’s look at how Jesus prayed on the Mount of Olives before his betrayal and arrest:
Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.
We can imagine what would have happened if Jesus was granted his wish. There would have been no salvation for humanity. That’s why God’s plans for us are always greater than we imagine, even when they come at significant costs.
Jesus knew his fate from the beginning, yet He still prayed. He knew his prayers would not change the outcome, but He knew how important it was for Him to pray.
We learn in later verses that an angel came and comforted him while He was praying. God listens to us and wants us to communicate with him in times of need.
When praying, always remember to add “if it is Your will” or “Your will be done.” Don’t let this phrase be a mumble; humbly acknowledge that God’s plan for you is more significant.
Pray in humility and submission, and let the answer come in whatever way God has planned.
Selah, Reflection During Prayer
The Old Testament has a word that puzzled translators: “Selah.” The Word appears 74 times in the Old Testament, 71 times in Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk. Here’s an example:
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. Selah
While the meaning of the word Selah is a mystery, some scholars were able to reach some interpretations that sound pretty plausible.
Some scholars interpreted selah as s_lah (to praise) or s_lal (to lift, to exalt). Other scholars believed Selah to be a musical notation denoting a pause of silence or a musical interlude when the singers stop and the instruments continue to play.
The Septuagint LXX (the earliest Greek translation of the old testament during the 2nd century) translates Selah as an “intermission.”
We could combine all the translations and think of Selah as a state when people listening to the prayers pause to contemplate, reflect, or meditate.
How do we use ‘Selah’ in our prayers? Simple: we take regular pauses to stop, listen and reflect.
Putting it All Together: A Sample Prayer
(A) Dear Lord, as I come to You in prayer now, I acknowledge Your presence and majesty…
Please help me to be aware of Your presence as I pray, and to tune out any distractions that could take my focus away from You…
I pray that You will fill my heart with Your Holy Spirit so that I may pray with sincerity and devotion.
(SELAH) [PAUSE to reflect and listen]
(C) Father, I confess that I have sinned in so many ways. I have been prideful, impatient, and unkind to others. I have been quick to judge and slow to forgive. Please forgive me for my sins and help me to turn away from them.
(SELAH) [PAUSE to reflect and listen]
(T) Thank You, Lord, for all the blessings You have given me. Thank You for my health, my family, my friends, my job, and my home. I know that I often take these things for granted, but I am grateful for them. Lord, please help me never to forget that every good and perfect gift comes from You.
(SELAH) [PAUSE to reflect and listen]
(S) Lord, I pray for my son’s health. Please keep him safe and healthy, and protect him from harm. […]
As it says in 1 John 5:14, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” Lord, I ask that the requests I have lifted to You are in accordance with Your will, and I trust that You will answer them according to Your perfect plan for me.
(SELAH) [PAUSE to reflect and listen]
Thank You, Lord, for hearing my prayers and for Your boundless love and mercy.
I pray all these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Avoid memorizing the above prayer! Aim to pray from the heart, following the A.C.T.S. mnemonic.
If you have never prayed out loud before, it will take a couple of times until you feel comfortable doing it, but don’t give up. As we mentioned, what matters is that you are trying.
What’s Next?
In this part of our series on prayer, we have seen how we can enhance our prayer experience and improve our chances of getting our prayers answered using Bible verses from the Old and New Testaments.
We have already seen that God truly desires us to pray.
The upcoming articles on prayer are guaranteed to keep you interested. We’ll give real-world examples of prayers and deal with the tricky question Christians face when trying to prove their faith when their prayers aren’t answered. So stay tuned, and don’t forget to subscribe!
