“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26).
WE OUGHT TO PRAY FOR THE RIGHT THINGS
The Holy Spirit is given to all who ask (Luke 11:11-13).
In the same context, we are told that we can receive “good things” by asking (Matt. 7:11). The context of neither passage is miraculous.
We do receive the Holy Spirit, but not in a miraculous way (1 Cor. 3:16; Eph. 2:19-22; Rom. 8:26-28).
Some say if we ask believing, we will receive the power to do miracles (Mark 11:22-25; Matt. 7:7-11; 21:18-22).
Some passages of scripture are limited by other passages, and these scriptures definitely don’t apply to asking for miracles.
First of all, “believing” has to be based in God’s word (Rom. 10:17), which implies that God must have promised in His word whatever it is we ask for in faith (James 1:5-7).
Whatever God has not promised, we must ask for if it is according to God’s will (Matt. 26:39,42; 1 John 5:14).
The power to do miracles has ceased (1 Cor. 13:8-10), and it is not valid for us to pray for that power today.
WE OUGHT TO PRAY WITH THE RIGHT MOTIVE.
The right motive is to please God not ourselves or other men. In the wilderness, Satan tried to tempt Jesus to turn the stones into bread. That would have been to appease his own hunger, so Jesus refused.
The Pharisees prayed for a show: to be seen of men, to receive man’s glory, which was their reward. They will receive eternal damnation for this (Matt 6:5-6; Luke 20:46-47).
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. 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.
The right motive is to fulfill God’s desires, not our own. We won’t receive what we pray for if we “ask amiss,” to consume it on our own lusts. “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3).
WE SHOULD USE EVERYTHING GOD GIVES US TO SERVE HIM, NOT OURSELVES.
Praise
Jesus taught us to praise God and acknowledge His authority in our prayers. “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name”. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matt 6:9, 13)
The 4 beasts and 24 elders in heaven praise God continually.
And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, the four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Rev. 4:8-11).
Thanksgiving
God is the source of every good and every perfect gift. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).
Therefore, we should thank God for everything.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Php. 4:6).
Requests for ourselves
For forgiveness (Matt 6:12; Acts 8:22)
For deliverance from temptation (Matt 6:13; Mark 14:38)
For help in time of need (especially before important decisions–Heb. 4:16; Luke 6:12-13).
For wisdom James 1:5
Requests for all men
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. . . ” (1 Tim. 2:1).
Requests for all that are in authority
“For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:2).
Pray for the lost (1 Tim. 2:3-4; Matt. 9:36-38; Rom. 10:1).
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3-4).
Requests for all saints (Eph. 6:18)
“For our brethren in temptation, that their faith would not fail” (Luke 22:32; John 17:15; 2 Cor. 13:7)
For our brethren when in trouble (Acts 12:5)
That our brethren might grow to be perfect (Eph. 3:14-19; Col. 4:12)
—Beth Johnson