WHEN YE PRAY …

March 18, 2O25

“When ye pray” is mentioned three times in the King James Version of the Bible, and in each instance, this exact phrase is spoken by Jesus Himself. Such emphatic words originating from Christ illustrate His perspective on the value and importance of prayer. In all of these following cases, Jesus provides guidance for effective prayer. 

In the Bible, “ye” is an archaic form of “you.” It was commonly used in early English translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version, to address groups of people as the plural form of the modern-day term, “you.”

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7). 

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24).

 “And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth” (Luke 11:2). 

Jesus did not say, “‘If Ye Pray,” but He said, “‘When’ Ye Pray,” which indicates that He expects you to pray… and when you do pray, you should do so with a principle, passion, and a pattern! Following are 10 key phrases; acronym attributes, with accompanying scriptures, which will enhance your prayer life when ye pray.

WHEN YE PRAY … 

• Wait … on God as He desires (Micah 7:7).

• Hear … the voice of God (Psalm 95:7).

• Entreat … God for prayer requests (Psalm 119:154).

• Name … specific needs (Matthew 21:22).

• Yield … to the Spirit of God (Acts 6:4).

• Expect … God to intervene (Psalm 62:5).

• Persevere … until you break through (Luke 11:8).

• Receive … all that God wants to give (Mark 11:24).

• Allow … God to have the preeminence (Matthew 6:10).

• Yearn … for more of God and to know Him (Philippians 3:10).

Jesus instructs how not to pray, and then encourages us to pray. Don’t be a  part-time Christian who wants a full-time God. Prayer is to the soul what oxygen is to the body. It is a lifestyle. We must allow a prayer anointing to flow. 

 “When ye pray… all things are possible according to the will, way, and Word of God” (I John 5:14–15)!

Flo Shaw

Director

World Network of Prayer

Praying Beyond Our Needs

March 18, 2025

In our quest for revival and our desire to impact our cities, there is another aspect of prayer that I want to share with you: praying with intention to impact others. We may pray every day about the needs in our own lives, our families, and friends, yet never go into the realm of praying, “Thy kingdom come, and Thy will be done” unless we choose to do that intentionally. We cannot depend on chance encounters and accidental contact with others to bring about the harvest God wants to give. We must be intentional in our prayers, our efforts, and our actions.

FIVE INTENTIONAL PRAYERS

1.   Help me to live this day in harmony and fellowship with You, Lord.

• Keeping our thoughts and actions in line with the nature and will of our Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:7).

• Our attitude, faith and obedience will keep us in tune and in touch with the Lord (I John 1:7).

2.       Help me to walk in the spiritual authority and power you have given to me.

• Jesus has given each of us His Spirit, His Name and His Word (Acts 1:8; John 14:13-14).

• We can pray as the legal representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ here on earth (Luke 10:19).

• This city and every circumstance we face is subject to His final Word and He has given us spiritual authority over it (Matthew 16:18-19).

3.     Help me to be soul conscious as I am in contact with other people throughout this day.

• Everyone we meet is a precious soul for whom Christ died. 

• We may not see everyone converted or teach them all a Bible study, but we can intentionally be aware of the hurt and hunger present in their lives.

• We will act differently when we “think” differently about people.

4.     Help me to intentionally mention You, Lord to someone today.

• Very seldom does a day go by where we do not have an opportunity to speak of God’s blessing, His goodness, His care and provision for us.

• Just to mention, “I’m blessed, thank you” when someone asks, “How are you?” may open a door of opportunity to share more with them.

5. Grant me wisdom and boldness in all things.

• How important it is for us to use wisdom but not be controlled by fear.  More Christians have probably remained silent witnesses out of fear than out of wisdom (II Timothy 4:16).

• God has promised to grant wisdom and guidance if we intentionally ask Him (James 1:5).

• The Apostles and early church prayed for boldness and so should we (Acts 4:29-30).

We can intentionally make a difference here and now!

Pastor Jerry Holt

New Life Apostolic Church

Lewiston, Idaho