How to Pray Effectively
Over the past year, I’ve made a habit of praying scripture over my children. And I think you should too. It’s been the single most important thing I’ve done to make prayer effective for me.
Now, the last thing I want to do is set myself up as the best example for you. I’m riding this along right next to you. I make mistakes in prayer and am still learning what God has to teach me. However, I’ve drawn my inspiration from a few reliable places: Mark Batterson’s The Circle Maker, Pricilla Schirer’s Fervent and my good friend, Emily. Emily is a total prayer warrior for her kiddos and it’s inspiring. She posted over on the Moms at Hope blog a little about this and I think it’s brilliant, yet so simple. So I wanted to offer y’all the same battle weapon for prayer that Emily, Pricilla, Mark and … oh yeah, Jesus … did.
Scripture.
As Christians we know prayer is important, but we must realize that praying scripture is powerful.
Two benefits to using scripture for effective prayer:
- You will sound super smart and spiritual.
Okay, okay … so the goal of prayer shouldn’t be to sound churchy, spiritual and wise. Not at all. (But it is super fun though, right? 😉 )
Confession. I am not one of eloquent and profound prayers. It’s just not my gift. I’ve been known to stumble and bumble over many a prayer. (Thankfully, most of them have been silent and nobody else heard except Jesus.) (Yet another reason as why to not use me as the perfect example.)
However, God is eloquent and profound. His Word has all the profoundness written out for us.
When it comes to wisdom and eloquence God trumps all.
So why does eloquence even matter?
To be “eloquent” means to clearly express something or be persuasive in what you speak or write.
Our prayers have a powerful impact on not only our future, but also on our faith. They are persuasive, especially with the ‘ole Holy Spirit bidding on our behalf (Romans 8:26).
Using God’s clearly expressed and persuasive words – His own words – we have an impact on everything – a powerful impact.
Eloquence, in this sense = effective prayer.
This was God’s plan all along … for us to engage with Him. He loves it, so He gave us perfect and wise words to pray to and with Him, so that …
- You pray within God’s will.
Look, it says it right here in 1 John 5:14-15…
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.
All over the Bible we find God’s will for people – for you and for me. It’s literally written in there. So we need to ask what He wants for us, because then it is certain – certain! – to happen.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:3)
Every time we choose to think Christ’s thoughts and speak God’s word, we are training ourselves to transform our way of thinking (Romans 12:2) into His and therefore His will for us.
“Okay, Kristin, so where the heck do I start?”
I’m so glad you asked. *wink*
There are about 876 bazillion words in the Bible … roughly. 😉 I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time to pray all 876 bazillion every day.
But we can start with a few.
I have a list of several verses I pray for my husband and my girls (as well as their future spouses) every day. So I am offering them to you in a free scripture prayer PDF or printable to print and pray over your family (or friend or enemy or whoever).
The great thing about praying scripture is it doesn’t have to apply to just your children or family members. You can pray these things over circumstances, yourself, your friends, your cat, that grouchy school crossing guard … Honestly, just about anything or anyone.
And when we do, you better believe it happens. #AllThePraiseHands
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)
Honestly, I haven’t really thought of it that way. I just like to say some verses in the Bible and use them in my prayer time, but come to think of it…you’re right!
Thanks, Kristin!
You’re welcome! And I didn’t either for a long time! 🙂
Prayer is so important. Thank you for such an amazing resource. I can’t wait to dig in!
You are more than welcome! Thank you for joining me!