Here are my prayer “Proverbs”

Here are my prayer “Proverbs”

“If the heart is humble, the body will follow.”  Physical form is the best to help the heart to pray.

Bodily position in prayer is to best free up our hearts to pray.  Sitting quietly in the dark is better for falling asleep.  Having children close their eyes and fold their hands helps them pray.

The main way to learn to pray is by praying and then asking questions.

Prayer does not change God’s plan, but it is a crucial means to bring it about.  God is sovereign not only over the end, but the means.

Formal praying ceases, but an attitude of prayer is part of always walking by faith. (“Pray without ceasing”). (1 Thess. 5:16)

When God answers our prayer ‘Yes’, it shows His power.  When God answers our prayer ‘No’, it shows His wisdom.  (Jesus Luke 22:42; Paul. 2 Cor 12:9)

Praying to impress others is hypocrisy.  Pray as if you are in a closet and only God is listening.  (Matt. 6:6; 6:9)

Prayer is hard work, but working hard for God is sweet.  (Col. 4:12)

Prayer is not informing an all-knowing God, but faith expressing that we need God for everything.  (Matt. 6:8).  Like a father, He likes to be asked

God responds to the prayer according to His moral will and His sovereign will.  (James 4:3)

Pagan prayers were manipulating God by correct rituals.  Christian prayers are a children asking their Fathers for good things.  (“Our Father”)

Prayer is talking to God.  Scripture is God talking to us.  But, in prayer we are most open to remembering God’s words, meditating on them, and being motivated to do them.

Prayer is the ultimate and pure expression of faith.  Our feet go nowhere, our hands do nothing, our voice does not persuade people.  

When we love what God loves and hate what God hates, our prayers will extend His Kingdom.

Asking God to “Hear” our prayer is a vivid expression of saying nothing has happened, “Answer my prayer.”  Psalm 143:1

Faith is the key to prayer not how soft or loud we speak, not whether our prayer is spontaneous or read, not whether we are standing or sitting, not whether we are on a prayer mountain or in the basement.  (John 14:13-14; Matt 21:22; Matt 7:7)

The trinity is active in every prayer: To the Father, in the name of the Son, and by the power of the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18)

Without faith, praying turns quickly to worrying on our knees.

When God answers, we hope people will think, “they pray to a big God”.