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181. How should we pray?

God looks at the heart of the one who prays:

  1. We should pray with a sincere and humble heart.
    • Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips. (Psalm 17:1)
    • He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)
  2. We should pray with a penitent and forgiving heart.
    • And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25)
    • The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart – these, O God, You will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)
  3. We should pray fervently, earnestly and persistently.
    • Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD. (Psalm 130:1)
    • The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)
    • Continue earnestly in prayer. (Colossians 4:2)
    • Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
    • So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. (Luke 11:9-10)
  4. We should pray with confident trust and a childlike submission to God’s will.
    • Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (Mark 11:24)
    • Jesus said, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
  5. We should pray in the name of Jesus.
    • Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (John 14:13)
    • Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:23-24)