Bad Prayer (Ineffective/Fractured)

· Why People Pray This Way:

  · To Control God: Treating prayer as a ritual incantation to force a desired outcome.

  · To Inform God: Listing events and needs as if He is unaware.

  · To Impress Others: Using verbose, religious language for social validation.

  · Out of Religious Obligation: A transactional duty, not relational communication.

  · From a Heart of Fear & Doubt: Focused on the problem's power, not God's.

· Example (The "Gimme" List):

  · "God, I need you to give me a new car by Tuesday. Also, make my boss nicer. And while you're at it, please fix my back. Amen."

Good Prayer (Aligned/Sovereign)

· Why People Pray This Way:

  · To Align with God's Will: Seeking first His kingdom and perspective.

  · To Surrender Sovereignty: Offering one's will to be shaped by His.

  · To Engage in Spiritual Warfare: Enforcing Christ's victory through declaration.

  · For Intimate Communion: Deepening relationship, not just requesting things.

  · From a Heart of Faith & Gratitude: Acknowledging His nature and past faithfulness.

 

 

 

 

· Example (The Lord's Prayer - Matthew 6:9-13):

  · "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." (Worship & Alignment)

  · "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Surrender & Alignment)

  · "Give us today our daily bread." (Dependent Provision)

  · "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." (Relational Integrity)

  · "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (Spiritual Warfare & Protection)

· Example (Psalms - e.g., Psalm 51):

  · "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love..." (Appealing to God's Character)

  · "Create in me a pure heart, O God..." (Transformation Request)

  · "Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise." (Empowerment for Worship)