How should I pray?

People often wonder how they should pray… Should I close my eyes? Am I supposed to fold my hands? What about getting down on one knee, or should I stand on one foot? Are there certain words I should say to guarantee God will hear my prayers?

All these are excellent questions to ask.

But can I share something with you?

I don’t believe there’s a magic formula to prayer. I believe God hears our prayers whether we’re driving in a car, on our knees, walking along, or sitting in a church pew.

Jesus modeled prayer

Did you know that Jesus gave us a model prayer as an example?

In Matthew, Chapter Six, Jesus teaches the disciples about prayer. This prayer has become known as the Lord’s prayer because Jesus gave it to the disciples as a model to keep in mind as they pray. Today, we can follow the same model.

It’s very easy to get caught up in the “I want, I want, I need” type of prayers. Sometimes we get so busy with the “I want” and “I need” that we forget to thank God for what we have already received. Too often, we forget to praise Him and His majesty. We forget to ask for forgiveness.

Jesus gives us a model that can be duplicated many times over. We can praise God and thank Him for his provisions. Another way is to honor his name. We can also ask for His will to be done in our life. Something I do daily is to ask him for help with my daily struggles. The list goes on and on.

The key is consistency

A consistent prayer life can lead to a beautiful relationship with the creator, our Heavenly Father. It’s not wrong to come to God with the same concerns every time. Where we go astray is when we speak empty words to hear ourselves speak.

Instructions from Jesus

Jesus says in Matthew, Chapter 6, verse 9 and following, “This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Last thoughts on prayer

The Lord’s prayer is a great place to start if you do not know what else to say. However, I would also encourage you to talk to God as you would anyone, like a good friend, family member, or someone else. Too often, we think our prayers have to contain fancy, big words.

God wants to hear from you. He longs to hear your concerns, your fears, your excitement, and your praise.

The process

Many people get hung up on the wording. Here’s my advice – start speaking to the Lord. Too often, we get hung up on the location – start talking to God. And don’t waste time getting hung up on the process; start talking to God. You will notice that your prayer life improves, and your time spent with the Lord will be more meaningful.

I pray your time with the Lord changes your life.

Blessings,