Tips for Learning How to Pray
When I started to walk with God I was overwhelmed with doing it the right way, what I should say, and saying it the way I’d heard seasoned prayer warriors pray. I felt that if I prayed like them, God would hear my prayers too. If that’s you, then you’re in the right place to learn how to pray, and it’s time to change that way of thinking.
This post is all about Tips for learning how to pray
Listening to Prayer
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 NKJV
Listening to Atomic Power of Prayers by Cindy Trimm (YouTube)
Just as we listen to music whether consciously or not; if you listen to it long enough you will subconsciously learn the lyrics to sing along.
The Lord spoke to me, “It’s the same thing as Learning How to Pray”
Most times when we are in the beginning phase of learning how to pray, we get stuck at Well, what do I say? Where do I even start?
We all know those Holy Ghost-filled sanctified people whose prayers are on a different level. They’re loud and bold, speaking in tongues, and have memorized every scripture in the bible and after they’re done; you think, I know God heard their prayer.
If I don’t pray like so and so my prayers won’t get answered. WRONG!
Prayer looks different for everyone.
Let’s see what the Bible has to say about all of this.
The Model Prayer Matthew 6:5-7
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you [c]openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
Don’t get this confused with praying for The Body of Christ as preachers, teachers, and evangelists do.
But you don’t have to put on a show to be heard. The Lord knows your heart. He knows if your prayers are genuine or if they’re boastful and putting on a show.
This doesn’t mean that because you’re bold and loud when you pray the Lord won’t hear you, being your authentic selves. If you’re on the quiet and reserved side, that’s okay. There’s no hierarchy or favorites to prayer. God isn’t going to say you didn’t do it right, or you didn’t pray hard enough. Access denied. No! We serve a loving, gracious God who just wants to hear from us, and we call upon him because we didn’t always have this type of access to Him.
For beginners, learning to pray may seem a little daunting, so Keep it Simple.
Tips for Learning How to Pray:
It wouldn’t be right if we didn’t mention the ultimate teacher teaching us how to pray. In Matthew 6:9 the disciples want to learn how to pray. They saw the way Jesus was casting out demons and they essentially wanted in on the action. Jesus being who HE IS didn’t gatekeep!
The Lord’s 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 forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
You may also enjoy: 5 ways to fill your Home with Peace and The Presence of the Lord
Pray the scriptures
God loves nothing more than us reminding him of his word (Isaiah 43:26).
Doing a Google search will help you quickly find the scripture. Example “What does the bible say about…, Scripture about..
I also recommend The YouVersion Bible app, (download the app here Bible.com )
When you come across a scripture that you don’t quite understand, try looking it up in a different translation of the bible.
Sidenote: Find a version | translation of the Bible that works for you. What good will it do to have a weapon (the Word) that you don’t understand or how it works? God wants you in His word to spend time with him.
Create a list of scriptures that you can use in your prayers.
P. R. A. Y.
Pause and Praise Him: Take a deep breath. Focus. Being intentional and
Inviting the presence of the Holy Spirit. Thank Him. Tell him that you love him and how much you need him.
Scriptures: Revelations 22:13, Psalms 54:4, Psalms 62:7-8
Repent and Reflect: Ask for Forgiveness. Remind Him of all the great things He’s done in your life and that you’re nothing apart from Him.
Ask: Remind him of his word (the scriptures life you created)
Lord your word says (insert scripture) and from my understanding ___ and I believe you will do the same for me. Here you can also pray for others.
Yield: Listen for Him to speak to you and your situation.
And you keep going. Pause. It’s okay to write your prayer and read it as you’re praying. This is my next point in Learning How to Pray.
Prayer Journaling
As previously mentioned, prayer can look different from person to person. Prayer journaling is a great place to start when Learning how to pray. It takes the pressure out of not knowing what to say. With prayer journaling, you’re able to be outright vulnerable and express how you feel to God. Talk to Him as a friend because that’s what He calls you and me.
I highly recommend starting here.
There are tons of prayer journals out there. There are even prayer journals for the entire year. I’ve been enjoying the 100 Days of Believing Bigger. It’s more of a devotional-style journal as well as prayers. But there are so many to choose from.
If you enjoyed the post and found it helpful, comment below. Have something you’d like to add? In this community, we gatekeep nothing : ) PLUS, you never know who could benefit from it. We’d love to hear from you!
