We all know we need to pray, but we often don’t know how to pray.

I’m not sure I’ve ever met a believer who felt completely comfortable in his prayer life. There is something within us that wants and needs a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God. Even Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray as John the Baptist had taught his disciples.

The following is my humble and feeble attempt to help you as you pray.

The apostle James told us “The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects” (James 5:16).

How do we make our prayers effective? Years ago, I was told to pray positively.

Why is this important?

First, you need to pray for what you want not what you don’t want. Often times,  we are praying for what we don’t want, such as, “God help me not to lose my temper.”

A better way to pray is to ask God to help us with patience, forbearance, and kindness toward others. It’s important to pray for what you want not what you don’t want.

Second, most of the prayers of the Bible are positive prayers. For example, for years I have prayed,  “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

This is a positive prayer not a negative one. It is a prayer seeking God to bring us into accord with Him rather than emphasizing what we should do.

Third, praying positively helps you to set your mind on the things above, where Christ is (Philippians 4:8). As we pray for the things of God, we become more positive in all our relationships.

Fourth, praying positively helps us to become like Christ. One of the goals of the Christian life is to be conformed to the image of Christ. God is good, kind, righteous, and just.

No one would describe God in negative terms. Therefore, we should be praying to become as He is, which is good and righteous.

I hope and pray this helps you as you pray. Pray fervently, and pray positively.

May God bless you as you grow into the likeness of His Son.

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