Introduction: How Do You Pray?

If you’ve ever wondered how to pray, you’re not alone.

Maybe you’re new to Christianity and don’t know where to start.

Maybe you’ve prayed before but aren’t sure if you’re doing it “right.”

Or maybe you’ve followed Jesus for years, but your prayer life has become inconsistent, distracted, or dry.

Even Jesus’ disciples asked Him:

“Lord, teach us to pray.”

— Luke 11:1

They had watched Jesus pray.

They saw that prayer wasn’t simply a religious activity He performed. Prayer was central to His relationship with the Father and His life and ministry.

So they asked Him to teach them.

Jesus did.

And the good news is that you can learn to pray too.

Prayer doesn’t require impressive words, a certain personality, or years of spiritual experience.

Prayer is about relationship with God.

In this guide, we’ll look at what the Bible says about prayer, how Jesus taught us to pray, what to pray about, how to hear God when you pray, and practical ways to build a consistent prayer life.

What Is Prayer?

At its simplest, prayer is communicating with God.

But biblical prayer is more than giving God a list of things we need.

Through prayer, we:

• Worship God

• Thank Him

• Confess our sins

• Ask for His help

• Pray for others

• Seek His wisdom

• Surrender our will

• Listen for His leading

• Grow in relationship with Him

Philippians 4:6 says:

“In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

God invites us to bring our lives to Him.

Our joys.

Our fears.

Our questions.

Our needs.

Our failures.

Our decisions.

Our relationships.

Our future.

Prayer isn’t about performing for God. It’s about being with God.

Why Do Christians Pray?

Christians don’t pray because God needs information.

Jesus said:

“Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

— Matthew 6:8

God already knows.

We pray because God desires relationship with us.

Throughout Scripture, God’s people pray to:

• Know God

• Worship Him

• Seek His will

• Ask for wisdom

• Receive strength

• Confess sin

• Ask for forgiveness

• Pray for healing

• Intercede for others

• Seek breakthrough

• Ask for provision

• Receive direction

• Give thanks

Prayer changes circumstances.

But prayer also changes us.

As we spend time with God, our desires begin to align with His desires.

Our perspective changes.

Our faith grows.

Our hearts become more sensitive to His presence and His leading.

The goal of prayer isn’t simply to get something from God. The greatest goal of prayer is God Himself.

How Did Jesus Teach Us to Pray?

When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He gave them what we commonly call the Lord’s Prayer.

Jesus said:

“This, then, is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’”**

— Matthew 6:9–13

Jesus wasn’t merely giving His followers words to repeat.

He was teaching them a pattern for prayer.

Let’s walk through it.

1. Begin With Relationship: “Our Father”

Jesus begins:

“Our Father in heaven…”

Prayer starts with understanding who you’re talking to.

God isn’t a distant force.

If you belong to Jesus, you have been invited into relationship with God as your Father.

Romans 8:15 says:

“The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”

Before you ask God for anything, remember who He is.

And remember who you are.

Prayer begins with relationship, not requests.

2. Worship God: “Hallowed Be Your Name”

Jesus continues:

“Hallowed be your name…”

To hallow God’s name means to recognize Him as holy.

Prayer should include worship.

Tell God who He is.

Praise Him for His character.

Thank Him for His faithfulness.

You might pray:

“God, You are good.”

“You are faithful.”

“You are holy.”

“You are my provider.”

“You are merciful.”

“You are worthy of my worship.”

The Psalms are filled with prayers like this:

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

— Psalm 100:4

Before focusing on everything happening around you, focus on who God is.

3. Surrender to God’s Will: “Your Kingdom Come”

Jesus teaches us to pray:

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Prayer isn’t about convincing God to accomplish our agenda.

It’s about surrendering our lives to His.

Jesus modeled this Himself before the cross:

“Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

— Matthew 26:39

There is nothing wrong with telling God what you want.

Scripture encourages us to bring our requests to Him.

But mature prayer eventually comes to a place of surrender:

“God, this is what I want. But more than what I want, I want what You want.”

That’s a powerful prayer.

