Six Ways to Avoid Selfish Prayers and Keep Your Prayers Christ-Centered

Discover how to avoid praying selfishly and keep your prayers Christ-centered. Learn creative ways to pray for others, use scripture as a guide, and more!

Prayer is a crucial aspect of the Christian faith. It is our way of communicating with God, seeking guidance, expressing gratitude, and presenting our requests. However, sometimes we tend to focus on our needs and desires, making our prayers selfish. Praying selfishly is a common issue that many Christians face, but it can hinder our spiritual growth and relationship with God. In this article, we will explore creative ways to avoid praying selfishly and how to keep our prayers Christ-centered.

1. Start with Praise and Thanksgiving

One of the best ways to avoid praying selfishly is by starting with praise and thanksgiving. We should begin our prayers by acknowledging God's goodness, faithfulness, and grace in our lives. The Bible encourages us to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise (Psalm 100:4). When we focus on God's attributes, we shift our attention from ourselves to Him, and our prayers become less self-centered.

We should also express gratitude for the blessings we have received from God. James 1:17 states that every good gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. When we thank God for His blessings, we acknowledge that they come from Him and not from our efforts or merit.

2. Pray for Others

Another way to avoid praying selfishly is by praying for others. The Bible instructs us to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). When we pray for others, we show love and compassion, and we put their needs above ours.

We can pray for our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and even our enemies. We can pray for their salvation, health, relationships, and any other concerns they may have. When we pray for others, we also experience the joy of interceding on their behalf.

3. Use Scripture as a Guide

The Bible is an excellent guide for our prayers. It contains many prayers of praise, thanksgiving, confession, supplication, and intercession that we can use as models. When we pray according to God's Word, we align our hearts with His will, and our prayers become more effective.

For example, we can use the Lord's Prayer as a template for our prayers (Matthew 6:9-13). We can also pray the Psalms, which are a collection of songs and prayers that express a range of human emotions and experiences.

4. Pray in the Spirit

Praying in the Spirit is a powerful way to avoid praying selfishly. When we pray in the Spirit, we allow the Holy Spirit to intercede for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26). The Spirit helps us pray according to God's will, even when we don't know what to pray for.

Praying in the Spirit also builds up our faith and edifies our spirits (Jude 1:20). It helps us connect with God on a deeper level and strengthens our relationship with Him.

5. Fast and Pray

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that involves abstaining from food or other activities for a period of time. Fasting can help us focus on God and seek His will. When we fast and pray, we humble ourselves before God and acknowledge our dependence on Him.

Fasting can also help us overcome selfishness and self-centeredness. When we deny ourselves, we learn to put God and others first. Fasting can also provide breakthroughs in our spiritual lives and help us overcome spiritual obstacles.

6. Pray with Others

Praying with others is another way to avoid praying selfishly. When we pray with others, we unite in our love for God and our concern for one another. We can pray together for our community, our church, and our nation.

Jesus promised that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is present with them (Matthew 18:20). When we pray with others, we tap into the power of corporate prayer, and our faith is strengthened.

Conclusion

Prayer is a vital part of the Christian life. However, it's easy to fall into the trap of praying selfishly. We can avoid praying selfishly by starting with praise and thanksgiving, praying for others, using Scripture as a guide, praying in the Spirit, fasting and praying, and praying with others. When we focus on God and others, we experience the joy and peace that come from a Christ-centered prayer life.

FAQs

1. What are some common selfish prayers?

Common selfish prayers include praying for material possessions, personal success, and physical comfort. These prayers focus on our needs and desires rather than God's will.

2. Can we pray for our own needs?

Yes, we can pray for our own needs, but we should do so in a spirit of humility and submission to God's will. We should also prioritize praying for others and seeking God's kingdom first (Matthew 6:33).

3. How can we discern God's will in prayer?

We can discern God's will in prayer by seeking His guidance through His Word, the Holy Spirit, and wise counsel from other believers. We should also be open to God's leading and willing to obey His commands.

4. How often should we pray?

We should pray continuously and without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This means that we should have a constant attitude of prayer and be in communication with God throughout the day.

5. What should we do when our prayers are not answered?

When our prayers are not answered, we should trust in God's goodness and sovereignty. We should continue to pray and seek God's will, knowing that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We should also be open to the possibility that God's answer may be different from what we expected or wanted.