PRAYING THE RIGHT WAY
Written in 2009
by Tony Alamo
aka Bernie Hoffman
JESUS is our spiritual bread that we must eat for eternal life.1 We are saved and nourished by receiving every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD, our FATHER, the living GOD.2 JESUS said, “Believest thou not that I am in the FATHER, and the FATHER [is] in ME? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of MYSELF: but the FATHER that dwelleth in ME, HE doeth the works” (John 14:10). “I and MY FATHER are one” (John 10:30).
This means that when JESUS tells us the strategy of how to pray to the FATHER, it is actually the FATHER telling us exactly how to connect with HIM in the way that pleases ABBA, FATHER. The LORD’S Prayer, followed in every detail, is an amazing blueprint on how to receive the answer to your prayers, if you believe in the FATHER and JESUS, the SON. This includes all of us who have become the sons of GOD by adoption.3
The LORD JESUS said, “When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy FATHER which is in secret; and thy FATHER which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your FATHER knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask HIM” (Matthew 6:5-8).
JESUS “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. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil” (Luke 11:2-4).
The LORD added, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your FATHER also which is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your FATHER which is in Heaven forgive your trespasses” (Mark 11:24-26). The LORD is telling us that unforgiveness toward others will block our sins from being forgiven and our prayer channel to GOD will then be blocked.
The children of the LORD must learn to pray. We see in the beginning of the LORD’S Prayer that our FATHER doesn’t have us focus on HIS majesty, but on HIM as a father to us. This word, “father,” was strange and fearful, because the Jews would never have dared use the word “father” when addressing JEHOVAH GOD. GOD was “the FATHER of the Nation,” but never would any Jew call HIM their own father. They had only heard JESUS call GOD HIS FATHER. We must recognize GOD as our FATHER and call HIM our FATHER. HE is our FATHER because HE is JESUS’ FATHER. We are partners of JESUS’ sonship and members of HIS body.4 Therefore, GOD has become our FATHER as well.
“For as many as are led by the SPIRIT of GOD, they are the sons of GOD. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the SPIRIT of adoption, whereby we cry, ABBA, FATHER. The SPIRIT itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of GOD: And if children, then heirs; heirs of GOD, and joint-heirs with CHRIST; if so be that we suffer with HIM, that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:14-17).
The name “FATHER” expresses personal and tender love, protection, care, and intimacy. Have you ever prayed in this way? We who were at one time sinners, are now sons of GOD dwelling in bodies of dust with the SPIRIT of GOD inside, calling out to our heavenly FATHER in the name of JESUS.5 JESUS stated, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in MY name, that will I do, that the FATHER may be glorified in the SON. If ye shall ask anything in MY name, I will do it” (John 14:13-14).
After salvation, we can and must receive the gift of the baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT, who helps us to pray (Acts 1:8, 2:38-39). “Likewise the SPIRIT also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the SPIRIT itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And HE that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the SPIRIT, because HE maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of GOD” (Romans 8:26-27).
Are you able to say “yes” to the Apostle John when he says, “I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the FATHER” (1 John 2:13)? Our minds must be directed to Heaven because this is the specific dwelling place of the FATHER—our FATHER. Our FATHER occupies the throne in Heaven.6 HE controls and rules over the entire universe.7
Our prayers must always recognize the nearness and greatness of GOD. Both the Old and New Testaments are filled with the incredible and sublime representation of the supreme majesty of GOD, and the more we know HIS greatness, the more boldly we will seek and claim through prayer HIS intervention in all our trials, tribulations, persecutions, and emergencies.
Our praise and worship is also an important part of seeking the LORD’S presence in prayer. As Psalm 22 states, “But THOU art holy, O THOU that inhabitest the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3). In the book of Matthew, the LORD’S Prayer ends with praise to the LORD: “For THINE is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13).
When we bow to HIM in prayer, whether we are on our knees or not, we are talking to HIM who is saying to us today, as HE said to Abraham, “I am [EL SHADDAI] the ALMIGHTY GOD” (Genesis 17:1). HE said to Jeremiah, “I am the LORD, the GOD of all flesh: is there anything too hard for ME?” (Jeremiah 32:27) and to Isaiah, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting GOD, the LORD, the CREATOR of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of HIS understanding” (Isaiah 40:28).
