Through prayer, we can reflect on ourselves, bring our requests to God, and learn how to live according to His will.
Prayer is an invitation to personally experience God and His power. It is the means by which we draw near to God and enter into His presence (Heb 4:16). When we pray, we are reminded that God is not far from us (Deut 4:7; Acts 17:27). When we draw near to Him, He will also draw near to us (Jas 4:8).
Prayer is transformative.
Example 1
When life’s challenges come our way, we may feel burdened with many fears, doubts, or struggles. Yet, in such moments, prayer helps us shift our focus from our problems to God, deepening our dependence on Him. Prayer becomes both a natural expression of trust in God, as well as a faith-building process.
We seek God because we believe that He exists and that He hears us (Heb 11:6). The more we pray and seek Him, the more our faith is strengthened because we learn to trust His character and faithfulness.
Through prayer, the Holy Spirit will remind us of Jesus’ words, teachings, and promises (Jn 14:26). Therefore, when we are weak, prayer can strengthen our faith by renewing our minds, replacing lies or negative thoughts with God’s truth, and aligning us to His will (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 10:5; Tit 3:5).
Furthermore, prayer can transform our anxiety into peace. When we bring our worries to God, His peace will guard our hearts and minds, even when our next steps feel uncertain (Phil 4:6-7).
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can abound in hope, even in difficult circumstances (Rom 15:13).
Example 2
When we face conflicts with others, we may feel wronged and be unwilling to forgive. However, through prayer, God works within us to change our attitude and heal our wounds. When we put such conflicts into prayer, God enables us to extend grace to others instead of holding onto grudges.
When God pours out His love into our hearts through His Spirit, we are empowered to love others the same way He loves us (Rom 5:5).
His love is one that models how we ought to love our enemies (Mt 5:44; Lk 23:34), for even while we were still sinners, Christ loved us and died for us (Rom 5:8).
Therefore, when we experience Christ’s love and forgiveness towards us in our own prayers, we will also be able to act according to God’s will and forgive those who may have wronged us (Eph 4:32; Col 3:13).
How do I pray with the right attitude?
Humility
Prayer is not something we are entitled to; rather, it is a privilege and blessing to approach the Almighty God.
We have direct access to Him, not because of our own works or merit, but because of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and our faith in Him (Eph 2:18). Therefore, every prayer we offer to God should come from a heart of humility.
While those who are proud feel no need for God, those who are humble recognize their lowly state and will cry out to God with sincerity. God will hear the cry of the humble (2 Chr 7:14; Ps 102:17).
God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Jas 4:6).
Ex: Compare the prayer of the Pharisee and the tax collector and their respective results (Lk 18:9-14).
Holiness
God desires that we offer up prayers with holy hands (1 Tim 2:8). In fact, the way we live our lives has a direct connection to the outcome of our prayers.
Those who regard wickedness or iniquity in their heart will not be heard by God (Ps 66:18; Isa 59:2). On the other hand, God delights in the prayer of the upright and He hears the prayer of the righteous (Prov 15:8; Ps 34:15; 1 Pet 3:12).
The prayer of a righteous man is effective (Jas 5:16), but the prayer of one who turns his ear away from listening to the Law is an abomination (Prov 28:9).
How we treat other people and the state of our interpersonal relationships can also impact our prayers (Mt 5:23-24; 1 Pet 3:7).
Faith
Prayer is an act of faith. When we come to God, we must believe:
He exists and rewards those who diligently seek Him (Heb 11:6).
He has the power and ability to do anything (Jer 32:17).
Ex: Jesus heals the centurion’s servant (Mt 8:5-13); Jesus heals the two blind men (Mt 9:27-29); Jesus heals the woman with a hemorrhage (Mk 5:25-29, 34)
Sincerity
God looks upon and hears those who pray wholeheartedly and approach Him with sincerity (Jer 29:12-13; Heb 10:22).
Jesus warned against hypocrisy in prayer, reminding us that prayer is not about how long we kneel or the volume of words we speak (Mt 6:7). We do not pray with the goal of showing off to others (Mt 6:5).
Example: If we attend prayer sessions merely to check them off our to-do list, to show others how “spiritual” we are, or to garner the praise of men, then our actions lack the sincerity to please God.
What God looks at is not the outward appearance or external action of praying, but at whether our hearts are genuine and devoted before Him.
