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Am I praying incorrectly?!?

I talk to Him like He's my best friend. I talk to Him like He's sitting with me in my room. I tell Him everything like He's my diary. I ask Him for everything that my heart desires. I thank Him for everything I'm thankful for. But, I just read this:

Matthew 6:5-12
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Am I praying wrong?????

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Permalink Reply by Carla on September 21, 2011 at 7:00pm

Hi Kayla,

I wanted to jsut speak to the idea of quoting scripture when praying. I believe in it for several reasons.

1) It shows God that you are in agreement with what He has already said.

2)It helps us to memorize scripture

3)when we momorize scripture we are more equipped for the spiritual battle ahead of us- that's how we fight back.

4)it guards against selfish or manipulating prayers

5) it keeps our hearts attuned to God's will

6)God's Words are far more poetic and beautiful than our own.

7) His words have power, mine do not.

Blessings, Carla

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Permalink Reply by jen on September 25, 2011 at 10:21pm

i really like that, I will have to start doing that also from now on as well. thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Bible-Talk on September 22, 2011 at 10:34am

Hi Kayla

I believe that Jesus used Matthew 6:5-12 as a structure for prayer. Look at the way Jesus himself prayed in the book of John. Also if anyone lacks wisdom he/she should ask God (James 1:5); The inclusion of scripture in prayer in my view is highly recommended - but I think prayer without sincerity becomes mere words. I am not a believer/practitioner of speaking/praying "in tongues". Also I believe anytime a Christian prays they are always praying in the Spirit since they have received the Holy Spirit at their rebirth (Acts 2:38)

In Christ,

Desmond

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Permalink Reply by dean burrows on September 22, 2011 at 1:43pm

Amen!

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Permalink Reply by Gary Schultz on September 26, 2011 at 8:03pm

IN A WORD NO.

I have several different ways depending on the prayer. Most of the time it's a quick conversation just like you mentioned. I figure, He knows my thought before I speak the words so why not just be me.

Someone told me once when I was having a tuff time," If you are angry at God, you may as well tell Him, He already knows". Like wise, when you are thankfull, even though He knows it, tell Him.

I do also pray more formaly. Like in church or bible study. But the one on one time, is more conversational in nature.

God is soooo coool

Gary

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Permalink Reply by dean burrows on September 27, 2011 at 4:25am

I believe there is instruction to be in prayer 24/7 . Often wondered if I did that how I would get anything done. Then I realized prayer is a verb. It requires action. Being in The Lord any action we do requires prayer. Ys there are those times when we go to our closet. But then again what is our closet. I believe evry word every action every breath we take is pray and/or requires pray. We are to live the example of Christ and I do not believe when can do that without continual prayer.

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Permalink Reply by dean burrows on September 27, 2011 at 4:09pm

Thanks Choco. another consideration is in the Jewish faith is the wearing of a showl . This showl is actually the closet that is referred to in scripture. While in prayer it is pulled over the head so the expression on the face couldn't be seen. An interesting concept allowing for prayer in secret iany time anywhere. And again it is what is in the heart that is important. If we are praying for God's wisdom and to meet His glory all is good . If pray in a fashion to impress man we are lost.

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Permalink Reply by dean burrows on September 28, 2011 at 4:17am

Yes in todays world would draw attention. In the times of Jesus facial expression hand movement and body language was as much a part of the language and again we had a man made remedy to accomplish God's will. I believe you have it right . Conversation with the Father. Anytime Anywhere from the heart. Regardless of the people around us.

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Permalink Reply by jen on October 25, 2011 at 3:26pm

Wow i have found something i listened to and it is defiantly worth
checking out!!

What if someone said you needed to cut down on your prayer time? You might call him a bad teacher, but consider this: Prayer can be a waste of time if you don't understand its purpose.

Question is, What is the purpose of prayer? Is it possible to pray the wrong way? What are the important features in a powerful, purposeful prayer life that Christ Himself wants us to put into practice?

John MacArthur takes an up-close, phrase-by-phrase look at Christ's own model prayer in the popular study John calls The Disciples' Prayer.

http://www.gty.org/products/Audio-Series/60

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Permalink Reply by Carla on October 26, 2011 at 4:00am

Thanks Jen. I listen to the first teaching 'The Purpose of Prayer'. Powerful teaching. Thank you for posting.

Blessings, Carla

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Permalink Reply by jen on October 27, 2011 at 8:14pm

no prob. I love listening to his stuff myself, there is a grace to you app for iphones so i always listen to them while driving lol :)

Am I praying incorrectly?!?

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