JESUS “spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not GOD, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not GOD, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the LORD said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not GOD avenge HIS own elect, which cry day and night unto HIM, though HE bear long with them? I tell you that HE will avenge them speedily” (Luke 18:1-8). “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22).
JESUS “spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican [a tax collector for the Roman occupiers in Israel]. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, GOD, I thank THEE, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto Heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, GOD be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:9-14).
The book of Isaiah states, “For thus saith the high and lofty ONE that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is HOLY; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).
Our prayer to GOD is also fellowship with HIM. When we sit in silence in HIS presence, waiting upon HIM, or bring our petitions before HIM, we are in sacred communion with the MOST HIGH GOD.
When JESUS willingly died on the cross and shed HIS sinless blood, this gave us the perfect and only sacrifice so that our sins could be forgiven. The Apostle Paul said, “That at that time ye were without CHRIST, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without GOD in the world: But now in CHRIST JESUS ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of CHRIST.
“For HE is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in HIS flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in HIMSELF of twain one new man, so making peace; And that HE might reconcile both unto GOD in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through HIM we both have access by one SPIRIT unto the FATHER. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of GOD” (Ephesians 2:12-19). “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Sin separates us from a holy GOD (Isaiah 59:1-2). Communion is restored between us and the FATHER when we repent of our sins and choose to make JESUS our LORD and SAVIOR. Repent and turn away from all sin in your life. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). JESUS will forgive you of your sins when you surrender your life to HIM. You will then have access to the throne of GOD in Heaven and your prayers will be heard.
JESUS said that in order to enter Heaven, we must be born again of the SPIRIT of GOD (John 3:3-8). Spending eternity in Heaven or Hell are the only options. Become born of the SPIRIT now by saying this prayer to GOD with all your heart:
Prayer
My LORD and my GOD, have mercy upon my soul, a sinner. 1 I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the SON of the living GOD. 2 I believe that HE died on the cross and shed HIS precious blood for the forgiveness of all my former sins. 3 I believe that GOD raised JESUS from the dead by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT 4 and that HE sits on the right hand of GOD at this moment, hearing my confession of sin and this prayer. 5 I open up the door of my heart, and I invite YOU into my heart, LORD JESUS. 6 Wash all of my filthy sins away in the precious blood that YOU shed in my place on the cross at Calvary. 7 YOU will not turn me away, LORD JESUS; YOU will forgive my sins and save my soul. I know because YOUR WORD, the Bible, says so. 8 YOUR WORD says that YOU will turn no one away, and that includes me. 9 Therefore, I know that YOU have heard me, and I know that YOU have answered me, and I know that I am saved. 10 And I thank YOU, LORD JESUS, for saving my soul, and I will show my thankfulness by doing as YOU command and sin no more.11
After salvation, JESUS said to be baptized, fully submerged in water, in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT.12 Then study the King James Version Bible, and, for your benefit and the benefit of others, do what it says.13
CHRIST and GOD the FATHER now live in you through the HOLY SPIRIT. There is a way you can receive a fuller portion of the divine nature of GOD in you. The more the divine nature of GOD lives in you, the more you will be able to stand against the temptations that have so easily moved so many millions of Christians away from salvation. Pray for the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT.14 For instructions on how to receive the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT and to receive more of GOD’S holy nature, ask for our literature or call. For without holiness, no man shall see GOD (Hebrews 12:14).
The LORD wants you to tell others of your salvation (Mark 16:15). You can become a distributor of Pastor Tony Alamo’s Gospel literature. We’ll send you literature free of charge. Call or email us for more information. Share this message with someone else.
If you want the world saved, as JESUS commands, then don’t rob GOD of HIS tithes and offerings. GOD said, “Will a man rob GOD? Yet ye have robbed ME. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed THEE? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed ME, even this whole nation [and this whole world]. Bring ye all the tithes [a ‘tithe’ is 10% of your gross income] into the storehouse, that there may be meat [Spiritual food] in MINE house [souls saved], and prove ME now herewith, saith the LORD of HOSTS, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of HOSTS. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of HOSTS” (Malachi 3:8-12).
Please contact us for more information or for literature on other topics which may be of interest.
Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide
P. O. Box 2948
Hollywood, CA 90078
Twenty-four hour prayer and information line: (661) 252-5686
Para español, llame al: (908) 937-5723.
Tony Alamo Christian Ministries Worldwide provides a place to live with all the things necessary for life to all those
in our United States locations who truly want to serve the LORD with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Ask for Pastor Alamo’s book, The Messiah, showing Christ from the Old Testament revealed in over three hundred thirty-three prophecies.
Become a laborer in the harvest of souls by becoming a distributor of Pastor Alamo’s literature. All of our literature and audio messages are free of charge, including shipping.
THIS LITERATURE CARRIES THE TRUE PLAN OF SALVATION (Acts 4:12).
DO NOT THROW IT AWAY, PASS IT ON TO SOMEONE ELSE
Those of you who are in other countries, we encourage you to translate
this literature into your native language.
If you do reprint, please include this copyright and registration:
© Copyright May 2026 All rights reserved World Pastor Tony Alamo ® Registered May 2026
footnotes:
1. Matt. 4:4, 26:26, John 6:31-35, 48-58, 1 Cor. 10:16-17, 11:23-26 return
2. Deut. 8:3, Psa. 102:24-27, Matt. 11:28-30, Luke 4:4, John 3:14-17, 4:13-14, 15:4-5, Acts 16:30-31, 1 Cor. 1:18, Rev. 19:11-13 return
3. John 1:12-13, Rom. 8:14-17, 29, 9:26, 2 Cor. 6:17-18, Gal. 3:26-29, 4:5-7, Eph. 1:3-12, 2:19-22, Heb. 2:10-18, 1 John 3:1-2, Rev. 21:7 return
4. Jer. 31:33, John 14:23, 17:22-23, Rom. 9:26, 1 Cor. 3:16-17, 6:19-20, 2 Cor. 6:16-18, Gal. 3:26, Eph. 1:17-23, Heb. 8:10, 10:16, 1 John 3:1-2, Rev. 1:3-6 return
5. John 7:7-39, 14:15-21, 15:26-27, 16:7-15, Acts 2:1-11, 38-39 return
6. Psa. 93:1-2, Lam. 5:19, Matt. 25:31, Heb. 1:8-9, Rev. 1:4-6, 3:21, 4:2-6, 9-11, 19:4, 21:5, 22:3 return
7. Psa. 145:13, Isa. 40:28-31, 41:4, 44:6, Jer. 10:10-13, Dan. 4:3, 34, 1 Tim. 6:15-16, Heb. 1:10-12, Rev. 10:5-6 return
Prayer footnotes:
1. Psa. 51:5, Rom. 3:10-12, 23 return
2. Matt. 26:63-64, 27:54, Luke 1:30-33, John 9:35-37, Rom. 1:3-4 return
3. Acts 4:12, 20:28, Rom. 3:25, I John 1:7, Rev. 5:9 return
4. Psa. 16:9-10, Matt. 28:5-7, Mark 16:9, 12, 14, John 2:19, 21, 10:17-18, 11:25, Acts 2:24, 3:15, Rom. 8:11, I Cor. 15:3-7 return
5. Luke 22:69, Acts 2:25-36, Heb. 10:12-13 return
6. I Cor. 3:16, Rev. 3:20 return
7. Eph. 2:13-22, Heb. 9:22, 13:12, 20-21, I John 1:7, Rev. 1:5, 7:14 return
8. Matt. 26:28, Acts 2:21, 4:12, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14 return
9. Matt. 21:22, John 6:35, 37-40, Rom. 10:13 return
10. Heb. 11:6 return
11. John 5:14, 8:11, Rom. 6:4, I Cor. 15:10, Rev. 7:14, 22:14 return
12. Matt. 28:18-20, John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 19:3-5 return
13. Deut. 4:29, 13:4, 26:16, Josh. 1:8, 22:5, 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:14-17, James 1:22-25, Rev. 3:18 return
14. Isa. 28:11-12, Joel 2:28-29, Luke 3:16, 11:9-13, John 1:29-34, 7:37-39, 14:15-29, 15:26, 16:7-14, Acts 1:1-8, 2:1-18, 32-39, 5:29-32, 19:1-7, Rom. 5:3-5, 15:13 return