Discover How To Pray Effectively

by Karen Braun

WHAT IS PRAYER?

Prayer is conversation that we have with God - two way exchange where we speak to him and where we sense his presence and him speaking back to us.
Prayer is God's provision for us to become acquanted with him.
Listening is essential in prayer, it develops a close relationship with God. He promises to speak in response to us, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
Each of us are students in the process or school of prayer. God teaches us, as we pray, how to commmunicate with him in more meaningful and effective ways and we learn more about who he is as he speaks to us.
We are diverse in our prayer styles but we are all called to pray.
The goal of prayer is to know God and be known as we inquire hear and obey him for the advance of his kingdom in our lives and others.
This faith adventure in prayer is cultivated with essential elements like praising God, asking him for forgiveness, thanking God, asking him for help for the needs of others and ourselves.

What might happen if prayers are only one-sided?

What might change if you saw prayer as a dialogue with a high purpose?

HOW DOES GOD SPEAK?

God wants us to recognize his voice. He has equipped our hearts with senses to experience and know him as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
God speaks in several ways
His Word, the Bible and his Holy Spirit.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

What happens if we neglect reading and learning the Scriptures?

How did you know God was calling you to be his child?

What might happen if we neglect examining what we think God is saying to us with his Word?

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me." John 10:27
"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will bring me glory by revealing to you whatever he receives from me. All that the Father has is mine; this is what I mean when I say that the Spirit will reveal to you whatever he receives from me" John 16:12-15

Our conversation and intimacy with God is cultivated by our experience with His WORDand his SPIRIT.

What does listening to God mean to you?

WHAT IS YOUR PRAYER STYLE?