When Christians pray, there are basically two ways they do so. One is informed, shaped, and directed by The Gospel… the other is not. Consider the differences…
Non-Gospel Informed Praying:
Needs set the agenda.
Done in response to feelings.
Done much more often when stressed than when not stressed.
Gospel Informed Praying:
Primary purpose is fellowship, to know God better and become more intimate with Him.
Includes… Adoration, Repentance, Confession, and Petition (And they interact with each other).
The MAIN stimulus is response to Scripture for God to be glorified.
If we are honest with ourselves before God, most of our praying falls into the “Non-Gospel Informed” category. And that may be the reason why so many prayers go unanswered and/or our prayers seem to lack unction and/or effectiveness. Non-Gospel praying treats God as a servant… to do our bidding… to get us out of jams. Gospel Informed praying places God as the center focus in all things. Gospel Informed praying puts into practice Jesus from Matthew 6:33…
Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.
Maybe it would be wise to make God… His glory… His kingdom… and His will the center and emphasis of our praying. Maybe then we would see God move in powerful ways in, through, and around us.