We pray to our Almighty God to help us whenever we are in distress and trouble. We also pray for the forgiveness of our sins. Moreover, we also pray to make our Lord feel our love and gratitude. But how do we pray according to the teachings of the Bible? How can we ensure that our prayers are heard and answered by God?
How to Pray According to the Bible
Here are 20 and more biblical verses to guide you on how to pray effectively:
1. Be humble.
The Bible tells us that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). This means that it’s important to do so with humility when we come to God in prayer. We need to remember that we are sinners who need His mercy and grace.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
2. Be decent and modest.
When we pray, we should do so decently and modestly (1 Timothy 2:8). We should avoid using profanity or other crude language. We should also dress modestly, avoiding any sexually suggestive clothing.
“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;” – 1 Timothy 2:9 KJV
3. Remove your hatred and doubts.
If we want our prayers to be effective, we need to ensure that there is no hatred or doubts in our hearts (1 John 3:15-16). Hatred and doubts can block our prayers from being answered. We need to have a clear conscience and a pure heart before God if we want Him to hear us.
“I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” – 1 Timothy 2:8 KJV
4. Have faith.
The Bible tells us that without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Therefore, we must pray in faith if we want our prayers to be effective (James 1:6-7). When we pray, we need to have faith that God hears us and that He will answer our prayers according to His will.
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” – Matthew 21:22 ESV
5. Be righteous.
The Bible tells us that the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5:16). We need to obey God’s commands and live according to His will. When we are righteous, our prayers will be more effective.
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” – James 5:16 ESV
6. Keep the words and teachings of God.
We need to obey the words and teachings of God if we want our prayers to be effective (John 15:7). If we don’t keep His Word, our prayers will not be in alignment with His will. We need to read the Bible and pray that the Holy Spirit will help us understand it. Then, we can know His will and pray according to it.
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” – John 15:7 KJV
7. Obey God’s commandments.
If we want our prayers to be effective, we must obey God’s commandments (1 John 3:22). We can’t expect Him to answer our prayers if we are not living following His will. Therefore, we need to surrender our lives to Jesus Christ and follow His commands.
“We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.” – John 9:31 ESV
8. Stop sinning.
If we want our prayers to be effective, we need to stop sinning (1 Peter 3:12). Sin hinders our prayers from being answered. We need to confess our sins and turn away from them. We also need to ask God for help to overcome our sinful nature.
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.” – Proverbs 15:8 KJV
9. Do the will of God.
The most effective prayers are those in alignment with God’s will (Matthew 6:10). We need to pray for His will to be done in our lives. We also need to seek His guidance to know His will and pray according to it.
Our prayers align with His plan, and He is more likely to answer them when we do His will.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21 KJV
10. Ask according to God’s will.
When we ask for things, we should do so according to God’s will (1 John 5:14-15). Therefore, we need to pray for things in line with His plan. He is more likely to answer our prayers when we ask for things that are in accordance with His will.
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” – 1 John 5:14 KJV
11. Pray without wrong motives.
If we want our prayers to be effective, we need to ensure that we don’t have any wrong motives (James 4:3). We should avoid praying to get something from God, such as for selfish gain. Instead, we should pray out of love and obedience for God’s glory or the good of others.
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” – James 4:3 NIV
12. Be honest and truthful.
We need to be honest and truthful when we pray (Psalm 145:18). We should avoid lying or exaggerating. We need to be authentic and transparent with God. He knows our hearts, and He desires for us to be honest with Him.
“The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” – Psalm 145:18 KJV
13. Do not be a hypocrite.
We should avoid being hypocrites (Matthew 6:5). Our words and actions are both critical. We need to be sincere in our words and actions, and we need to live according to what we say. Otherwise, our prayers will not be effective.
“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray to stand in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” – Matthew 6:5 KJV
14. Pray privately.
We don’t need to pray publicly to be effective (Matthew 6:6). We can pray privately to God, and He will hear us. There is no need to put on a show or perform for others. We need to be honest and authentic with God.
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” – Matthew 6:6 KJV
15. Pray with your heart, not with your mouth.
It is not enough to just say the words; we need to pray with our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13). We need to mean what we say and have a sincere desire for God to answer our prayers. He knows our hearts, and He wants us to pray with sincerity.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” – Matthew 6:7-8 NIV
16. Pray persistently, not only when you need something from God.
We should not only pray when we need something from God (Luke 18:1-8). Instead, we need to develop a relationship with Him and talk to Him regularly. We should praise Him, thank Him, and seek His guidance even when we don’t need anything.
We need to be persistent in our prayers, even when we don’t see results immediately. We need to keep praying and trusting that God will answer our prayers in His time. When we do this, our prayers will be more effective.
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV
17. Confess your sins.
If we want our prayers to be effective, we need to confess our sins (1 John 1:9). We need to repent of our sins and ask for God’s forgiveness. We also need to ask for help to overcome our sinful nature. When we do this, our prayers will be more effective.
“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 KJV
18. Forgive your sinners.
If we want our prayers to be effective, we need to forgive those who have sinned against us (Matthew 6:14-15). We need to release the anger and bitterness we feel and let go of our anger and resentment.
We also need to ask for God’s help to overcome our feelings of revenge to forgive others. When we do this, our prayers will be more effective.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
19. Be thankful.
We should be thankful for what God has done for us (Psalm 100:4). We need to thank Him for His blessings, even when we don’t feel like it. We also need to thank Him in advance for what He will do. Show our appreciation for all the good things He has done for us.
“Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6 KJV
20. Pray like this.
“Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom comes, you will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” – Matthew 6:9-13 ESV
Final thoughts
Praying is not about asking anything from God, but it is about connecting with Him spiritually. This spiritual connection means keeping His words, obeying His commandments, and doing things according to His will. If we will look closer to His wills and instructions, they are actually about making us the best people we could be.
God’s commandments make us humble, kind, patient, faithful, honest, forgiving, self-disciplined, righteous, and free from sins. These virtues are vital for making our lives better, healthier, more peaceful, and happier. And that is why God already knows what we need even before we ask Him. He already heard and answered your prayers even before you pray to Him.
To pray effectively, connect with God spiritually. Let the Spirit of God manifests in you.
ALSO READ: 15 Signs God Will Answer Your Prayers According to the Bible
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