Prayer can often feel like a loaded word. So many of us wonder…“What is prayer?”
“How often should I pray?”
“Can I pray incorrectly?”
“Is there a wrong way to pray?” Thankfully, in the article, “What is Prayer” by AllAboutPrayer.org, the author provides incredible points to empower your prayer life – wherever you are with God! Keep scrolling to read our summary of the AllAboutPrayer.org article.
Cast all your anxieties on Him because He cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:7 NIV
The first point made in the “What is Prayer” article helps dispel some of the mystery around prayer. The author defines prayer as a “direct line of communication with God.” Similar to a phone call, prayer isn’t a one-way conversation, it’s a two-way conversation – even if we don’t hear from God right away.
We generally hear from God through reading the Bible, receiving prayer from others, receiving encouraging words from others, and when we feel the presence of God in nature, community, or in musical worship.
The author continues to encourage readers and gives them an invitation to try the following to cultivate a life of prayer:
1. Talk to God like a friend: Jesus loves you unconditionally and you don’t have to speak in a religious code with Him – He knows every thought before you have it! (Psalm 139)
You can hear stories of God’s unconditional love by listening to our Ask About My Faith Podcast!
2. Express gratitude: Gratitude is one of the easiest ways to engage in prayer. Thanksgiving is simple – start by thanking God for His sacrifice of love that He showed us by dying on the cross for our sins.
Wanting to learn more about how to start a practice of gratitude? Read out article: The Benefits of Gratitude
3. Share your needs: The Bible is full of scriptures that encourage us to present our requests to God. It’s a-okay to ask God for guidance, strength, healing, and provision! See this verse in Philippians:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7
Struggling with anxiety? Read Bible verses about our gracious God, Jesus Christ, who is able to comfort us in any affliction and bring peace in the midst of any storm: 21 Bible Verses for Calming Anxiety
3. Confess your sins in the place of prayer: Confessing our sins isn’t a shameful thing – it’s a freeing thing in the place of prayer. It might feel awkward at first, but just try telling God what you’ve done wrong and ask Him for grace to help you follow in His ways! He will be faithful to meet you. You can start today and begin to pray with confidence, joy, and expectation.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1 John 1:9 ESV
Want to hear more stories on the power of prayer and the beauty of faith? Hear Brian Zimmer’s story of contending for resurrection after his daughter was proclaimed clinically dead.
