There is no foolproof formula to be followed in prayer. The only way to effectively pray is in the Spirit(Ephesians 6:18); that is, as the Spirit burdens and leads you to pray. These devotions on praying for the lost, like all human instruction on prayer, will prove to be a poor substitute for the Holy Spirit in your prayer closet.

To replace the leadership of the Holy Spirit in your prayer life with any patented formula for prayer is to rob your prayers of their potency. All who foolishly do so will end up spiritually shortchanged, as well as with a prayer life that is more frustrating than fruitful. Whether we’re talking about prayer or anything else in the Christian life, we must always remember the scriptural admonition that it cannot be successfully done in our strength, but only in the power of God’s Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).

As the following poem humorously points out, the best prayers are never prayed by rote!

THE PRAYER OF CYRUS BROWN (By: Sam Walter Foss)

“The proper way for a man to pray,”

Said Deacon Lemuel Keyes,

“And the only proper attitude

Is down upon his knees.”

“No, I should say the way to pray,”

Said Reverend Doctor Wise,

“Is standing straight with outstretched arms

And rapt and upturned eyes.”

“Oh, no, no, no,” said Elder Slow,

“Such posture is too proud.

A man should pray with eyes fast closed

And head contritely bowed.”

“It seems to me his hands should be

Austerely clasped in front

With both thumbs pointing toward the ground,”

Said Reverend Doctor Blunt.

“Well, I pray while resting every day,”

Said Mr. Henry Pack.

“So I should think you say your prayers

While lying on your back.”

“Last year I fell in Murphy’s well—

Head first,” said Cyrus Brown.

“With both my heels a-stickin’ up

And my head a-pointin’ down.”

“And I made a prayer right then and there,

The best prayer I ever said,

The prayingest prayer I ever prayed,

Was a-standing on my head.”