God is seeking worshipers who worship Him in spirit and truth (Jn 4:23-24).
Perseverance
We are encouraged to adopt the attitude of asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer (Lk 11:9-10). These are not actions done once, but continuous actions we take in faith. Assured in God’s love for us, we are certain He will hear our prayers and give us what is good (Mt 7:9-11; Rom 8:32).
Examples to study:
Elijah praying for rain (1 Kgs 18:42-45)
Parable of the persistent widow (Lk 18:1-8)
Submission
When we pray, we also need a heart of submission to obey God’s will. If our requests are according to God’s will, we can be confident that He hears us (1 Jn 5:14-15).
However, we must be willing to submit to God’s will, even if we do not receive what we have asked for (Mt 6:10). In this way, our submission demonstrates our trust in God and in His wisdom to decide what is best for us.
Ex: Jesus (Mt 26:39)
Although Jesus asked God if it was possible to take away the cup of suffering, in the end, He still prayed for God’s will and did not insist on His own. Jesus was willing to submit to God’s plan for Him, even though it may not have been what He would have liked or chosen for Himself.
Ex: Paul (2 Cor 12:7-10)
Paul prayed three times that God might take the thorn in his flesh away. The Lord did not take away the thorn, but instead reminded Paul that His grace is sufficient. In the end, Paul was willing to submit to God’s will and embraced the thorn as a way to experience God’s power and strength in his weakness.
What should I pray for / about?
Pertaining to God
Pray that God may send out His workers (Mt 9:38) and that the gospel may be spread (Col 4:3).
Pray that God’s will may be done (Mt 6:10; 26:39).
Pertaining to others
Pray for those who have sinned against you or have persecuted you (Mt 5:44; 6:12).
Pray for all people, especially those in authority (1 Tim 2:1-2).
Pray for those who are newly baptized or seeking the truth.
Pertaining to ourselves
Pray for spiritual strength in your inner being (Eph 3:16).
Pray for deliverance from evil and temptation (Mt 6:13; 26:41).
Pray to be filled with the knowledge of His will (Col 1:9); pray that you can surrender to and do God’s will (Mt 6:10; 26:39; Heb 13:20-21).
Pray to edify yourself and build yourself up in the Spirit (1 Cor 14:2, 4; Jude 1:20).
Pray for God’s comfort in suffering (Jas 5:13) and for healing (Jas 5:14-16).
Pray for God’s guidance on important decisions (Lk 6:12-13).
Pray for wisdom (Jas 1:5) and revelation (Dan 2:16-19).
Pray for your physical needs and/or health (e.g. Mt 8:2; 2 Cor 12:7-8; 3 Jn 1:2).
Humbly pray for spiritual gifts to serve the church, keeping in mind that spiritual gifts are given according to God’s will (1 Cor 12:11; 14:1, 12).
Barrier 1: “I don’t know what to say to God in prayer.” / “I have a hard time focusing.”
Treat prayer as a conversation, not a chore.
When we treat prayer as a conversation with God, we can look forward to sharing the time with Him, as if we were catching up with a close friend.
Usually, when chatting with a friend, our focus is not on watching the clock or counting down the minutes until it is over.
On the contrary, we often easily lose track of time because of how immersed we are in the conversation. By the end, we are reluctant to leave because of how enjoyable it was.
Similarly, if we focus more on the content of our prayers, building a relationship with God, and drawing near to Him, we can grow to enjoy prayer and may be surprised at how quickly time flies as we pray.
Minimize environmental distractions.
If it is difficult to focus in prayer, we should examine our environment. Is the physical location we have chosen conducive for prayer?
Jesus Himself set a good example, often praying in secluded places such as the wilderness or mountain (Mk 1:35; Lk 5:16; 6:12). This highlights the importance of finding a quiet location where we can focus and pray undisturbed.
When we pray, we should also silence our notifications or turn off our devices to avoid being distracted mid-prayer. Being proactive to make small changes like this can make a big difference in the quality of our prayers.
Having a space free of distractions will not only improve our mental clarity, but also allow us to devote our time and full attention to connecting with God.
Set a goal and direction in prayer.
If we pray only for the sake of praying, it will be very difficult to enjoy prayer or to find any value or meaning in it.
Knowing why we pray and what we are praying for will motivate us to make time to pray and also help us focus.
