How to Pray Life-Changing Prayers
By Adam Freeman, Student Minister
How do we pray life-changing prayers?
In short, we must realize our lives will change when we pray. Prayer is a theme we see throughout God’s Word and in the lives of those called and used by Him. You may end this blog with more questions or just enough to sit and reflect. Either way, know that what we’ll talk about today is just a small portion of what awaits you when you spend time with the Lord. Prayer changes our lives—and I hope to help you see that today.
The challenge is that we sometimes see prayer as something Christians are supposed to do—or we only use it when we want God to get us out of trouble. This view of prayer will leave us frustrated very quickly. Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray in Matthew 6:9–13; we should use that as our model. But we’ll also dig deeper, looking at other scriptures God has given us to understand prayer and its purpose better.
I want to first share a passage from the book Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders. It offers a strong biblical perspective and has been incredibly helpful in my own life:
Romans 8:26–27: “In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
“The phrase, praying in the Spirit, means we are praying along the same lines—about the same things, in the same name—as the Holy Spirit. True prayer rises in the Spirit of the Christian from the Spirit who indwells us. Much praying is physical rather than spiritual, in the realm of the mind alone, the product of our own thinking and not of the Spirit’s teaching. But real prayer is deeper. It uses the body, requires the cooperation of the mind, and moves in the supernatural realm of the Spirit.”
Pray in the Spirit
This reading helped me realize that when I pray through the filter of who God is, what He wants to do, and what He can do, it helps align my prayers with His will. It’s helped me lay down selfish desires and focus on what God desires for my life. Praying in step with the Spirit has saved me from frustration and helped me better understand what God might be doing. Now, let’s continue looking at what it means to pray life-changing prayers.
Hebrews 4:15–16: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.”
Change Your Posture
You and I—we’re weak and in need of God. But God doesn’t leave us there; He meets us in our weakness. We can approach His throne of grace (not judgment!) with boldness so that we may receive mercy and grace in our time of need.
Let’s be real: most of the time, it’s our need that drives us to prayer. “Lord, help me!” That need is what reminds us we aren’t in control. The truth is, we’re always in need—only we don’t always acknowledge it. Don’t see prayer as something you “have” to do. See it for what it truly is: the chance to sit with the One who created everything, sits on His throne, and meets us with mercy and grace.
Align with God’s Will
Lastly, prayer will change our lives when we align ourselves with what God is doing.
Luke 22:42: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me—nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”
Jesus models what it looks like to humble ourselves before God’s plan (in this case, going to the cross for our sins). Sometimes, our prayers are so focused on our flesh. Even here, Jesus was fully aware of the suffering ahead—it wasn’t easy. But His prayer helped Him align His heart with what God was doing.
Align your heart with who God is and what He’s doing
Prayer changes our lives because we are sitting with God Himself. We’re not leaning on our own understanding but His. We go to Him because we are in need of Him. Prayer shifts our focus off of ourselves and onto God—and His plan.