How should we pray? Is there a special way?
Here's the answer:
There's not one special way to pray, but we should pray with respect and love for God.
We shouldn't pray in any old way, but we also shouldn't pray exactly the same way every time. We should show God respect by remembering He is God, not a person. When we pray, we shouldn't be silly or joke. But we can talk to God like we're talking to someone we care about and who is really listening.
Show God you mean it by telling Him the truth. We can't hide our sins (bad things we do) from God; He sees and knows everything! He wants us to confess our sins and ask Him for the strength to obey. You don't need to try to use fancy words; just use regular words. God understands when we pray without speaking aloud, but sometimes we concentrate better when we talk out loud.
Praying with a group of people is good, such as before eating a meal. But God also wants each of us to pray on our own. Make a habit to pray alone every day, perhaps when first waking up or before going to bed. We can also talk to God anywhere, while riding bikes, riding in the car, or cleaning our rooms.
It's important that we pray to the true and living God. He created the world and sent Jesus to die on the cross for sinners. People who pray to a different God aren't praying to a real God at all. Only the God of the Bible is real. How amazing that God wants us to talk to Him in prayer!
Bible Truth
"Never stop praying" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
"The greatest sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. God, you will gladly accept a heart that is broken because of sadness over sin" (Psalm 51:17).
"When you pray, do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They want to be seen by others. What I'm about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward. When you pray, go into your room. Close the door and pray to your Father, who can't be seen. He will reward you. Your Father sees what is done secretly. When you pray, do not keep talking on and on the way ungodly people do. They think they will be heard because they talk a lot. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask him" (Matthew 6:5–7).
