How to Pray: A Beginner’s Guide to Christian Prayer?
Prayer is how we learn to walk with God
The Prayer Habit
Prayer is how we learn to walk with God.
Ready to start a prayer life?
Ready to Go Deeper?
Ready to Guide Others?
Can you be a Christian a never pray?
Can you be an author and never write?
Can you be a musician and never play an instrument?
Can you be an athlete and never exercise?
To be in a relationship, you must talk to each other.
Getting Started in Christian Prayer
Prayer is Practical, not Ritual.
Prayer is for you; and benefits you far more than it benefits God, it is a relationship. It belongs to all of us, not the chosen few or holy ones.
Prayer is for you.
it is practical
it does work
it is a path built for you.
it is always heard by God
Prayer is not a ritual.
is not rule-based.
is not hard.
is not for the elite or holy.
is not being religious.
From the book of common prayer
When you are alone and on your phone
Simple, effective in 10 minutes. That is a great starting point.
Simple for all occasions when finding your own words is hard.
Practical Tips
Building a habit takes a little time, like any good habit.
Try to make prayer the first thing you do. (Ok, after coffee)
Try to do it at the same time.
Keep it simple to start.
It doesn’t have anything to say; just read the reading or a daily reflection book.
Change your computer and phone background to remind you to pray.
Using your phone will make it easier.
If Super busy (mom with a new baby), use a post-it pad over the sink or on a mirror with a short prayer you can read.
Use the same place every day.
You can exercise and pray, a good walk or stretch.
Bookmark your startup prayer page on your browser.
Prayer Resources
A tried and tested daily reflections.
Learning testimony
A great book on what prayer is
A classic book of daily reflections
A recent book of daily Reflections
When you lack the words
Reflexiones diarias probadas y comprobadas
Daily Reflections for kids
I don’t know where to start!
It is OK, here are some simple words to start with.
FOR THIS MORNING: Father, Your kindness is evident this morning. Though many will not see the light of day today, You have graciously given me more time. It is so easy to use this time selfishly, to spend it all on things that are here today and gone tomorrow.
This morning I pray that You would help me renew and refocus my mind on You, Lord. Where I usually have placed You as something to check off of my list of things to do, Lord, I repent and pray that You would help me to center all that I do around You. Help me to give the first of my time to You this morning, that I might enter this new day with a heart that is sensitive to Your leading. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY: Dear God, Your mercies toward me are new daily. Thank You for keeping me safe through the night. Thank You for opening my eyes to see a new morning. The things of yesterday have gone and what lies ahead is unknown. But, Lord, today, I pray that You will grant me peace, boldness, and love. Help me to walk through this day with You as my guide. Teach me to seize this day as though it were my last. Lord, help me build my day around Your presence so that I might live in continual connection with You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
FOR GODS PROTECTION: We live in a world where hurt seems inevitable, whether physical, emotional, mental or even spiritual. I know not everyone has my best interest at heart and that You speak of man’s greatest enemy, constantly seeking to destroy us.
Father, I pray for Your gracious hand of protection in every part of my life when I leave home, in the relationships that I enter, and in my day-to-day life. Would You keep me and those I love safely in Your hand and give me discernment in situations that I should remove myself from and the courage to do so? In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
FORGIVENESS: Lord, I know that it’s not always easy to forget the hurt that others have caused. But You don’t call me to forget. You call me to forgive. At times that’s the hardest thing to do. But holding onto the pain only gives life to a new way of suffering and robs me of my new life in Christ. Please help me to let go of any animosity or bitterness that I carry toward those who hurt me. Help me to forgive them, just as You have forgiven me. Show me the freedom that comes with forgiveness. And bring healing to my hurting heart.
In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