4. Ask God for What You Need: “Give Us Today Our Daily Bread”

Jesus teaches us to ask:

“Give us today our daily bread.”

God cares about our needs.

You can pray about:

• Finances

• Work

• Health

• Relationships

• Family

• Decisions

• Opportunities

• Provision

• Strength

• Wisdom

• Your future

Nothing is too small to bring to God.

First Peter 5:7 says:

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Prayer isn’t pretending you don’t have needs.

It’s acknowledging where your help ultimately comes from.

5. Confess Your Sin and Receive Forgiveness

Jesus continues:

“And forgive us our debts…”

Prayer includes honest confession.

First John 1:9 says:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

You don’t need to hide your failures from God.

He already knows.

Bring them into the light.

Confess them.

Repent.

Receive His forgiveness.

Prayer isn’t a place where we pretend to have everything together.

Prayer is a place where we can be completely honest with God.

6. Forgive Others

Jesus connects receiving forgiveness with extending forgiveness:

“…as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

Prayer doesn’t only deal with our relationship with God.

It affects our relationships with people.

Ask:

“God, is there anyone I need to forgive?”

“Is there bitterness I’m holding onto?”

“Is there someone I need to reconcile with?”

Sometimes God will use our time in prayer to reveal things in our hearts that need to change.

Don’t resist that.

Let Him work.

7. Ask God for Protection From Temptation and Evil

Jesus finishes:

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

The Christian life involves spiritual opposition.

Jesus teaches us to pray for protection.

Ask God to:

• Protect your mind

• Guard your heart

• Give you strength against temptation

• Help you recognize deception

• Protect your family

• Give you wisdom

• Help you stand firm in faith

Ephesians 6:18 tells believers:

“Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

Prayer is one of the ways we remain spiritually alert and dependent on God.

How to Pray for Beginners

If you’re brand new to prayer, don’t overcomplicate it.

Start here:

1. Find a Place to Pray

Jesus said:

“When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.”

— Matthew 6:6

You can pray anywhere.

In your bedroom.

In your car.

On a walk.

At church.

At work.

But having a consistent place where you meet with God can help remove distractions and build a habit.

2. Start With God

Before immediately listing everything you need, take a moment to worship.

Thank Him.

Remember who He is.

3. Talk to God Honestly

You don’t need religious language.

You don’t need to sound like someone else.

Tell God what’s actually happening inside you.

If you’re grateful, tell Him.

If you’re scared, tell Him.

If you’re confused, tell Him.

If you’re angry, tell Him.

If you’re struggling to believe, tell Him.

The Psalms show us that biblical prayer can be remarkably honest.

God isn’t intimidated by your honesty.

4. Bring Your Requests to God

Philippians 4:6 tells us to present our requests to God.

Ask Him for what you need.

Ask boldly.

Ask specifically.

Pray for yourself.

Pray for your family.

Pray for other people.

Pray for your church.

Pray for your community.

Pray for people who don’t know Jesus.

5. Make Space to Listen

Prayer shouldn’t only be us speaking.

Throughout Scripture, God leads His people through His Word and by His Spirit.

So don’t rush.

Read Scripture.

Pause.

Ask:

“Holy Spirit, is there anything You want to show me?”

“Is there anything I need to change?”

“Is there anyone I need to encourage?”

“What do You want me to know?”

Any impression or direction we believe comes from God should always be tested against Scripture.

The Holy Spirit will never contradict the Word He inspired.

6. Respond in Obedience

Prayer isn’t complete when we say Amen.

If God convicts you, repent.

If He reminds you of someone, pray for them.

If you sense you should encourage someone, encourage them.

If Scripture shows you something that needs to change, change it.

James 1:22 says:

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

The goal isn’t simply to hear God. It’s to follow Him.

A Simple Prayer Method: ACTS

If you sit down to pray and don’t know what to say, a simple framework can help.

One common method is ACTS:

A — Adoration

Start by worshiping God for who He is.

“God, You are faithful.”

“God, You are good.”

“God, You are holy.”

C — Confession

Confess anything that isn’t pleasing to God.

