Keep it Simple

I absolutely love prayer! Having access to the throne of grace is a priviledge given to us at a high price – the blood of Jesus. Prayer is communicating with God. How awesome is that? And check this out…prayer is simple. That’s right! Simple.

All you need to know is three things to pray effectively:

• Keep it simple.
  Jesus said, “And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking. [I Kings 18:25-29.] Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” (Matt. 6:7-8 AMP) There is no need for a multitude of words because God already knows what you need before you ask Him. He is not impressed by a lot of words.
• Pray with faith.
  Although God is not impressed with many words, He is impressed by faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 AMP).
  Faith comes three ways.
  1. We are all initially given a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3)
  2. Faith comes by hearing (repeatedly) the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
  3. Faith comes by praying in the spirit. (Jude 1:20)
• Pray with thanksgiving.
  Philippians 4:6 instructs us to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;” Express your thanks to God for the opportunity to be in His presence. You have just experienced a wonderful and honorable thing. Also know that, when you pray in faith you have the thing that you’ve prayed for. There is no need then to go back and beg and plead for that situation. God has heard you because you prayed in faith and what He hears He answers. (1 John 5:14-15)