
7 Powerful Steps to Pray According to the Bible
IK Gibson
Founder & Visionary
As Christians, prayer is one of the most powerful ways we connect with God. Understanding how Christians should pray according to the Bible gives us guidance to experience and share God’s love in our daily lives. Jesus Himself offered clear teachings on prayer that can help us deepen our relationship with God and learn how to express His love toward others. In this post, we will explore seven practical, Bible-based steps to guide our prayer life, ensuring it reflects God’s will and helps us share His love in everything we do.
Step 1: Pray With Sincerity and Humility
The Bible emphasizes the importance of praying with sincerity and humility. In Matthew 6:5-6, Jesus instructs His followers not to pray to be seen by others but to seek solitude and approach God privately. He says, “When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” This teaches that prayer should come from the heart, not for show or recognition.
When we pray with humility, we acknowledge our dependence on God and His will. Our prayers should not be about impressing others or even making demands of God but about expressing our genuine love, gratitude, and needs. James 4:10 echoes this sentiment: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Practical Tips:
- Find a quiet place where you can be alone with God.
- Pray without seeking attention from others.
- Approach prayer with a humble heart, recognizing God’s sovereignty.
How This Helps Us Share God’s Love:
Praying with humility reminds us to be humble in our interactions with others. We are called to put others before ourselves, just as Jesus did. When we practice humility in prayer, we naturally extend that same humility and love to those around us.
Step 2: Pray in Faith, Trusting God’s Will
Another crucial aspect of how Christians should pray according to the Bible is praying in faith, believing that God hears us and will answer according to His will. Mark 11:24 teaches, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
However, it’s important to understand that faith isn’t about demanding things from God; it’s about trusting His perfect plan. Jesus demonstrated this in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Even in His deepest anguish, Jesus trusted that God’s will was best.
Practical Tips:
- Pray with confidence that God hears you.
- Trust that God’s will is better than your own desires.
- Submit your requests to God with the understanding that His plan is perfect.
How This Helps Us Share God’s Love:
Praying with faith teaches us to let go of control and trust God’s wisdom. When we extend this attitude of trust and faith to others, we can offer encouragement and hope, reminding them that God is in control and has a plan for their lives.
Step 3: Pray With Thanksgiving
In Philippians 4:6, Paul writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Prayers of thanksgiving remind us to focus on God’s blessings rather than our worries. Gratitude shifts our perspective from our problems to the ways God is already working in our lives.
Jesus also modeled thanksgiving in prayer. In Matthew 14:19, before feeding the five thousand, He gave thanks for the loaves and fish. This demonstrates that even in moments of need, we should approach God with gratitude.
Practical Tips:
- Start your prayers by thanking God for His blessings.
- Keep a prayer journal to record answered prayers and things you are grateful for.
- Focus on God’s faithfulness, even when life is difficult.
How This Helps Us Share God’s Love:
When we practice gratitude in our prayer life, it becomes easier to recognize and appreciate the good in others. A thankful heart is also more likely to offer kindness, encouragement, and positivity to those around us, reflecting God’s love.
Step 4: Pray for Others
One of the greatest ways how Christians should pray according to the Bible is by interceding for others. In 1 Timothy 2:1, Paul urges believers: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people.” Jesus also prayed for others, as seen in John 17, where He prays for His disciples and all believers.
Praying for others strengthens our community and expresses God’s love. It demonstrates that we care about the needs and well-being of those around us. James 5:16 reinforces this principle, saying, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Practical Tips:
- Make a list of people you want to pray for and lift them up to God.
- Ask others if they have specific prayer requests.
- Regularly pray for the needs of your church, community, and the world.
How This Helps Us Share God’s Love:
Praying for others is an act of love and compassion. It allows us to share in their burdens, celebrate their joys, and build stronger relationships rooted in Christ’s love. By interceding for others, we become conduits of God’s love, helping to uplift and encourage those in need.
