8 Keys for Personal Prayer
Every believer can have a dynamic personal prayer life. The Bible gives us the keys to developing a powerful prayer life. The Scriptures are full of examples of men and women who walked with God and used prayer to impact their world, and you can do the same thing through prayer. The following are scriptural ways to develop a deeper, more fulfilling personal prayer life.
1. Pray in Jesus’ Name
Real prayer is Christological and focuses on the person and work of Jesus Christ. Numerous New Testament references talk about the importance of praying in the name of Jesus. Jesus himself said, John 16:23, “In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you” (John 16:23). When we pray in the name of Jesus, God the Father hears us. He responds to prayer offered in the name of Jesus, his Son, because our relationship with God is through the Son.
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2. Pray According to God’s Will
God is not a Santa Claus in the sky; he does not give us anything we ask for. But 1 John 5:14 says, “If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” This means that when we pray in accordance with his will, we can expect an answer. This is why the Lord’s Prayer says, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
3. Scriptural Prayer
One of the best ways to pray is to pray according to the Scriptures. John 15:7 says, “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” If God’s word is in us, then his desires become our desires, and we can be assured that he will answer our prayers. Make sure that your prayers are in line with Scripture. The Lord always honors his word. A great example is the Lord’s Prayer.
4. Keep Commandments
God honors those who honor his commandments. Jesus said, “Whatever we ask, we receive from him because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him” (1 John 3:22). If you keep his commandments and do what is pleasing, then you can be assured that he will hear your prayers.
5. You Must Believe
The Lord wants us to have faith that he will hear our prayers. Jesus said, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith” (Matthew 21:22). In the great faith chapter of the Bible, we are told that “And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). The Lord promises to respond to our prayer of faith.
6. Pray in the Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of prayer. Paul tells us to pray at all times in the Spirit. Romans 8:26 reads, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” We don’t always know how to pray, and we don’t always feel like praying. Therefore, we need the Spirit’s power to help us pray.
7. Be Persistent
Don’t give up if you haven’t received an answer to your prayers. Throughout the Bible there are stories of men and women who persevered in prayer. In Luke 18:1-8 there was a little old widow who did not lose heart. James tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
8. Humble Yourself
Lastly, we are to humble ourselves in prayer. James 4:10 tells us to humble ourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt us. One of my favorite parables about prayer is in Luke 18:9-14, where the Pharisee and tax collector come before God. The Pharisee was proud and boastful, while the tax collector was humble and asked for God’s mercy. We are told that God hears the prayer of the humble. If we humble ourselves in the sight of God he will lift us up.
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