How to Pray Prayers that Turn into Praise Reports

For many people, when you have a desperate need and are frightened about the outcome of a situation - for instance, a health issue or a loved one being in danger - it's difficult to think about the most effective way to pray. In face, your prayers can turn into more of just a universal sense of desperate longing. A cry of "PPPLLLEEEEAAASSSEEEE..." pointed in the general direction of upwards. And, although this is entirely understandable, it's not what will yield real results.

First, remember that you are God's child. You can come to him like you would a loving parent, without shame or embarrassment. But, just like you would that good parent, you need to approach him with the respect that his position deserves.

Also, it's never good to only come to the Lord when you need something. Cultivate a relationship at other times, so that the rapport is already built up when the need for desperate prayer emerges.

"If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." - John 15:7

Don't be afraid to be specific! God delights in making you happy and joyful, and giving you the desires of your heart - you shouldn't be afraid to let him know what those are! Lastly, have an attitude of expectation that your prayer will be answered. This can make all the difference.

If your situation is more immediate, desperate, or complicated than what can be solved by these tips, there are two resources I highly recommend. Believe me, you don't want to put your faith in just anyone's hands, and these are the two resources out of hundreds that I would say I can trust!

1) Christian Prayer Books That Brought 779 Praise Reports In 90 Days I have heard nothing but Praise Reports come out of this book - even in some really desperate situations like cancer, legal situations, kids missing...it's pretty astounding!

2) 50 Christian Meditation, Affirmation, and Music MP3 Downloads I would recommend this if you feel like you are in a place that is too scared or desperate to even organize your own thoughts. Listening to these will help you to connect, not only to God, but to the place inside yourself that helps you be strong enough to do it on your own. If you feel like you're not even "good enough" or "strong enough" to pray for what you so desperately need - or you feel like "Why would God listen to ME?" then give these a try.

Additionally, if you are in a great place in your prayer life but just want something that gives you a new slant to take it even deeper, I would recommend these MP3 files for that purpose, as well.