Step 5: Pray With Persistence
Persistence in prayer is another principle of how Christians should pray according to the Bible. Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. He told His disciples this parable to show them that they “should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1).
Persistence doesn’t mean nagging God or praying out of anxiety. Instead, it reflects a deep faith that God’s timing is perfect, and we can trust Him to act according to His will. Even when answers don’t come immediately, we are encouraged to keep praying and trusting God.
Practical Tips:
- Don’t give up on prayer when answers seem delayed.
- Continue praying, even when you don’t see immediate results.
- Trust that God is working, even when it’s not visible.
How This Helps Us Share God’s Love:
Persistent prayer teaches us patience, both with God and with others. It helps us develop endurance and reminds us to be patient with people around us who may be struggling or in need of love and support.
Step 6: Pray Using God’s Word
One of the most effective ways how Christians should pray according to the Bible is by incorporating Scripture into our prayers. The Bible is filled with promises, wisdom, and examples of prayers that we can use to strengthen our communication with God.
Jesus Himself often quoted Scripture in His teachings and prayers. In Matthew 4, during His temptation in the wilderness, Jesus responded to the devil by quoting passages from the Old Testament. When we use the Bible in our prayers, we align our requests with God’s will and build our faith on His promises.
Practical Tips:
- Use verses from the Psalms, Proverbs, Old and New Testament in your prayers.
- Pray through specific passages that reflect your current situation.
- Keep a list of Bible verses that bring you comfort and hope, and include them in your prayers.
How This Helps Us Share God’s Love:
Praying with Scripture grounds us in God’s truth and encourages us to speak His Word into the lives of others. Sharing Scripture in our conversations or prayers for others can bring comfort, guidance, and peace, showing them God’s love through His Word.
Step 7: Pray in Jesus’ Name
In John 14:13-14, Jesus tells His disciples, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” Praying in Jesus’ name acknowledges that He is the mediator between us and God (1 Timothy 2:5) and that we are approaching God through His authority.
Praying in Jesus’ name isn’t just about adding a phrase at the end of a prayer. It’s about recognizing the power and authority of Jesus and aligning our prayers with His character and will.
Practical Tips:
- End your prayers by saying, “In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
- Reflect on Jesus’ life and teachings as you pray.
- Seek to align your prayers with Jesus’ heart and mission.
How This Helps Us Share God’s Love:
When we pray in Jesus’ name, we honor His sacrifice and His role in our lives. This empowers us to live out His teachings and share His love with others by following His example of humility, compassion, and service.
Learning how Christians should pray according to the Bible provides a powerful framework to deepen our relationship with God and live out His love daily. By praying with humility, faith, thanksgiving, persistence, and Scripture, and in Jesus’ name, we grow spiritually and equip ourselves to share God’s love with others. As we embrace these Biblical principles of prayer, we reflect the love of Christ in our words, actions, and relationships, transforming our lives and the lives of those around us.
Incorporating these seven powerful steps into your daily prayers will help you experience a closer walk with God, transforming both your inner life and your relationships with others. As you cultivate humility, faith, thanksgiving, and persistence in prayer, you’ll begin to see the world through the lens of God’s love. Using Scripture and praying in Jesus’ name will further deepen your connection with Him, aligning your heart with His purposes. Over time, this consistent practice of prayer will not only draw you nearer to God but also empower you to share His love, grace, and compassion with those around you, creating a ripple effect of spiritual growth and positive change in your community.
I have personally experienced the incredible power of prayer in my own life. When we open our hearts and pray to God in the name of Jesus, things begin to happen—not always in our timing, but in God’s perfect timing. One thing I can assure you is that when you commit to a life of prayer and pray in the Spirit, God will reveal Himself in profound ways. While you may not physically see Him, the transformations you’ll witness in your life will be undeniable. These experiences will leave a lasting impact, forever changing how you see the world and deepening your faith in God’s love and presence.