7 Day Plan for New Believers
Day 3: How Do I Pray?
Prayer is one of the most crucial aspects to a vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus. Prayer is simply having a conversation with Jesus–something everyone can do. There’s no one
way to pray, but here is a template that will help you as you begin to connect with Jesus through conversation:
Praise– Begin your prayer with PRAISE. Praise is thanking God for who He is, what He can do, and what He has done.
Repent– Take a moment to REPENT. Recognize your shortcomings and turn away from them. God isn’t surprised by anything you bring to Him, so don’t be afraid to admit the things that fall short of His standard for your life.
Ask– Be willing to ASK. God wants us to ask Him for things in our lives. He wants His children (that’s us) to come to Him with our requests.
Yield– Finally, YIELD. Prayer is not just asking God for what you want; it’s putting yourself in a position to want what God wants. When we yield to His plan and His purpose above all, we show that we trust in His goodness.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
7 Ways God Speaks and How You Can Be Sure to Hear Him
1. God speaks to your heart, not your ears.
Your ears are for listening but your mind and heart are for hearing. How often do your ears trick you? Have you ever misunderstood something you thought you heard?
God speaks to your heart and therefore you will seldom (maybe never) hear Him with your actual human ears. But that’s okay because your real center of understanding is deep inside your mind and heart.
And that is where God dwells.
2. God speaks through the Bible (that’s why we call it God’s Word).
God speaks to you through His Word. And when He talks to you through His Word, you can be certain that He’s up to something good.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12
The Bible is more than just a collection of ancient writings. It’s the living, and active, coil and spirit impacting, life changing word of God. And because God speaks to you through His Word,
YOU NEED TO READ IT!
3. Obedience is the secret to ongoing conversation with God.
The Bible is full of instructions. God has addressed every area of life in His Book. Some of what He’s said to do is easy. Other things are hard–especially when the world’s way seems to contradict God’s way.
If you want to keep your relationship with God strong, and your lines of communication open, resist the temptation to live like the world things you should live and instead obey what God says in His Word.
4. God communicates through other people.
Jesus chose 12 men to become His disciples, many other men and women traveled with him throughout his ministry. In community with this group of people, Jesus established His Church.
Today the people who follow God continue to live in community with each other. They grow in their understanding of God, they work together to fulfill the purposes of God, and together they hear and share the word of God.
Your spiritual adventure will be incredibly impacted by the people you travel with–and you often hear the voice of God together.
5. God speaks through praise and worship.
God will speak directly to your heart through praise and worship. Fill your ears with praise music and let the voice of God speak truth to your heart.
6. God speaks through dreams and visions.
This is always an interesting and exciting way that God speaks to you. Just remember this, when God speaks to you through dreams and visions it’s a good idea to make sure that what God said aligns with Scripture. Share your experience with a trusted Christian friend who has studied the Bible and can help you make sense of your experience and God’s Word.
7. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude if you want to hear God’s voice.
“For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:21
When you get too busy, too burdened, too full of pride to thank God for His faithfulness and love, you will find it hard to hear His voice.
Pray. Father, thank You for teaching me how to hear Your voice. Please continue teaching me. Is there anything else You want me to hear You say to me today?