SCRIPTURES REGARDING PRAYER
Humble yourself, seek His face, and turn from wickedness:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” – 2 Chron. 7:14
Sin will have an effect on your prayer life:
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” – Ps. 66:18
Hating knowledge and not fearing God can hinder prayers:
“Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:” – Pr. 1:28-29
Iniquity will obstruct prayers:
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” – Is. 59:2
Whole heart:
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart”– Jer. 29:13
Alone time with God:
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” – Matthew 6:6
Vain repetition:
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” – Matthew 6:7
The need to believe:
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” -Matthew 21:22
Must be asked in the name of Jesus:
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” – John 14:13
Abiding in Christ:
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” -John 15:7
Warning to husbands:
“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” – 1 Peter 3:7
Don’t ask amiss:
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” – James 4:3
Living righteous:
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” – James 5:16
Keeping commandments:
“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” – 1 Jn. 3:22
The will of God:
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us” – 1 Jn.5:14
Don’t stop asking:
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” – Luke 18:1
Pray in the Spirit:
“Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” – Ephesians 6:18
Let your requests be known before God:
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Phil. 4:6
Don’t stop praying:
“Pray without ceasing.” – 1 Thes. 5:17
All prayers should be directed to God NOT dead people, saints, or Mary. Note the words ‘Our Father:’
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name….” – Matthew 6:9
To avoid falling into temptation:
“And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” – Luke 22:40
Jesus scolded His disciples for not being able to pray for one hour. We should aim for this each day. If you’re not used to it, try breaking the one hour into segments:
“And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” – Matthew 26:40
When you pray make sure to forgive others.
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” – Mark 11:25