Ask Him to search your heart.

Receive His forgiveness.

T — Thanksgiving

Thank God for what He’s done.

Be specific.

Thank Him for people, provision, answered prayers, salvation, His presence, and His faithfulness.

S — Supplication

Finally, bring your requests to God.

Pray for yourself and others.

ACTS isn’t a biblical command or a magic formula.

It’s simply a helpful tool for learning to pray in a balanced way.

What Should I Pray About?

You can pray about everything.

Some helpful areas include:

Your Relationship With God

Ask God to help you know Him more deeply.

Your Spiritual Growth

Pray for greater faith, wisdom, holiness, humility, courage, and obedience.

Your Family

Pray for your spouse, children, parents, siblings, and extended family.

Your Church

Pray for your pastors, leaders, volunteers, ministries, and people.

People Who Don’t Know Jesus

Ask God to draw people to Himself and give you opportunities to share Jesus with them.

Your Work

Pray for wisdom, favor, integrity, opportunities, coworkers, and leadership.

Your Decisions

Ask God for wisdom and direction.

James 1:5 says:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God.”

Healing

Bring physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs to God.

Your Community and Leaders

First Timothy 2:1–2 encourages Christians to pray for those in authority.

Spiritual Breakthrough

Bring persistent struggles, strongholds, temptations, and areas where you need God’s intervention.

There is no area of your life that God tells you to keep away from Him.

Bring your whole life into prayer.

How Long Should I Pray?

The Bible doesn’t prescribe a required amount of time Christians must pray every day.

Sometimes Jesus prayed briefly.

At other times, He prayed for extended periods.

Luke 6:12 tells us that before choosing the twelve apostles:

“Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.”

If you’re new to prayer, don’t feel like you need to start by praying for an hour.

Start with five or ten intentional minutes.

As your relationship with God grows, your prayer life often will too.

Consistency matters more than trying to impress God with duration.

When Should Christians Pray?

First Thessalonians 5:17 says:

“Pray continually.”

That doesn’t mean Christians must spend every waking moment with their eyes closed.

It means prayer can become an ongoing part of our lives.

Pray in the morning.

Pray while driving.

Pray before a meeting.

Pray when someone comes to mind.

Pray before making a decision.

Pray when you’re afraid.

Pray when something great happens.

Pray before bed.

And it can also be valuable to establish a consistent daily time specifically devoted to prayer.

Jesus regularly withdrew from crowds to pray.

“Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

— Luke 5:16

If Jesus intentionally made room for prayer, we should too.

Do I Have to Pray Out Loud?

No.

God knows your thoughts and heart.

You can pray silently or out loud.

Both can be valuable.

Praying out loud can help you stay focused and express your thoughts clearly.

Silent prayer can happen anywhere.

The important thing isn’t the volume.

It’s the heart.

Do I Have to Close My Eyes When I Pray?

No.

The Bible doesn’t command Christians to close their eyes when they pray.

People throughout Scripture prayed:

• Standing

• Kneeling

• Bowing

• Lying facedown

• Lifting their hands

• Looking toward heaven

Physical posture can express the posture of our hearts, but there isn’t one required position for prayer.

You can pray with your eyes open.

You can pray while walking.

You can pray while driving.

You can pray kneeling beside your bed.

God is more concerned with the posture of your heart than the position of your body.

Do I Have to Pray in Jesus’ Name?

Jesus said:

“Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it.”

— John 14:13

Christians commonly finish prayers by saying:

“In Jesus’ name, amen.”

That’s a good practice.

But praying “in Jesus’ name” means more than adding a phrase to the end of a prayer.

It means approaching the Father because of Jesus and praying in alignment with His character, authority, and will.

The phrase isn’t a magic formula that guarantees God will give us whatever we ask.

Our confidence is in Jesus, not in saying the right words.

What Does “Amen” Mean?

Amen is a Hebrew word expressing agreement, certainty, or affirmation.

It can carry the sense of:

“Truly.”

“Let it be so.”

“Yes, Lord.”

