Prayers don’t always have to be super wordy, elaborate, or fancy. Often, short, heartfelt prayers are the most impactful because they are so vulnerable and real. The key to praying well is knowing who you are praying to.
God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, through scripture, through our prayers, through circumstances, and through the church and other believers. I mentioned this before, but prayer is the cornerstone of every Christian’s life.
Knowing how to pray is important, whether you pray for yourself or intercede for others. Talking to God is how you build your relationship with Him.
Your prayers could be your heart desires, a confession of sin, a plea for forgiveness, a request for another, or an expression of gratitude. You may already be familiar with what Paul teaches in Philippians 4:6, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Why Should You Pray?
Prayer is important for knowing the will of God. And communication is the foundation of any relationship. As you develop your relationship with God and speak to Him about what is on your mind and in your heart, you can also use your prayer as a time to hear what God has to say.
It’s a two-way street. You can go to Him, but you can also open a way for Him to come to you. I know that when I first started praying, it was difficult. I didn’t know what to ask for or what to say. But I quickly learned that it’s not so much about what I say but rather how I listen, how I adjust, and how I align myself with Him.
A Lesson From The Israelites
You may know the story of Moses and how he delivered God’s people out of slavery. A journey through the wilderness that should’ve taken only two weeks took forty years because the Israelites forgot what God did for them in Egypt. As humans, we often forget what God does for us and who God is.
God doesn’t say to only come to him when things are bad. Instead, He says, in every situation, about everything, come to me; I want to talk with you.
In Thessalonians 5:16–17, we are prompted to “pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.” Prayer clears obstacles to make it possible for God to work.
How Do You Pray?
When I’ve taught people how to pray, I used the acronym PRAY as a means to teach others how to pray.
P (praise) R (repent or remember) A (ask) and Y(yield or surrender).
I still use this method today, as it has proven to be very effective and easy to remember. Even if I write my prayers, I follow the same structure, opening and closing with praise. God listens when you pour out your heart in prayer.
Praise Him (P)
We start by acknowledging God and praising Him. The Lord’s Prayer is a great example of this. Jesus starts by saying, “Our Father, who is in heaven…” By acknowledging God first, he recognizes God’s sovereignty and authority over everything.
He goes on to praise God, “Hallowed be Your name.” This shifts our focus to one of reverence. It prepares your heart and mind for communion with God and sets a tone of thankfulness.
We can see this trend repeated in multiple scriptures throughout the Bible. Another example would be 2 Corinthians 1:3–4, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Repent for Your Sins and Remember God (R)
Humble submission allows us to come before God, accepting His power and admitting our dependence on Him. We need His grace (undeserved favor that cannot be earned) and His mercy (His full forgiveness and withholding of deserved punishment).
Repentance allows you to acknowledge your imperfections and admit your mistakes, shortcomings, and sins. You don’t want any corner of your heart to be hidden from God.
As David prays in Psalms 139:23–24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
By reflecting on your actions and seeking forgiveness, you will undergo a transformative process (sanctification). Repentance is often associated with cleansing, and our sin creates barriers between us and God. You must express remorse and have the desire to change.
Remembering God in prayer is the reaffirmation of our faith. Prayer is a reminder of His love and guidance in our lives and our reliance on Him. When we remember how He has shown up in our lives, we gain strength, especially in difficult times.
“Put me in remembrance; let us contend together; state your case, that you may be acquitted.” Isaiah 43:26
Ask Him And Make Your Requests Know (A)
To reemphasize, the importance of repenting is to ask for God’s forgiveness. It may not always feel like it, but God listens. The problem with today’s world is instant gratification. There isn’t always an immediate response from God, and this can often lead us to think He does not listen or doesn’t care.
But I tell you, that is not true. God cares very much about you. This is why Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
When you sincerely repent for your wrongdoings and seek to reconcile with God, you begin to undergo sanctification, which is the purification and renewal of your spiritual state. And this can bring you a sense of inner peace. By seeking to repair and restore your relationship with the divine, you can ask anything of Him.
“You may ask for anything in my name, and I will do it.” John 14:14
Yield (Surrender)(Y)
Let go! So many of us pray and ask God for help, protection, provision, or guidance, and still, we try to do things by our own strength instead of just leaving it with God as we were instructed to do.
Why should you let go? Trust. For one. Prayer is where your faith meets God’s abilities. The action you take after praying demonstrates your trust in God, in His plan, and in His wisdom, which surpasses all human understanding, by the way.
Surrendering to Him allows you to release your burdens, your worries, and your anxiety. You don’t have to control every aspect of your life. God reassures us of that. By contrast, we should align with His divine purpose.
If you want to fulfill your purpose and live in accordance with God’s plan, learn to park your ego and let go. Yes, it’s difficult to submit and obey at times, but if you want peace and contentment, strive to please God in all aspects of life and set your eyes on eternal things.
If you can’t come up with a prayer on your own, the Psalms are a great place to begin. Just remember to acknowledge God, praise Him, repent, and remember all he has done, is doing, and will do in the future. Ask Him whatever is in your heart, and give it all to Him. Think of it this way: God is not an option, but rather the solution.
Share your tips below in the comments on how you would teach someone to pray.
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