Below are some resources for anyone who needs help with how to pray, what to pray about, or any questions you may have about praying
An excerpt from Luther's Small Catechism, pages 146-151:
The Lord's Prayer
- What is prayer? Prayer is an act of worship wherein we bring out petitions before God with our hearts and lips and offer up praise and thanksgiving to Him.
- Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart by acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
- When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do; for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (Matthew 6:7)
- Lord, Thou hast heard the desire of the humble. (Psalm 10:17)
- And it shall come to pass that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. (Isaiah 65:24)
- To whom should we pray? We should pray only to the true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, since to Him alone such honor is due and He alone is able to and willing to hear and grant our prayer.
- Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. (Matthew 4:10)
- O Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come. (Psalm 65:2)
- Doubtless Thou art our Father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not; Thou, O Lord, art our Father, our Redeemer; Thy name is from everlasting. (Isaiah 63:16)
- What should move us to pray? God's command and promise, our own and our neighbor's need, and gratitude for blessings received should move us to pray.
- Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)
- Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. (Psalm 50:15)
- What should we ask of God in our prayers? We should ask for everything that tends to the glory of God and to our own and our neighbor's welfare, both spiritual and bodily blessings.
- Be careful for nothin, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6)
- What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. (Mark 11:24)
- How should we pray? We should pray ---
- In the name of Jesus, that is, with faith in Him as our Redeemer; Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. (John 16:23)
- With confidence, that is, with firm trust that for Jesus' sake our prayer will be answered. All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:22)
- Does God really answer every proper prayer? God answers every proper prayer, but in His own way and at His own time.
- For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:8-9)
- Mine hour is not yet come. (John 2:4)
- For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, thy Redeemer. (Isaiah 54:7-8)
- What prayers has God not promised to answer? God has not promised to answer prayers ---
- Which are not offered in faith and with confidence; Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. (James 1:6-7)
- Which ask for foolish and hurtful things.
- Which prescribe to God the time when He should help and the manner in which He should help.
- Why do Christians sometimes feel that their proper prayers are not answered? Christians sometimes feel that their proper prayers are not answered because in the hour of trial they do not at once observe the helping hand of God.
- For whom should we pray? We should pray for ourselves and for all other people, even for our enemies; but not for the souls of the dead.
- I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. (1 Timothy 2:1)
- Pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. (Matthew 5:44)
- It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the Judgement. (Hebrews 9:27)
- Where should we pray? We should pray everywhere, especially in private, that is, when we are alone, in the family circle, and in public worship.
- I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2:8)
- 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. (Matthew 6:6)
- In the congregations will I bless the Lord. (Psalm 26:12)
- When should we pray? We should pray at all times, especially in time of trouble.
- Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonian 5:17)
- Call upon Me in the day of trouble. I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. (Psalm 50:15)
- Which is the most excellent of all prayers? The most excellent of all prayers is the Lord's Prayer, taught by the Lord Jesus Himself in the words:
- Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4)