How to pray effectively

[von]

How do you really seek the Lord? Many times I get down to pray, my mind is all over the place. I don't know how to clear my mind of things. When I lay down at night I think of a million things to pray about and things to talk to the Lord about. I don't want to start praying then because I just end up falling asleep and waking up periodically, saying a few words to the Lord here and there. I feel like He wants a little more out of me than this. How do I bring my mind into subjection and How do I pray effectively? I realize the devil through things in our way to hinder us but I need to evercome that.

 

[von]

Nobody knows how to pray???

 

[Lewis]

von, not everybody prays the same, I like to pray while I am walking around the house, and I also like to pray when I lay down at night. But like you my mind wonders all over the place. They are called (racing thoughts). But praying is a individual thing. But here is a nice site on learning how to pray.

http://everystudent.com/wires/prayers.html

 

[mmmgaspacho]

I find it extremely helpful to keep a prayer journal. When I pray I try to write it down like a letter to God. It keeps my thoughts well organized, and I tend to get more specific. It also helps because you can look back on your previous prayers and kind of keep track of how your are advancing in your walk. You can look back and see how God has helped you get through the problems in your life.

Also, it's good to have someone else start a journal, and you can hold each other accountable for at least one entry per day. You don't necessarily have to let the other person read it, but show them that you have written in it each day.

Just my two cents.


Dave

 

[mamacat]

hey,

I know all about the mind wandering thing. I actually pray for God to take over my mind when this happens and make it stop going off somewhere. That said I do believe God has helped me with this. When I do notice this happening, I try to just focus on Jesus. Sometimes I will meditate on His name and all He has done for us/me. I might sound odd, but maybe try to stop what you are trying to pray and just focus on God and all that He has done and is doing and is going to do. Then when your mind becomes more clear, try going back to what you wanted to talk to Him about.

Jesus is Lord!

Oh and I fall asleep praying too, I feel sort of bad about that, but I'd rather fall asleep praying than not praying

 

[Relic]

.

You have to take pertinent scripture and make it your own, that is, read it as if it were written from yourself to God such as King David did in pouring his heart out to God. The Psalms are wonderful verses to study, meditate upon and to use as means of talking to God. And then take the scriptures in which God IS speaking to others in relation to their behavior. See how God speaks to others in the form of Love, discipline, and yes, disappointment in how people ignore him. Learn how the Word of God encourages faith, hope and perseverance IN the promise of the Lord through the Holy Spirit of Christ Jesus living IN you through you. If you don't take it as your own living example, you will struggle more than necessary. Not to say we don't feel pain or suffer anymore. No, Life is full of trials. It is learning how to OVERCOME them through using correct scriptures as being your own words., is what Jesus wants us to learn and grow in. Jesus rebukes satan in the garden of Gethsemane by speaking the written word. Jesus quoted the Old Testament scriptures in his ministry, and so should we. Jesus also asked that it be the will of God the Father that takes precedence and not that of his own 'carnal' will , that is, Jesus had been tempted carnaly, (carnal/selfish) no different than any man... But he overcame by seeking the will of God as his own, and not his own carnality. A crucial step is the willingness to repent of the things that are causing things such as sin/confusion/hindrances etc., in your life. (to turn away from, and turn toward the HOLY SPIRIT OF Christ Jesus. )
Even our prayer life is subject to the will (mindset) of God and not our own. If we pray wrongly, we need be careful of seeking after our own selfish desires, as opposed to those of the will of God, in our own lives.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.


If you want to do a study on How to Pray effectively here is a link for you to go over, it may assist you. There are 7 pages of information pertaining to prayer and having faith in your prayer time.

http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=12978

.

 

[GodsAngel]

I find it extremely helpful to keep a prayer journal. When I pray I try to write it down like a letter to God. It keeps my thoughts well organized, and I tend to get more specific. It also helps because you can look back on your previous prayers and kind of keep track of how your are advancing in your walk. You can look back and see how God has helped you get through the problems in your life.

