How should I pray?

What does the Bible say?

Probably the best way to learn anything is by example. Below are some of the apostle Paul's prayers in the New Testament:

Romans 15:13

(a prayer for believers) "Now the God of hope..."

• Fill you with all joy and peace in believing
• That you would abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost

Ephesians 1:15-21

(a prayer for believers) "...making mention of you in my prayers..."

• (Thanksgiving for their faith)
• That the Father may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him
• That the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened
• That you may know what is the hope of His calling
• That you may know the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints
• That you may know the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe

Ephesians 3:14-21

(a prayer for believers) "...I bow my knees unto the Father..."

• That He would grant you (according to the riches of His glory) to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man
• That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith
• That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend its breadth, length, depth and height, and to know the love of Christ
• That you might be filled with all the fullness of God

Ephesians 6:18-20

(a prayer request to the Ephesians) "and for me..."

• That utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel
• That I may speak boldly the Gospel, as I ought to

Philippians 1:9-11

(a prayer for believers) "and this I pray..."

• That your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment
• That you may approve things that are excellent
• That you may be sincere and without offence until the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness (which are by Jesus Christ) unto the glory and praise of God

Colossians 1:9-12

(a prayer for believers) "...we...do not cease to pray for you"

• That you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding
• That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing
• That you might be fruitful in every good work
• That you might be increasing in the knowledge of God
• That you might be strenghtened with all might (according to His glorious power) unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness, giving thanks unto the Father

Colossians 4:2-6

(a prayer request to the Colossians) "...praying also for us..."

• That God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ
• That I would make it (the mystery, or Gospel) manifest [clear, understood]

Colossians 4:12

(a prayer for believers; by Epaphras) "...laboring fervently for you in prayers..."

• That you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God

I Thessalonians 3:9-10

(a prayer for believers) "...night and day praying exceedingly..."

• That we might see your face
• And might perfect what is lacking in your faith

I Thessalonians 5:23

(a prayer for believers)

• May God sanctify you wholly
• Your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of Christ

II Thessalonians 1:11-12

(a prayer for believers) "...we pray always for you..."

• That God would count you worthy of this calling
• And fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness
• And (would fulfill) the work of faith with power
• That the name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him

II Thessalonians 3:5

(a prayer for believers)

• The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God
• And (direct your hearts) into the patient waiting for Christ

II Thessalonians 3:16

(a prayer for believers)

• The Lord of peace give you peace always by all means