In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ,
One God . Amen
Lord, teach me to pray "Luke 11 : 1"
This title of this book is what the apostles asked from the Lord , they said "us" instead of "me" , but both are right , because there must be some general prayers for the whole congregation or for all the people of God , and at the same time there must be personal and private prayers for each individual according to his circumstances and according to what God wants him to do and to be .
I learn the general prayers when I go to church and when I pray with others . And I learn my private and personal prayers from studying God's commandments and words in His book and also by praying to God to teach me how to pray and what to say .
That is in addition to the prayers for others , for my family and friends including the groups on the net , for the church and the people of God , and , for my country and the whole world , but of course there must be good wisdom in what to pray for each of these , that is why we must always pray and ask God to teach us how , what and when to pray .
+ When the apostles asked the Lord to teach them to pray , He said to them , and to us , "Pray [Our Father who are in heaven …]" . Please notice that it starts with "Hallowed by Your name" , and ends with "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory" , so as if we pray for God , we pray for the glory of God and of His glorious name , we shall speak about this later in details , because this is the most important thing , that God and His name be glorified in the whole universe [please read the book "Let us Glorify God and His Name" for the same writer] .
+ Also the Lord said "Mt. 6 : 33 seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" , so we ought to pray saying "God please give me Your kingdom and Your righteousness" , or , "Let me be with You in Your heavenly kingdom , and fill me with Your righteousnes" .
+ He also said "Mt. 24 : 20 pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath" , so we should pray saying "Lord please do not let my flight be in winter or on the Sabbath" .
+ In the same way , everyone can collect as much prayers as he likes from the Bible especially from the sayings of our Lord .
+ As long as we pray any prayer , we should understand its meaning as much as we can , although no one understands everything completely , but we should do the best we can , and then the Holy Spirit intercedes for us "Rom.8 : 26 For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us" . For instance , the verse "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness" , simply and briefly means , O God please fill my heart and be my King , let me be righteous and let me be with You in Your heavenly kingdom . As for the verse "pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath" , the Sabbath and the winter symbolize the times of rest , when we become tired from prayer or from fasting or from reading the Bible , once we intend to rest for a while , physically or spiritually , the spiritual wars begins , so this verse means that we should pray saying "God please deliver me from every evil and from all wars against me , specially at the time of rest" . Of course this rest is different than the rest of our souls which the Lord gives us "Mt. 11 : 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" .
So we must pray with understanding "1 Cor. 14 : 15 I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding" . So we can add another prayer saying "Lord , give me divine wisdom , useful knowledge , correct understanding and good counsel from You" ,
1] Divine wisdom from God , because there is also sensual and demonic wisdom "James 1 : 15" .
2] Useful knowledge , because , someone may spend his life reading and may get a lot of knowledge , but does not use them , neither for his benefit nor for anybody else's benefit , that is not what God want .
3] Correct understanding , because someone may have a lot of knowledge but does not understand them the right way , like St. Paul before Christ appeared to him , he knew everything about the Nomos , but did not understand that it all symbolized and spoke about , Jesus Christ the Son of God , but when God appeared to him , He enlightened his mind .
4] Good counsel , because no one on earth knows everything , so we will always need God's counsel .
+ From the main and best Goals of this book is to have some important and general prayers which we can always pray , and so God will hear and answer our prayers , and also will reward us with Him in heaven according to His will and according to as much fruits we got through our prayers . You will find these prayers at the end of this book and also there are some in the middle of this book .
+ It is good to always pray : "Luke 21 : 36 Watch therefore , and pray always" , this is very useful , for by praying much , in a good and suitable way , with humbleness and understanding :
1] We get best relationship with God .
2] We minister great ministries in different kinds and fields , spiritual , psychological , physical , and social and also for the eternal life , we pray for people who need anything in any of these fields . And If we fast while praying it will be much better ministry .
3] We spend idle time the best way .
+ Please always remember : 1] let everything be for the glory of God , for the salvation of many , and for the edifying of the church and the people of God .
2] Remember the verse "Mt 10 : 8 Freely you have received , freely give" , so if God has given you knowledge and wisdom how to pray , tell others how to pray , at least your family and your friends and whoever loves you and whoever asks from you , that you may bear much fruit with this talent .
3] Also remember the most important verse , which we all know , "Mt. 22 : 37 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind , 38 This is the first and great commandment , 39 and the second is like it , you shall love your neighbor as yourself , on these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" . So when you pray , pray because you love God and men , not because you have to pray .
4] Please don't forget to pray for yourself , it often happens , someone prays much for others without praying for himself , but this is not right .
