The Wycliff Bible Dictionary goes further explaining that in Hebrew prayer is "Intercession". To "Intercede", by Webster's dictionary, means "to plead or make a request in behalf of another person or ones self. To intervene for the purpose of making agreement, mediate." Prayer in Greek it means "a vow".

Since Prayer is a communicating with God for the purpose of causing agreement with Him and His Will, and we need to experience results in our prayer life, We need to know and act upon 3 things.

1. The first step to praying is knowing Who you are speaking with.
2. The second step to praying is knowing the vehicle through which you are praying. What is His will on how we supposed to come to God since we want to be sure He hears us?
3. The third step to praying is knowing how you are to be before the Holy God? What is your responsibility and the attitude of your heart to be? What is His Will that we are to agree with? How can we know His Will?

The only way we can know for sure Who God is, and what His will is, - is by reading the Book He wrote, the Bible. The Bible is God's prayer manual. It teaches us how to pray God's way, with power and effectiveness.

God says in 2Timothy, It was "given by inspiration of God, so that the woman of God may be complete and thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Tim 3:16,17 Psalm 119:160 says, All Your Words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal. Simon Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Jn 6:68 God's Word are true, eternal and give life.

Jesus Himself said, 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matt 4:4; Deut 8:3 That means that the Word of God, the Bible, is the actual food which you need to survive and grow. Peter and Paul both wrote that you and I should "crave pure spiritual milk (the Word of God), so that by it you may grow up in your salvation." (1Peter 2:2 & 1Cor 10:3) John testified "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. …The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. Jn 1:1-3,14 The Word of God is Jesus Christ.

Knowing God's Word is the most important tool you need for an alive and effective prayer life. God tells us in Romans, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is– His good, pleasing and perfect will. Rom 12:2 That is incredible!! You and I are able to know what God's will is by reading God's thoughts and ways in His Holy Word!!

As you read the living and eternal Word, which is Jesus Christ, you will know Him better and better! But beware, you will be changed by Him. No one who ever met Jesus stayed the same. Unless they reject Him. God warns us - "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." Heb 3:15; 4:7; Psalm 95:7,8 God encourages you to "hear the message and combine it with faith so it will be of value to you." (Heb 4:2)

The first step to praying is Knowing Who You Are Speaking With. Prayer is conversation with the One Lord God, which is the three persons of the Holy Trinity. God tells us that we must speak to Him in faith and trust in Who He is, What He has already done, and What He is able to do. God says in Hebrews -

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Heb 11:1 Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Heb 11:6 The righteous will live by faith. Gal 3:11;Hab. 2:4

"See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides me. I put to death and I bring to life, I have wounded and I will heal, and no one can deliver out of my hand. Deut 32:39

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." Ps 8:1,9; Ps 99:3; Ps 138:2; Isa 6:3; Rev 4:8; Is 5:16

The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by His Powerful Word.  … Cry out, "Save us, O God our Savior; … that we may give thanks to Your Holy Name, that we may glory in your praise."    Heb 1:3; 2 Pet 1:16; Heb 8:1; Jude 1:25; 1 Chron 16:35; Jn 17:11; Acts 2:38; Mark 9:1-9

But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King. Jer 10:10

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Matt 16:16 … we have put our hope in the living God, Who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. 1Tim 4:10

The LORD says: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. Jer 31:3

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matt11:28-30 Jesus is asking you directly to come to Him directly!

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11

This is what the LORD says- "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isa 43:16-19

You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? "From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you. Isa 48:6

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Psalm 42:2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD ; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Ps 84:2

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" Jer 1:5

O LORD , you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD . … Ps 139:13,1-4, 7,8,

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!" says the Lord. Isa 49:15

These are not my words, but God's Words to you!

As you talk to God, remember that God teaches and disciplines His own, and has great compassion. God wants you to learn from Him. (Compassion means "With" + "feel". This means that God feels what we feel right along with us!)

Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you. Deut 8:5 You rebuke and discipline men for their sin. Ps 39:11

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Rev 3:19

Good and upright is the LORD ; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.; Show me your ways, O LORD , teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. ; Ps 25:8,9,4,5,14, 12,13

Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. Job 6:24

May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. Ps 119:66, 171

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Ps 143:10

The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Jn 14:26

The Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." Lk 12:12

When he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. Ex 22:27

"The LORD , the LORD , the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished." Exod 34:6-8

When Jesus landed, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matt 14:14 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Mk 1:41

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Ps 51:1

Jesus said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matt 11:29

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? … Who marked off its dimensions? Who stretched a measuring line across it? "Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, … when I said, 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt'? Job 38:4-11

The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. Prov 15:3 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecc 12:14

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Mk 10:27 For nothing is impossible with God." Lk 1:37

God is love. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. 1Jn 4:8,16

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear … 1Jn 4:18

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths and make your paths straight. Prov 3:4,5

Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You. Ps 63:3