5 “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 others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 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. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:5-8
"12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12
"35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35
"Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16
"5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:5-7
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’ Matthew 6:9-13
#1 Address God as Father -- realize who he is and who we are.
"26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." Galatians 3:26-27
"But I pray to you, Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation." Psalm 69:13
#2 Praise Him!
"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the Lord is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations." Psalm 100
#3 Petitions
"4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[a]”" Matthew 4:4
"2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation," 1 Peter 2:2
#4 Protect us
"And lead us not into temptation,[a]
but deliver us from the evil one.[b]’" Matthew 6:13
"15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."
John 17:15
"16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." James 5:16