Prayer: How to and Why?
What is prayer?
Prayer does not need to be complicated. Even if you have never prayed before, you can start now! Prayer is simply communicating with God.
Why do people pray?
There are numerous reasons why individuals pray. Here are a few:
- To feel closer to God
- To receive direction
- To feel greater peace
- To feel comfort
- To receive answers to questions
Four steps to help you pray:
1. Start Your Prayer
You can pray anytime and anywhere. But, it could be helpful to find a quiet spot where you can be alone so that you don’t get distracted or feel pressured by those around you. Praying at first may not feel natural, that’s okay. Start by addressing God. This can be done by simply saying, “Dear God” or “God”.
2. Talk to God
A prayer doesn’t need to be memorized or incredibly eloquent. God wants to hear from you. Share with God what is on your mind. What are your hopes, worries, or questions? If you are looking for comfort, peace, or direction, ask God for those things. He wants to help you.
You can also thank God for all of the blessings you have in your life. Expressing appreciation to God can help you become more humble and more receptive to receiving answers from God.
If you are feeling yourself getting distracted, that is okay. God is understanding and He still wants to hear from you. Some things that can help you reduce distractions are: close your eyes, turn off music or television, close your door, and/or speak out loud.
3. End Your Prayer
In the Bible, Jesus Christ taught that those who pray should end their prayer in His name. When you are done talking with God, end your prayer by saying, “In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
4. Trust God
When you are finished praying, trust that God will answer your prayers. Trust God and that He wants to help you. As you go about your life, striving to do good things, God will answer your prayers. Sometimes, an answer won’t come right away and that is not uncommon. Be patient and continue to pray to God. He will answer your prayers.
Verses from the Bible about prayer:
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 7: 7-8
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5: 18
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Matthew 6: 6
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
James 1: 5
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Psalm 55: 17
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5: 16
Authored by Lauren Woodbury
