I Need Help!

[ladygirl21]

Many times when I'm going through or just grieving about my lost; a lot of ministers and friends tell me I need to pray about it. Nobody has really taught me how to pray. I read the Lord's prayer all the time, but I really don't understand it. Some people make fun of me because they wonder how a person couldn't understand prayer. I look at sinners and wonder do they understand prayer because I'm a Christian and I don't. I've never been taught exactly how to pray. When I try to pray I loose focus because I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall. Sometimes I can't even say nothing at all when I get on my knees. My mind goes totally blank. I would like somebody to explain to me the principles of a good prayer and if there is someone out there who knows how to really pray with power I think I need a prayer partner. Please help me learn how to pray!

[Treasure]

Hi ladygirl21. Your question is an awesome one. I'm not sure how valuable a response I can give you but I'll give it a shot.

Prayer can be very challenging because it's so essential to our relationship with God and satan knows it. There are times when you'll want to pray and know that you need to pray, but when you begin, all of the sudden your mind is either filled with everything but God or, as you mentioned, your mind goes blank.

Praying is really very simple. There is no "formula" really. It's just a matter of talking to God. Share your life with Him, your thoughts, your needs, etc...Try looking at it as a conversation with your best-friend because that's exactly what it is. Ask God to teach you how to pray. The Lord's Prayer is an awesome model for you and I believe you're on the right track there.

Something that helps me also is writing my prayers out. It helps me to focus my attention, I can keep a record of what I'm praying about and when. Then, when prayers are answered I go back and make some kind of note of the date that it was answered and how God answered me. He will ALWAYS answer but as you grow in your relationship with Him, He will answer you in the most unexpected, marvelous ways. Also, use the Bible in your prayer time. It will help you to remember Scripture, build your faith and help you get to know God on a more personal level. Just read your Bible out loud. I've heard it described as "reading His love letter (the Bible) back to Him. He always honors His Word.

I would be honored to be a prayer partner for you. Feel free to pm me and we can talk about it more. I hope this has helped you. It encourged me to type it out by reminding me of just how important prayer is.

[Trusting Jesus]

The Lord's Prayer is a model: Praise God, wanting His Kingdom and His will to be done here (it is done in Heaven, but we do want it to be done here), ask Him to fill our needs - daily bread - and ask for His forgiveness of our sin, then asking Him to not allow us to wander into temptation, then ending with praise.

It is important to understand that this is a model. We do need to praise and we do need to ask for His will, but we also need to tell Him what we would like and talk to Him about our hopes and dreams. Ask for His will.

Talk to Him like a friend. He is there with you and does hear you - you are not praying to a brick wall! If something good happens say "Thank You, Lord". If you need help with something say "Pleae guide me, Lord". Prayer is just conversation.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[tsth]

You can get inspiration from the Book of Psalms. There are many prayers there, and some of them are regarding circumstances that have surprisingly been appropriate for my own at the time.

I try to bring honor to God, when I pray, by repeating the Wonderful Names of God that come to mind, back to Him in praise.

My Rock

My Salvation

The Bright and Morning Star

Jehovah

El Shaddai

The Lord

The Lamb of God

Wonderful Counselor

and many others

I also confess in places where I fell short. Maybe I didn't spend enough time with my kids the day before? Or, maybe I forgot someone in prayer, that I need to remember now. Maybe I didn't do a job that I knew I should have. Just things like that.

I lift up specifics with regard to prayers for others, my family, myself.

I give God thanks for the blessings and guidance He has given. His Word, etc.

I just talk to Him about things going on in my life, that I'm having trouble understanding. I ask Him for comfort and strength and wisdom.

These are just a few things that come to mind. (I think the other posts are very good advice too.)

