How to Pray

What Is Prayer?

At its simplest, prayer is conversation with God. It's not a formula, a ritual, or a performance — it's an honest dialogue with the Creator of the universe who, according to Scripture, invites that conversation.

The Bible records thousands of prayers: desperate pleas from the depths of suffering, joyful songs of praise, quiet whispers of gratitude, and bold requests for the impossible. What unites them is not their style or eloquence, but their honesty. God already knows your thoughts — prayer is the act of bringing them into relationship.

The Lord's Prayer: Jesus's Model

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he gave them what we call the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). It's not meant as words to recite mechanically, but as a framework showing what prayer should include:

Notice the structure:

• Adoration — "Hallowed be your name" (recognizing who God is)
• Surrender — "Your kingdom come, your will be done" (aligning with God's purposes)
• Petition — "Give us today our daily bread" (bringing needs to God)
• Confession — "Forgive us our debts" (acknowledging wrongdoing)
• Protection — "Lead us not into temptation" (asking for guidance and strength)

The ACTS Method

A popular framework that provides structure without rigidity:

Praying Scripture

One of the oldest and most powerful prayer practices is praying Scripture itself — taking biblical passages and turning them into personal prayers. This practice ensures your prayers are aligned with God's revealed character and promises.

Here's how it works with Psalm 23:

• "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" becomes: "Lord, you are my shepherd. I trust that you will provide everything I need today."
• "He restores my soul" becomes: "Please restore my weary soul. I am exhausted and need your renewal."
• "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil" becomes: "In the fears I'm facing right now — give me the courage to trust that you are with me."

The Bible Companion's prayer generator feature creates personalized prayers inspired by Scripture — a great starting point when you're not sure what to pray.

Building a Daily Prayer Life

• Start with 5 minutes: A short, honest prayer daily is better than a long, distracted prayer weekly. You can always extend the time as the habit grows.
• Choose a consistent time and place: Jesus went to "a solitary place" early in the morning (Mark 1:35). Find your own spot where you can focus without distraction.
• Use a prayer list: Write down people and situations you're praying for. Review the list periodically to notice answered prayers — this builds faith.
• Combine prayer with Bible reading: Read a passage, then pray about what you read. The two practices reinforce each other powerfully.
• Don't worry about "getting it right": God looks at the heart, not the eloquence. Stumbling, honest words are more meaningful than polished religious phrases.