+ The parables about prayer +
[most of them are in the gospel according to St. Luke] :
1] The parable of "The Midnight Friend" (Luke 11 : 5 -8) (Please read it) :
The main thing we learn from this parable that even if someone is not a friend of God , or in other words he is a sinner , if he prays much with persistence , God will give him as much as he needs "Luke 11 : 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs" .
2] "The Widow and the Unjust Judge" (Luke 18 : 1- 8) :
Again if we pray with persistence , God will avenge us , and with us .
3] "The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector" (Luke 18 : 9 – 14) :
From this parable we learn that when we pray , we should pray with humbleness of heart , confess our sins , and choose the polite words knowing that we are talking to God .
+ The following are some prayers and verses , mentioned in the Holy Bible by our Lord and by some saints , so that everyone of us meditates in them and learn from them as the Holy Spirit gives to him , and then prays the best prayers for himself and for others :
- "1 Samuel 2 : 1 – 10 And Hannah , in prayer before the Lord , said , my heart is glad in the Lord, my horn is lifted up in the Lord … my joy is in your salvation , no other is holy as the Lord , for there is no other God but you , there is no Rock like our God , say no more words of pride , let not uncontrolled sayings come out of your mouths , for the Lord is a God of knowledge , by him acts are judged … the Lord gives wealth … (lifts) the poor out of the dust, and him who is in need out of the lowest place , to give them their place among rulers, and for their heritage the seat of glory … He will keep the feet of his holy ones, but the evil-doers will come to their end in the dark night , for by strength no man will overcome , those who make war against the Lord will be broken …" .
- Psalm 55 : 17 In the evening and in the morning and in the middle of the day I will make my prayer with sounds of grief , and my voice will come to His ears.
- "Daniel 6 : 10 three times a day he went down on his knees in prayer and praise before his God" .
- "Daniel 9 : 3-8 And turning my face to the Lord God , I gave myself up to prayer , requesting His grace , going without food , in haircloth and dust , and I made prayer to the Lord my God , putting our sins before Him , and said , O Lord , the great God , greatly to be feared , keeping your agreement and mercy with those who have love for you and do your orders , we are sinners, acting wrongly and doing evil , we have gone against you , turning away from your orders and from your laws , we have not given ear to your servants the prophets, who said words in your name to our kings and our rulers and our fathers and all the people of the land , O Lord , righteousness is yours , but shame is on us, …" . [Also read "Daniel 9 : 16 – 19"]
--- And in the New Testament :
- "Mt. 5 : 44 pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you"
- The prayer of the Lord "Our Father who art in heaven …" in "Mt. 6 : 9 – 15"
- "Luke 11 : 9 ask and it will be given to you , seek and you will find , knock and it will be opened to you , for everyone who asks receives , and he who seeks finds , and to him who knocks it will be opened" .
- "Luke 18 : 1 men always ought to pray and not lose heart" .
- "John 14 : 13 , 14 whatever you ask in My name , that I will do , that the Father may be glorified in the Son . 14 If you ask anything in My name , I will do it" .
- "1 Thessalonians 5 : 17 pray without ceasing" .
- "1 Timothy 2 : 1- 3 I exhort first of all that supplications , prayers , intercessions , and giving of thanks be made for all men , 2 for kings and all who are in authority , that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence , 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior" .
- "James 5 : 16 pray for one another , that you may be healed" .
- "1 John 5 : 14 if we ask anything according to His will , He hears us" .
- "Romans 8 : 26 the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses , for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought , but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us" .
+ I think , we should always pray saying , "Lord , let all my prayers be according to your will" .
- Also it is good that whenever you get a prayer which you can always pray , whether from the Holy Bible or from any other source , write it down on a piece of paper or in a copy book , or study it by heart , that you will never forget it and that you may always pray it .
- You should have some time, to contemplate on your prayers and to pray for your prayers , to make them better , easier , more comprehensive and more acceptable to God , better in His sight and according to His will .
+ The Name (The Names) of God and of Jesus Christ the Son of God +
This subject is new to many people , so I would like first to say a few things with some details about the name (the names) of God , so that no one , becomes against me , or thinks that I am … . And if you like more details , please read the book "Let us glorify God and His name" for the same writer .
May God , the Almighty , the King of Peace , give us all His peace , and give us all the correct understanding , and let us all love each other and love Him and love His glorious and great name .
+ [1]] First , please know that I write and speak , about the name of God , because the Holy Bible commands us to do so "Ps 22 :22 / Heb 2 :12 I will declare Your name to my brethren",
+ [2]] We should , pray in the name of the Lord , and call on His name , this is one of the most important things in this book . It has been done :
1) Since the time of Adam and Seth his son "Gen 4 : 26 And Seth had a son , and he gave him the name of Enosh , then men began to call on the name of the Lord" .
