Most often, prayer should be private. You must not use vain repetitions, prayer wheels do not work, neither does the wrongful practice of counting beads on a "Rosary." Christ directs us on how and whom to pray to in: Matthew 6:5-15, "And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, in order that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, enter into a private room; and after shutting the door, pray to your Father Who is in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret shall reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions, as the heathen {Gentiles} do; for they think that by multiplying their words they shall be heard. 8 Now then, do not be like them; for your Father knows what things you have need of before you ask Him. 9 "Therefore, you are to pray after this manner: 'Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name; 10 Your kingdom come {to earth}; Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; 11 Give us this day our daily bread; 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors; 13 And lead us not into temptation, but rescue us from the evil one {Satan}. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.' 14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Mat 6:33, "As for you seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

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In studying the following, we will learn that we need to find a quiet place to pray, as we approach God's throne with reverence, to express thanks, adoration, and praise towards God; as we confess sins, weaknesses, and ask His forgiveness. Hebrews 13:15, "Accordingly, let us offer the sacrifice of praise continually to God through Him; that is, with the fruit of our lips openly professing our faith in His name." 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our own sins, He is faithful and righteous, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

There are many types of prayers. Prayers of praise used to express love and reverence for God thus focusing on God's attributes, such as His power, wisdom, and goodness. Prayers of confession admit our sins to God and to ask for His forgiveness. King David asked for forgiveness expressed in Psalms 51:9-10, "Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." As we pray prayers of thanksgiving, we express gratitude to God for receiving good things in our lives and focus on the blessings we have received, thus appreciating God's love and care. 1 Thessalonians 5:18, "Give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

We can pray that God intercedes for our loved ones, our rulers, for people in need, and for the world as a whole. Intercessory prayer shows our love and concern for others as we ask God to draw them towards salvation. We also pray to petition, to ask, God for things that we need, as well as needs of others. Ephesians 6:18, "Praying at all times with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and in this very thing being watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints." Pray for God's will to be done for all peoples: 1 Timothy 2:1-4, "I exhort, therefore, first of all that supplications {petitions}, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men; 2 For kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and respectability. 3 For this is good and acceptable before God our Savior, 4 Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." There are times when the Holy Spirit intercedes in our prayers for us: Romans 8:26, "Now in the same way also, the Spirit is conjointly helping our weaknesses because we do not fully understand what we should pray for, according as it is necessary, but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be expressed by us."

James 5:13-16, "Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with {olive} oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will cure the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up. And if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him. 16 Confess faults to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous one avails much."

The United States was founded on godly principals. When its inhabitants stray from the respect of God and violate God's Ten Commandments, a dire condition follows: 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, "If I shut up the heavens, and there is no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people, 14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." God has this instruction for those who need to humble themselves and pray to Him: James 4:6-10, "… 'God sets Himself against the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.' 7 Therefore, submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double- minded! 9 Be grieved and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into grieving, and your joy into mourning. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you."

We pray in the name of Jesus: John 14:13-14, "And whatever you shall ask in My name, this will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name {Jesus' name}, I will do it." When we ask according to the will of God! 1 John 5:14, "And this is the confidence that we have toward Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." We use scripture verses and passages into our prayers because: 2 Timothy 3:16. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for conviction, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." We pray to God through the authority of Jesus: 1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men—the Man Christ Jesus." We finish our prayers with "amen," which means "so be it." Thus signifying our agreement with the prayers and our trust that God will respond in His way and time. We ask in faith, believing: James 1:6-7, "But let him ask in faith, not doubting at all because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven by the wind and tossed to and fro. 7 Do not let that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord."

We need to pray with sincerity, humility, and a desire to connect with God and His will. We are to be steadfast and patiently await for God's answer: Galatians 6:9, "Now we should not lose heart in doing well because we who do not faint will reap {a harvest} in due time."

As we pray, we grow spiritually through scripture study and prayer, we can experience the power of the Holy Spirit working within us. Christ asks us in Luke 11:13, "Therefore if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father Who is in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?" We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always! 17 Pray unceasingly. 18 Give thanks in everything, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Prayer needs to be an essential part of your daily life as you connect with your Creator. Daniel in the Old Testament chose to approach his Creator at least three times a day. Daniel 6:10, "… Daniel went to his house. … and he kneeled on his knees three times a day and prayed, and gave thanks before his God … " We are directed in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication {requests} with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

How to Pray: A Biblical Guide to Prayer

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