DO’S AND DON’T’S IN PRAYER

DO’s

1. Approach God’s throne with a repentant heart.

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear” Psalm 66:18

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9

2. Worship God thru praise and thanksgiving.

“I will praise thee, O Lord, my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name forever” Psalm 86:12

“Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:20

“We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly mentioning you in our prayers” 1 Thessalonians 1:2

3. Pray in the name of the Lord Jesus.

“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” John 14:14

4. Pray with faith.

“ Therefore I tell you, whatsoever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” Mark 11:24

5. Pray with the Spirit.

“I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding’1 Corinthians 14:15

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groaning which cannot be uttered” Romans 8:26

6. Pray according to God’s will.

“ xxx Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”Matthew 6:10

“And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying: Father, if ut us Your will, take this cup away from Me, nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” Luke 22:41-42

7. Be brief, concise and specific.

“xxx therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” Matthew 6:8

“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not bre hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few” Ecclesiastes 5:2

8. Recite scripture verses to establish confidence & as basis for petitions.

9. Be sensitive & listen attentively as God speaks.

DON’T’s

1. Do not pray amiss.

“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” James 4:3

2. Do not pray repeatedly or too wordy.

“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” Matthew 6:7

3. Do not give up.

“Then Jesus told his diciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” Luke 18:1

4. Do not be self-righteous and judgmental.

“The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank You that I am not like other men-extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector, I fast twice a week, I f\give tithes of all that I possess”

Luke 18:11-12

5. Do not show off.

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men x x x” Matthew 5:5

6. Do not commit God. Pray within the prayer limits. (Never venture beyond prayer limits.)

“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.”

“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me, and He said to me: My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

“Thus says the Lord to this people: Thus, they have loved to wander; they have not restrained their feet. Therefore the Lord does not accept them: He will remember their inequity now, and punish their sins.”

“Then the Lord said to me: Do not pray for this people, for their good.”Jeremiah

14:10-11

“Then the Lord said to me: Even if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind would not be favorable toward this people. Cast them out of My sight, and let them go forth” Jeremiah 15:1

What Prayers Can Do?

1. Empower us to overcome temptation.

“Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak” Matthew 26:41

“When He came to the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” Luke 22:40

What Prayers Cannot Do?