Practical Points for Praying

03/09/2008 Filed in: Hello God? Are You There?
Practical Points for Praying
 
Luke 11:5-13 (NIV):  Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, [6] because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

[7] "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' [8] I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
[9] "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
[11] "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? [12] Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? [13] If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

 
Pray with boldness

Hebrews 4:16 (KJV):  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

    • Pray specifically
    • Pray persistently
    • Pray expectantly

 
Pray with an action plan

    • Ask correctly

James 4:2-3 (NIV):  You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. [3] When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

    • Search relentlessly
Psalm 37:4-5 (NIV):  Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. [5] Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
    • Knock on a variety of doors
James 1:5 (NIV):  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

 
Pray with God’s goodness in mind

Romans 8:32 (NIV):  He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

    • He wants to meet our physical needs
Luke 11:3 (NIV):  Give us each day our daily bread.
    • He wants to meet your spiritual needs
Acts 2:38-39 (NIV):  Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."