What to Do While Praying

Prayer is more than just a routine; it’s a deep, intimate conversation with God. Even though He knows everything we are about to say, prayer is intended for our relationship with God. However, it’s not uncommon to sometimes feel lost about what to say or how to approach it. The Bible teaches us the basic structure and facets of prayer that can help you in your walk with God.

9 Things to Keep in Mind While Praying

1. Thank God

Start your prayer by expressing gratitude (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). It’s essential to understand that we shouldn’t necessarily thank God for every circumstance, but we can find reasons to give thanks in every situation. Psalm 100:4 reminds us to “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.” So, as you begin your prayer, thank Him for His protection, health, salvation, and countless other blessings.

2. Praise God

Praising God goes beyond thanking Him for what He has done (Hebrews 13:15). It involves recognizing and worshiping Him for who He is. To do this, I encourage you to grow in your understanding of God’s nature and attributes. When you do this, you’ll praise Him out of a revelation of who He is.

3. Confess Your Sins

Acknowledging our wrongdoings is a crucial step in prayer (1 John 1:9). Jesus emphasizes forgiveness in Mark 11:25-26, teaching that if we hold grudges against others, it impedes our own forgiveness. I often think about what God says in the 10 commandments and allow God’s Word to shine on my heart. I will ask myself, have I committed any of these, unknowingly?

Spend some time allowing the Lord to examine your heart in prayer, and confess any sin that may be uncovered.

4. Ask God for What You Need

God desires to hear your needs, dreams, and aspirations (Matthew 7:7). Share your daily challenges, concerns and wishes with Him.

Begin to vocalize your needs before God; when you do, an exchange happens, and you begin to transfer your worry to God. God begins to worry about your problem and gives you peace. Invite the Lord into your situation and allow Him to intervene. We do this through our petitioning.

5. Speak in Tongues

Tongues are a prayer language for a believer. It strengthens our relationship with God. Now, praying in the spirit is not limited to praying in tongues. There is more to praying in the Spirit than praying in tongues. But, praying in tongues is a very good habit to develop in your private prayer. It’s done to build yourself up spiritually (1 Corinthians 14:4). It’s a spiritual gym. You can actually spiritually build your spiritual muscles by praying in the Holy Spirit.

6. Intercede

Intercession is standing in the gap for others (1 Timothy 2:1). Intercession has three components. The first one is when you’re interceding with someone, then when you’re praying for someone. And lastly, when you’re praying against something. Pray with and for others, bringing their needs, challenges, and desires to God.

God wants you to stand in the gap for others.

7. Wait Upon God

Waiting upon God is often overlooked (Isaiah 40:31). I want to encourage you to linger in God’s presence. When you’re done thanking Him, praising Him, and even praying for others, don’t just go. Choose to linger in His presence a while longer. Maybe God is not done with you yet.

8. Meditate on His Word

Meditating on God’s Word isn’t just about reading the Bible (Psalm 1:1-2); it’s about pondering its teachings. It is during this phase that Scriptures often come alive, revealing deeper insights and applications for our lives. By regularly setting aside time to meditate on His Word, we can receive wisdom, guidance, and understanding directly from the heart of God.

9. Listen to the Holy Spirit

Prayer is a two-way communication (John 14:26). As much as we talk to God, it is equally important to pause and listen. The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts, often offering comfort, direction, or correction. By cultivating a habit of attentive listening during our prayers, we open ourselves up to His guidance and allow Him to reveal Jesus’s love towards us in a greater and deeper way.

In Conclusion

Prayer is a beautiful journey of discovering God’s heart and aligning ours with His. Whether you’re new to prayer or have been praying for years, these biblical facets serve as a helpful framework to deepen your relationship with God.

Read: Is There a Wrong Way to Pray?