HOW TO PRAY
The other day I was visiting friends, they were husband and wife, and she only speaks Spanish. So, I was
sharing the Word of God with them in Spanish, I call what I speak Spanglish ‘cause I am not the most
fluent Spanish speaker around. We got on the subject of prayer and the wife told me that in Spanish
there are two words for prayer, rezar and orar. They have different meanings. Rezar means to pray in
repetition as in Matt. 6:7.
Matthew 6:7-8 (KJV)
7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard
for their much speaking.
The other Spanish word, orar, means to talk with God.
So I have been thinking about that conversation for days and tonight I would like to share on HOW to
pray (orar.)
I have listed seven steps to effectual prayer. There are others, but, these are the main characteristics of
a Christian’s prayer life.
Number One: Know who you are in Christ Jesus.
What this means is that you have to know that you are a son of God, that God loves you and you, as a
child of God you have legal sonship rights. This all starts with Romans 10:9,10
Romans 10:9-11 (KJV)
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
You have to know that God loves you and wants the best for you.
1 John 3:1-2 (KJV)
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the
sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know
that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Luke 11:11-13 (KJV)
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he
for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?In that culture the women would make flat bread, much like a tortilla today, outside. They would stack
them and put a flat stone on them to hold them down. Soon the stone would take on the oils of the
bread and the dusting of flour so that it looked like a piece of flat bread. In the near east they have
serpents and fish that look alike much like we have eels and snakes that look similar. There is a type of
scorpion in the near east that can roll up in a ball and it looks like an egg.
The point of this is that God is a loving God. He is a caring father. He is faithful to His Word. He will only
give you the best.
Number Two: Know what is available
There are hundreds of promises in the Bible to us as Christians, how many do you know? By going to
God’s Word and finding those promises relating to your needs and deliverance you can lay those
promises before God. “God, you said it and I know you are faithful to your Word. So, I thank you for
giving me this need and desire. Thank you in the name of Jesus Christ.”
1 John 5:14-15 (KJV)
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will,
he heareth us:
15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that
we desired of him.
Promises of God supplying all of your needs in Philippians
Healing in Psalms
Prosperity in Deuteronomy
Anything according to God’s Word in Mark
Philippians 4:19 (KJV)
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Mark 11:24 (KJV)
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,
and ye shall have them.
You can’t pray for things contrary to God and His Word, but, you can pray for deliverance, freedom,
love, health, children, prosperity and much more.
Number three: Know the power in the name of Jesus Christ
It is in the name of Jesus Christ that we are saved.Acts 4:12 (KJV)
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved.
In the name of Jesus Christ every knee must bow.
Philippians 2:9-10 (KJV)
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things
under the earth;
And it is in the name of Jesus Christ that we go to God with our petitions.
John 16:23 (KJV)
23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask
the Father in my name, he will give it you.
THIS IS THAT DAY!
Number Four: Cast your cares on Him
1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
You have to learn to give ALL of your cares and concerns to God and leave them there.
Philippians 4:6 (KJV)
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests
be made known unto God.
The word “careful” is the word anxious. Don’t be anxious, but in everything pray to God!
Number Five: Be Thankful
Philippians 4:6 (KJV)
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known unto God.
The reason we are to be thankful is that when we were born again (Romans 10;9,10) He gave us all
spiritual blessings. It is no longer going to God hoping for a handout. We are God’s children, we have all
spiritual blessings so it is now a matter of thanking God for what we have and that it is manifested in the
senses realm.
Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:Number Six: Believe
First, you have to believe that God is and that He hears you.
1 Peter 3:12 (KJV)
12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face
of the Lord is against them that do evil.
Mark 11:24 (KJV)
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them,
and ye shall have them.
When you pray do what? Believe! You have to believe that God is and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek Him. Believe that God will give you the desires of your heart. God’s heart yearns to give
you the petitions of your heart more than you desire to receive them.
Number Seven: Be fervent in your prayers
When I say fervent I mean more than boldness. Fervency brings an attitude of continuance until you get
your deliverance. The world wants you to quit praying. It doesn’t want you to know that prayer works,
so, it will try to discourage you. Don’t let that happen! God’s promises are yea and amen! God knows
what you need and He knows when you need it and God is never late.
James 5:16b (KJV)
16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Hebrews 4:15-16 (KJV)
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in
all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.
Prayer works because we have a loving father God and when you apply the principles set forth in this
article you will see great deliverance in your life and the lives of those you pray for.