The Mystic
How to Pray Powerfully
Spiritual Principles
-
God is Powerful God is omnipotent (all-powerful). He holds the entire universe in existence as a thought in his mind. He can help you in any way He wants, and He desires to give you good things, as stated in the bible.
-
God is omnipresent (all present). He is with you now, and He is equally present at the furthest reaches of the universe.
-
God is omniscient (all-knowing). He knows everything about you. He knows your hopes and your fears. He knows your innermost secret thoughts.
-
God is Merciful. "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:19 (NIV) "And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good..." Romans 8:28 (ASV)
-
God hears our Prayers. God is interested in our problems and is greater than our difficulties, but our prayers are to be God-centered and not problem-centered.
In Colossians 1:9-14 (NRSV), Paul summarized how to pray, especially for others.
9 for this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.
11 May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience while joyfully
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.
13 He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Prayer Example (based upon Colossians 1:9-14)
Heavenly Father, I pray for my family and friends that we be filled with your knowledge and with spiritual wisdom and understanding. That we might walk in a manner worthy of you and bear fruit in our good works. I also pray that we be strengthened with all power and we give you thanks and praise now and forever. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Results
God will give us a solution to our difficulties. He hears and answers our prayers. He usually requires an act of faith on our part, and his solution is always best for all concerned.
Other Considerations
1. Find a quiet and comfortable space: Many Christians find it helpful to create a dedicated space for prayer, such as a quiet room or corner. This can help create a sense of sacredness and help you focus your mind.
2. Start with gratitude: Begin your prayer by expressing gratitude for the blessings in your life. This can help shift your focus to the positive and open your heart to the divine.
3. Use scripture: Many Christians use scripture as a basis for their prayers. You can choose a passage that speaks to you and use it as a starting point for your prayer.
4. Pray with others: Praying with others can be a powerful way to deepen your spiritual practice and create a sense of community. You can join a prayer group or attend a church service.
5. Use visualization: Some Christians find it helpful to visualize the object of their prayer. For example, if you are praying for healing, you might visualize the person you are praying for being surrounded by healing light.
6. Practice breath prayer: Breath prayer involves repeating a short phrase or prayer with each breath. For example, you might repeat, "Lord Jesus, have mercy on me," with each inhale and exhale.
7. Engage in meditative prayer: Meditative prayer involves quieting the mind and focusing on a single point of concentration, such as the breath or a sacred image.
8. Use prayer beads: Many Christians use prayer beads, such as the rosary, as a way to focus their prayers and keep track of their progress.
Contemplative vs Discursive Prayer
Solving Problems Through Prayer