The Basics of Prayer

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.-- Philippians 4:6

Prayer is an act that has occurred since the creation of humanity. Whichever religious belief people had or have doesn’t negate the fact that some sort of prayer is still an integral part of their lives. We see examples of prayer throughout the Bible and in secular history, as well. Some of us were taught to pray for our food, to say our prayers at night, to pray for other people, etc. But prayer is described differently by different people. Is there a specific way that we need to pray, or is everyone’s style of praying correct? I don’t like wasting my time doing things the wrong way, and I am certain that most reasonable people would agree with that. So since prayer is not a new thing, and it is still a popular practice today, let’s make sure that we are praying, not according to the traditions of man, but according to God’s instructions. Does that sound reasonable? OK, let’s search the Scriptures. One last thing, I typically like to remind the readers to not hold too dearly to your current belief system. If your and my belief system is sound and founded upon the Rock (Jesus Christ), then we can build upon it. If not, then we can make some simple adjustments and move forward in love. OK? Don’t shoot the messenger, and please don’t have an attitude with me if this article isn’t how your favorite preacher teaches it.

People have been writing books on prayer for years, so I won’t follow along that vein. I will simply share my perspective on the matter, give you some examples of prayer, and then I’m kicking you out of the nest after you read this article. Go Fly! Prayer is a very comprehensive topic, like faith, so to cover every aspect would be very exhaustive and cumbersome. But you will leave with the mechanics and the understanding of New Testament Biblical prayer that will set you on the proper course. From there, God will shed light on you, give you insights and your own revelation of prayer and whatever else He wants to reveal to you. An article such as this will help you go from dependence (other people always praying for you) to independence (praying for yourself). Now please don’t misunderstand, corporate praying (group prayers) and the prayer of agreement are good and Scriptural. But what are you going to do if your favorite prayer partner can’t be reached immediately? Folks, you’re going to be just fine, just follow along and be open to the Word of God.

Let’s go over several Scriptures and see how we can extract the principles of prayer and transpose them to our daily life in the 21st century.

Ask (demand of something that is due), and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:7-11

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:11-16

Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. John 9:31

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15

For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20

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

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:21-23

And whatever you ask in My name (authority), that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name (authority), I will do it. John 14:13-14

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1 John 5:7

In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:1-3

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name (authority) He may give you. John 15:16

All of these Scriptures support that we must go through Jesus to God; we must petition Him according to His Will; He will manifest Himself to us if we keep His commandments (the Word); and we can come boldly to Him when we need help. It’s pretty straight forward. The problem that many people have with prayer is that they try to do it their own way, and not according to Scripture. They try to avoid Jesus (the Word) many times, and the Scriptures conclusively support that a positive relationship with God outside of Jesus Christ cannot exist. Jesus said I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me (the Word). John 14:6

The other item that people fail to realize is that the vehicle of prayer and answers to those prayers are covenant rights. They are not rights for everyone, even though everyone is eligible to receive the covenant benefits; but only through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). In short, the covenant of the New Testament was established between God and Jesus Christ; remember, Jesus Christ is the mediator of the New Testament (Hebrews 7:22; 9:15; 12:24). With whom is He a mediator? Who else has the authority to create and to establish spiritual laws? Who else is of the same perfection as Christ from the beginning? God the Father. So the covenant is between God the Father and Jesus. Now the promises (covenants, agreements) were decreed and made to Abraham and his Seed (his Offspring, his Heir). He [God] does not say, And to seeds (descendants, heirs), as if referring to many persons, but, And to your Seed (your Descendant, your Heir), obviously referring to one individual, Who is [none other than] Christ (the Messiah). Galatians 3:16 (Amplified Bible) To further prove the point, remember in the Old Testament when God established covenants with men, like: Noah (Genesis 9) and Abraham (Genesis 15). God established covenants in the earth with human beings, and since Jesus came in the flesh and was anointed to be the Messiah, He was/is the only one eligible to be the testator. The final proof of His grandeur is that Jesus now sits at God’s right hand, which is symbolic of honor and sovereign power (Hebrews 1:3).

