How to Pray?

From the book "The Power of Positive Thinking for Young People" by "Norman Vincent Peale"

Every problem can be solved if you pray. Experts in physical health also use prayer for treatment. Hard work, positive thinking, fair dealing, the right treatment of people, and the proper kind of praying always get results.

Here is a formula for overcoming difficulties through prayers

I. Prayerise

Talk to God very simply and directly. Be convinced of God as He is with you at the home, office, or anywhere you are. It does not need to kneel or offer proper phrases for praying. You can do it anywhere, anytime by just closing your eyes and talking to God through your mind.

II. Picturize

After praying, print a picture of what you asked in your mind as happening. Hold the picture firmly so that the subconscious mind absorbs it. Put the matter in God's hand and follow God's supervision which you will receive in strange ways. God will talk to you through your heart. All you need is to remain conscious to get the Devine guidance.

III. Actualize

Make a plan according to your prayers. Work has and intelligently. Then practice more and more according to your plan. the picture of your prayer actualizes.

 

Now here are 10 rules to get effective results from prayers.

Rule No 1: Practice Thinking about God

Sit aside for few minutes every day preferably in silence. Don't say anything, don't listen to anything. Release all the thoughts from your brain. Now just simply think of God. You will get peace by just thinking about the Almighty. Your mind becomes spiritually receptive.

Rule No 2: Pray Orally

Tell God about the thing you want to pray. Complex and pious phrases are not required. Use simple, easy, direct, and natural words. God understands your prayers even without words. He will understand your thoughts.

Rule No 3: Pray Anywhere Anytime

Don’t just limit prayers to a specific time of a specific place. Pray whenever you need or want. Pray wherever you need or want. Pray when you are at work. Pray while driving. Pray before a meeting. Pray before an examination. Just close your eyes for a while and ask the Divine Power whatever you want. The more frequently you pray, the nearer you will feel the presence of God.

Rule No 4: Don’t Always Ask

Whenever you pray it doesn’t mean you always ask for something. Develop a habit of acknowledging God for all His blessings. Spend more time giving thanks than asking. Be thankful to the Almighty for all His support in your life. Be grateful to Him for answering all your prayers. Even thank Him for not fulfilling some of your prayers.

Rule No 5: Pray with Belief

Before praying, you must have a firm belief in God. Without belief no prayer is fruitful. Believe that your sincere prayer will reach God. Believe that the Divine Power is listening to you and He will do what is best for you. Don’t just wish that God will listen to you. Have complete faith. It is said that with faith you can move the mountains, and you are believing in the greatest power of the universe. With faith in God, no prayer remains unfulfilled.

Rule No 6: No Negative Thought

Positive thoughts produce positive results and negative thoughts produce negative results. Don’t let your mind slip towards negativity. While praying don’t ask negative for people. If you have problems with someone, forgive him and pray positively for him. Always use strong positive words.

Rule No 7: Accept God’s Will

God knows your situation much better than you do. He knows what is good for you and what is not. Always express willingness to accept whatever He gives you. Your prayers will be answered in three ways. First, you will be given what you asked for because it is good for you. Second, your prayer will not be answered, because what you asked for is not good for you. God has planned something better for you. Third, your prayer will be delayed. What you asked for is not good for you at that time. God has listened to you and He will fulfill it later. So, always show a willingness to accept the answers to your prayers.

Rule No 8: Put Everything in God’s Hand

Believe in your dreams, believe in God, pray for it, work hard and then put everything in God’s Hand. Practice the attitude of doing your best and leaving the result confidently to God. Don’t be upset when the results are not according to your desires, because God knows better. When you put the consequences in God’s hands, the results will be best for you.

Rule No 9: Pray for People You Don’t Know

Resentment is blockade number one of spiritual power. It is difficult to get peace of mind when you have a feeling of hate for a person who mistreated you. Without peace of mind, you can’t develop complete faith in God. And without complete faith in The Almighty, your prayer will not be answered. Try to forget their wrong behaviors towards you. The best way to forgive them is to pray for them. Pray for their forgiveness and ask for good for them.

Rule No 10: Make a List of People for Whom You Want to Pray

The more you pray for others, the more your prayers will be answered. Prepare a list of people for whom you want to pray. Include the loved ones who are close to you. Include who is connected with you. Include those also who are not connected with you. Include those who have done something good for you. Include those who mistreated you. Pray for them and in response, they will also pray for you.

Affirmative prayers release POWER by which positive results are accomplished. Believe in God and use the power of prayers.