How can I learn to pray efficiently?

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1. We have a professor

 

• "The Spirit, similarly, assists us in our weakness; because we do not know how to pray as it should, but the same Spirit intercedes for us greatly, with inexpressible groans." Romans 8:26.

 

  2. We have to practice

 

• "Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help."  Daniel 6: 10-11

 

Read Colossians 4: 2 in all these versions below:

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• New International Version: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

• New Living Translation: "Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."

• English Standard Version: "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."

• Berean Study Bible: "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,"

• Berean Literal Bible:  "Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it, with thanksgiving,"

• New American Standard Bible: "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;"

• New King James Version: "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;"

• King James Bible: "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"

 

3. Remember:  Prayer is not feeling. It is a duty.

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• And he also told them a parable about the duty to pray always, and never to faint.” Luke 18: 1

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• Prayer is not a gift. It is a relationship and fellowship with God

       Romans 12: 6-8; I Corinthians 12: 4-11

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• "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name…" Mathew 6: 8

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• "And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?" Luke 18: 7

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INTERCESSION AND SUPPLICATIONS

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a) Intercession is a "petition on behalf of one's neighbor."

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One can recognize a prayer of intercession because it is offered on behalf of another person, group or situation  (Moses, Samuel, and Daniel on behalf of the nation: Exodus. 32: 32, Numbers 14: 17, I Samuel 7: 5 Daniel 9;  Moses and Hezekiah on behalf of Miriam and the Hebrews - Numbers 12: 13; Chronicles 30: 18

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b)  Supplication is “a plea for personal help."

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One can identify a prayer of supplication by its personal nature and request for personal help, or benefit (I Samuel 1:11) Hannah’s personal prayer of supplication represented both her desire to have a child and to see her reproach removed.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLECTIVE PRAYER

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• "And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside." Luke 1: 10

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• "They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers." Acts 1: 14

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• "When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them." Acts 4: 24

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• "When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying." Acts 12: 12

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See below some guidelines to help you to pray:

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Let’s pray collectively:

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1. For our nation and the nations (Ethno – people group) – Jews and Gentiles

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• "These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices  will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations." Isaiah 56: 7

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• "We have sinned" and speaks of "our kings ... princes ... fathers ... people." In verse 16, he prays, "O Lord ... turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem." Daniel 9:4-19.

 

2. For the proclamation of the gospel in the world

 

• "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should." Colossians 4: 2-4

 

3. For our church members and for others (children, youth, couples, widows, seniors).​

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• "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Ephesians 6: 18

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4. To church leaders (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastor, Teachers, local church leaders in different ministries:  worship, children, administration, youth, etc.

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• Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. Acts 12: 5

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• "Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel," 

       Ephesians 6: 19

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• “Brothers and sisters, pray for us.” I Thessalonians 5: 25 (Context of “us” - Paul, Silas, and Timothy, 1: 1)

 

5. To spiritual growth and maturity of the saints

 

• "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3: 14-19

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• "Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salute you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." Colossians 4:12

 

• To obey Jesus’s commandments – John 13: 34-36

 

• For the anointing of the Holy Spirit – Luke 11: 13, Acts 1: 8

 

• For love for the lost – Mat. 9: 36

 

• Spiritual gifts – I Co. 12-14, James 1: 17

 

• The fruit of the Holy Spirit – Gal. 5: 22-23

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6. For God to raise up workers

 

• "Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9: 37-38

 

 7. For God to bless all rulers

 

• "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior." I Timothy 2: 1-3

 

8. For all who serve our society. They might do it with compassion and justice (police, doctors, teachers, etc…)

 

• "and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior."  I Timothy 2: 1-3

 

9. For your own needs (spiritual growth,  health, finances, family members)

 

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

 

10. For your enemies (maybe in your workplace, family, school)​

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• "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Mathew 5: 44

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• "Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."  

        Luke 6: 28

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11.  For those who have been blind by Satan (So, they might see the light of the gospel). Billions are in false religious, worshipping false gods, sexual depravity, addicts,...)

 

• "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." 2 Corinthians 4: 3-4

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Pastor Adauto Rezende

 

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!