{"id":51068,"date":"2019-10-03T00:10:24","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T21:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=51068"},"modified":"2025-06-20T18:19:59","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T15:19:59","slug":"understanding-how-to-pray","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/10\/03\/understanding-how-to-pray\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding How to Pray"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the first questions people often ask after giving their lives to Jesus Christ is:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow do I pray?\u201d<\/strong> or \u201cWhat should I say so that God hears me?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

The good news is this: prayer is not about using perfect words or following a rigid formula<\/strong>. God is not like people who need long explanations to understand us. He is our loving Heavenly Father<\/strong>, and He knows us deeply.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.\u201d<\/strong> \u2014 Matthew 6:8<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This means that even before we speak, God already understands what we need. We don\u2019t need special training to pray\u2014we just need to come to Him sincerely<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Why Prayer Matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Prayer is a relationship, not a ritual.<\/strong>
    \nIt’s not about how long or elegant your words are, but about your connection to God as His child.<\/p>\n

    \u201cFor you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Galatians 3:26<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n

  2. Through prayer, we participate in God’s will on earth.<\/strong>
    \nPrayer aligns our hearts with God\u2019s purposes.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYour kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 6:10<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \n

    The Model Prayer Jesus Gave (Matthew 6:9\u201313)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Jesus didn\u2019t leave us guessing. He gave us a pattern for prayer\u2014commonly known as the Lord\u2019s Prayer<\/strong>. Let\u2019s break it down theologically and practically:<\/p>\n

    \n

    1. \u201cOur Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    We begin prayer by recognizing God\u2019s holiness and majesty<\/strong>. He is not only powerful, but personal\u2014a Father who loves us.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGod is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 John 4:24<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    2. \u201cYour kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    We submit to God’s will, not our own. We don\u2019t just pray for what we want\u2014we pray for what God wants<\/strong>, because His plans are perfect.<\/p>\n

    \u201cDelight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Psalm 37:4<\/em>
    \n\u201cNot My will, but Yours, be done.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Luke 22:42<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    3. \u201cGive us this day our daily bread\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    This is where we bring our personal needs to God\u2014food, shelter, clothing, work, and opportunities. He cares for every detail of our lives.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnd my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Philippians 4:19<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    4. \u201cForgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    Prayer involves confession and forgiveness<\/strong>. We must ask God to forgive our sins, but also forgive others. Unforgiveness blocks our prayers.<\/p>\n

    \u201cIf we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 1 John 1:9<\/em>
    \n\u201cBut if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Matthew 6:15<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    5. \u201cDo not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    We ask God to protect us from falling into sin and to shield us from Satan\u2019s attacks. The enemy is real, and spiritual warfare is part of the Christian life.<\/p>\n

    \u201cBe sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 1 Peter 5:8<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    6. \u201cFor Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n

    We end by acknowledging God\u2019s sovereignty<\/strong>\u2014He rules over all. Everything we have, everything we need, and all power belongs to Him.<\/p>\n

    \u201cTo Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 1 Peter 5:11<\/em>
    \n\u201cI am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.\u201d<\/em> \u2014 Revelation 22:13<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Don’t focus on using perfect words or the “right” language. God sees your heart. Just make sure your prayer includes:<\/p>\n