10 Reminders Straight From The Bible To Pray Faithfully

By Chip Ingram
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Be encouraged today when you reflect on these 10 reminders from the Bible to pray faithfully, simply and confidently.

  1. We can approach God confidently. 
  2. God wants to refine us through confession.
  3. Jesus wants us to remain in Him.
  4. Give thanks always.
  5. Pray simply.
  6. Gain perspective with adoration.
  7. Live according to His will.
  8. Expect fruit.
  9. Reflect on God’s generosity.
  10. Request a revelation.

Every believer has petitioned God for topics on all ends of the spectrum: from weather to serious issues like relationships, finances or health. God cares about all of our circumstances, and most of all, He cares that we speak to Him and approach Him.

Our time in prayer is enriched by times of adoration and thanksgiving, and also by humbly petitioning Him for the needs and desires of our hearts.

The Scriptures below remind us that praying is our main communication with a mighty God, and nothing is too insignificant to discuss with our Father.

Be encouraged today when you reflect on these 10 reminders from the Bible to pray faithfully.

1. We can approach God confidently.

To clarify, that means confidence in God’s ability, not our own.

What are we really asking for when we pray? The very nature of prayer means we understand who is the giver of all things, and at our very core, we know we’re in desperate need of mercy and grace. As a result, this verse tops my list for reminders from the Bible to pray.

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 Share on X

2. God wants to refine us through confession.

It takes courage to be honest with ourselves before God.

The Holy Spirit convicts but never condemns. Condemnation makes you want to run away from God. Conviction, on the other hand, is God pointing out specific things we need to address and change when we make a confession.

Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:21-22 Share on X

3. Jesus wants us to remain in Him.

Picture the grapes on a vine. Like the grapes, if we remain attached to our life-giving vine, Jesus, what could we possibly want other than to be more like Him? Ask God to continue nourishing you and producing more and more fruits of the Spirit in your life.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 Share on X

4. Give thanks always.

Thanksgiving alters our perspective.

In the Bible, we are often reminded to pray with thanksgiving. When we actively and proactively give thanks, it forces us to take the focus off our problems and on who God really is. We aren’t happy about every circumstance, but we can give thanks in the midst of difficult times because we choose to surrender and acknowledge our faith in an all-powerful, all-knowing God.

Learn more about experiencing prayer when you hear my message series on YouTube: The Power of Prayer.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 Share on X

5. Pray simply.

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father who art in Heaven,” what He was saying to them was: “You are accepted, you are loved, and I am your Creator and I am Holy.” Period.

Prayer is simply about a relationship. It’s not about performance.

I hope this reminder from the Scriptures to pray out of your relationship and not out of obligation will be a comfort to you.

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:7-8 Share on X

6. Gain perspective with adoration.

When we adore God, it requires that we look up to Him and acknowledge Him for who He is – the Creator of two hundred billion stars in the Milky Way but also our perfect and loving Father.

I’ve found that if our view of God is that He is one who is big and powerful, then our problems will seem small. Conversely, if our view of God is small, our problems will be big.

Feeling stuck when praying? Start here: How to Adore God in Prayer

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 Share on X

7. Live according to His will.

When we’re operating how we were created to operate — remembering our Creator and our place in His world — the doors of communication with our Father are wide open. This invitation straight from the Bible should inspire us to pray expectantly!

We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. John 9:31 Share on X

8. Expect fruit.

The God who made us wants us to live fruitfully. While it can be difficult to discern His will in the day-to-day decisions, do you know what is always His will? The Fruits of the Spirit in our lives are always within God’s will: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14 Share on X

9. Reflect on God’s generosity.

This reminder from the Bible to pray points to a Good Father who wants to give generously to each of us. Come to Him in belief and ask for Him to share His wisdom with you.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 Share on X

10. Request a revelation.

Ask God to reveal your motives. Ask that He would give you sincere and genuine desires, and then for great faith to experience His fruit in your life.

Prayer is relational, promise-centered, simple and powerful. Through it, we can experience God in ways beyond what most of us have ever dreamed of.

You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:2b-3 Share on X

 

We hope these 10 reminders from the Bible to pray confidently and faithfully — with verses straight from the Scriptures —  will encourage a continual conversation with your Creator.

 

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Learn more about prayer and other spiritual disciplines when you watch my Daily Discipleship Course on YouTube. Find other helpful resources on our website, including my book, Yes! You Really Can Change

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Chip Ingram – Living On The Edge – YouTube Channel

Written By

Chip Ingram

Founder & Teaching Pastor, Living on the Edge

Chip Ingram is the CEO and teaching pastor of Living on the Edge, an international teaching and discipleship ministry. A pastor for over thirty years, Chip has a unique ability to communicate truth and challenge people to live out their faith. He is the author of many books, including The Real God, Culture Shock and The Real Heaven. Chip and his wife, Theresa, have four grown children and twelve grandchildren and live in California.

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