What and How to Pray / David Jeremiah

 

What and How to Pray Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18    Even the apostle Paul admitted to the possibility of not knowing how to pray (Romans 8:26). We often have specific requests to bring before God, but sometimes aren’t sure exactly how to pray. And sometimes we don’t even know what to pray for. But there is a category of prayer which is appropriate at any time and for every reason: prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving.

Recommended Reading: Philippians 4: 6 – 7

Prayers of thanksgiving are found throughout Scripture. And the apostle Paul coupled his exhortation to “pray without ceasing” to give thanks “in everything.” In other words, there is never a moment in which we cannot have ample reason to give thanks to God. In his admonition to “be anxious for nothing,” Paul says to pray “with thanksgiving”—even in the face of a circumstance that might tempt us to anxiety. Prayers of thanksgiving lead to “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:6-7). There is no end to the things for which we can pray with thanksgiving. On days when you’re unsure about how to pray, spend time thanking God—for faith, family, friends, and finances. The essence of Christian ethics is gratitude. G. C. Berkouwer