Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:
for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:
but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us
with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26
Yesterday I encountered a discussion about prayer on social media
One said she didn’t think claiming things is the way Prayer should be
Another said that so-called Christians don’t know how to pray
I agree with the first statement
Prayer is a request and while it can be with very strong faith,
we do not order God around,
we must bring petitions of prayer before the God we fear and revere
The disciples asked Jesus how to pray
He told them to pray the Lord’s Prayer
We don’t always know what to pray or how to pray
The Holy Spirit helps us
Daniel prayed a lot of days before he received an answer
He combined that prayer with fasting
How did he know to do that?
The same Holy Spirit was there helping him to know
God is gracious
He answers prayer
He is not looking for a perfectly stated prayer
Remember God always looks at the heart,
the thoughts and intents of the heart
The thief on the cross didn’t say any fancy words
Jesus said not to be like the hypocrites who stand in front of others
in the houses of worship so they would be heard for their many words
Paul exhorted us to pray in the Holy Spirit
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Ghost Jude 1:20
That is praying in tongues by my interpretation
Paul also said Pray without ceasing 1 Thessalonians 5:17
The point is, there are so many ways to pray and God is able
to sift through the mire to get the jewel we are sending to Him
The prayers of the saints are likened unto incense in Revelation
I pray the Lord’s prayer everyday at least once
It helps me keep in mind God’s will is what is important
and the prayer is His word, so it never comes back void, that is, empty
It always serves a purpose when you pray God’s word
And when you pray, God listens if you worship Him in Spirit and in Truth
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him
must worship him in spirit and in truth. John 4:24
He listens to all kinds of prayers
and there is no perfect prayer, only a perfect God
Scriptural References:
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
But the Lord said unto Samuel,
Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature;
because I have refused him:
for the Lord seeth not as man seeth;
for man looketh on the outward appearance,
but the Lord looketh on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
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.
Hebrews 4:12
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me
when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luke 23:42
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
And I set my face unto the Lord God,
to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
Daniel 9:3
And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the Saints, ascended up before God, out of the Angels hand.
Revelation 8:4
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11