Think about this: It would be pretty hard to describe someone you never actually talk to. That’s why prayer is so important for every follower of Jesus. It’s in talking to and spending time with God that our understanding of who He is grows, as well as our ability to represent Him.
But how should we pray? Jesus lays it out in a famous prayer called the Lord’s Prayer. Only He truly knows what it’s like to pray to the Father in all kinds of situations and emotions and to hear and respond to the prayers of His people.
Is There a Wrong Way to Pray?
Before Jesus teaches us how to pray, let’s review the examples He gave for how not to pray, which will be important to keep in mind as we move forward.
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. … And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:5, 7-8 NIV
Jesus says not to pray like the hypocrites or the pagans. The hypocrites prayed like it was a performance—not to be heard and seen by God, but to be heard and seen by others. The pagans prayed like it was a pass/fail test. They babbled and begged, trying to find the right combination of words to get blessings and avoid bad things.
What’s the Point of Prayer?
God, our Creator, always meets us right where we are. We don’t have to fix ourselves or hide our feelings when we spend time with Him. We can come to Him when we need His peace, His strength, His guidance, and His hope.
We can fall into the trap of praying the wrong way when we forget the point of prayer—to have an honest conversation with God. When we try to impress others with super spiritual language or try to manipulate God with the “right” prayers, we’re not praying. We’re performing.
The Lord’s Prayer Explained
So how do we pray? Let’s learn from Jesus. Here’s how He taught His friends and followers to pray.
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today 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 the evil one.’” Matthew 6:9-13 NIV
Jesus wants us to know that both the purpose and power of prayer are found in our relationship with a good Father who loves us and wants what’s best for us. This is the foundational truth that a good prayer life is built on.
Step 1: Recognize God’s Love and Power
So, how do we pray? Jesus starts the Lord's Prayer with, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name …”
Right from the start, Jesus reminds us that we get to talk to and know God as Father and King. We acknowledge that the King of the Universe, the One with all the power, the One who is so holy that none of us are worthy to be in His presence, wants us to approach Him like He’s our Dad.
God is holy and approachable. He loves us unconditionally, and He invites us to talk to Him relationally.
The relationship we have with God is special. It’s a relationship of both honor and intimacy. God is holy and approachable. He loves us unconditionally, and He invites us to talk to Him relationally. If the holy King of the Universe, who loves us dearly, wants us to call Him Dad, that sets the tone for what we ask for.
Step 2: We Ask To Partner with God
“... your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10 NIV
So, what is the kingdom Jesus is talking about? A kingdom is a place and a people ruled by a king. Heaven is the realm God rules. So, when Jesus talks about “the kingdom” or “kingdom of heaven,” He’s talking about a place and a people where God rules as king.
Okay, but what does it mean to ask for the kingdom to come and for earth to be like heaven?
Jesus is revealing to us that heaven is not some far-off city floating in the clouds that we have to be good enough to enter into. Instead, heaven, the place where God reigns as King, is coming to us.
To say that the kingdom of heaven has come is to declare that the reign of God is beginning to take root now. Jesus is telling us that God is not keeping us at arm's length; instead, God is coming close to us so that we can be close to Him.
The good news of Jesus’ gospel is that the time has finally come for God’s heavenly kingdom to be established here on earth so that anyone who turns from their sin and turns toward Him will be welcomed in.
How to Pray for God's Kingdom
When we pray for God’s kingdom to come and for earth to become more like heaven, we’re asking God to continue His work of restoring broken relationships, bringing hope to the hopeless, establishing peace, and welcoming people into His kingdom.
Of course, we’re not asking God to do it on His own. Every follower of Jesus is a citizen of His kingdom, and we get to partner with Him in His plan.
So when we pray, let’s prioritize asking God how we can support His plan before we ask Him to support our plans.
Step 3: We Bring Our Requests to God
To recap: First, we honor God. Then, we ask for His will to be done. And finally, we bring our requests to Him.
“Give us today 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 the evil one.” Matthew 6:11-13 NIV
Even though His will is perfect, God still wants us to come to Him with what we need.
What Can We Ask God For?
What does Jesus teach us to ask for?
1. We Ask for What We Need
First, we ask God to provide us with what we need—our “daily bread.” We trust Him to provide. Psalm 23 begins with the beautiful declaration, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1 NIV) When God is your Shepherd, He will give you what you need. All you have to do is ask.
2. We Ask for Forgiveness
Second, we ask God for forgiveness. He loves to show mercy, but He will not force forgiveness on us. We have to ask for it. The good news is: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NIV)
We can also ask God to help us forgive others. As surely as we will sin against God, other people will wrong us. And as surely as God will forgive us, we are to forgive others.
3. We Ask for Us to Remain in God's Will
Finally, we ask God to keep us on the right path and protect us from the one who wants to lead us astray. The Book of Psalms shows us how to pray like this. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV)
Ask your good and loving Father to guide you along the path that leads to life. Ask Him to reveal the broken parts of you that your spiritual enemy will try to use against you.
A Short Summary of the Lord’s Prayer
God is a good and loving Father, so tell Him you love Him, ask Him to do His will in your life, and bring your requests to Him—because He wants what’s best for His kids.
A Guide to Praying Like Jesus
Today, we can pray like Jesus taught us. Follow this simple template:
“Father, thank you for _____.”
Thank God for who He is and what He’s done in your life and the world. Get as specific as you can. Then:
“Show me ways to imitate your love, forgiveness, and kindness.”
Try these words or use your own to express your hope to partner with God in making earth more like heaven. Then:
“Please, help me with _____.”
Ask Him for what you need, because He loves you and wants what’s best for you.
Go into your day looking for opportunities to love Him and serve others. Before you go to sleep, pray again. Tell your Heavenly Father about your day, thank Him, and ask Him for what you need.