Books on Prayer: How to Pray

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. — Philippians 4:6

Ask, seek, knock. (Matthew 7:7)

There are lots of reasons why people Google “books on prayer”, but the number one (I suspect) is that we lose sight or have forgotten that prayer is just a conversation between us and God. Prayer doesn’t require a formula, but Jesus Himself did offer an outline.  Given that, we can talk to the Lord all day long, in every situation, instead of being worried, or stressed, or freaking out about anything.

How to Pray:

The Lord’s prayer gives us a road map for how to pray direction from Jesus Himself. He said to pray like this:

Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. — Matthew 6:9-13 KJV

Instead of praying these specific words (although that is a good thing to do!), we can use this prayer as an outline when we pray.

Our Father which art in Heaven… Dear Lord,

hallowed be Thy name… You are holy. You are good. You are kind. You are glorious.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven… May Your will be done here on earth just as it is done in Heaven. Bring Heaven to earth through Your people as we follow You.

Give us this day our daily bread… Provide for us all that we need just for today.

And forgive us our debts… Jesus, forgive me for my sins, for all my guilt. I repent of the things I’ve done that are the opposite of Your will for my life and for how I’ve hurt others and betrayed You.

as we forgive our debtors… God, I’m so hurt by that person’s actions against me. Even though it has caused me pain, cost me financially, and hurt me relationally, I choose to forgive them because You forgive me. Help me to forgive if and when hard feelings come up again.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: Holy Spirit, guide me. Help me to hear You, listen to You, and follow You so I stay away from what is harmful, unwise, and sinful. I want to stay on Your path and do what is right and good.

For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen… You are my God. Where else would I go but to You? You are omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent — You’re all powerful, all knowing, and always present. I adore You and worship You! Thank You, God, for Your goodness! Amen.

Prayer changes things! He hears our confessions and give us His forgiveness. He wipes the slate clean! (1 John 1:9, Hebrews 8:12)

God listens and He moves on our behalf. I love how in Hannah’s story, we learn that when she asked for a child, God began making the necessary arrangements in response to what she had asked. (1 Samuel 1:19b) How cool is that?! God started setting things in motion for her before she even knew about it!

Keep asking! Keep seeking! Keep knocking!

Dear God by Bunmi Laditan — BUY NOW

 

The Daniel Prayer by Anne Graham Lotz — BUY NOW

We hope some of our best books on prayer will help you in your prayer life and faith journey!

RESOURCES

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