How can I learn how to pray?
Jesus taught His disciples to pray by setting the example for them. After watching and listening to Jesus pray, they asked Him to teach them to pray. “Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples’” (Luke 11:1). Jesus then taught them what we now call The Lord’s Prayer, found in Matthew 6:7-13.
One place to start when you want to learn to pray is to study the Lord’s prayer that Jesus shared with His disciples. Memorize each line and ask God to help you understand its meaning. The Lord’s Prayer is not a script we must recite every time we pray, but a pattern for how to pray. We can learn from the organization of the prayer, what comes first and what’s last. We learn from its depth and simplicity.
You can continue to learn to pray by reading other inspired prayers of the Bible. Many prayers are recorded in the book of Psalms, but you will find them sprinkled throughout Bible stories as well. As we read or listen to godly prayers from the Bible, we will learn to speak to God in a natural way that will seem to fit right in with the atmosphere of Heaven. Here are some examples of the prayers you can find in the Bible:
- Aaron’s blessing for Israel – Numbers 6:24-26
- Solomon’s prayer for wisdom – 1 Kings 3:3-9
- Jehoshaphat’s faith when facing overwhelming destruction – 2 Chronicles 20:6-12
- Paul’s prayer for Christians – Ephesians 1:15-23
- Daniel’s prayer for national repentance – Daniel 9:3-19
- Moses’ intercession for Israel’s sin – Exodus 32:9-14
- David’s prayer of personal confession – Psalm 51
- Nehemiah’s prayer of faith in God’s covenant – Nehemiah 1:5-11
As you read the Bible, take note of the many prayers. Some of them are only a verse or two (“‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom,’” Luke 23:42), others may be just a few words (“‘Lord, help me,’” Matthew 15:25). Sometimes the prayer is not repeated word for word, but the ideas are expressed or the situation teaches us when we ought to pray and what we should pray for, “Nevertheless we made our prayers to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night,” Nehemiah 4:9, and “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health,” 3 John 2). Read about these prayers and ask God to impress your mind with the lessons He would have you learn.
It’s not just Bible prayers that teach us how to pray. When we surround ourselves with godly people who obey God’s word, they can show us how to pray. Be a regular participant in the religious events where prayers are spoken aloud, such as the church service and the prayer meeting. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Then practice praying aloud. There is nothing wrong with silent prayer, but when we pray out loud, we have to think carefully about the words we use. Remember that the purpose of prayer is not to have flowery words or impressive language. It is to be honest and to converse with God as a friend. “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” (Matthew 6:7).
God’s invitation to continue in prayer is His promise to help us learn to pray. Just like every child who learns to speak, we will grow as we practice. Take these promises to heart:
- “‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know’” (Jeremiah 33:3).
- “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
- “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
- “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving…” (Colossians 4:2).
- “…pray without ceasing…” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
- “‘Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you’” (Matthew 7:7).
- “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).
- “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…” (Luke 18:1).
- “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore!” (1 Chronicles 16:11).
- “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).