Prayer Basics: Where Do I Start?

Prayer is a wonderful gift from God. Prayer brings us into direct communication with our heavenly Father. The Bible tells us that God hears our prayers: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Through God’s Son, Jesus Christ, we may “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). We can’t earn God’s love by praying, but he blesses us as we seek him and walk with him, growing and maturing in his wonderful gift of prayer.

The seven articles below will help you understand prayer better and offer encouragement in your fundamental prayer practices.

What is Prayer? by Emily Vanden Heuvel -- Prayer is when we share our hearts with God. We share our worries, hopes, fears, thanks, and our sins. We can tell God anything, no matter how big or small. Let’s explore this question together: What is prayer?

Is There a Right Way to Pray? by Rachel Syens -- There’s no right way to pray. Prayers can be long or short, formal or informal, joyful or angry. God promises to always listen to us and our prayers.

Praying the Lord’s Prayer, by Emily Vanden Heuvel -- When we use the Lord’s Prayer as a guide, Jesus’ words provide helpful direction, especially when our minds may be full of distractions and worry.

Praying Through Scripture, by Emily Vanden Heuvel -- The Scriptures assure us of God’s faithfulness. Praying through Scripture gives us words to pray when situations and people weigh heavily on our hearts.

How to Quiet Your Mind and Heart for Prayer, by Emily Vanden Heuvel -- Sometimes, we may find it difficult to focus when we pray. Here, we learn a strategy to help us in the presence of God: P.R.A.Y. (Pause, Rejoice, Ask, Yield).

How Do I Pray When I’m Angry? by Rachel Syens -- Prayer time is a safe space to vent, to be emotional, to come to God in anger, joy, sadness, and every emotion in between. Our compassionate God can handle our emotions and always gives us comfort.

Public Prayer: How to Pray Out Loud, by Emily Vanden Heuvel -- Have you ever been asked to pray at a family gathering, Bible study, church meeting, or other group setting? Here are some tips to help you pray out loud with others.

Did you find this article helpful? We’ve put together a short ebook called “How Do I Pray?”, which introduces six ways to reinvigorate your prayer life. Download it free right here.