Use a framework to guide prayer and reflection.
If we find that our mind easily wanders in prayer, it may be helpful to use a framework or to have some form of structure to guide our thoughts.
Ex 1: Pray the Lord’s Prayer.
While the Lord’s Prayer may be something we grow used to reciting at the end of our prayers from rote memory, it can actually serve as a helpful model for us to center our prayers upon.
During our prayers, we can think more deeply on each line in the Lord’s Prayer and how it might apply to our own lives. See the “Challenge Yourself” section for more ideas on how to do this.
Ex 2: Meditate on a verse, passage, or hymn.
Spend time to consider how a verse, passage, or hymn relates to your life. Perhaps it is a sermon you heard on Sabbath, a hymn that you were reminded of, or a passage you studied for your own Bible reading. God can teach, guide, and reveal His will to us through our meditations.
Things to think about:
What emotions or thoughts does this message, verse, or hymn evoke?
How does it relate to you (e.g., your current situation, challenges, etc.)?
What spiritual teaching(s) can you learn? What practical actions can you take to apply what you learned?
Ex 3: Follow the PRAY acronym.
Praise
There are many things in our lives to give thanks to God for. We can spend time in our prayers praising God and giving thanks to Him in everything.
For ideas and reflection, study Ps 103 or Hymn 394 to consider what we can praise God for and how we have observed such blessings in our own lives.
Repent
Before our prayers can be answered by God, we must first repent of our sins. Take time in prayer to examine our life in all aspects — our speech, thoughts, attitudes, conduct, relationships with others, etc.
If we find areas that we know we have fallen short, we must repent and ask God for forgiveness. More on repentance will be discussed in L11.
Through earnest prayers, we can receive spiritual strength to turn away from evil and to do what is right in God’s eyes.
Ask
In our prayers, we can feel at ease to share anything with God. No request is too big or too small for God, because nothing is too difficult for Him (Jer 32:27).
We are encouraged to come boldly before Him (Heb 4:16) and to present our requests to Him (Phil 4:6).
As we ask, we can pour out our hearts to Him.
Ex: Hannah (1 Sam 1:10, 15); Psalmist (Ps 142:1-2)
Yield
Being able to ask of God is our privilege, but whether or not God grants our request is entirely up to Him.
After we have presented our requests to God, we humbly yield to His will. We do not insist on our own ways, but submit to Him in obedience, believing that God’s plans and timing for us are the best.
Barrier 2: “I don’t have time to pray.”
Jesus Himself had a busy schedule. However, He still prioritized prayer and made time for it. Jesus often woke up early to pray or prayed late into the night (Mt 14:23; Mk 1:35; Lk 6:12).
Daniel was also a man of prayer. Despite having the responsibility to help govern a great kingdom, the Bible records his custom of praying three times a day (Dan 6:10).
Practical solutions:
If we truly want to build up our relationship with God, we need to make the commitment to meet with God in prayer daily.
Prayer is not only about the moments we kneel down to pray. It also encompasses the ongoing conversation we have with God in our hearts or minds throughout the day.
For example, praying silently in our heart before our next class or work meeting might seem like a small gesture, but it is still a meaningful way for us to strengthen our connection with Him by involving Him in every part of our life.
Don’t look down on the power of small but consistent actions. It will build a strong foundation for us to continually grow and improve.
Barrier 3: “I don’t think God is listening to my prayers.”
Check our prayer posture and have the right expectations.
When we pray, it’s important to have the right expectations and mindset. Instead of being quick to blame or accuse God for not listening to us, we should reflect on our own attitude.
Are we approaching God in humility, or do we bring our requests as demands? What is our attitude when it comes to receiving from God? Do we feel entitled to immediate answers or always getting what we want?
How do we view prayer? What role does it play in our life? Is it transactional, where we only pray to receive something we want? Or are our prayers an act of faith and a relationship that we want to build with God?
In prayer, we must believe that God will give us the best, because He is good and faithful. As part of trusting in Him, we must also be willing to wait on Him and submit to His will.
Have faith in God’s will and timing.
Anchor ourselves in God’s promises, not feelings.
While we are in the waiting season, we should continue to remind ourselves of the promises God has given to us.
If we pray according to God’s promises, then we know with certainty that God will hear and answer us (2 Cor 1:20). It is not a matter of if, but when.
