I Timothy 4:5 says that all food is allowed to be eaten “For it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.” The order here is not accidental, and not without importance. Notice that the WORD comes first – THEN comes the PRAYER. The truth that God gives us about food comes first, and then our prayers regarding it are a response to that word. This is significant, and should instruct our praying, as well as direct the practice of our faith in general.

First, in a very practical sense, it instructs us that our prayers should follow God’s word. Read the Bible, and then let what you find there guide your prayers and intercessions. Don’t just pray whatever is on the top of your head — God’s word should direct your praying.
But even beyond that, this order clues us in to the whole direction of the practice of our faith. Christianity is not about asking God to bless whatever you desire to do. Everything we do as Christians is to be based on the word of God, not our own ideas or schemes. “Dream your dream and God will help you achieve it” is NOT Biblical Christianity. We are to follow the pattern we see here: that of looking to the word of God first, and then prayer.