Pray
In simple terms, prayer is communication with God. God welcomes our interaction with Him through prayers, and He delights to answer our prayers. Prayer is the means by which we enlist God’s awesome power to intervene in our situations according to His will.
The Bible encourages Christians to pray at all times. It is particularly helpful to pray when we are burdened with any situation. God is interested in every aspect of our lives. He wants to share our burdens and relieve the pressure in our daily lives.
There is no special formula to prayer. You can speak to God in prayer just as you speak to a friend. You can also pray in any position – kneeling, sitting, standing, jogging, or even lying down. You can pray silently or pray aloud. It is not even compulsory to close your eyes while you pray – though some people find that this helps them to concentrate better.
Prayer is not a monologue. After speaking to God in prayer, it is also helpful to wait on Him in a moment of silence to see if He wants to speak back to you. He can speak directly to your heart, through people or events around you, or through His word in the Bible.
Although most of the time we pray to God when we are alone, God encourages us to also pray with others.
In particular, Jesus told us to pray constantly about the events that will happen towards the end of the world. He wants us to pray that we will be able to stand firm till the end and be with Him in His coming kingdom and glory. (Luke 21:36)
If you have never prayed before, would you like to use this moment to start by saying, “Dear Heavenly Father…”
Bible Passages
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
Matthew 18:19
Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
Colossians 4:2
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
Romans 8:26
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.
Matthew 7:11
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
