How Should I Pray? Learn to Talk With Your Heavenly Fatherনমুনা

Praying in Faith

Yesterday, we established that we can approach God with childlike confidence. He will not reject us (Psalm 94:14). We also learned that, in addition to praying incorrectly, there is a right way to pray. Today, we will dive deeper into that.

How we approach God is important.

If what you pray is not in line with God’s Word, you can pray until you're blue in the face, but your prayer will remain "unfruitful," meaning it will not bring anything to pass.

Or perhaps you're praying for things that God has already provided. In that case, it's not about whether He wants to answer your prayer, but rather about whether you believe God has already answered it, even before you see the results.

Hebrews 11:1
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

When you approach God in faith, it means you know what you have a right to and stand firm on God's promises. It means you know Who God is and you know what He’ll do for you! In this way, you can begin to praise, worship, and thank Him, even if your circumstances do not yet appear changed (2 Corinthians 5:7). Since God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19), you can confidently trust that you have already received what He has promised in His Word.

In James 5:16 it says:
"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

What do you think makes prayer powerful and effective? (Here's a hint: It’s not about raising your voice or reciting eloquent words.)

Mark 11:24
"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."

Powerful prayer is the prayer of those who believe!

Faith is so important to God that the Bible tells us it’s impossible to please Him without it (Hebrews 11:6).

Perhaps you're wondering, "But how do I build faith?" In Romans 10:17 it says:
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

In other words, faith begins with knowing God's truth. You can only stand on His promises if you know what promises He has made! That’s why it’s so important to read the Bible—so you find out what belongs to you as a child of God and fully believe what He says.

Prayer is not about fancy words or the volume of your voice—faith is the key. Don’t let your prayer be led by doubt or uncertainty, but trust in God’s promises. Keep feeding your faith with the truth of God’s Word, so that you will know His will and see it come to pass through your powerful prayers!

Tomorrow, we’ll dive deeper into the importance of knowing God’s Truth.

Activation:
Think of a situation where you may have prayed without faith. How could you have changed your attitude from despair to trusting God in that situation?
What makes prayer powerful? (James 5:16)
What builds faith? (Romans 10:17)