Prayer is telephoning God?
Prayer is the breath of the Soul?
Prayer is a way of getting things from God?
What do you think is meant when it is said that someone uses prayer as a parachute?
Is that your conception of prayer: just something to use in event of emergency – when someone is dying, when you are about to fail an exam, or when you have lost some money?
Of course it is not wrong to pray about any of these things but if that is the only time you pray, you are making a mistake.
Which of these definitions is how you think about prayer? Here is another one for you to consider: Prayer is going on record that we are willing for God to act on behalf of others or ourselves.
Winning a game of basketball depends on two things, observing the rules and skill in playing.
Are there rules for praying, just as there are rules for playing a game? Let’s see what the Bible has to say that might constitute rules of prayer.
- In the name of Jesus – John 14:13
- To God – Acts 12:5
- In the Spirit – Romans 8:26
- According to His Will – 1 John 5:14-15
- With faith – Mark 11:24
- With perseverance – Luke 18:1
- Obediently – 1 John 3:22
- Sincerely – Psalm 145:18
- Thankfully – Philippians 4:6
- Think of Others – Philippians 1:9
There is one more point that it is well to think about. Is God always pleased to have us pray? See what Proverbs 28:9 says. God is not pleased to have us pray if we are violating the rules.
Praying Effectively