How to Pray: The Ultimate Biblical Guide to Personal, Intercessory & Spirit-Led Prayer

We’re about to dive into something vital for every believer—prayer.

But we’re not just skimming the surface here. We’re going to plumb the depths of what it means to communicate honestly with the Almighty God. Just like we’ve been exploring the different manifestations of spiritual water, prayer also has its various streams and depths. From the gentle mist of a quick, heartfelt petition to the roaring rapids of passionate intercession, prayer is the lifeblood of our relationship with God.

The Wellspring of Personal Prayer

Let’s start with personal prayer. This is where it all begins. It’s like the wellspring bubbling up from within your spirit. Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of personal, private prayer:

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:6).

This private communion with God is essential. It’s where we bare our hearts, confess our sins, express our gratitude, and align our wills with His. In these quiet moments, we often hear God’s voice most clearly.

But here’s the thing—many believers barely dip their toes into these waters. They treat prayer like a drive-thru window, rushing through a quick “bless me” prayer and wondering why they’re not seeing results. We must learn to linger in God’s presence, marinate in His Word, and truly commune with Him.

The Flowing Stream of Intercessory Prayer

As we grow in our prayer lives, God begins to expand our hearts. We start to pray not just for ourselves, but for others. This is intercessory prayer, and it’s like a flowing stream that brings life wherever it goes.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men (1 Timothy 2:1).

Intercessory prayer is powerful, it’s standing in the gap for others, pleading their case before the throne of grace. It’s warfare against the powers of darkness. When we intercede, we’re participating in God’s redemptive work in the world.

Think about Moses interceding for the Israelites or Abraham pleading for Sodom.These prayers changed the course of events! And let me tell you, the same power is available to us today when we engage in heartfelt intercession.

The Deep Waters of Praying in the Spirit

Now, let’s dive into deeper waters—praying in the Spirit. This is where we really start to break open those fountains of the deep we’ve been talking about. Praying in tongues takes our prayer life to a whole new level.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).

When we pray in tongues, we tap into the infinite wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit. We’re no longer limited by our understanding or vocabulary. The Spirit Himself is interceding through us, and let me tell you, He knows exactly what needs to be prayed for!

Praying in tongues is like turning on a spiritual faucet. It allows the rivers of living water to flow freely from our innermost being. It enlightens us, builds our faith, and aligns us with God’s perfect will.

But here’s the fantastic thing—praying in tongues isn’t just for our edification. It can also be a powerful tool in intercessory prayer. When we don’t know how to pray for a situation, we can pray in the Spirit, confident that perfect prayers are being uttered.

The Mighty Ocean of Corporate Prayer

Now, let’s talk about corporate prayer. This is where all these streams come together to form a mighty ocean of spiritual power. Something special happens when believers unite in prayer.

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 18:19).

Corporate prayer multiplies our spiritual impact. It’s like when many streams flow together to form a mighty river. The early church understood this. They were constantly gathering for united prayer, and look at the results—miracles, signs, wonders, and multitudes coming to faith!

In corporate prayer, we’re not just adding our voices together; we’re compounding our spiritual authority. In these times of united intercession, we often see the most dramatic breakthroughs and out- pourings of God’s Spirit.

Breaking Open the Fountains of the Deep

Now, let’s connect all this to our overarching theme of opening the fountains of the deep. Each layer of prayer we’ve discussed is like digging deeper into the spiritual aquifers God has placed within us. Personal prayer is like drilling the initial well, establishing that vital connection with God. Intercessory prayer allows more of God’s power to flow through us to others. Praying in the Spirit is like hitting an artesian well, releasing a spontaneous flow of living water. And corporate prayer? That’s like breaking open the floodgates, releasing a tor- rent of divine power that can change situations, cities, even nations!

The prophet Habakkuk gives us a powerful picture of what hap- pens when we engage in these deeper levels of prayer:

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14).

We contend for this when we pray—a flood of God’s glory covering the earth. And it starts with us breaking open those fountains of the deep in our own lives and churches.

Practical Steps to Deepen Your Prayer Life

You may might be thinking, Hank, this all sounds great, but how do I practically deepen my prayer life? Well, I’m glad you asked! The following are some steps you can take:

1. Establish a Daily Prayer Time: Like you schedule necessary appointments, schedule time with God. Make it a nonnegotiable part of your day.

2. Create a Prayer Journal: Write down your prayers, record God’s promises, and keep track of answered prayers. This will build your faith and hold you accountable.

3. Pray the Scriptures: Let God’s Word guide your prayers. Personalize psalms and prayers found in the Bible.

4. Develop Your Prayer Language: If you’ve been baptized in the Holy Spirit, make praying in tongues a regular part of your prayer life. If you haven’t received this gift, earnestly seek it.

5. Join a Prayer Group: Find others passionate about prayer and meet regularly to pray together.

6. Engage in Prayer Walks: Take your prayers outside. Walk through your neighborhood or city, praying for what you see.

7. Fast and Pray: Combine prayer with fasting to heighten your spiritual sensitivity and break through stubborn situations.

Overcoming Obstacles to Prayer

Now, let’s be honest for a moment. We all face obstacles in our prayer lives. Sometimes, it feels like we’re trying to draw water from a dry well. The following are some common barriers and how to overcome them:

1. Busyness: It’s easy to neglect prayer in our hectic world. Remember, prayer isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Prioritize it.

2. Distractions: Our minds can wander during prayer. Use a prayer list or journal to stay focused. Don’t be afraid to pray out loud if it helps you concentrate.

3. Doubt: Sometimes, we wonder if our prayers make a difference. Stand on God’s promises. He hears and answers prayer.

4. Discouragement: When prayers seem to go unanswered, it’s easy to give up. Remember, God’s timing is perfect. Keep pressing in.

5. Dryness: There will be seasons when prayer feels mechanical. Push through these dry times. Often, breakthroughs are just around the corner.

Remember, even Jesus faced opposition in prayer. In Gethsemane, He pressed through agony to align with the Father’s will. If the Son of God needed to wrestle in prayer, how much more do we?

The Power of Persistent Prayer

Before we wrap up, I want to emphasize the importance of persistence in prayer. Jesus taught about this in the parable of the persistent widow:

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1).

Persistent prayer is like water dripping on a rock. Given enough time, it will wear away even the most burdensome stone. When we persist in prayer, we demonstrate our faith in God’s willingness and ability to answer. We align ourselves with His purposes. We prepare our hearts to receive the answer when it comes.

A Call to Deeper Waters

As we conclude, I challenge you to go deeper in your prayer life. Whatever your current level of prayer might be, there’s always a deeper place in God to explore.

If your prayer life has been a gentle stream, it’s time to let it become a flowing river. If it’s been a river, let it become a flood. Break open those fountains of the deep! Let the living waters flow freely from your life, bringing refreshment, healing, and transformation wherever they go.

Remember, prayer is not a monologue—it’s a dialogue. As you pour out your heart to God, expect Him to speak back to you. Learn to recognize His voice. Cultivate that two-way communication.