What About Prayer?

What About Prayer?

However you feel, wherever you are, whether you’re on operations or at home, there is someone who is always with you. You can speak to God anytime and be sure that He cares for you more than you can imagine.

If you are not sure how to pray, you can try using some words and prayers from the Bible as a starting point. In this article, you’ll find some answers from the Bible, God’s own book, as to why we should pray, how we should pray and what we should pray for.

Why we should pray

Prayer is special, but that doesn’t mean it should be hard for us to do. We should be happy about the things God does for us, and show it by talking to Him.

Prayer is simply talking to God, like we would to anyone else.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and [request], with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.—Philippians 4:4-6

Jesus told His followers that their prayers would be heard because they had a relationship with God. Like any relationship, if you want it to carry on, you need to talk. We pray because we want to have a relationship with God.

How we should pray

Prayer should be like a conversation you would have with someone close to you. Just be honest and share with God. Tell Him your fears, your worries and your needs. You can even ask God to help you speak to Him.

God isn’t impressed by big words when we pray, or by the length of our prayers. What God really wants is for people to mean what they pray, no matter how long the words or the prayer. Look at these words from Jesus:

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like [non-believers], 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

Prayer is not something you do only when you go to church. You can pray to God on your own, with someone else or in any situation.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. —Matthew 6:6

 For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them. —Matthew 18:20

 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

When His close followers asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He taught them the Lord’s Prayer, which shows that we are to allow God to be in charge of every part of our life. You may already be familiar with this prayer:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

 For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. —Matthew 6:9-15

What we should pray for

When we have a relationship with God, we can be confident to pray about whatever we want. We can trust God to answer our prayers in His way, knowing that we and those we love are always in His care. We can pray for ourselves, for things that we face, for our loved ones and friends, and for strength and courage. And we can say that we’re sorry when we mess things up.

Sometimes short prayers from the Bible can be helpful:

 Answer me when I call to You, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer. —Psalm 4:1

 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions.—Psalm 51:1

 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. —Psalm 51:10

 I love You, O Lord, my strength. —Psalm 18:1

 We can talk about our trust and confidence in God when we pray:

 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. —Psalm 23

Over the years, many in the armed forces have used this “Soldier’s Prayer”:

 Almighty God, whose command is over all, and whose love never fails, let me be aware of Your presence and obedient to Your will. Help me to accept my share of responsibility with a strong heart and cheerful mind. Make me considerate of those who I live and work with, and faithful to the duties my country has entrusted to me.

 Let my uniform remind me daily of the traditions of the Army in which I serve. When I am tempted to sin, help me to resist. When I fail, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of Your truth, and keep before me the example of Jesus in whose name I pray. Amen.

 As we read the Bible we see that we are made to live in a relationship with God. You may find the following prayer helpful to show that you accept God is in control, and offer every part of your life to Him.

 Father, I give myself into Your keeping. I want to live with You each day, following only You. Please forgive me for the mistakes I have made, and help me to live a life that pleases You. Thank You that I can talk with You whenever and trust all situations and problems to You. I surrender to You only. Please help me to read the Bible and get to know You better and better each day. Thank You that I can call You Father. Amen.

We should always ask for God’s help when we read the Bible. It’s His book, so we’ll understand it much better with His help. Before you read your Bible, you may want to pray something like this:

 Father God, thank You that You speak through the Bible. Would You please help me to understand it, and to live for You because of it. Amen.