How to Pray & What to Pray for – What the Bible SaysSample

ACTS:  A is for “Adoration” – Step 1 of Your Prayer

Entering your prayer time resembles entering a holy place, so it makes sense to first assume a posture of reverence and humility before God. After all, you’re just human, and He is God. You are the created one; He is the Creator. You are mortal, finite, and limited; He is immortal, infinite, and unlimited.

So, it makes sense to start your prayer time with adoration, praise, and a worshipful attitude. During this time, reflect on how God has created all things, on how all power and might are in His hands to bring about whatever He may desire, and start by praising His mighty works.

For some help with this, let’s check examples from the Bible, starting again with King David, as he leads the people in praising God:

Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. … Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.  – 1 Chronicles 29:10b, 13

Years later, King Hezekiah follows the same model, taking time to praise God in his prayer for deliverance – even as his enemies are outside the city walls seeking destroy him:

And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.  – 2 Kings 19:15

Similarly, Nehemiah starts his prayer with praise & adoration as he gets ready to present an outlandish request to King Artaxerxes for release to go rebuild the walls of Jerusalem:

Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments…  – Nehemiah 1:5

And, as a last example, Jesus himself teaches a similar perspective in the first line of the Lord’s Prayer:

This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…  – Matthew 6:9

To gain perspective and assume the proper posture for your next time of prayer, read the full passages around the above references or read any of these short psalms: Psalm 8, 19, 100, 103, or 150.

Don’t feel like reading? Are the Psalms just not getting you excited about the greatness of God? Then check these words by S.M. Lockbridge (1913-2000), pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in San Diego, California describing our Lord & King Jesus Christ:

My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far-seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supply. No barrier can hinder Him from pouring out His blessings. He's enduringly strong. He's entirely sincere. He's eternally steadfast. He's immortally graceful. He's imperially powerful. He's impartially merciful…. That’s my King!

However you do it, it’s important to gain the proper perspective as you enter your time of prayer. There’s no time requirement or formula for this – all that is important is that you recognize God for who He is and humble yourself accordingly.

Then, whenever you’re ready and when you feel led, just move on to the next phase of your prayer.

Reflection / Application   

1. Isaiah 43:21 says we were created to proclaim God’s praise. Do you often reflect on the goodness & greatness of God??   
2. David, Hezekiah & Nehemiah were all God-fearing individuals  who praised God no matter what their situation. Can you also do this, even in your most desperate prayers?    
3. If you were asked to praise God today, what would you say?