Why is prayer important?/who to pray for?

How often should we pray?

• We are commanded in I Thessalonians 5:17 to "Pray without ceasing (KJV)." This means we should be in a continual state of prayer. In other words, we should be ready to pray at any time of day, and anywhere.

• Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; "
  
• Colossians 4:2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;"
  
• I Peter 4:7 "...and watch unto prayer."
• Luke 18:1 "...that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
  

Who are we to pray too?

• We are to pray to God alone. This is mentioned in Philippians 4:6 "Be careful for nothing;but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." We are not to be anxious, or worried about anything. We are to take everything to God in prayer.

• Psalm 5: 2 "Hearken unto the voice of my cry,my King, and my God:for unto thee will I pray." In this verse David prayed to God alone.
• Matthew 6:9 "...pray ye: Our father which art in heaven..." We are to pray to God the Father.
• Matthew 5:6 "...pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret will reward you openly.

When are we to pray?

• Psalm 5:3 "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."

David prayed to God in the morning.

• Psalm 55:17 "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud:and he shall hear my voice." David prayed to God in the nightime, during the day, and in the afternoon time.

Who should we pray for?

• We are commanded to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:they shall prosper that love thee(Holy Bible:KJV)" in Psalm 122:6.

• We commanded in Matthew 5:44 to "...and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you:" We are to pray for our enemies.
  

• James 5:16 "... and pray for one another, that ye may be healed..." We are to pray for each other.
• Ezra 6:10 "...and pray for the life of the king, and of his sons." We are to pray for the king and his sons.
  
• I Thessalonians 5:25 "Brethren, pray for us." Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ.
• Hebrews 13:18 "Pray for us:for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly." This is an extra reminder to pray for other Christians.
• II Thessalonians 3:1 "Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified..." One more reminder to pray for other believers/Christians.
  
• I Timothy 2:1 -2 "I EXHORT therefore, that,first,of all, supplications,prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks,be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godlines and honesty." We should pray for all people including kings and others in authority over us.
  

How should you pray?

• Matthew 6:5 "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypcrites are:for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men..." Do not pray to get attention from other people.
• Matthew 6:6 "But thou,when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thou Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Pray in secret/ in a quiet, private spot.
  

• Matthew 6:7 "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do:for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking." Do not use memorized prayers.
• Matthew 6:10 "...Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Pray for God's will.
• Matthew 6:11 "Give us this day our daily bread." Thank him for providing your needs including your food.
• Matthew 6:12 "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Ask him to forgive your sins.
  
• Matthew 6:13 "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil..." Ask him to help your resist the temptations from the devil.
• II Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive thier sin, and heal their land." Pray humbly/meekly unto God, and turn away from your wickedness.
• Matthew 21:22 "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." Pray with belief that you will get what you pray for.
• II Corinthians 13:7 "Now I pray to God that ye do not evil..." Pray for others not to do evil.
• II Corinthians 5:20 "...we pray you in Christ stead,be ye reconciled to God." Pray on others behalf that they will obey God.