How to Pray

There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to pray. This is an act as individual and as varied as the person who is doing the praying. Some pray as an act of thanksgiving and worship; some pray for guidance or divine help to deal with a difficult situation; others pray for mercy for themselves or for others.

What is important is that prayer, like many things, becomes easier with practice. And the Bible shows that God will honor patient, persistent, persevering prayer (see Matthew 18:1-8 for an example).

Here are some ideas to consider:

Formal Prayer

It is sometimes helpful to draw from the experience of others to organize your thoughts in difficult situations. A formal prayer may also touch on areas of concern, or lead you to areas of thanksgiving, that you might not have thought of on your own.

Jesus taught his disciples one such way to organize your thoughts which is now known as The Lord's Prayer. Today it is one of the most widely known prayer in use today, though some church scholars believe it was intended as a framework for more intimate communication with God. Other common prayers are referenced on this web site.

Informal Prayer

Jesus also emphasized the power of individual prayer. This can be both a humbling and empowering experience as you shut out the rest of the world and open what is in your heart to God.

Believers in Jesus Christ can pray with the knowledge that God knows their desires whether they say them out loud or only think them. You can therefore pour out your heart before him in whatever way you can best express yourself, knowing that it is not the quality of your prayer but the saving work of Jesus that makes your prayers acceptable to God.

“Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”
Matthew 21:22 NRSV