Part 4: How and When
10. How should we pray?
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 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**.” Matthew 6: 9-13
Note: This is not a formal prayer but an outline of prayer. It is as follows:
a. the greeting
b. praise and honor
c. “Thy will be done”
d. Ask
1. Ask for bread. God’s word is often referred to as bread.
2. Ask for forgiveness.
3. Ask to be kept from temptation.
e. Conclusion: an acknowledgment of the things that belong to God
Note: We ask because we believe that He can give us what we need.
11. When should we pray?
a) Always
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (For further study see Philippians 4:6.)
Note: To pray without ceasing does not mean we are always to be on our knees in prayer, but rather to keep a line of communication open between us and heaven. Through prayer we can be with God and He with us. “Unceasing prayer is the unbroken union of the soul with God.” (E.G. White, Steps to Christ pg. 58)
b) When did David pray?
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” Psalms 55:17 (For further study see Psalms 5:3 and Psalms 88:13.)
c) In trouble
“And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Psalms 50:15
“LORD, in trouble have they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.” Isaiah 26:16 (For further study see Psalms 86:7)