Q&A for How to Pray Effectively (Christianity)

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  • Question
    How do you recommend people to establish a relationship with God?
    Olivia Woodford
    Holy Bible Expert
    Olivia Woodford is a Holy Bible Expert and the Founder of Bible Women Speak. Olivia has been teaching biblical stories of women through theater since 1992. She is a member of Biblical Storytellers International and has performed at and hosted learning retreats with churches, schools, and women's groups of all denominations throughout the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Olivia has a BFA in Theater Arts from Boston University.
    Holy Bible Expert
    Expert Answer
    I'd say the first thing is prayer. I think prayer is the foundation for any religious practice, any relationship with the divine, our connection to our soul, and spirit. It all begins with prayer.
  • Question
    How do I find God?
    Community Answer
    You can find God in everything. I recommend you read the book of Genesis first. It talks about the beginning of the Earth (basically everything natural in our world). I always find myself looking at the stars and the moon and thinking how wonderful and marvelous they are. That's finding God. Birds in the sky are another example. Have you realized that when it rains, there are no birds in the sky?Before it rains, birds start flying to safety. How do these birds know that it's about to rain? That's God. It's said that God takes care of all his creations, big and small.
  • Question
    Do I have to pray in English, or can I pray in another language?
    Community Answer
    Pray in any language you want. God understands all languages. Always remember that He is omniscient (He knows everything).
  • Question
    Can I use prayer and ask God to help me forgive someone?
    Community Answer
    Yes, of course! If you find that you are unable to forgive someone, pray to God to give you strength and to take away the pride inside of you.
  • Question
    If I have been praying for several years for my marriage, will I receive an answer from God for my prayers?
    elijah amanor
    Community Answer
    Yes of course! The Holy Bible made us to understand in Matthew 7:7 that we should ask and it will be given, seek and we will find, knock and it shall be opened for us. What we must understand in our Christian lives is that God has plans and an appointed time for everyone and everything. Until the appointed time, our prayers might not be answered. Maybe this is not the right time for you. Please kindly exercise patience and wait for the Lord. Remember that marriage is a lifelong journey. Do not cease praying, your time will definitely come. Have faith.
  • Question
    How do I pray in the night?
    Community Answer
    Praying at night is the same as praying in the daytime. Praying is speaking to God, thanking Him and asking for help.
  • Question
    Can I pray alone?
    Community Answer
    Certainly. Praying alone can be just as effective as praying with other people. It allows you to establish a more personal relationship to God. Many people find that they feel closer to God when they pray to him in private than when they pray to him in a group with other people.
  • Question
    How do I pray to overcome lust?
    Community Answer
    There are basically three ways of overcoming lusts of the human flesh. First, you must control your mind because it is the storeroom and tap root of all lust. Reject lustful thoughts fiercely by imagining yourself slamming a door on them in your mind's eye. Secondly, you must meditate on the world of God. Find scriptures that remind you of God's faithfulness in temptation and help you to think about good and worth things. Lastly, you must pray fervently for the help of the Holy Spirit. Simply ask every day (every minute, if you need to!) to fill you with his Spirit in all power, love, and self-control.
  • Question
    How can l concentrate on what l am praying about? At times my thoughts wonder as l pray.
    Community Answer
    Tell God that you're struggling to concentrate (He knows that already anyway), and then continue with whatever you were praying about. You may have to repeatedly re-focus, but that's okay. Sometimes it's helpful to have a list to keep you on track.
  • Question
    How do I remember how to pray?
    Community Answer
    Keep practicing until it becomes a habit.
  • Question
    When is the right time to pray?
    Community Answer
    Any time! God loves our prayers, day and night.
  • Question
    Is praying for wealth unholy?
    AmandaPanda842
    Community Answer
    Not necessarily. If you are poor and can't pay for things you need, like a home, food, clothes, etc., then it is not unholy. It's also fine if you want to pray for someone else to achieve wealth. However, if you are very wealthy already AND are praying for your own wealth, it would not be considered holy.
  • Question
    Can someone who watches porn still pray?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Anyone can pray, no matter what they do. If you are watching porn, then you should pray to God for forgiveness, and ask him to help you stop watching is, as it is considered sinful by Christian standards.
