(Editor’s Note: This is the third in a four-part part series on how to pray using the elements found in the P.R.A.Y. acronym: P - Praise, R - Repent, A - Ask, Y - Yield. Find the rest of the Prayer series at www.councilroadwomen.org!)
My two-year-old granddaughter has found her words. They flow ceaselessly with a variety of expressions, cascading in often indistinguishable words, phrases or bits of songs that are bouncing around in her head. I smile as I watch her daddy lovingly bend down to listen to her. He hears her heart, not just her words. He knows her needs, even when she doesn’t. She responds to his voice and his promptings. And he responds to her with words and actions that demonstrate his great love to her.
What a beautiful earthly picture of how our Heavenly Father bends down to listen to as we pray to Him! Psalm 10:17 (ESV) says, “O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear…” Can’t you just see Jesus lovingly bending down to hear you?
If the goal of our prayer time is to bring God praise glory, as stated in Scripture (Ephesians 1:11-12), how should we bring our requests to God? How can (and should) our emotional little two-year-old-like brains best articulate our fears and hopes for the future? We look to Him to show us,
“…We do not know what to do but our eyes are on you.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 (NIV)
Start by asking Jesus what to pray. Avoid “telling” God what He should do. Prayer is a conversation. Train yourself to be still and listen. (Psalm 46:10) The goal of prayer is to glorify HIM, to bring His will to earth, not to get our own way.
Be honest with God. Pray for yourself and others. Listen for His response, which is often found in His Word. He’s bending down to listen. (Psalm 6:9)
Consider speaking out loud so that your ears hear your requests too. (Psalm 142:1)
Pray specific, laser focused requests and write them down or track them in a prayer app so you can remember to give THANKS when God responds. (John 16:24)
Be persistent (Luke 18:1) and be expectant in prayer! (Psalm 5:3)!
God wants to say YES to His promises, so pray scripture!! (2 Corinthians 1:20; Isaiah 55:11)
Pray in Jesus’ name. (John 14:13)
Examples of scriptural prayers:
Will trust in times of trouble: God, I pray that _______ will call on You when he/she is in trouble, and You will rescue him/her, and _______ will give You glory. (From Psalm 50:15, NLT)
Will put God first God: May _______ seek Your will in all he/she does, and You will show him/her which path to take. (From Proverbs 3:6 (NLT)
31 Days of Scripture Prayers for Your Prodigal (from Moms in Prayer International)
As we pray through the Psalms this year, jot down verses to turn into prayers.
Father in Heaven,
we know You must be poised on the edge of Your throne waiting to give us,
Your children, a resounding “YES!” as we pray…
waiting for us to ask for things You already long to give us
if we ask You. Help us all discover how to use our prayer lives to bring glory to Your name.
Meet the Author!
Gayle Hadden and her husband, Terry, love being part of the groups ministry at CRBC. They are parents to three adult children and are blessed with six adorable grandchildren. Serving Moms in Prayer International as a USA Division Coordinator for seven Heartland states, Gayle's passionate about getting children and schools covered in prayer. She loves seeing God’s hand in nature, playing with grandkids, travel, birding and chocolate (dark please!) Email her at Heartland@MomsInPrayer.org.