How can I pray?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Prayer is the lifeline of a believer’s relationship with God. It is the way we communicate with God.  Prayer is not about performance or eloquence but about humble dependence on God, who invites us to cast every care on Him and find peace in His presence (Matthew 6:5–8; 1 Peter 5:7). From the Old Testament to the New Testament, prayer is shown as a pathway to forgiveness, restoration, and deeper trust in God as our refuge and strength (2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 62:8). Jesus models prayer as both intimate and purposeful, teaching believers to seek God’s will, daily provision, forgiveness, and deliverance from temptation (Matthew 6:9–13; Mark 14:35–36). The apostles echo this call, urging continual, thankful, and Spirit-led prayer for ourselves and others in every circumstance (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1–2). Even in anxiety and weakness, believers are invited to approach God with confidence, knowing that He hears, cares, and responds (Hebrews 4:16; 2 Corinthians 12:8; James 5:16). Prayer is not a religious duty but an ongoing conversation with our Heavenly Father that transforms our hearts and provides us what we need to grow closer to Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Prayer connects us with God and can bring His healing and restoration back into our lives (Psalm 62:8). It involves turning to God in dependence and trust, pouring out our hearts before Him.
• Prayer includes repentance and returning to God, knowing that God responds to humble confession and seeking Him (2 Chronicles 7:14).
• Prayer is crying out to God in suffering and need, knowing that God hears the groaning of His people under oppression (Exodus 2:23–25; Judges 3:9).
• Prayer can be honest and emotional, not polished. Many Psalms show raw honesty, praise, lament, and thanksgiving (e.g., Psalm 13; Psalm 103).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains that we should not pray in showy ways so others will think that we are highly spiritual or to gain their attention and admiration. Rather, our prayers should be offered humbly and without attention-seeking language; they should also be offered privately in many situations (Matthew 6:5-8).
• Jesus provides a model for how we should pray, beginning by praising God for who He is, then asking for daily provision, forgiveness, strength to forgive others, and deliverance from temptation (Matthew 6:9-13).
• When Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, facing His death on the cross, He prayed an honest prayer, asking God to provide another way forsalvation and ultimately to do His will (Mark 14:35-36).
• The apostle Paul faced an unknown physical ailment, as evidenced by his reference to "pleading with God" to remove the infirmity from him (2 Corinthians 12:8).
• Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, reminds believers to pray "in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." We are also instructed to pray for all other believers (Ephesians 6:18).
• When we feel anxious in any situation, we can take our fears to God in prayer, remembering to give thanks as we present our requests. When we pray about our fears, we will find peace in God that is beyond human understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).
  
• Paul tells the believers in Thessalonica to pray regularly, with rejoicing and thankfulness to God, no matter the circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
  
• Paul tells Timothy to encourage believers to pray, intercede, and give thanks for all people, especially for leaders and those in authority, in order that life may be peaceful and full of godly holiness (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
  
• Because of our place as redeemed children of God, we can approach God's throne in prayer with confidence so that we may receive grace and mercy in times of need (Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 5:14-15).
• James tells his readers to pray for one another as they confess sin to one another, so that they may find healing. He also reminds them that the prayers of righteous people are effective and powerful (James 5:16).
• Because God cares for us, we can take any burden or care that we have to Him in prayer (1 Peter 5:7).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Prayer can easily feel complicated and intimidating, especially when starting to pray for the first time. We can be unsure of what to say or how to say it. The important thing to remember, according to Philippians 4:6–7, is that God wants to hear all of our cares and requests. Nothing is too big or too small to pray about. Hebrews 4:16 tells us that, as believers, we can confidently come before God in prayer and know that we are welcome in His presence. If we are struggling to pray, Jesus' model in Matthew 6 provides guidance for what we can say to God. We should include praise in our prayers, glorifying God for who He is and what He has done. We can ask God for His will to be done in our lives and to provide for our daily needs. Prayer should also include repentance and requests for forgiveness when sin is present in our lives. Our prayers can also include petitions to God for strength so we can forgive others who have sinned against us. Above all, prayer is an amazing opportunity to have conversation with our loving, powerful, and sovereign Heavenly Father.

Even with this model of prayer, we must not forget that prayer is not about finding perfect words but about coming before God with a humble, honest heart, trusting that God hears and responds according to His wisdom and love—in His timing and in His way. Even in moments of anxiety, weakness, or uncertainty, we can bring everything to God in prayer and experience His peace that surpasses understanding. Prayer grows us and keeps us connected to God, our refuge and strength.

UNDERSTAND

• Prayer is a vital part of our relationship and connection with God.
• Prayer includes praise for God, requests for us, and intercession for others.
• Prayer should not be done piously before others to gain attention but personally in order to grow closer to God.

REFLECT

• How would your prayer life change if you truly believed God wants every part of your life—your worries, decisions, and struggles—to be brought to Him?
• How are you encouraged or challenged by knowing how to come to God in prayer?
• What does your prayer life reveal about your relationship with God?

ENGAGE

• What is important to communicate when we teach someone to pray?
• What are some heart attitudes or conditions that keep us from praying in a God-honoring way?
• What truths about who God is can help us have a consistent and vibrant prayer life?