2) In the Old Testament "Ps 80 : 18 Revive us , and we will call upon Your name".
3) And now in the New Testament "1Cor 1 : 2 call on the name of Jesus Christ" , and "John 14 : 13 , 14 whatever you ask in My name, that I will do , that the Father may be glorified in the Son , 14 if you ask anything in My name , I will do it" .
Also in all churches , when we pray , we start our prayers in the name of God .
So it is clear that we must use God's name in our prayers and when we worship and honor and glorify God .
+ If anyone does not call on the name of Lord , the wrath of God may come upon him "Jer 10 : 25 Pour out Your fury on the Gentiles … who do not call on Your name" .
+ Important Notes :
[1] We should use each name of God in the suitable situation and circumstances .
[2] Using God's name , we should be very careful :
1) lest we sin , "Ex 20 : 7 / Deut 5 : 11 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain , for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain" .
2) And lest anyone blaspheme God's name because of us .
+ Now , from the verse "Gen 17 : 1 when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God" . So God gave Abraham His name "Almighty God" because His promises to him could not be fulfilled except through God's mighty works and mighty hand . That is why when Isaac blessed Jacob , he used the same name saying "Gen 28 : 3 God Almighty bless you" .
- When God appeared to Moses , Moses asked Him about what name of His names should he use and speak of to the children of Israel .
- Then , David the king and the prophet , who used the name of God in his Psalms more than any other saint . He overpowered Goliath using God's name "The Lord of Hosts" , he said to Goliath "1 Sam. 17 : 45 you come to me with a sword , and with a spear , and with a shield , but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel" . David used the name of God which is suitable for wars , the Lord and the God of the hosts and of the armies .
- Also , the prophets in the Old Testament , prophesied using the name of the Lord .
- Then in the New Testament , our Lord said , "Mark 16 : 17 these signs shall follow them that believe , in my name shall they cast out devils" and "Mt. 28 : 19 baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" .
+++ How to praise God and pray and ask from Him , using His names :
+ Many saints like to praise God and honor Him using a name or more of His names or of His attributes , and God Himself likes us to do so , and He Himself does the same :
[1]] God Himself sometimes uses one of His names , in His speech , in what He says , to confirm something or to do a certain thing , like when He first appeared : to Abraham and to Moses as we have just said , and also :
- "Deut 5 : 6 I am the Lord your God" , so He uses His names "the Lord" and "God" , "our God" , "my God" .
- "Is 51 : 12 I , even I , am He who comforts you" , He uses His name or His attribute "the Comforter" "Jn14 : 26 /15 : 26 /16 : 7".
+ So now we can use these names or any of them in our prayers , saying for example [O Lord my God , You are the comforter , so please comfort me]
[2]] The following is a verse that gives an example of what saints say to praise and honor God using one or more of His names or His attributes while praying or talking to God (or talking to other people) :
- "2 kings 19 : 15 O Lord God of Israel , the One who dwells between the cherubim . You are God , You alone , (You alone are the God) , of all the kingdoms of the earth … You have made heaven and earth" , in this verse Hezekiah says "You are …" , so we can use it with God's names to honor and glorify God and show our love to Him .
[3]] We can do the same thing using "O" :
- "Ps 71 : 22 O Holy One of Israel" , "Ps 54 : 2 hear my prayer , O God" , so we can pray saying for example [O God , the Holy One , sanctify me …] .
- "2 Sam 7 : 22 You are great , O Lord God , for there is none like You" .
- Rev 15 : 3 Lord God Almighty … , O King of the saints!
+ These were just examples .
+ If any one likes more , he can collect more , to use them to praise God or to ask certain things from God or to do certain things by the help and support of God and His names . For instance , if someone wants to do a very hard thing which needs the might of God , he can pray saying , [O Lord God Almighty , the Mighty Lord and Mighty God , please do … for me , in Your name I pray …] , and after God does it for him , he can pray and praise God saying [I thank you and glorify You , O Lord , for You alone are the Almighty God , no one is like You …] .
+ Here are some more names of God :
"Is 9: 6 His name will be called , Wonderful , Counselor , Mighty God , Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"
"Ps 24 the God of our salvation … the King of glory .. the Lord strong and mighty , the Lord mighty in battle
+ Also , before we ask from God the things we want , we can say :
[[O Lord God , please 1) for Your Glory and for Your name's glory , 2) for Your sake and for Your name's sake , 3) in You and by You and in Your name and by Your name]] , then we ask for what we want . The verses that proof this are :
1) For Your Glory "1 Peter 4 : 11 that in all things God may be glorified" .
and for Your name's glory "2 Thess 1 : 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you" .
