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In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
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Before we look at what prayer is as it should be, we should start with understanding when it should be. And the Word of God clearly says that we should pray without ceasing {1Thes.5:17} so it should be all the time! That only becomes possible when we understand that prayer is not just about talking to the Lord, but talking with the Lord! Remember that what He has to say to you is far more important than what you have to say to Him!

By the way, the “to Him” is very, very important! When Jesus started training His disciples He said when you and I pray we should start by saying, “Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Thy name…” {Mat.6:9} Not to pray to another man or woman, however revered they may be, but to the Father Himself or to His one true emissary, Jesus Christ who is now at the Father’s right hand and is interceding for us. {Rom.8:34} So now we can draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. {Heb.4:16}

We have been given the example of what may likely be the perfect prayer, one I believe we should all emulate: Facing His imminent death on the cross, a truly horrible execution, Jesus prayed to His Father saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours be done.” {Lk.22:42}

Consider that John wrote: “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” {1Jn.5:14-15}

Another contender for the perfect prayer is probably the account of the apostle Paul on the island of Malta when he did not pray—at least not for us to hear! Right after being shipwrecked on that island along with two-hundred and five others, coming out of the sea cold and wet, Paul was gathering wood for the fire to warm them up when a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. {Acts 28:3} The natives who had gathered there saw that and said that he was a dead duck (my paraphrase) expecting him to swell up and fall down dead. {Acts 28:6} He did not–he just pressed on and kept on going!

His faith in what God had said to him, and to you and I, (effectual prayer indeed) was surely a glorious and living prayer. Jesus had said that this sign would follow those who have believed, they will pick up serpents and not be harmed. {Mar.16:18} We are covered for all the situations we encounter as we are living for the Lord. We are not to seek the snakes or the troubles, the enemy will insure they will find you, and just as sure that our Father, who knows every hair on you head, has His eye on you!

Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. {1Jn.4:4}

“A Psalm of David. YHWH, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all.” (Psalms 139:1-4)

THERE IS TRULY BLESSED ASSURANCE