.webp "How to Pray to God")
The practice of prayer is central to the Christian faith, acting as a direct line of communication with the Almighty. As the Apostle Paul reminds us of our human limitations in prayer:
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." ~Romans 8:26 (KJV).
The historical accounts in the Bible reveal that every great servant of God shared one vital discipline: they knew how to pray to God. The exploits performed by believers today, often observed with awe, stem from a consistent activity performed in the secret place.
The Significance of the Secret Place
Every person who achieves great success often operates from a disciplined, private space. The spiritual equivalent is The Secret Place of the Most High.
"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." (Psalms 91:1, KJV).
This is not a physical location but a state of spiritual dwelling—a secure department where character and spiritual authority are forged, and where the righteous find divine refuge.
The Activity: Koinonia Through Prayer
Those who choose to dwell in this Secret Place engage in deep, consistent spiritual activity. Their main purpose is to establish koinonia (a Greek term for fellowship or communion) with the Most High. This relationship is relentlessly maintained through prayer.
Defining Prayer
Generally, Prayer is defined as communication between individuals, often involving thanksgiving, requests, and intercession. In the context of the Secret Place of the Most High, we can define it simply:
Prayer is the earnest supplication to the supreme and sovereign God.
This definition is crucial because prayer, as a spiritual facility, is the exclusive means by which humanity sustains a relationship with God the Father (Abba Father). It is a building that provides the service of communication and promotes those who consistently and faithfully utilize its provision.
The Call to Learn How to Pray to God
The disciples of Jesus, witnessing His deep and powerful prayer life, recognized their need for greater understanding:
"And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray..." (Luke 11:1, KJV).
This inquiry is profoundly insightful. It signifies that the disciple understood that prayer involved more than mere petition; it required a pattern and a method. They realized that while they knew how to speak words, they needed to learn how to pray effectively.
This truth still applies: we learn how to pray best by consistently practicing prayer. Individuals who presume they know everything about prayer often pray less, while those who maintain a desire to learn continually deepen their prayer lives.
The Forms of Prayer: Aright and Amiss
When prayer is practiced, it generally falls into one of two forms: Praying Aright or Praying Amiss.
1. Praying Aright: Aligning with God's Will
Praying Aright involves making supplication that is aligned with the revealed will of God.
For example, a child may request a pair of shoes from a parent who has already been graciously planning to provide them. The request, being in alignment with the parent's existing will, fastens the provision. When we pray aright, we gain God's attention and invoke divine aid because our requests are in harmony with His purpose.
2. Praying Amiss: Praying Outside of God's Will
Praying Amiss is asking for something contrary to, or outside of, the specific will or timing of God.
When a person focuses on selfish, misguided, or temporal desires outside of God's greater plan, they may be praying amiss. This often leads to an inability to recognize the many needs God has already met. Abba Father is omniscient and knows our needs even before we ask (Matthew 6:8), but our conscious effort to align our supplications with His divine will is paramount.
The Prayer Pattern of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate case study for How to Pray to God. His life was defined by a consistent, fervent, and secret prayer life.
The Discipline of Secrecy and Time
Our Lord customarily sought out isolated places, such as the wilderness or a mountain, to pray to Abba Father. . This constant withdrawal reinforces the importance of secrecy and Jesus' deep understanding of the Secret Place.
The success of Jesus’ earthly ministry was rooted not merely in the miracles He performed, but in the prayers He made in secret. He made a habit of going out early in the morning and late at night to commune with the Father.
- He prayed fervently before selecting His twelve disciples (Luke 6:12-16).
- He prayed with intense passion during His final trial in the Garden of Gethsemane:
- Knees bowed (submission)
- Eyes closed (focus and isolation from distractions)
- Heart opened (transparency and sincerity, Job 16:17)
- Hands cleaned (purity and repentance, Acts 8:22)
- Praying in the Holy Spirit (supernatural assistance, Romans 8:26)
"O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." (Matthew 26:39, KJV).
Even as God in the flesh, Jesus chose to humble Himself and submit His will in the Secret Place.
The Prayer Manual
When the disciple asked for instruction, Jesus provided a clear structure, known today as The Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). This is a prayer manual designed to teach alignment with God’s will, beginning with worship and ending with a request for provision and protection.
Using Jesus as our model, the best way to pray in the Secret Place is to approach God with reverence and sincerity:
Ultimately, prayer is an intimate act of devotion, not public performance:
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men... But 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 6:5-6, KJV)
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