Introduction

James 5:16b-17 The Prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

In my early days as a Christian, I received a fundamental lesson: To achieve great things for God, I needed to learn how to pray. This meant understanding how to please God and access His power instead of relying solely on my own efforts. One of my mentors gave me a challenge to pray for an hour. Upon further thought, this idea of praying for an hour a day sounded daunting, but I drew encouragement from the fact that even Jesus’ closest disciples struggled with prayer and had to be taught.

The Christian’s initial struggles with prayer serve as a reminder that no one is born with an innate ability to communicate with God effortlessly.

Luke 11:1-4 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

Some practicals that have helped me learn to grow in my prayer life over the years include:

Establish a Set Time for Daily Prayer
Pray with Others to Learn and Grow from aspects of prayer you have not mastered yet.
Create a Structured Prayer Routine
Maintain a list of what you are going to pray for.
Have prayers walks through nature
Have special places to pray
Dedicate Time for Praise and Worship
Pray using the Psalms or the Lord’s Prayer as structure.
Prayer through the Alphabet

Point 1: Praising God In Prayer

Psalms 8: 1-9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.

You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

The Power of Praise: Strengthening Your Connection with God and Others

Praising God involves acknowledging the greatness of the Divine, expressing gratitude for the wonders of creation, and reflecting on the attributes and character of God. While praising God is deeply rooted in faith and spirituality, it also has profound implications for our relationships with others. Here are practicals on how to praise our Almighty God.

Singing and Serenading: A Personal Connection

Singing songs of praise is a common and powerful way to connect with God. Whether you’re in a place of trouble or happiness, raising your voice in songs that extol the greatness and attributes of the Divine can have a profound impact. Acts 16:25 and James 5:13 both encourage singing songs of praise, highlighting the versatile nature of this practice.

Reflecting on the Psalms: A Deep and Personal Connection

The Book of Psalms in the Bible is a treasure trove of songs and poems filled with praises to God. Taking a Psalm and reading it out loud, one verse at a time, can be a meditative and contemplative exercise. This allows you to immerse yourself in the words of praise and have a personal dialogue with God about their meanings.

Communing with Nature: Worship in the Great Outdoors

Spending time in nature, whether at a serene beach, in a lush forest, or atop a majestic mountain, can be a profound way to praise God. The natural world is a testament to His creative power and infinite wisdom.

Point 2: Thanking God

A Journey of Learning: Thankfulness in Your Spiritual Path

Just as praising God may not have come naturally to some, expressing thanks to others might not have been a part of your character in the past. However, thankfulness is a quality that can be cultivated, much like praising God. It is a practice that, when nurtured, can enrich your relationships and bring a sense of fulfillment.

Practical Steps to Cultivate Thankfulness

If you’re looking to develop a habit of thankfulness, there are several practical steps you can take. One powerful exercise is to create a list of 100 things to be thankful for. This challenge encourages you to identify and express your gratitude for a wide array of blessings in your life.

Other tools and practices can also help you become more thankful:

Photos as Reminders: Take a trip down memory lane by looking through old photo albums or scrolling through your Facebook pictures. Reflect on the wonderful times, memories, and the people you’ve met. Use these visuals as prompts for thankfulness in your prayers.
Reflecting on Each Year: Take the time to thank God for something specific from each year of your life. This exercise can foster a deep sense of gratitude for the journey you’ve been on and the experiences you’ve had.
Old Diaries and Journals: If you keep a diary or a journal, revisit the pages and recall the great days you’ve documented. Reflect on how God has guided and blessed you through the years.
Prayer Journal: Keeping a prayer journal is a powerful practice. Go back through your entries and express thankfulness for both the answered and unanswered prayers. Recognize that even in moments of uncertainty, there’s a greater plan at work.
Biblical Victories: The Bible is replete with stories of victories and blessings. Reflect on these stories and thank God for the victories and outcomes He has delivered in your own life.

Point 3: Praying For Others

Who should we pray for?

