In Mathew chapter 6, Jesus spoke:
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
and …
45 Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.
46 And when He had sent them away, He (Jesus) departed to the mountain to pray.
FATHER does not need our prayers, we are the ones who benefit from prayer. We are to pray for our sake and reaffirm our reliance and trust in FATHER as the One Who meets all our needs. Prayer keeps our relationship in proper order and alignment. A life without prayer causes us to become distant and somewhat disconnected in our relationship with HIM. If Jesus was a proponent of prayer, we too should be a proponent.
Jesus gave us a simple, effective prayer to work from. He said:
9 In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
I advocate the relationship of “FATHER” rather than GOD. HE is my FATHER and supplier of all my need. I am HIS Son just as my elder brother Jesus is HIS Son. I know FATHER Loves me and HIS Divine Intent toward me is always for my good.
In Mark chapter 11, Jesus spoke:
22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Faith is required “when you pray” for faith sees, knows, and trusts the answer to prayer before the physical evidence is observed by one or more of the five physical senses. Faith requires us to believe that we receive from FATHER even though the circumstances are in conflict with what we prayed. Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 5:
7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
We need not pray with repetition as though we must convince FATHER to do HIS Will. HE wants HIS Will carried out in our lives. HE gives us HIS Word which contains the promises HE has committed to fulfilling. If you ask amiss, you cannot expect your prayer to be answered. This is why we must study, dwell, and meditate on HIS Word so that when we pray, we know our prayers are in alignment with HIS Will. Let us keep fervent prayer as a priority in our life.