2) for Your sake "Ps 44 : 22 / Rom 8 : 36 for Your sake , we are …" .
and for Your name's sake "Ps 79 : 9 … deliver us … for Your name's sake" .
3) in You "Ps 71 : 1 In You , O Lord , I put my trust" .
and by You "Deut 33 : 29 … saved by the Lord" .
and in Your name "Gen 4 : 26 then men began to call on the name of the Lord" "Mt 18 : 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me". "Mt 18 : 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them" , "Mk 9 : 41 whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ" , "Mk 16 : 17 And these signs will follow those who believe , In My name they will cast out demons
and by Your name "Acts 4 : 10 by the name of Jesus Christ" .
+ To make it better and more easier , after you collect as many names as you like , you can always praise God by using them , for instance , you can say [O Lord God Almighty , You are the Holy One , You are my King and the King of the saints , You are the King of kings , the Lord of lords , the God of gods and the master of all , You are the Comforter , the Hope of the needy , You are the Great , the Glorious , the Blessed , the Wonderful , the Counselor , the Everlasting Father , the Prince of Peace and the King of Peace , You are my Father , my Master , my King , my Lord , my God and my Beloved forevermore , You are …] .
+ Then , and / or , also and again , you can use them with "O" . And then ask any thing from God , for instance we can say : [O Lord God Almighty , O Holy One , O King of the kings … , I ask You , please , for Your Glory and for Your name's glory , for Your sake and for Your name's sake , and in You and by You and in Your name and by Your name , have mercy on me (on us) and on all Your people in the whole world , let us all glorify You and Your holy name , fill us all with You , with good virtues and with Your righteousness , and cast away any vices that are in us , deliver us from every evil , let all Your churches be in one unity , and do for the salvation of every one . Amen .] .
+++ The name of God is also important to bless people :
1) When the priests bless the people "Num 6 : 22 – 27" .
Also the tribe of Levi blessed in His name "Deut 10 : 8" .
2) When God blesses a man, or a father blesses his son , or a person blesses others . For instance , when Isaac blessed Jacob , he said to him "Gen 28 : 3 May God Almighty bless you …" , he used the name "Almighty" because this kind of blessing needs God's might , and God Himself when He blessed Jacob , used the same name "Gen 35 : 11" . Also David , when he blessed the people of Israel , he blessed them using the name "the Lord of hosts" "2 Sam 6 : 18" because in his days there were many wars , this was the same name by which he overpowered and killed Goliath .
- So briefly and simply , we ought to use the right name in the right situation and the right circumstances .
+ Important note : the more you pray the more spiritual wars will come against you , so be careful , and don't fear nor doubt , but only have faith and hope in God , and never stop prayer or else it will be worse to you , but continue , and for sure God will choose the best time to stop every evil thing against you .
+ Please read the chapter (the part) about prayer in my book "It is written … , it is also written …" , where you will get more good information , and ten points about how to pray always .
+++ And now let me please write some suggested prayers which any one can pray . These prayers can make much fruits and so God will reward you much in His kingdom in the heavens :
- Of course , the most important prayer is "Our Father who art in heaven …" and the prayers which our Lord said , and the prayers from the Holy Bible which we mentioned in the beginning and in the middle of this book .
- Also some good Psalms are : Ps. 70 make haste O God to deliver me / Ps. 27 The Lord is my light and my salvation / Ps. 23 the Lord is my shepherd / Ps. 86 Let Your ears be open to my voice , O Lord , and give me an answer , for I am poor and in need / Ps. 91 He that dwells in the secret place of the most High / Ps. 117 Praise the Lord all you nations / Ps. 51 / Ps. 57 .
- O Lord God , please teach me to pray , let me always pray , always hear and answer my prayers according to your will , and always let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven .
- let me always pray with humbleness in heart . Fill me with good virtues and with your righteousness .
- "Ps 57 : 11 / Ps 108 : 5 Be lifted up , O God, higher than the heavens, let your glory be over all the earth" . Let us all , I and all Your people and Your churches everywhere always , love , follow , thank , glorify , sanctify , praise , bless , exalt , magnify and honor , You and Your name .
- Have mercy upon us O Lord , and forgive us all our sins . Let us all love You and love each other . And give us (me) Your Kingdom .
- Teach me , guide me , give me Your peace , save me from every evil and from all disasters .
- Lord , whoever prays for me , give him heavenly reward in Your Kingdom .
- And please spread Your word , Your peace , Your love , Justice , mercy and truth , throughout the whole world . And let all peoples glorify You O Lord of Glory .
+ May God the Merciful , have mercy upon us all . And may He and His name be glorified .
+ To Him and to His name , be all glory , sanctification , praise , blessings , honor and power forevermore .
Amen and Amen .
