Prayer: Concept, Practice, and Results for a Praying Person

Prayer is a concept present in humanity from the beginning. We see this practice in churches, movies, book covers, and even jokes. This makes it common and ignored at the same time. Do you remember the first time you prayed?

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The purpose of this post is to explore a resource that can exponentially extend your results. This is in fact an invitation to a life of prayer that requires your own interest for a deeper understanding of this subject. I pray that you will be awakened in this regard.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Apostle Paul, Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬

What does it mean to pray?

Prayer is every sentence with complete meaning and a verb. When a person approaches God, prayer is that means of communication that includes meaning and action at the same time.

When we think of meaning, we realize that every real prayer includes a message. It allows an expression of one’s heart to come to God. As simple as a person can be, they can access God at any time through prayer.

Moreover, action is always present in true prayer. Naturally a person does not want to pray. It takes some kind of movement, intention, or effort for a prayer to come out of a person’s mouth toward heaven. The spiritual realm is an inertia-free environment, more real than the physical world.

In this way, whenever a person approaches God, they are engaging in a serious commitment that has real consequences. The best metaphor for this is a healthy relationship between a father and his child.

Our Father

God is a good father. His intentions are always the best for us. Therefore we may find it very inconvenient to start a prayer with requests. Worse would be with a complaint. Now that I am an adult and also a father, I avoid asking my father anything. Much less come to him to complain about something.

This does not mean that prayer should not express my desires. Obviously it must include requests as Jesus taught us. But an intelligent and honorable prayer always begins with thanksgiving:

“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
Jesus, Gospel of Matthew‬ ‭6:9‬

Access in this link Jesus’ teaching on prayer when asked by his disciples: The Lord’s Prayer

Do you use the tone and words you would use with your father to pray to God? Do you speak to God in prayer as you would talk to a friend? Or, instead, imposes a different tone and seeks words outside of your everyday vocabulary? Relax! Be sincere and personal when you pray.

And as you realize that prayer is not just a religious practice or a means of getting answers, you can pray in a way that will benefit your life and give thanks to God. Prayer, in fact, is the most powerful resource for generating results in your life. But note that results are different from answers. There are people who without discovering the value of prayer seek in it only an answer, to receive something. But far above that, prayer yields results that are aligning one’s life in the right direction.

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Apostle James‬ ‭5:16‬

In addition to a thankful heart for the beginning of a prayer, at least 50% of your time and words should glorify God. This is approximately the proportion Jesus taught us in the prayer known as the Lord’s Prayer. Do not waste your time just asking. But start and end your conversation with God in worship and gratitude. He is a good father and is always in your behalf.

How to pray according to God’s Word?

And as for the requests that I make to God in prayer regularly, I have made a great adjustment, replacing petty motives with other nobles. Below I present a list of subjects from God’s word instructing us specifically about what to ask.

You may notice that the most common prayer motives among people are not there. Strange right?

In general, people not only refrain from praying for subjects the Bible directs, they also insist on praying for wrong reasons. For example, the Bible does not instruct us at any time to pray for our finances. Instead, it teaches us to be good stewards and generous, believing him as our provider, and therefore to succeed in this area.

God in His infinite goodness answers us when we ask for what we want. And whatever we ask in prayer we will receive. But as you begin to ask in prayer according to God’s word, your life will reach another level of intimacy with him, satisfaction and peace. More important than praying for any reason is being in communion with God and developing a sincere relationship with Him.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
Apostle Paul, Letter to the Romans‬ ‭12:12‬

This is too simple. Better than anyone, God knows you. So don’t try to be who you are not before him. Relax! And remember to be sincere and personal when you pray.

Praying with Guaranteed Result: 22 Bible Prayer Grounds

And these are the 22 main reasons why the Bible tells us to pray. Pay special attention to the top 3 on the list, which are most emphasized throughout the Bible:

God’s will: Mt 6:10, Mt 26:42, Col 4:12
Faithfulness and Justice: Ps 143: 1, 1 Kings 8:45, Lm 3:59, Mt 6:33
Protection and deliverance: 2Sm 22: 4, Ps 32: 6, Ps 59: 1, Mt 26:41, Rom 15:31
Communion with the Father: Mt 6: 6, John 17:11
The Gospel Message: Ne 1:11, Ac 4:29, Eph 6:19, Col 4: 3
Love, in knowledge and perception: Phil. 1: 9, Col. 1: 9
Answer and revelation: Ps 10:17, Dan 9:23, Eph 1: 18-19
Wisdom: Prov 2: 3, Jas 1: 5, Col 1: 9
Holiness: 1 Tim 4: 5, Heb 12:14
Forgiveness: Ps 25:12, Mt 6:12, Ac 8:22, 1Jo 1: 9, 1Jo 5:16
Prayer in tongues: Rom 8:26, 1Co 14: 2, Jude 1:20
Spiritual power and authority: Ps 68:28, Mt 17:21, Mk 9:29, Eph 3:16
Perfecting: 2Co 13: 9, 1Th 3: 10-13
Healing, signs and wonders: 2Ki 20: 5, Ac 4:30, James 5:15, 3Jo 1: 2
Persecutors: Mt 5:44, Rom 12:14
New Workers: Mt 9:38, Luke 10: 2
Intercessors: 2Ts 1: 3-11, James 5:16
Authorities: Ps 72:15, Jl 1:14, 1 Tim 2: 1-2
Family and Friends: Rom 12:15, James 5:13
Israel: Ps 122: 6, Rom 10: 1
Nation: 2Ch 7:14, Jr 29: 7, Eze 36:37
Sustenance and Prosperity: Mt 6:11, Phil 4: 6, Ps 118: 25

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
Jesus, Gospel of John‬ ‭15:7‬

Conclusion

Whenever you pray, speak in secret with the Father in the name of Jesus. Dedicate yourself to prayer. And never be discouraged but persist. Your life will be infinitely better with the intelligent and sincere practice of thanksgiving prayer.

I pray this post will be a milestone in your prayer practice, giving you a clearer understanding of its value and leading you to better results. There is no impossible for those who pray.

Prayer: Father, I adore you for You are good and your love endures forever. Please teach me to pray in a way that will glorify you and bring better results to my life. I ask you and give you thanks in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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