Basics of Faith: How Do I Pray to God?

Have you ever felt like no one truly understood you? Like your family and friends just didn’t have the full picture of who you are or what you’re going through? Every person longs to be known. The good news is that no one knows us better than the One who made us and loves us unconditionally—God. And that’s why connecting with Him through prayer is one of the most important things we can do.

Let’s be honest. Prayer can feel pretty strange at first. Most of us already have some idea of how it’s supposed to work:

• You might stand, sit, or kneel.

• You might fold your hands or hold them out, palms up.

• You almost always close your eyes.

And then—you just talk. To God. Even though you can’t see or hear Him.

It can feel awkward, especially when you don’t have much practice. It’s even more intimidating when you’re asked to pray in front of others. I’ve been a Christian for years, and I still get a little nervous in those moments. So why is prayer such a big deal? And is it really more than a one-sided conversation?

Prayer is how we connect with God, the King and Creator of all things.

• It gives us instant, unlimited access to the One who knows and loves us.

• God wants to hear from us in every circumstance.

When we’re happy, He wants to celebrate with us. When we’re sad, He wants to comfort us. When we’re angry, confused, or in need—He’s always ready to listen.

During His time on earth, Jesus explained many things to His followers, but few were as simple and direct as prayer.

In Matthew 6, during the Sermon on the Mount, He gave this model of prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. -Matthew 6:9-13 NIV

This prayer teaches us to:

• Praise the Father.

• Look forward to His kingdom and justice on earth.

• Ask for daily needs.

• Seek forgiveness and extend it to others.

• Ask for protection from temptation and evil.

For thousands of years, Christians have been shaped by this prayer. And Jesus didn’t just teach it—He practiced it.

• He often withdrew to quiet places to pray.

• Before facing the cross, He spent His final hours in deep prayer with the Father.

Through His example, we see that prayer brings strength and comfort.

Read this Lord's Prayer guide.

You might wonder:

• “What if I don’t feel anything when I pray?”

• “Is there only one right way to do it?”

• “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers the way I hope?”

The truth is, there are many ways to pray, and God welcomes them all. The prayer Jesus taught is a great starting place, but here are three other approaches you can try.

1. Centering Prayer

• A simple way to rest in God’s presence.

• Instead of asking for things, focus your thoughts on Him.

• Spend 5–10 minutes in quiet, trusting that He knows your needs even without words.

2. Scheduled Prayer

• In the Bible, Daniel prayed three times a day.

• Acts tells us Peter and John went to the temple at the time of prayer.

• Setting aside consistent times each day keeps God at the center of your life.

3. Scripture Prayer

• When prayer don’t come easily, borrow them from the Bible.

• The Psalms are full of prayers for every season of life.

• Throughout Scripture, you’ll find heartfelt prayers from men and women of faith to guide your own.

The God who made you knows you fully and loves you completely. And the best part? You can connect with Him anytime, anywhere.

After you pray, pay attention to how God might respond—through the Bible, through a wise friend, or even through a quiet stirring in your heart. There’s no limit to the ways He can speak when we make prayer a priority.

Next, we’ll be looking at worship.