When Christians say “Amen” at the end of a prayer, they’re affirming what has been prayed and entrusting it to God.

What if I Don’t Know What to Say When I Pray?

Sometimes we simply don’t have words.

God understands.

Romans 8:26 says:

“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

When you don’t know what to pray:

Tell God that.

Sit quietly with Him.

Pray a Psalm.

Pray the Lord’s Prayer.

Read Scripture and turn what you’re reading into prayer.

Or simply pray:

“Jesus, help me.”

Prayer doesn’t have to be eloquent to be real.

How Do I Pray the Bible?

One of the most powerful ways to pray is to allow Scripture to shape your prayers.

For example, Psalm 23 begins:

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

You could pray:

“God, thank You for being my Shepherd. Help me trust You today. I’m worried about ______, but Your Word says You are my Shepherd and provider. Help me trust that You will lead me.”

You can do this with almost any passage.

Read a verse.

Pause.

Then pray about what you just read.

The Psalms are especially helpful because many of them were originally written as prayers and songs of worship.

Does God Answer Every Prayer?

God hears His people.

But He doesn’t always answer our prayers in the way or timing we expect.

Sometimes the answer is yes.

Sometimes it is no.

Sometimes we need to wait.

Sometimes God answers in a way we didn’t anticipate.

First John 5:14 says:

“If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

Prayer isn’t about controlling God.

It’s about trusting Him.

Jesus modeled this perfectly:

“Yet not my will, but yours be done.”

— Luke 22:42

Faith isn’t believing God must do exactly what we ask.

Faith is trusting God even when His answer looks different from what we hoped.

Why Does It Feel Like God Isn’t Answering My Prayers?

Almost every Christian experiences seasons where God seems quiet.

That doesn’t necessarily mean God isn’t listening.

Scripture encourages us to persist in prayer.

Jesus told His disciples a parable:

“To show them that they should always pray and not give up.”

— Luke 18:1

When you don’t see an answer:

Keep praying.

Keep trusting.

Keep obeying.

Keep reading Scripture.

Ask God if there’s anything He wants to change in you.

Seek wise counsel.

And remember that God’s timing is not always ours.

Silence doesn’t mean absence.

What Can Keep Us From Growing in Prayer?

Several things can interfere with a healthy prayer life.

Distraction

Our minds are constantly surrounded by noise.

Phones.

Notifications.

Social media.

Work.

Entertainment.

Sometimes we need to intentionally create quiet.

Hurry

Prayer is difficult when we’re always rushing.

Relationship requires time.

Unconfessed Sin

Psalm 139:23–24 gives us a powerful prayer:

“Search me, God, and know my heart… See if there is any offensive way in me.”

Invite God to reveal anything that needs to change.

Unforgiveness

Jesus repeatedly connected prayer and forgiveness.

Don’t allow bitterness to take root in your heart.

Self-Reliance

Sometimes we don’t pray because deep down we believe we can handle life ourselves.

Prayer is an act of dependence.

Every time we pray, we’re acknowledging: “God, I need You.”

How Can I Build a Consistent Prayer Life?

A strong prayer life usually doesn’t happen accidentally.

Here are some practical ways to grow:

Choose a Consistent Time

For many people, mornings work well.

But choose a time that realistically works for you.

Choose a Consistent Place

Find somewhere you can focus.

Remove Distractions

Put your phone away if necessary.

Read the Bible

Prayer and Scripture belong together.

Let God’s Word shape your conversations with Him.

Keep a Prayer Journal

Write down:

• Prayer requests

• Scriptures

• Things you’re thankful for

• What you’re learning

• People you’re praying for

• Things you sense God highlighting

• Answered prayers

Over time, your journal can become a record of God’s faithfulness.

Pray With Other Christians

The early Church prayed together.

Acts 2:42 says:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Personal prayer matters.

Corporate prayer matters too.

Don’t Quit When You Miss a Day

If you miss a morning, don’t turn it into a week.

Just start again.

Prayer isn’t about maintaining a perfect streak.

It’s about relationship.

How Do I Hear God When I Pray?

Prayer isn’t simply about speaking to God.