  • Question
    If it is written that we should be able to do the miracles that He did and greater, why aren't we doing it?
    Community Answer
    Because humans rarely know the power that is within them, and even less often use that power to do miracles.
  • Question
    Is reading a Bible app the same as an actual Bible?
    Community Answer
    Yes. It can even make studying the Bible more effective because the app enables you to read the Bible on the go.
  • Question
    Why should I pray?
    Community Answer
    To keep yourself connected with God, and to increase the level of connection every day.
  • Question
    How do I pray that I can forgive someone?
    Community Answer
    Before you pray, acknowledge that you've also played a part in whatever happened. Try to understand that we all react differently to situations, and forgive yourself first. Pray that God will forgive you and then ask Him to help you to forgive the person.
  • Question
    How can I curb bad habits, like watching porn?
    Community Answer
    Pray to God that you sincerely would like to stop because you know it's wrong, and then have faith that your prayers are already answered. For pornography specifically, there are some helpful tips in this article about avoiding pornography on wikiHow.
  • Question
    Must I confess my sins to another person before my sins can be forgiven?
    Community Answer
    No, you confess your sins to God, and he will forgive you, but if you want to be forgiven by a person that you harmed, then you should confess and apologize.
  • Question
    If I fast for several days while praying, is that effective?
    Community Answer
    While God will listen to all prayers, fasting may help you focus on God and Jesus alone, without having something you would normally have block your connection with God. But fasting doesn’t have to be just from food, it can be from anything, like a couple of days without your phone. Just make sure you you do it in a safe and healthy manner.
  • Question
    I can't read the Bible well because of its small print. Is there such a thing as a Bible with larger print?
    Community Answer
    Yes. There are many translations of the Bible that are in large print; just go to your local Christian bookstore or check online.
  • Question
    I don't have faith. I wish I did. I know all the amazing things God has done, but I lack faith. Why? And what can I do about it?
    Community Answer
    Pray for an increase in your faith. Thank Him for what he has already done in your life. Give it time. Consider talking to the head of your church as well. If you don't go to church, now would be a great time to start.
  • Question
    How do I know is my prayers being effective or that it is the will of God?
    Community Answer
    Have faith and try to look out for signs.
  • Question
    Whom do you pray to, God or Jesus? Aren't they one and the same?
    Community Answer
    Although they are both part of the Holy Trinity, most people pray to God through his son, Jesus. Other people pray directly to God, and that's okay too.
  • Question
    I feel rejected and lonely because God hasn't answered my prayers. I no longer go to church or pray. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    If your prayers aren't in line with God's plan, it won't happen. God isn't Santa Claus. Have faith that God's plan for you life is the best thing for you. Reach out to a friend or local pastor who can help you work through your doubts.
  • Question
    Can I pray to Jesus or God if I am a Hindu?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Jesus Christ is not present for Christians alone.
  • Question
    Is it disrespectful to pray in a laying down position or to pray in my mind instead of out loud?
    Community Answer
    Nope! God created your mind, so he knows all your thoughts. And it's okay if you are laying down if that's most comfortable to you, God won't care! He loves it when you pray to him and doesn't care how you do it, as long as it is coming from the heart.
  • Question
    Is having a cross, crucifix, or statue of a saint/Jesus/etc., a form of idolatry?
    Community Answer
    Crosses, crucifixes, or statues are only symbols that draw you close in your faith. They only help to establish your relationship to the Divine. These items are a juxtaposition of the human and the spiritual. The only time they become idolatrous is when those items are worshiped or take the place of God.
  • Question
    Is smoking a sin?
    Community Answer
    It is not exactly a sin, it's just really bad for your health. If you can't stop cold turkey or with nicotine gum, your doctor may be able to prescribe you something to help you quit.
  • Question
    How can I overcome anger with someone who is abusive, insulting and makes up lies?
    Community Answer
    Pray to know the truth about this individual. God and His divine Truth are all-powerful, so pray to bring these into your experience. Remember to always express divine Love, too. You can't change another person through your own prayer, but you can seek to better understand God and improve yourself.
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