So when we accept Christ, God honors us because He sees Christ (the Anointed One) in us, the hope of Glory (Colossians 1:27). Hence, we are called Christians (Acts 11:26), i.e., little Christs or little anointed ones. This is where people miss it; NO ONE has the authority to approach God without His Word (Jesus). Now that we have established that Christ or the Word is a prerequisite for prayer, allow me to help you jump start your prayer life with God with strong, personalized Bible-based prayers. There’s no need in people saying long, drawn out and religious sounding prayers. In the New Testament, we live out of our hearts, so let’s not waste time being religious, and let’s fire for effect and get some results. Agreed?

Prayers to confess before God

For confidence:

Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

In all these things I am more than a conqueror through Him that loves me. Romans 8:37

For Healing:

By Christ’s stripes [wounds] I am healed. 1 Peter 2:24

Christ has redeemed me from the curse of the law, being made a curse for me and sickness is under the curse of the law. Galatians 3:13-14

For Protection:

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: and I am saved from my enemies. Psalms 18:1-3

The angel of the LORD encamps round about me [because I fear Him], and He delivers me.
Psalms 34:7

Walking in Love:

I forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], and my Heavenly Father also forgives me. I seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these [natural, earthly] things taken together will be given me besides. Matthew 6:14, 33

I don't pick on people, jump on their failures, and criticize their faults because I do not want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide my behavior: I ask myself what I want people to do for me, then I grab the initiative and do it for them. If I add up God's Law and Prophets, this is what I get. Matthew 7:1, 2, 12

I am a follower of God, as a dear child; and I walk in love, as Christ also has loved me, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savor. I am not unwise, but I understand what the will of the Lord is. I give thanks always for all things to God and the Father in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:1-2, 17, 20

I endure long, am patient and kind; I never am envious nor boil over with jealousy, am not boastful or vainglorious, I do not display myself haughtily. I am not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); I am not rude (unmannerly) and do not act unbecomingly. I (God's love in me) do not insist on my own rights or own way, for I am not self-seeking; I am not touchy or fretful or resentful; I take no account of the evil done to me [I pay no attention to a suffered wrong]. I do not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but I rejoice when right and truth prevail. I bear up under anything and everything that comes, I believe the best of every person, my hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and I endure everything [without weakening]. I never fail [never fade out or become obsolete or come to an end]. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

When you need peace:

My heart rejoices, and my joy no man takes from me. Whatsoever I ask my Father in the name of Jesus, He [God] gives it to me. I ask, and I receive, and my joy is full. I am not alone, because the Father is with me. Christ has spoken to me, that in Him, I have peace. In the world there is tribulation: but I rejoice; because Christ overcame the world. John 16:22-24, 32-33

And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keeps my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. And whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, I think on these things. Philippians 4:7

For Financial Prosperity:

I am not weary in well doing: for in due season I reap, because I do not faint. As I have opportunity, I do well to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10

I prosper, and I am in health, even as my soul prospers. 3 John 2

I know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for my sake He became poor, that through His poverty I am made rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

I sow bountifully and I reap also bountifully, as I purpose in my heart, I give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. And God makes all grace abound towards me; that I, always having all sufficiency in all things, abound to every good work: God ministers seed to me [the sower] and bread for my food, and multiplies my seed sown, and increases the fruits of my righteousness; I am enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causes through me thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11

Christ’s grace is sufficient for me: for His strength is made perfect in my weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

God gives me the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, so that all people know [and have as a sign] that He, the LORD, has called me by His name. Isaiah 45:3

The LORD my God teaches me to profit, and leads me by the way that I should go. Isaiah 48:17

In conclusion, I hope that you understand the principles of prayer. I could’ve added more information and said many more things, and perhaps written a book like so many have. But I just wanted to give you a quick insight and some perspective to how simple it is to communicate with God according to His Word. Anytime that you need God, He is right there. Just find out what God says about your situation, confess what God says, and stand upon that truth as if you have the manifestation of the thing desired in your possession. Follow the model of these Scriptural prayers for every area of your life and you will grow by leaps and bounds in your prayer life. A great complement to this article is another one of my articles called Listen to and Follow Your Heart. Live well!