First off, what is prayer?
It is how we communicate with God where we give Him thanks or ask for some need for ourselves or for someone else.
When should we pray?
All the time about everything and anything. When I say all the time, I do not literally mean every second of every day. I mean seek Him before taking on activities such as but not limited to: eating, sleeping, waking up, work or changing careers, disciplining children, marriage, vacation, and meeting knew people.
People seem to pray less these days as it takes too much time or their prayer was not answered how they thought it should have been answered. I am here to tell you to pray more, pray often, and accept whatever answer the Lord gives.
Ephesians 6:18 New International Version (NIV)
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
How do we pray?
There is no right or wrong way to pray. You can say it out loud, to yourself, in a song, standing, on your knees, eyes closed or open, hands folded or not, head bowed or not etc. Be humble because remember He is your Sovereign Lord.
You typically will praise God for who he is, thank Him for what He has done, ask him to meet a need for yourself or someone else, and typically follow it up with we pray for these things in Jesus name, Amen.
Prayers can be any length, but do not babble. In other words, keep it simple and get to the point, and there is no need to repeat since God heard you the first time. The most important part is to spend time with God and to talk to Him sincerely and honestly.
1 Corinthians 14:15 New International Version (NIV)
15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding.
What and who should we pray for?
Prayer can be about anything, but here are just a few: the Holy Spirit, healing the sick, peace, our leaders, wisdom, salvation, forgiveness, traveling, to open the hearts of those that are hardened to seek the Lord, deliverance, and for the Lord to show you the path you should take with your life.
Does God answer prayer?
God will answer your righteous prayer, but it could be any of the following: yes, no, or wait. It is not your prayer, but Gods answer to righteous prayer that is being answered.
When you pray, be still and wait for the answer. So many people pray at the speed of light and then move on at the speed of light. In other words they pray really fast then they do not take the time to listen the Lord. He may have answered, but you are moving so fast that you did not hear. Slow down!
Prayer is a powerful tool that every Christian should be using to defeat the enemy. It has healed people that were unhealable and baffled doctors, it has freed people that were held captive and tormented by evil spirits. and it has opened the minds and hearts of those that were unbelievers to be saved.
James 5 New International Version (NIV)
The Prayer of Faith
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.