How Prayer Moves You Closer to the Lord

This article explores how prayer moves you closer to the Lord, drawing from Luke 11:1 and the disciples’ heartfelt request for Jesus to teach them to pray. You’ll discover the different types of prayer found in the Bible, the discipline needed to grow in your prayer life, and how prayer transforms your relationship with God.

Lord, Teach Us to Pray

In Luke 11:1, Jesus’ disciples made an amazing request: “Lord, teach us to pray.” They could have asked Him for many other things, such as, “Teach us to preach. Teach us to heal the sick. Teach us to cast out demons. Or teach us to feed the multitudes.” Instead, the disciples realized that prayer was the secret of Jesus’ life and ministry. If only they could learn to pray like Jesus prayed, everything else would fall into place!

But no one has an automatic prayer life. Prayer is an art you must learn, and something you must grow in daily. Here are a few truths about the foundation of prayer:

• Prayer is work. It will cost you a significant sacrifice of time, attention, and energy.
• In order to grow in your prayer life, you will need discipline, cultivation, and determination.
• To get results, your prayers must be fervent, passionate, and unashamed.
• Prayer is habit-forming and must become second nature to you.
• Effectiveness in prayer requires that you seek alignment with God’s will.

Take a few minutes to consider your own experiences in prayer. What have you learned? What areas does God want you to continue to grow?

Remember, whether you are a seasoned prayer warrior or a novice on your journey to a powerful prayer life, you can make this request of Jesus: “Lord, teach me to pray.” He will help you take the next step in changing your world through prayer.

Utilizing the Many Types of Prayer

Prayer is highly personal and can come in many forms. Here’s a list of some of the types of prayer mentioned in the Bible.

• Prayer of PETITION: “If we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:15).
• Prayer of FAITH: “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up” (James 5:15).
• Prayer IN THE SPIRIT: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18).
• Prayer of THANKSGIVING: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
• Prayer of AGREEMENT: “If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19).
• Prayer of INTERCESSION: “I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:32).
• Prayer of UNDERSTANDING: “I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:15).
• Prayer of HEALING: “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).

Come Into His Presence

As you are pursuing the presence of the Lord in your life, be comforted in knowing that He cares about every area of your life. Whether you’re struggling with sin, sickness, worry, or addiction, you can bring it before the Lord. When you come into His presence, He’ll work in your life in ways that only He is able.

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