How to pray

There’s no right or wrong way. Here’s some help.

Prayer is talking with God. You don’t need special words, a quiet room or a perfect mood. Christians in every tradition pray in many ways: out loud or silently, with written prayers or their own words, alone or together. All of it counts.

1. Talk to God honestly

You can tell God exactly how you feel: happy, angry, scared, confused, grateful. The Psalms are full of people doing just that.

“Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah” Psalm 62:8 (BSB)

2. Short prayers are real prayers

A prayer can be one word. You can pray on the bus, before a test, or while you brush your teeth.

“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (BSB)

3. A model from Jesus: the Lord’s Prayer

When His friends asked how to pray, Jesus gave them this. Many churches pray it every week; you can pray it word for word or use it as a pattern: praise, God’s will, daily needs, forgiveness, help.

“So then, this 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 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 the evil one.’” Matthew 6:9-13 (BSB)

4. A simple pattern, if you like one: ACTS

Adoration: tell God what you love about Him. “You are good.”
Confession: be honest about what went wrong. “I’m sorry I snapped at my brother.”
Thanksgiving: say thank You. “Thank You for my friends.”
Supplication: ask for what you and others need. “Please help my grandpa heal.”

ACTS is just a helper, not a rule. Use it, change it, or skip it.

5. When you have no words

Sometimes all you can do is sit, cry or sigh. That’s prayer too.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.” Romans 8:26 (BSB)

6. Praying for others

Say their name and ask God to be with them. You don’t need to know exactly what they need. You can also tell them you prayed, or send them a prayer.

“pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16 (BSB)

7. Tiny prayers to borrow

“Help.”
“Thank You.”
“Wow.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Be with me.”
“I don’t know what to say, but I’m here.”
“Please help my mom feel better.”
“Give me courage today.”
“Thank You for this sunset.”
“Help me be kind when I’m annoyed.”
“Be with my friend tonight.”
“I trust You.”
“Help me sleep.”
“Show me the next step.”
“Thank You for food on the table.”
“Forgive me, and help me make it right.”
“Be near the people who are hurting tonight.”
“Come close, God.”

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If you’re in crisis or thinking about hurting yourself, please call or text 988 (US) or tell a trusted adult right now. Prayer and getting help go together.