HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 261
page A259
Does the Bible teach a “right way” to pray?
• NE H E MI A H 1 :4 | For days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. (See note on
page 427.)
Throughout the Bible, examples of effective prayer include elements of adoration, confession, and commitment as well as requests.
• MAT T H E W 6 :9 -1 3 | “Pray like this: . . .”
Jesus taught his disciples that prayer is an intimate relationship with the Father that includes
a dependency for daily needs, a commitment to obedience, and forgiveness of sin.
• L U K E 1 8 :1 | One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray
and never give up.
Prayer is to be consistent and persistent.
• NE H E MI A H 2 :4 | With a prayer to the God of heaven . . . (See note on page 428.)
Prayer can be spontaneous.
• PH I L I PP I A NS 1 :9 | I pray that your love will overflow more and more. (See note on page 1073.)
You can pray the prayers already provided in the Bible by simply replacing the pronouns
with the names of people you know, or yourself.
• 1 C H R O NI C L E S 4 :1 0 | “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be
with me in all that I do.”
• R O MA NS 8 :2 6 | But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed
in words. (See note on page 1019.)
The Holy Spirit interprets our deepest longings and pain and prays to God for us.
How do I learn to talk to God?
• I SA I A H 1 :1 6 | Wash yourselves and be clean! (See note on page 605.)
All our communication with God must begin with confession.
• PH I L I PP I A NS 4 :6 | Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
God invites us to bring all our needs to him in prayer.
Does God always answer prayer?
• 1 PE T E R 3 :1 2 | The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open
to their prayers.
• G E NE SI S 3 0 :1 7 | And God answered Leah’s prayers. She became pregnant again and gave
birth to a fifth son for Jacob.
• J O B 3 5 :1 2 | And when they cry out, God does not answer because of their pride.
• DA NI E L 1 0 :1 2 -1 3 | Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began
to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been
heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit
prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way.”
• PSA L M 1 1 6 :1 -2 | I love the Lord because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy.
Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!
God listens carefully to every prayer request and answers it. His answer may be yes, no,
or wait. Any loving parent gives all three of these responses to a child. Answering yes to
every request would spoil you and be dangerous to your well-being. Answering no to every
request would be vindictive, stingy, and damage your spirit. Answering wait to every prayer
would be frustrating. But sometimes God just wants to talk to you, because it is through
a conversation that you learn and grow your relationship. Many of the best times with a
parent are just spent talking. The same is true with God.
HelpFinder
Being open and candid with God about your current problems creates deep intimacy
with him.
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We can be bold in what we request in prayer.
• 2 K I NG S 1 9 :1 6 | “Bend down, O Lord, and listen! Open your eyes, O Lord, and see!
Listen to Sennacherib’s words of defiance against the living God.” (See note on page 347.)