Short Answer: Christians should pray with humility and faith, talking to the Father through Jesus, guided by Scripture, seeking God’s will, and persevering with honest hearts.
Long Answer: Christians should pray with humility and faith, talking to the Father through Jesus, guided by Scripture, seeking God’s will, and persevering with honest hearts.
Prayer is not a performance for God or a way to control outcomes. It is relationship—communion with the living God. The Bible invites believers to draw near confidently because of Jesus (Hebrews 4:16), not because we always feel strong or have the right words.
Pray to the Father through Jesus
Jesus taught his disciples to pray to “our Father” (Matthew 6:9). We come to God as children, not as strangers. We also pray “in Jesus’ name” (John 14:13–14), meaning we come on the basis of who Jesus is and what he has done—not our worthiness.
Use Jesus’ pattern: the Lord’s Prayer
In Matthew 6:9–13, Jesus gives a simple template. It’s not only a prayer to recite; it’s a pattern that shapes how we pray.
- Worship: “Hallowed be your name” (start with God’s greatness)
- Surrender: “Your kingdom come… your will be done” (align your desires with God’s will)
- Requests: “Give us this day our daily bread” (bring real needs)
- Confession: “Forgive us our debts” (repent honestly)
- Relationships: “as we also have forgiven” (keep short accounts with people)
- Protection: “Deliver us from evil” (ask for help in temptation)
Pray with sincerity, not show
Jesus warns against praying to impress others and against empty repetition (Matthew 6:5–8). God is not moved by fancy language. He is pleased by humble faith.
If you’re not sure what to say, start simple:
- Praise God for who he is
- Confess sin
- Thank him for grace
- Ask for help and guidance
- Pray for others
Pray with Scripture
One of the best ways to learn prayer is to pray God’s Word back to him. The Psalms are full of honest prayers—joy, fear, doubt, gratitude, grief, repentance (Psalm 23; Psalm 51; Psalm 42). Scripture keeps your prayers grounded and protects you from praying only out of emotion.
Pray persistently and with faith
Jesus teaches persistence—not because God is reluctant, but because prayer trains our hearts to trust him (Luke 11:5–13; Luke 18:1–8). God answers in wisdom: sometimes yes, sometimes no, sometimes wait. Faith keeps praying anyway.
What to do next
- Set a realistic daily time (even 5–10 minutes) and protect it (Mark 1:35).
- Use the Lord’s Prayer as your outline for a week.
- Keep a simple list: 3 people to pray for, 3 needs, 3 gratitude items.
- If you feel stuck, read a Psalm and turn it into prayer.
- Pray with other believers—community strengthens prayer (Acts 2:42).
Prayer is learned the way walking is learned: by doing it. Start where you are, keep showing up, and trust that God hears his children.
Key Scriptures: Matt 6:5–13; Heb 4:16; John 14:13–14; Luke 11:1–13; Luke 18:1; Phil 4:6–7; 1 Thess 5:16–18; Psalm 51; Rom 8:26–27