‘Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Lord, teach us to pray.”’
Luke 11.1
What is prayer?
Most people try praying at some point in their lives. A study in the UK showed that just over half of adults pray, including 1-in-5 people who identify as non-religious. It seems that as humans we have this universal instinct in moments of need to cry out to someone for help.
But where does this instinct from? What is prayer, and how can we learn to do it?
Prayer is conversation
The Bible says we were made to enjoy relationship with God. And just as communication is the foundation of every healthy relationship, so too it is the foundation of our relationship with him.
How we think about God makes a huge difference to the way we pray. If you think of God primarily as a judge, or a dictatorial figure then your approach to prayer will be fearful. As if you’re coming to explain yourself before someone who is angry with you and out to find fault.
But when Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them about prayer, Jesus revealed that God is a Father who loves us, provides for us, and longs to have relationship with us. Which means that when we pray, we can do so in everyday language like a child before a loving Father. And we can pray in confidence that he delights in hearing us.
Through prayer we can express to God what is on our heart, confess things we know are wrong, and ask for help where we have need. But like any good conversation, prayer is a two-way thing. If we pause long enough to listen, we will find that God speaks back to us, telling us what is on his heart, and giving us wisdom, direction and encouragement.
How can we pray?
There really aren’t any hard and fast rules, and everyone prays differently. Sometimes we might just express whatever’s at the forefront of our mind, and at other times we might want to pray about a particular subject. Some people find it helpful to pray through a set prayer, or to follow a structure. Here are a few suggestions for how you can begin learning to pray.
The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus taught his disciples to pray a prayer that we now know as The Lord’s Prayer. It’s not a prayer that we have to repeat word for word, but it’s a helpful framework to guide our prayers.
You may want to pray through it slowly, pausing after each line to reflect on its meaning or to put it into your own words.
Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
Now and for ever,
Amen.
Thank you, sorry, please
You may like to try following a loose structure to guide your prayers. For example:
Thank you: Start with gratitude, by counting your blessings.
Sorry: Acknowledge any ways in which you have failed, or not acted as you wish you had. Confess them to God and ask for his forgiveness. If you have already put your trust in Jesus, you can be confident that he will continue to forgive you whenever you ask.
Please: God invites us to ask him for things that we need. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for their daily bread, so it’s ok to bring our needs before him. He is a loving Father, who provides for His children.
Three tips for praying
However you choose to pray, here are three simple guidelines.
Keep it Simple: Prayer doesn’t have to be long or complicated. There is value in spending an extended time in quiet space, alone. But you can pray anywhere, any time, and you can speak in your everyday language.
Keep it Honest: No topics are off-limits in prayer. And you don’t have to pretend before God - he knows your innermost thoughts anyway. Whether you feel full of joy, or tired, worried, and angry, you can bring those emotions to him. All of our feelings, even the negative ones, can be a prompt to prayer. Express to God what’s on your heart, and then in conversation, explore why you feel that way, and what God might have to say about it.
Keep it Going: Seek to build a lifestyle of prayer. You can pray any time you want, but many people find it helpful to build a regular routine of prayer. Perhaps first thing in the morning or last thing at night, or even at lunchtime, as a way of recentring yourself midday.
Not every time of prayer will be amazing, but it’s like eating. Not every meal you’ve ever eaten will be memorable. There maybe a handful that really stand out to you. But even the unmemorable meals have nourished you. Just as the repeated act of eating sustains us day by day, the same is true with prayer.
Pray with others
Learning to pray by yourself is a really helpful practice, and many Christians try to pray each day alongside reading the Bible. But there’s also so much to be gained by praying with and for other people.
We have regular prayer meetings at our church where you can join with others in learning to pray. And our Community Groups are also brilliant places to explore prayer. Check out our available groups, and find one near you.
Recommended Resources
There are many great resources to help you learn to pray. Here are a couple of suggested places to start.
How to Pray: A simple guide for normal people, by Pete Greig
This is a brilliant, accessible introduction to prayer. It addresses many questions about prayer, and offers a variety of ways you can try praying for yourself.
Lectio 365: A free app to help you pray the Bible daily.
This is a useful app with daily guided prayers, that help you to pause, reflect on a passage from the Bible, and listen to God to hear what he wants to say to you.
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