Q&A: How to Pray

Question: I’ve never thought I was very good at praying and was wondering is there a good example I can read and become better?

Jesus was asked by His disciples to teach them how to pray. As devout Jews, they recited prayers they had memorized since childhood. But they heard Jesus praying to God in a unique personal way and wanted to follow suit. This prayer is referred to as The Lord’s Prayer as Jesus created it for His disciples and us. It is actually more of a model prayer that allows a person to expand on the sentiments expressed. You can find the prayer in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 6:9-13).

Before you start praying, understand that God is your loving heavenly Father who wants you to turn to Him in both good and bad times. So, you are actually having a conversation of sorts in which you are talking to Him in faith that He hears you and will respond. Jesus made it clear that a followers belief was crucial in order for God to acknowledge a prayer, and faith in Him allowed the Holy Spirt to effect changes in a believers life.

A prayer should begin by addressing God as your heavenly Father. You should first thank Him for the many good things that have happened to bring you to the point where you currently are in life. Then, tell Him what is on your mind, not only your worries but the good things you have planned for the future. Remember that a dream without a plan is only a hallucination. Therefore, you should make future plans then trust in God to work out the details. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says that while God already knows your needs and dreams, He still wants you to take time every day to talk with Him as your Creator Father. When your prayer is finished, thank God for hearing you and thank Him in advance for the coming changes He will bring about. But always remember, God brings about change in His own way and in His own time. God must sometimes move a lot of pieces on the chess board of life to make room for your movements forward. And remember, God knows you are ultimately destine for great adventures in eternity. Therefore, He may not always give you what you want, but He will always give you what you need.