Do You Really Know How To Pray?
Have you ever prayed or tried to pray and found you were at a loss for words or that you really didn't know how to go about praying? Its really nothing to be ashamed of. Alot of people don't know the first thing about prayer. Some think they should go to a church to have their prayers heard. The fact is, you can pray just about anywhere. Though I have always found it good to locate a quiet place where I can gather my thoughts and make my communications to the Almighty, I have often found myself praying as I was driving down the road in my car or even while I was at work doing my job. God has the ability to hear you any time and any place.
Even the Lord's own deciples at one point needed to learn how to pray so one day, they came right out and asked Jesus saying, "Lord teach us how to pray."
Jesus was more than happy to teach them the steps to praying. He answered them saying, After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Step # 1. Thats the first step, acknowledgement. Just acknowledge Him.
Hallowed be thy name.
Step #2. Give Him praise, honor or great respect.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Step # 3. Let Him know that you want what is only His will in your life.
We must remember that our ways are not His ways.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Step #4. This is the part where you make known your hearts desires and
explain to Him exactly what it is that you would have Him to do for you or someone else or both.
And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debters.
Step# 5. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins and short comings.
Acknowledge your wrongs and let Him know that you do not hold any grudges in your heart
against others that have done you wrong and that you love them and forgive them.
For how is it the we expect our Father to forgive us if we ourselves are not willing to forgive others?
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.
Step # 6. Ask Him to continue to guide you each day and to make you a better person.
Show Him the desire that you have to become more like Him.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Step # 7. End your prayer with more praise.
We can never give Him enough praise for everything He has done for us.
Amen
Step # 8. End your prayer by letting Him know that you are asking Him
in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and in complete faith believing.