Christians also want to recognize God’s leading.

The clearest and most authoritative way God speaks to us is through Scripture.

The Holy Spirit also leads believers, brings Scripture to mind, convicts us, gives wisdom, and distributes spiritual gifts.

Jesus said:

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

— John 10:27

Learning to recognize God’s voice takes relationship, Scripture, discernment, humility, and obedience.

Never assume every thought or feeling is God.

Test what you sense.

Does it agree with Scripture?

Does it reflect the character of Jesus?

Does it produce godly fruit?

Can mature believers confirm or challenge it?

God’s Spirit will never contradict God’s Word.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prayer

How Do I Start Praying?

Start simply.

Talk honestly to God about what’s happening in your life.

Thank Him, worship Him, confess sin, bring your needs to Him, and make room to listen.

You don’t need special words.

What Should I Say When I Pray?

You can talk to God in your normal language.

Tell Him what you’re thankful for, what you’re struggling with, what you need, what you’re afraid of, and what you’re hoping for.

Is There a Right Way to Pray?

Jesus gave us principles and a pattern for prayer in Matthew 6:5–13.

Prayer should be sincere, God-centered, trusting, humble, and aligned with His will.

But there isn’t one required script, posture, location, or length.

How Should a Beginner Pray?

Start with five or ten minutes.

You can use the Lord’s Prayer or the ACTS method as a framework.

Worship God, confess sin, thank Him, bring your requests, and spend time reading Scripture.

Can I Pray in My Head?

Yes.

Prayer can be silent or spoken.

God knows your heart and thoughts.

Can I Pray Anywhere?

Yes.

You can pray at home, at work, in your car, outside, at church, or anywhere else.

How Long Should I Pray?

The Bible doesn’t prescribe a required daily amount.

Start with a realistic amount of time and focus on consistency.

Should I Pray to Jesus or God?

Christian prayer is Trinitarian.

Jesus taught His followers to pray to the Father, and Christians come to the Father through Jesus and are helped in prayer by the Holy Spirit.

The New Testament also records believers directly calling upon Jesus.

Why Do Christians Say “In Jesus’ Name”?

Christians approach God through Jesus.

Praying in Jesus’ name means more than adding words to the end of a prayer. It means coming to the Father through Christ and seeking to pray according to His character and will.

What if My Mind Wanders During Prayer?

Don’t give up.

When you notice your mind wandering, simply redirect your attention toward God.

Writing your prayers, praying out loud, walking while praying, or praying through Scripture can help.

Can I Ask God for Anything?

You can bring anything to God.

But Scripture teaches us to increasingly align our requests with God’s will rather than simply asking Him to fulfill ours.

Does God Hear Short Prayers?

Yes.

Prayer isn’t powerful because it’s long.

Some biblical prayers are extremely short.

God looks at the heart.

Start Praying Today

You don’t need to wait until you know more about the Bible.

You don’t need to become more spiritual.

You don’t need perfect words.

You don’t need to fix your life before you begin.

Start where you are.

Jesus’ disciples asked:

“Lord, teach us to pray.”

That’s still a great prayer today.

“Jesus, teach me to pray.”

Then begin.

Talk to God.

Read His Word.

Listen.

Worship.

Ask.

Confess.

Give thanks.

Pray for others.

And keep showing up.

Over time, prayer becomes more than something you do.

It becomes part of how you live.

The goal isn’t simply to become better at prayer. The goal is to know God.

Looking for a Church Near Naperville, Illinois?

If you live in Naperville, Aurora, or the greater Chicago area and want to grow in prayer and your relationship with God, we’d love to invite you to Elan Church.

Elan Church is a Holy Spirit-led, Bible-immersed, non-denominational church in the Naperville area.

We believe following Jesus is about more than attending church. It’s about knowing God, being led by the Holy Spirit, living according to His Word, and becoming a passionate disciple of Jesus.

Whether you’re new to Christianity, returning to church, or looking for a church community where you can grow deeper in your relationship with God, you are welcome at Elan Church.

We’d love to have you join us this Sunday.