Acceptable and Biblical forms of prayer?

[Derek J]

Personally, I pray the outline of the Lord's prayer, pray shorter times throughout the day, and pray for wisdom and understanding before reading God's Word. Are there other forms of prayer that are acceptable and biblical?

I've steered clear of contemplative (aka, repetitive prayer) because Matthew 6:7 seems to be a clear warning of vain repetition. Also, lots of people also seem to be into praying to God to enter into his presence or seek some kind of personal experience, which seems like a vain distraction from actual prayer to me. I would love to hear thoughts on this.

 

[rsr]

It seems to me that you've put up a pretty good barrier against prayers you don't like.

Let's start with "vain repetition." The key is "vain." You use an "outline" of the Lord's Prayer. I suppose that's to keep you from "vain repetition." To repeat Scripture, with the hope of learning from it and acknowledging it, is not vain. The Savior has taught you how to pray. It's only vain if you don't mean it.

The most sincere prayers I have every uttered have been repetitious. For a friend and for myself, I asked God repeatedly, incessantly, to grant something. In one case, he graciously granted it. In the other case he did not, despite hours of pleading and bargaining, and I am still learning how to live God's decision.

To seek a personal encounter with God may be either right or wrong. If it is only for your personal satisfaction, it may be wrong, but then again, it may not. If you want to have a deeper relationship with your wife or child, is that wrong? If you want to meet God as a way to serve him and your brothers and sisters, how can that be wrong?

Prayer is meeting God on his terms, not yours. But he is gracious and understands your weaknesses. Pray and let him lead you to where you need to go, not where you want to go.

 

[Derek J]

It seems to me that you've put up a pretty good barrier against prayers you don't like.

Let's start with "vain repetition." The key is "vain." You use an "outline" of the Lord's Prayer. I suppose that's to keep you from "vain repetition." To repeat Scripture, with the hope of learning from it and acknowledging it, is not vain. The Savior has taught you how to pray. It's only vain if you don't mean it.

The most sincere prayers I have every uttered have been repetitious. For a friend and for myself, I asked God repeatedly, incessantly, to grant something. In one case, he graciously granted it. In the other case he did not, despite hours of pleading and bargaining, and I am still learning how to live God's decision.

To seek a personal encounter with God may be either right or wrong. If it is only for your personal satisfaction, it may be wrong, but then again, it may not. If you want to have a deeper relationship with your wife or child, is that wrong? If you want to meet God as a way to serve him and your brothers and sisters, how can that be wrong?

Prayer is meeting God on his terms, not yours. But he is gracious and understands your weaknesses. Pray and let him lead you to where you need to go, not where you want to go.

Augh, I made a mistake not expounding on contemplative prayer. I meant it as the mystical type of prayer where you focus on a word or phrase and empty your mind. My apologies. I recognize the other form where you contemplate scripture or ways God has been good.
Would it be a step too far to use Matthew 16:1-4 as a proof against asking for signs? Or 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 for non-believers asking for signs before being saved? Or what about testing God like the Israelites did at Massah in the desert? If the invisible things of God are clearly seen and understood in creation, is there any reason for asking for a sign other than unbelief? Certainly I believe God can, and does give signs; I'm just not sure it would be wise to ask.

 

[rsr]

Do not consider me an expert on prayer. All I can tell you is what I have experienced.

Should we seek a sign? In Matthew 16, Christ is being taunted by the Pharisees. They had no interest in what Christ might reveal. That is not the case for those who have put their faith in Christ. Didn't Gideon ask God for a sign to understand what he was to do?

But you are right to be cautious in seeking a sign. We mere mortals are eager to interpret anything that comes our way as a sign. Often we seek a sign when the clear teaching of Scripture tells us what we should do but we would rather not do it. Sometimes we seek a sign when God has not made it clear what we are to do and we decide what we should do and are enlisting God for what we want to do.

And sometimes "we receive a sign" and use it to enrich ourselves and deceive the faithful into joining their fraud.

Pray as you will. Tell God the desire of your heart. You will not always receive the answer you want, but as you pray you will approach God in a way that will please you and God.

 

[Revmitchell]

Augh, I made a mistake not expounding on contemplative prayer. I meant it as the mystical type of prayer where you focus on a word or phrase and empty your mind.

Hadn't heard that in a while. Mainly because it became more prevalent with the Emergent Church. They did not go away but basically went into hiding and now we see them pop up in other ways. You are correct to be concerned with this practice as it is not biblical and certainly not helpful.

I wouldnt get caught up in trying to create caveates around here. For instance, it was obvious that you meant repeating words and not repeating specific prayers. Sometime, those who do not like what you post will not address what they dislike about it directly but will try to justify their idea by trying to create and example that you have to agree. Its not honest and I would ignore them.