"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
The Importance of Daily Prayer
We should pray because we need it. Prayer doesn’t change God; it changes us. More than anything else, we need God, the source of all life (John 1:4). God has given us freedom of will by His great love for mankind. Therefore, to be united with God, we must seek Him with prayer. "...seek, and you will find..." (Matthew 7:7). If we want to share in the fullness of life in Christ (John 10:10), we need to pray.
Daily prayer forms a habit of spiritual focus in our lives and helps us attain the central goal of human life: to grow in communion with God. Christ promised us that He is with us when we pray to Him. "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20). His mercy answers our prayers. Often we are waiting for a tangible answer to a distinct problem. Christ tells us that when we put Him first at the center of our lives in a selfless way, our other needs will be addressed (Matthew 6:33).
Prayer helps us to rise above fallen modes of living, such as pride, fear, self-centeredness, and lack of love for other people. Prayer gives us the hope of salvation: by the Grace of God and through our endurance in faith and in lovingly serving others to His glory, we have the assurance of being with God in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Top 5 Daily Prayer Devotionals
There are many devotionals online for a daily prayer guide. Here we have selected our top 5:
Your Daily Prayer - Crosswalk.com
Read today's daily prayer with a devotional and Scripture for each day. Start your day with strength, peace and joy! Updated daily to encourage your faith as you pray and read a Bible verse to talk to God throughout the day.
Daily Devotions - ForwardMovement.org
Forward Movement inspires disciples and empowers evangelists. We offer devotions, Bible studies, formation courses, and other resources to equip and support people in their walk with Jesus Christ.
iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women
A daily devotional for women seeking to know God and the truth of his Word.
Daily Devotions - Intouch.org
Daily readings for devoted living from In Touch Ministries by Charles Stanley.
Your Daily Bible Verse - BibleStudyTools.com
Your Daily Bible Verse is a daily podcast that dives deep into Scripture, re-examining your favorite verses, getting to the heart of God’s Word.
Daily Prayer Examples
Christ presented the best examples of prayer. He gave us a specific prayer to our Father:
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come, thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
The LORD Is My Shepherd - Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Prayer of Repentance - Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
5 Rules for Genuine Daily Prayer
How can you know if your daily prayer is working and you're maturing spiritually? Here are five fruits of true, repentant prayer you should see.
1. True prayer will result in humility and obedience, not self-righteousness and egotism.
The fruit of authentic and genuine prayer will be expressed in two ways. First, the desire to obey God in obedience to the commandments of Christ. Second, the humility to realize that your strength cannot save you and that you need God’s help.
2. Prayer must NOT be from self-excitement or emotionalism.
If we become too emotional or sentimental (by trying to force a feeling) during prayer, it may mean we’re heading straight toward self-deception and pride. Of course, unique inspirational phenomena happen during an honest prayer, too. This happens when God’s grace touches a person’s heart. However, these phenomena can’t be predicted or achieved by artificial self-excitement. Our primary goal in prayer should be a "humble and contrite heart," as in Psalm 51:17.
3. Prayer should not make you ecstatic.
We shouldn't repeat a prayer mechanically and aimlessly, without understanding its meaning and without a penitential feeling, as if it were a mantra or a spell until reaching an ecstatic state of altered conscience.
4. A true prayer cannot levy any requirements on God
If we demand anything from the Lord, our prayer will be more like a magic spell than a genuine Christian fear of God and reverence.
5. Prayer cannot be hollow.
Before we pray to God, we must prepare by reflecting and gathering our thoughts. More often than not, people who spend years in the Church get so used to the prayers that they start them without thinking. Your prayer won’t be powerful if you repeat some words, the meaning of which you don’t know or to which you’ve grown callous.
"What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also." (1 Corinthians 14:15)
Sources:
How to Pray the Right Way - stjohndc.org
Why Do We Pray? - stsavaoca.org
Daily Prayer Life - saintbarbara.org
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Christianity.com's editorial staff is a team of writers with a background in the Christian faith and writing experience. We work to create relevant, inspiring content for our audience and update timely articles as necessary.
This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
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Prayers for Strength
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The Lord's Prayer: Our Father
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