Also, it's good to have someone else start a journal, and you can hold each other accountable for at least one entry per day. You don't necessarily have to let the other person read it, but show them that you have written in it each day.

Just my two cents.


Dave

that is such a great idea.. I myself am just learning how to pray and I want to do it effectivley...thanks for the tip.. i wll defiantley have to try it...

 

[Psalmist]

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." Matthew 26:39

I suspect most people instinctively pray something like this when facing a crisis situation. In its most basic form, prayer is a cry for help. However, what is the purpose of prayer? Are we trying to change the will of God because we don't like the situation we are currently facing? If so, is this not wrong? And if we are not trying to change the will of God, then is there really any thing to pray for? Why do we pray?

Are we trying to get God to see it our way, or are we honestly putting in the effort of seeing God's will in our circumstances/situations and believing that He knows what is best; however I do believe that God does hear our prayers petitions and requests and answers accordingly, especially when it is not involving our unnecessary wants, and silly notions, and the selfish me's. When we pray according to what the scriptures teach and as Holy Spirit gives the petitioner direction, then we understand how we should pray.

So why Pray? What is the point of prayer? This what Mrs Psalmist and I have learned so far . . .

For some it is the first defense, and to others it is the last resort.

For me the point of . . .

• Prayer is the every ready companion. [/*:m:8e793]
• Prayer is the voice of expression from the heart that is seeking help. [/*:m:8e793]
• Prayer is at times silent or unspoken expression from the deepest recesses of the soul. [/*:m:8e793]
• Prayer is a part of the sweet quiet daily devotionals or meditations in meeting with Lord. [/*:m:8e793]
• Prayer is action when we need urgent help in desperate situations or facing challenges. [/*:m:8e793]
• Prayer is holding the hand of a loved one who is hovering between life and death. [/*:m:8e793]
• Prayer is quieting the anxious soul while waiting for word from far away battlefield. [/*:m:8e793]
• Prayer is asking for wisdom and understanding when studying His word.[/*:m:8e793]

The list for “Prayer is†may be long, but “Prayer is†never a waste of words or our time.

Real prayer always does one of two things: It either frees us from the trouble we fear, or else it gives us the strength and courage to meet the trouble when it comes. (Anonymous)

Prayer frees us from the trouble we fear - Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Prayer gives us the strength and courage to meet trouble when it comes, and in our prayful pleading finding the Lord’s grace is sufficient - Whether it is short like David’s “Help, Lord!†or Paul’s earnest plea concerning his affliction, Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:8-9

Prayer is, resting and patient waiting - Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him . . . Sometimes more waiting - Wait on the LORD . . . Prayer brings assurance - But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him. Psalm 37:7, Psalm 37:34, Psalm 37:39-40

Prayer is learning patience - I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1

Prayer is - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

At times it seems the heavens are brass and God’s ear has stopped against your prayers - O LORD; do not keep silence. O Lord, do not be far from me. Psalm 35:22

Sometimes prayer is urgent - O my God, make haste to help me! Psalm 71:12 <> Do not keep silent, O God! Do not hold Your peace, And do not be still, O God! Psalm 83:1 <> From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. Psalm 61:2

And at other times you feel that in your praying a closeness to the Lord as Isaiah the prophet did . . . In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Isaiah 6:1

And there is such a closeness, earthly speaking, that it could be expressed like the first and last verse of the sonnet “High Flight†. . .

“Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth . . . Put out my hand and touched the face of God.â€Â

“High Flight,†a sonnet written by John Gillespie Magee, 1941

In prayer the Lord is our hiding place - You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

Prayer is blessing the Lord - Blessed be the LORD, because He has heard the voice of my supplications! Psalm 28:6

In Prayer the Lord is praiseworthy because - I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4 <> I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High. Psalm 9:1-2

Prayer is the “Certainty†that the Lord hears - For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from Him; but when He cried to Him, He heard. Psalm 22:24 <> But certainly God has heard me; He has attended to the voice of my prayer. Psalm 66:19 <> I love the LORD, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Psalm 116:1 <> Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 <> In my distress I cried to the LORD, and He heard me. Psalm 120:1 <> O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; incline Your ear to my cry . . . LORD, I have called daily upon You. Psalm 88:1-3 <> I have stretched out my hands to You. Psalm 88:9 <> But to You I have cried out, O LORD, and in the morning my prayer comes before You. Psalm 88:13 <> But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him. Psalm 32:10

Then like David, we can rest in the fact that . . . The LORD is my shepherd . . . Psalm 23:1

And that is truly marvelous, like shouting hallelujah territory in Canaan’s happy land!

Praise the LORD! Amen and Amen!

The Serenity Prayer - As most of have heard it . . .
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

The rest of the Serenity Prayer . . .
Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His Will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next - Amen. - Reinhold Niebuhr

Are prayers answered - I believe they are, answered never too soon or too late, but on time.

Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed that same hour. Matthew 8:13

 

[SillySeth]

I go to my church, which is like an hour away, and spend time in this room they call the "Upper Room." It is essentially a 24 hour prayer room. This is where I do most of my praying. I mean... yes... I pray everyday but when I really want to seek God and pray that's where I go.

Many times... I will be the only one in the room so I pray out loud. I am sort of an actor so I like really get into it when I do this. It's like I'm really talking to someone, except it's too God. I have found that this is a pretty effective way of praying to God without distractions. Yes... I have them... cause there's 500 things I want to tell God but I work my way through them as I pray out loud.

Just an idea... it might help

 

[Matthew24:14]

Re: How to pray effectively[Power of Prayer]

Power of Prayers
It is written and must be known.
You must know...with faith...Prayers will only be answered ( only if )
you ask in His Name. [ YAHWEH ] Matt 6:9
Our FATHER in Heaven Hollowed be your Name [ YAHWEH ]
and He wants you to use His Name [ YAHWEH ]
Why ? Read: 1Corinthians 8:5-6 also Exodus 3:14-15
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must
worship in spirit and truth.
This is My Name forever.
Therefore Pray: read - Matthew 6:5-13 Psalms 83:18
Isaiah 12:2 and Isaiah 26:4
Exodus 6:2 Ecclesiastes 7:1
Exodus 9:16 1John 5:14-15
Call on His Name: Romans 10:13 Matthew 7:7-11
Act 2:21 Isaiah 12:4
Luke 11:9-13 Exodus 15:26
And it is through JESUS CHRIST we address our prayers
to our FATHER. 2Corinthians 1:2 Matthew 23:9

RECOGNIZING GODS PRESENCE:
It is unmistakable clear that the Supreme Creator and Owner of the
Universe ( Holly SPIRIT) Dwells in every Believer in JESUS CHRIST read :
Your Choice of [ everlasting life or dead ] Read :1Corinthian 3:16-17
Are you not aware that you are The TEMPLE of GOD .
And that the SPIRIT of GOD dwells in you. And if anyone
destroys GODS Temple , GOD will destroy him.
For the Temple of GOD is Holy , and you are that Temple.
Read: 1Corinthians 6:9-10 and 6:15-20 also Romans 8:11
Act 7:48 and Act 17:24-25
Let no man ( deceive ) him self.
Now you don’t have to look for GOD faraway ,because
He is as close as your self. ( that is, if you accept His presence )
When you do accept, you will be the keeper of GODS Temple.
That means, you have to obey the house rules which is :
[ GODS Commandments ] to keep the Temple clean from the evil
of this world [ that is satan influence ] such as: in Leviticus 19:28
and 1Corinthians 6:6-10 and 1Corintians 7:8-11 etc.
Tell the World this GOOD NEWS read: Matthew 24:14
GOD will Bless you
:infinity: