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“Personal Prayer”
Praying together with friends, family or even just praying before a meal are outstanding ways to communicate with God in a more public setting. But in addition to participating in corporate prayer, God wants us to participate in a personal, more private practice of prayer as well - just between you and God. Jesus has this to say about privacy in our prayers:
“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
Jesus’ instructions to us for praying behind closed doors indicate that God is intimately and personally interested in our lives. His desire is to enhance our personal relationship with Him through one-on-one communication. God takes notice of your commitment to have private fellowship with Him, and promises to reward and bless you.
God also wants us to be sincere and open in our communication with Him, just as we would be with a loved one. While memorizing prayers word for word is a healthy practice, the truth is that God desires an authentic expression of ourselves to Him rather than just a series of words we’ve memorized. Jesus has this to say about sincerity in our prayers:
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words (empty repetitions). Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:7-8
While God already knows what we need and want before we ask, He still wants us to express those requests to Him with sincerity and expectation that He has our best interests in mind. He desires to answer each prayer with love and faithfulness.
Another important element of personal prayer is persistence and consistency. God never tires of hearing our requests, even if they’re the same ones we’ve expressed to Him before. Jesus has this to say about diligence in our prayers:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
Setting aside a daily time for personal communication with God is important to growing in our Christian walk. Try to choose a time each day when you won’t be distracted, and don’t be concerned that God has his stopwatch out checking to see how much time you give Him; He doesn’t. He simply wants you. Privacy, sincerity and persistence are three very important characteristics of your one-on-one prayer time with God and will help you build an intimate relationship Him. You will come to enjoy this precious time, and you will come to rely on Him in a way you never have before.
Praying together with friends, family or even just praying before a meal are outstanding ways to communicate with God in a more public setting. But in addition to participating in corporate prayer, God wants us to participate in a personal, more private practice of prayer as well - just between you and God. Jesus has this to say about privacy in our prayers:
“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
Jesus’ instructions to us for praying behind closed doors indicate that God is intimately and personally interested in our lives. His desire is to enhance our personal relationship with Him through one-on-one communication. God takes notice of your commitment to have private fellowship with Him, and promises to reward and bless you.
God also wants us to be sincere and open in our communication with Him, just as we would be with a loved one. While memorizing prayers word for word is a healthy practice, the truth is that God desires an authentic expression of ourselves to Him rather than just a series of words we’ve memorized. Jesus has this to say about sincerity in our prayers:
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words (empty repetitions). Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:7-8
While God already knows what we need and want before we ask, He still wants us to express those requests to Him with sincerity and expectation that He has our best interests in mind. He desires to answer each prayer with love and faithfulness.
Another important element of personal prayer is persistence and consistency. God never tires of hearing our requests, even if they’re the same ones we’ve expressed to Him before. Jesus has this to say about diligence in our prayers:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
Setting aside a daily time for personal communication with God is important to growing in our Christian walk. Try to choose a time each day when you won’t be distracted, and don’t be concerned that God has his stopwatch out checking to see how much time you give Him; He doesn’t. He simply wants you. Privacy, sincerity and persistence are three very important characteristics of your one-on-one prayer time with God and will help you build an intimate relationship Him. You will come to enjoy this precious time, and you will come to rely on Him in a way you never have before.
Scripture
About this Plan
Discover the principles to building a powerful and effective prayer life. Prayer - communicating with God on a personal level - is the key to seeing positive change in our lives and surroundings. Taken from the book, “Out of This World: A Christian’s Guide to Growth and Purpose” by David J. Swandt.
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