Teach Yourself To Pray

​The apostle Paul gave the following instructions to the brethren in Thessalonica. “16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NKJV). Prayer is a vital part of the Christian’s life. It is the way a Christian can communicate with God expressing his thanksgiving, making his needs and desires known to God, the Father. Jesus instructed us how to pray in the following verse, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9, NKJV). Our prayers are directed to God, the Father, but we are to pray through or in the name of Jesus. The apostle Paul wrote, “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20, NKJV).
Jesus throughout His ministry sought opportunities to pray to God. In the following verse we see Jesus separating Himself from the multitude and finding a place of solitude where He could pray. “And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there” (Matthew 14:23, NKJV). Jesus found comfort and strength through prayer during the most difficult times of His ministry. Prayer brought a “time of refreshing” for Jesus. The Christian can also find comfort and strength through prayer. Prayer will help one to avoid or overcome temptation (Mark 14:38).
We should pray that God will lead us in “paths of righteousness,” and when we come to the “valley of the shadow of death,” we will have no fear. Jesus nearing His death on the cross prayed, “nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, NKJV). The Christian can also know that it will be well with their soul when he allows God to lead.