“Our Father in heaven”
When we pray, we must keep in mind who we are communicating with. God is our Father and we are His children (Eph 1:5; 1 Jn 3:1). Prayer is a joy and blessing because He listens to us as a father would for his beloved child. Therefore, we can come to Him with anything at any time.
Reflect
What is the state of my current relationship with God? How do I approach God — is it like a father-child relationship or something else?
How have I experienced God as a Father to me in my life?
What steps can I take today to get to know more about and draw closer to my heavenly Father?
“Hallowed be Your name.”
Although we have a father-child relationship with God, we should not take advantage of God’s love or neglect the respect and honor due Him. Let our prayer begin with reverence and focus on God’s glory before our own needs.
As God’s name is holy and awesome (Ps 111:9), we must avoid profaning His name and strive to live in a way that will bring God glory, not shame.
Reflect
What are some actions or behaviors that may cause God’s name to be profaned? On the contrary, what actions or behaviors will glorify God’s name?
Does my current lifestyle honor God? Why or why not?
“Your kingdom come.”
God’s kingdom does not only refer to the kingdom of heaven or something in the future. Jesus taught that the kingdom of heaven is in our midst (Lk 17:21).
This line invites God’s kingdom, His reign, and His authority to take precedence in our life.
Reflect
What does it look like to have God’s kingdom in my life?
Are there any areas in my life where I am resisting God’s authority or rule?
How can I shift my priorities to put God’s kingdom first?
“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
This is a prayer for God to fulfill His will and to execute His ways, even if they are different from ours. We know God is sovereign and His will can never be hindered.
By praying this, we acknowledge and accept God’s will above all else. We can use this opportunity in prayer to put our trust in Him and to ask for our knowledge of God’s will to increase (Col 1:9).
Reflect
Do I seek God’s will in the decisions I make?
How can I continue to trust in God, even if His answer is “no” or “wait”?
What is keeping me from fully surrendering and submitting to His will?
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
This line recognizes that God knows the needs of our life (Mt 6:8, 32) and has the power to provide for us. He sustains us both spiritually and physically. This prayer also reminds us that God gives us what we need, not necessarily what we want. Therefore, we should learn to be content with what God has given us (1 Tim 6:8).
This prayer is not an excuse for us to be lazy, to neglect our responsibilities, or to passively wait for God’s providence. While we trust in God to supply our needs, we ourselves still need to be diligent and work hard with our own hands (Prov 10:4; 1 Thess 4:11-12; 2 Thess 3:10-12).
Reflect
In what ways has God provided for me recently?
How can I show my gratitude and appreciation to God for His daily providence, not just in words, but also in actions?
“Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”
This line reminds us about the importance of confessing and repenting of our sins. Without repentance, our sins will only separate us from God and hinder our relationship.
As we ask God to forgive us of our debts, we should also examine ourselves to see if there are any unresolved conflicts or enmity between us and others. If so, we must make peace with them.
If we are willing to forgive others, God will also forgive us. But if we do not forgive others, God will also not forgive our offenses (Mt 6:14-15).
Reflect
What areas in my life do I need to seek repentance and God’s forgiveness?
Are there any people in my life that I have not forgiven? What steps can I take to reconcile with them?
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
This is a prayer for the Lord to preserve us from the lure of temptations and from falling prey to Satan’s traps.
God is able to protect and save us from evil (2 Thess 3:3; 2 Tim 4:18). Therefore, we must rely on Him daily. Through His power, we can overcome evil and complete our journey of faith.
Reflect
What temptation(s) is/are most prominent in my life right now?
How can I equip myself with God’s words to fight against this temptation?
What other actions can I take to guard myself against temptation? (e.g., What boundaries do I need to set? What situations should I avoid? Who can I ask for help?)
Bring these determinations to prayer. Ask God for wisdom to identify our temptations and strength to resist and overcome them.
“For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”
This line is an acknowledgement that God is almighty and Lord of the universe. We recognize that He is sovereign, and all power, glory, and honor belong to Him. Therefore, we should praise and bless Him, just as David did (1 Chron 29:10-13).
Reflect
How can I praise God in this prayer…for who He is? For what He has done in my life?
What does it look like in my life to acknowledge that all power belongs to God? How does knowing this change the way I pray, serve, etc.?