Ten Ways of Praying

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1908

Ten Ways of Praying

1. The formal way — when prayer is a mere form of words, with little or no heart; or when it is simply due to the force of a habit which has lost its real motive-power.

2. The hurried way — hastening through it as a disagreeable and irksome duty — a duty indeed, but not a delight, and to be dismissed as quickly as may be.

3. The selfish way — when the real motive is to consume the coveted blessing upon ourselves — in some way to promote our own selfish advantage or pleasure.

4. The impulsive way — praying as the feeling prompts, and when we feel so inclined — without any definite plan of prayer in our lives, or devout habit.

5. The faithless way — with no real dependence on the promises of God, or confident expectation of receiving what we ask or seek.

6. On the contrary, there is the thoughtful way, seeking to meditate upon God and intelligently understand both the nature of prayer and the good we seek.

7. The earnest way — with the attention of the mind and the desire of the heart absorbed in asking, with a determination to persevere.

8. The trustful way — coming in the spirit of a child; first believing that God's promises justify prayer, and then that we are coming to a Father, both able and willing.

9. The consistent way — that is, living as we pray, and so walking with God as to be in the way of blessing, and by fellowship with God inviting it.

10. The spiritual way — so cultivating acquaintance with the Holy Spirit that he can and does breathe in us first the desires we breathe out in prayer.

It is easy to see why we so often fail, and how we may succeed. — Missionary Review.