Why do we pray? How do we pray? When do we pray? And what are the benefits? Prayer isn't just a spiritual duty, activity, or discipline. It's something much more intimate and relational. Let's break it down—I'll even give you a model prayer you can use as a starting point.
When people first come to faith, one of the most common questions is: How do I pray? Well, let's first establish what prayer is not. It’s not a checklist, not a ritual, and not something you have to do out of obligation. Think of prayer as a conversation, a way to get close to God.
Let me give you a personal example. My wife Audra and I had a crazy busy couple of weeks recently. One night, after all the chaos, I said, “Audra, can we just sit on the couch and talk?” I know, it sounds like such a girl thing to say, right? But what I wanted was to feel connected. And really, that's what prayer is—our way of feeling connected with God.
Remember in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned and, thus became separated from God? What did God do? He came looking for them, calling, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9). He knew exactly where they were, but He wanted to reconnect. God wanted to talk. He still does today, and that’s why we pray—to communicate and get close to Him.
We pray because it’s all about connection. Communication is the foundation of any relationship. Without it, there’s no closeness. Prayer is our lifeline to staying connected with God.
Now that we understand why we pray, let’s move to how we pray. Thankfully, Jesus didn’t leave us guessing—He taught us exactly how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day 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 evil." (Matthew 6:9-13, ESV)
Let’s break that down:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name – Jesus starts with “Father,” showing us that prayer is about intimacy. He’s not some distant, uninvolved being. He’s our Father who wants closeness with us. He’s to be revered (“hallowed”), but He’s also relational.
Your kingdom come, your will be done – We align our hearts with God's mission. It’s not about our will, but His. This reminds us that we’re part of something bigger—bringing God’s kingdom to earth.
Give us this day our daily bread – God is our provider. We depend on Him not just for physical needs, but for spiritual and emotional sustenance too.
Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors – This is where confession comes in. We ask for forgiveness, but also make sure we’re forgiving others. A clean heart creates closeness with God.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil – We recognize the spiritual battle around us and ask for God’s protection and strength.
So, when should we pray? Jesus modeled it for us:
"And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed." (Mark 1:35, ESV)
Praying first thing in the morning sets the tone for the day. It’s about starting off with focus and clarity, aligning ourselves with God’s will before we get swept up in life’s busyness.
But prayer isn’t just for mornings. Scripture says:
"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17, ESV)
This does not mean you need to be on your knees all day long. It means being in constant conversation with God—checking in with Him, sharing your thoughts, frustrations, joys, and seeking His guidance throughout your day. Think of it like walking through life with God, just like Adam and Eve did in the garden before the fall.
Prayer isn’t just about asking for things. It transforms us. It brings peace, clarity, and guidance. Here are some benefits:
Here’s a quick framework for your prayer life, using the acronym P.R.A.Y.:
Prayer is not a duty or a ritual; it’s a relationship. It’s a way to connect, listen, and talk with our Father who loves us deeply. Whether you're just starting out in your faith or have been walking with Jesus for years, remember, prayer is our daily lifeline, our means to stay close to God in the middle of life’s ups and downs. So, start your day with prayer and keep that conversation going throughout the day. You’ll be amazed at the closeness and peace it brings.
Let’s get praying!
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