Those Who Mistreat You (Luke 6:28): In the spirit of forgiveness and compassion, we are encouraged to pray for those who mistreat us. This act not only helps us find inner peace but also promotes healing and transformation in those who may have wronged us.
Other Christians (John 17:6, 9, 15; Hebrews 13:18-19; Philemon 4; 2 Timothy 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; Colossians 1:3; 4:12; Ephesians 6:18; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Romans 1:10): Interceding for fellow disciples is a vital aspect of Christian community and unity. It strengthens the bond among believers and helps uplift one another in faith and spirit.
Future Christians (John 17:20): Our prayers can extend beyond the present to encompass those who will join the faith in the future. By praying for future Christians, we lay a foundation of support and spiritual strength for generations to come.
Individual Leaders (Romans 15:30): Praying for leaders, whether spiritual or worldly, is a responsibility we should embrace. Our intercession can guide their decisions and actions, promoting wisdom, compassion, and justice.
Intercession for Individuals (1 Timothy 2:1): Beyond broader groups, we should also pray for specific individuals. Our prayers can provide comfort, healing, and guidance to those in need.
Ourselves (Luke 11:3-4; Philippians 4:6-7): Self-reflection and personal prayer are equally important. It’s a means to seek strength, guidance, and peace in our own lives.

The list of people to pray for can be extensive, including family, friends, colleagues and more. To make this task more manageable, some opt for specific days of the week dedicated to different groups.

For example:

Monday is for family.
Tuesday is for the church.
Wednesday is for the lost, those who have not yet found their faith.
Thursday is for churches worldwide.
Friday is for children of the church and friends.
Saturday is for the world and its leaders.
Sunday is a day for self-reflection and personal prayers.

To further enhance your intercessory prayer practice, consider creating a “prayer wall” or a prayer book with photos of the individuals you wish to pray for. You can update it regularly and witness the transformative power of prayer as God answers these petitions.

Point 4: Wrestling in Prayer

But what should we pray about? The New Testament provides us with a rich model for the breadth of subjects that we can bring to our conversations with God.

Not to fall into temptation (Luke 22:40, 46)
Wisdom in Decision-Making (Acts 1:24)
In committing decisions (Acts 14:23)
Requests (Philippians 4:6)
People’s health (3 John 1:2; James 5:14-15)
For Brothers or Sisters in Sin for them to be healed spiritually (1 John 5:16; James 5:16)
Thanksgiving and Spiritual Growth (Ephesians 1:15-19; Ephesians 3:14-19; Colossians 1:9; Philippians 1:9-11; 2 Corinthians 13:9)
Coping with Troubles (James 5:13)
Boldness in Preaching (Ephesians 6:19-20)
For People to actively Share Their Faith (Philemon 6)
Peace in the land, and for current Authorities to bring it (1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Meeting our Needs (1 Timothy 5:5)
Rapid Spread of the Message (2 Thessalonians 3:1)
For individuals to be worthy of being Christians to glorify Jesus (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12)
Opening Doors for the Gospel (Colossians 4:3-4)
Gratitude for Fellow Christians (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3; 2 Thessalonians 1:3)
Specific Issues (1 Thessalonians 3:10)

Conclusion

As you delve deeper into your prayer life, it’s essential to understand not only the why but also the when. When should we pray? The wisdom and teachings found in various scriptures provide valuable insights into the timing and frequency of prayer.

Often (Luke 5:16)
All Night Sometimes (Luke 6:12)
With Other Disciples (Luke 9:18, 28; Acts 1:14; 4:23-24; 21:5)
Constantly (Acts 1:14; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Set Times for It (Acts 3:1)
A Set Place for It (Acts 16:13, 16)
On All Occasions (Ephesians 6:18)
At the End of Meetings (Acts 20:36)
Night and Day (1 Timothy 5:5; Luke 18:7)

If you’ve found these practical prayer tips helpful and are looking for a supportive community to grow in your faith, we invite you to join us at the Sydney International Christian Church. Our doors are always open to those seeking spiritual growth, fellowship, and a deeper connection with God. Come as you are, and let’s walk this faith journey together. Visit our website at sydneyicc.org to learn more and plan your visit today!