How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Beginners

Prayer can feel intimidating — as if there are right words, a holy voice, or a secret technique. The disciples felt something similar. They watched Jesus pray and asked, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1, WEB). The good news is that prayer is simply this: talking with God, honestly, as a child talks with a loving Father.

Start where you are

You do not need to clean up your language or your life before you pray. Jesus said: "When you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret" (Matthew 6:6, WEB). God is not impressed by long or fancy prayers. He wants you.

The pattern Jesus gave

When the disciples asked how to pray, Jesus gave them a model:

"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." — Matthew 6:9–13 (WEB)

You can pray it word for word, or use it as an outline:

• "Our Father in heaven" — come to God as your Father, close and personal.
• "May your name be kept holy" — praise Him for who He is.
• "Let your Kingdom come... your will be done" — ask for His purposes in your life, your family, your city.
• "Give us today our daily bread" — ask for what you need today.
• "Forgive us... as we also forgive" — confess your sins, and release others.
• "Deliver us from the evil one" — ask for strength and protection.

A simple daily rhythm

Five to ten minutes a day is a great start. Try this:

1. Be still for a moment. Breathe. Remember that God is with you.
2. Thank Him for three specific things.
3. Be honest about anything you need to confess, and receive His forgiveness.
4. Bring your worries: "In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6, WEB).
5. Pray for others by name — family, friends, and people who don't yet know Jesus. Here is how to pray for a loved one to know Jesus.
6. Listen. Read a short passage of Scripture and ask what God is saying to you.

Pairing prayer with Bible reading helps enormously — see how to read the Bible as a new Christian.

When you don't know what to say

Everyone has days when words don't come. Scripture says: "We don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered" (Romans 8:26, WEB). On those days:

• Pray a psalm out loud — Psalm 23 or Psalm 139 are good places to start.
• Pray the Lord's Prayer slowly, pausing on each line.
• Write your prayer down.
• Simply sit with God in silence. That is prayer too.

Prayer is a relationship, not a performance

Paul wrote, "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17, WEB). He did not mean being on your knees all day, but staying in conversation with God throughout it — in the car, at work, walking down the street. Short prayers count. Honest prayers count. Messy prayers count.

Pray with others

Praying with other believers builds faith and courage. If you'd like someone to pray for you, send us a prayer request — real people in Hamilton will pray for you by name. You can also pray for our city with the Hamilton prayer walk guide, and if you're new to faith, start with the First 30 Days With Jesus guide.