Jesus invited us to pray continually and boldly. He told a story that Luke recorded in Luke 18:1-8. In the story, Jesus shared about a widow who continually came before a judge to get justice. Because she was persistent and bold, the judge finally granted her request. Then Jesus went on to point out that God was not like the judge. He loves bringing justice for His beloved children who cry out to Him day and night. 

Jesus’s point? Pray continually and boldly.

3 Practical Tips to Pray Boldly

Pray the Our Father. One of the greatest practices to strengthen your prayer life is to begin with the Lord’s Prayer. You likely learned it in childhood: 

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
They will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever
Amen.

This prayer that Jesus taught us will help you reorder your life around the priorities of God. Jesus taught his disciples to pray this prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Go ahead and add the benediction, though it’s not found in Matthew because it is rooted in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13. As you begin praying the Our Father intentionally, it will unleash fresh faith in you and you will discover healing for your soul.

Claim Scripture Over Your Life and Over the Lives of Those You Love. God’s Word is living and active. The Holy Spirit can use scripture very specifically in our lives. As I’m reading scripture, I often find a promise or a principle that seems to jump off the page at me and I know in my spirit that the Holy Spirit is speaking to me. I circle that scripture and pray it over the next few days. I put a date in the margin of my Bible next to the specific verse. Months or even years later, I go back and review those scriptures. It is amazing to see how many times God has answered those prayers! You might say that’s foolish. I don’t believe so. Try it yourself and see what God does in your life. 

Praise God in Advance for His Answer. There is great favor from the Lord when we choose to praise Him in advance for His work. When the Apostle Paul was in the middle of a storm on his way to Rome and crew members were all having a ‘freak out’ moment, Paul said, “So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me” (Acts 27:25). Paul praised God in advance for the safety of the crew members. He believed that God had promised that no one would die in the storm and trusted the word He heard from the Lord. When you and I choose to praise God in advance for how He will work, we give God the honor and glory He deserves. 

Friend, may I challenge you? Why not make prayer a priority this summer? Spend time intentionally praying the Lord’s Prayer and hey – teach it to your kids. Circle scriptures that you will pray over your family and friends and praise God in advance for His answers.

Be sure to order your copy of Our Father! Those who have done the study are finding it to be life-changing! I am hearing from many. You can do the study yourself or in a group. Why not gather some friends and dive in! I guarantee your life will be changed!

This week on The Connected Mom Podcast we’re talking about prayer and fighting for your kids on your knees with author Judy Dunagan! Judy is the author of The Loudest Roar. You don’t want to miss this encore episode! If you have kids, grandkids, nieces, or nephews be sure to tune in and learn how to fight for these kiddos on your knees.