In His Love,

Suzanne

[MorningGlory]

Many times when I'm going through or just grieving about my lost; a lot of ministers and friends tell me I need to pray about it. Nobody has really taught me how to pray. I read the Lord's prayer all the time, but I really don't understand it. Some people make fun of me because they wonder how a person couldn't understand prayer. I look at sinners and wonder do they understand prayer because I'm a Christian and I don't. I've never been taught exactly how to pray. When I try to pray I loose focus because I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall. Sometimes I can't even say nothing at all when I get on my knees. My mind goes totally blank. I would like somebody to explain to me the principles of a good prayer and if there is someone out there who knows how to really pray with power I think I need a prayer partner. Please help me learn how to pray!

I agree with everyone who suggests talking to God as a friend. He's not a Big Idol in the Sky; He's the Living God. He's right there with you as you type, do your laundry, drive your car, shop, watch t.v., whatever. Just talk to Him as you would anyone else; after all, He already knows everything about you.

[Guest]

Many times when I'm going through or just grieving about my lost; a lot of ministers and friends tell me I need to pray about it. Nobody has really taught me how to pray. I read the Lord's prayer all the time, but I really don't understand it. Some people make fun of me because they wonder how a person couldn't understand prayer. I look at sinners and wonder do they understand prayer because I'm a Christian and I don't. I've never been taught exactly how to pray. When I try to pray I loose focus because I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall. Sometimes I can't even say nothing at all when I get on my knees. My mind goes totally blank. I would like somebody to explain to me the principles of a good prayer and if there is someone out there who knows how to really pray with power I think I need a prayer partner. Please help me learn how to pray!

Lots of good advice here already. Its been a good reminder for me reading through this thread because the enemy loves to get us sidetracked so we will forger how important prayer is. Sometimes when I'm feeling like my prayers are not going beyond the ceiling is to turn to Psalms and start reading a few out loud to the Lord, or other passages of scripture that He may have put on my heart, especially those that are promises.

Speaking of promises, here's one from Romans:

Romans 8:26

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. (KJV).

Even when we don't know how, or what, to pray specifically, God has promised us that the Holy Spirit prays for us (and He ALWAYS prays in God's will.) How great is that?

I find that it helps to have a time when I get up to spend time alone with God, in prayer and the word. Sometimes prayer comes first, other times the Word, but many times the 2 can run together. Keep asking for the Lord's help and stay in the Word and you'll find that the feelings will begin to line up with doing the right thing -- and you'll find yourself spending more time with the Lord too.

[jackie d]

you know there are times, when I want to pray but can find no words to say. And I just have to tell the Lord that I'm at a loss for words, that I praise Him and to please help me find the words for whatever it is that is going on me. I don't think that any one person has the super formula for prayer. Just talk to Him, speak what's on your mind and on your heart...He isn't really that concerned about what you say as much as that you spend time talking to Him...at least that is how it works for me. I just be me....

[tinnocker]

i relly agree with 4given1 God is your father AND AS A CHRISTIAN will hear and answer your prayers . even if you really dont feel like he is there he is.dont feel discuridged. try praying in the dark at nite with your eyes closed,mind clear .try to just think of God imagine he is standing there next to you.i have been thinking about prayer latlyand think i will rite myone quote about it. i really hope this helps ,just remember to pray it is so importont even if it dosent feel like it God bless and my prayers ,tin

[Guest]

GOD IS Your Shepherd

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.' Psalms 23

Pray The Scriptures

"Lord, Teach Me To Pray"

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples

Luke 11:1

Pray Knowing God IS

Ask For The Spirit Of Wisdom And Revelation To Know Hm

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:17-20

Pray Knowing Nothing Will Separate You From The Love Of God

Whither You Feel It Or Not

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord

Romans 8:38-39

Pray Knowing Nothing Is Able To Separate You From The Love Of Christ

He Loves You And Prays For You

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Romans 8:34-35

Let God The Holy Spirit Pray, He Knows He Knows

Tears And Groanings

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

Sit At His Feet

And Be Still

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth

Psalms 46:10

And Be Blessed Beloved Daughter Of The KING

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. Numbers 6:24-27

Love, Your Brother Joe

[terter]

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