Pointers About Prayer

Pointer About Prayer Matthew 6:5-15

As I come in contact with a number of people who come from a number of backgrounds and faiths, I have found that most of them pray. They might not pray like I do and they probably won't pray for the same results that I pray for, but they pray.

Some approach God as if He were a provider of gifts to meet their wildest dreams.

Some approach God as if they were extremely cautious, treading on ground that is forbidden to be walked upon.

Some lift their prayer to someone they really do not know, while others display a surety and confidence that they indeed have a personal relationship with God Almighty.

5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.^[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

There are a variety of styles of prayer that are used throughout the Bible. The prayers also exhibit a variety of emotions that range from knowledgeable to confused, from frustrated and angry to elated and happy, some were searching for the presence of God. Some people were requesting anything from physical healing to deliverance from their enemies.

The posture that was assumed by these masters of prayer had just as much variety as the prayers themselves: some kneeled, some fell prostrate on the ground or floor, some sat, some put their head between their knees, and some stood, with their arms raised to the heavens.

Some of the great people of prayer sang while they prayed, some were silent, some read pre-written prayers, some insisted that it was needful to pray without a script.

I have personally used most of these methods. I didn't do it so that I could find a better way, I just did it because it seemed the right thing to do at the time.

In Philip Yancey's “Prayer, Does it Make Any Difference?” I ran across Some basic principles for prayer.

Principles For Prayer:

1. Keep it honest.

2. Keep it simple.

3. Keep it up.