Salvation Summaries

All of us could probably use a little help when it comes to praying. We pray at night and sometimes before our meals, so we’ve got that “down pat.” We pray when we have problems or concerns for ourselves or others, which means we pray a fair amount, but mostly short prayers, many of which seem to go unanswered. Overall, we’re not really sure what the right or Biblical way to pray is, and we certainly don’t understand how some people can pray for more than several minutes.

If this describes you, then be encouraged, for help is on the way! (see below). The following list is taken from verses in the gospels that describe Jesus’ prayer life and what He told His disciples about praying. Feel free to use this as a reference or guide for when you prepare to pray.

Pray alone with your Father in a special place
Matthew 6:6 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Mark 1:35 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Mark 6:46 46 After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

Pray often
Luke 5:16 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Pray with a heart surrendered to do God’s will not your will
Matthew 6:9-10 9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Pray with a forgiving heart
Mark 11:25 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Pray with faith, not wishful thinking
Matthew 21:22 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Pray for others
Matthew 5:44 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Luke 6:28 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Matthew 19:13 13 Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.
John 17:15 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

Pray for as long as it takes
Luke 6:12 12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

Keep praying
Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.