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How To Pray

When we talk and pray to the Heavenly Father, remember that He is our Father. We need to speak to Him as a parent. He understands what we need even before we ask for it, and He would never put us in harms way. All He wants from us in return is our love. (Hosea 6:6). He does not want our sacrifices, but He does want us to know Him through the Word. The disciples asked Jesus how they should pray, so lets see what He told them.

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing 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). Don't pray as the hypocrites pray in front of people so that they look so holy. If you do, this is the only reward you will get. God does not need a display to hear your prayers. Prayers come from the heart, not out of the mouth.

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). Pray to the Heavenly Father alone and in secret; and your Heavenly Father who knows your secrets will reward you. Remember that your prayers are between you and God, not you and man.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (Matthew 6:7). Don't recite the same prayer over and over again like the heathen do, who think that prayers are only answered by repeating them. Talk to Him, that is what He wants.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:8). Remember that your Heavenly Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask Him.

After this manner therefore pray ye: If you need to recite a prayer, let it be something similar to the Lord's Prayer listed below. (Matthew 6:9-13).

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, for ever. Amen.

Knowing and obeying your heavenly Father will have great rewards. 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). If you stay in the teachings of Jesus and obey His commandments, you can ask any request you like and it will be granted. This does not mean that you will get anything you ask for, but He will grant you what you need to make your faith and strength grow in Him.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (John 15:8). My true disciples produce bountiful harvests. Truth to the Word in seed planting. This brings great glory to the Heavenly Father.

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. (1 Peter 3:12). The Lord is watching His children and listening to their prayers; but the Lord is against those who do evil.

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). Our Heavenly Father will listen to us when we ask Him for anything in line with His will. Anything in accordance with the Word. The main will of God is that we all come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9).

And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (1 John 5:15). If we really know that our Heavenly Father is listening to us (by faith), we can be sure that He will answer us.

If you are seeking Christ, here is a little prayer to ask Jesus to come into your life as a believer: "Jesus, I want to know you. I want you to come into my life. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins, so that I can be fully accepted by you. Only you can give me the power to change and become the person you created me to be. Thank you for forgiving me, and giving me eternal life. I give my life to you, and will try to live a good Christian life to the best of my ability." Amen.

God has offered to answer the prayers of his children, those who have received Jesus Christ into their lives and seek to follow and obey Him. He asks us to take any concerns to him in prayer and he will act on it according to His will. As we deal with difficulties in this world, we are to cast our cares on Him and receive from the Holy Spirit, a peace that defies the circumstances. The basis for our hope and faith is the character of God himself. The better we know him through His Word, the more likely we are to trust in Him and build a relationship with Him. Don't just pray to the Heavenly Father when you want and need something. Again, remember that He is our heavenly Father, our spiritual parent, and He wants us to have a on going relationship with Him. Talk to Him on a daily basis not only as a Father, but as a friend. "WE ALL HAVE A FRIEND IN JESUS."

Keep The Faith,
Barton