How to Pray: A 6-Step Guide to Prayer

Person praying

“Prayer.” When you see that word, what thoughts or images come to mind? Does talking to God come easy to you? Or do you struggle to pray?

Knowing what to say to God doesn’t always feel easy, and sometimes, prayer gets weighed down by our misconceptions about what a conversation with God should look like.

“Pray then like this…”

2,000 years ago, Jesus taught His disciples to pray like this:

Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those
who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one.

MATTHEW 6:9-13

This is now a famous example on how to pray. But how do we apply it to our everyday 21st-century lives?

First, we need to understand how not to pray. Before teaching the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus told His disciples, “when you pray, pray to your Father in private…” and, “do not heap up empty phrases…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

If God already knows what we need, then prayer isn’t simply about the words we say. If we’re praying to impress people, or if we’re treating prayer like a box to check, then we’re missing out on the power of prayer.

Prayer is, and always will be, a dynamic conversation with God. When we realize this, the Lord’s Prayer becomes a freeing framework that helps us talk to God every day.

Here’s a 6-step guide to prayer that can help:

  1. Refocus on God.
  2. “Our Father in heaven, holy is Your Name …”

    Inhale deeply and focus on these words: “Our Father in heaven.”

    Slowly exhale as you say: “Holy is Your name.”

    Repeat this several times, and pay attention to any aspects of God’s character that come to mind. Spend this time focusing on how great God is.

  1. Realign your will.
  2. “Your kingdom come …”

    God has always been in the process of carrying out His will on earth. So right now, reflect on this: when you align your will with God’s will, you are actively seeking His Kingdom.

    Quiet any noise around you, and ask God to show you how you can take part in doing His will today.

  1. Release your concerns.
  2. “Give us today the food we need …”

    Imagine holding your hands out in front of you, as if you want God to put something in them. As you give God your concerns, what does He give you in return?

    List your concerns, and say them one at a time. Each time you voice a concern, try asking God to, “give us this day our daily bread.”

    Sit with this exercise for as long as you need.

  1. Repent and respond.
  2. “And forgive us … as we forgive …”

    What are you holding onto that you need to lay down? Is there anything you need to confess right now? Maybe it’s a hurt you can’t let go of, a behavior you’re struggling to change, an addiction you haven’t conquered, or a mistake you keep making.

    God invites you to come as you are, and respond to Him. Tell him whatever is on your mind, then create space to hear from Him.

  1. Request God’s protection.
  2. “… deliver us from evil …”

    We’ve all been rescued from something. What has God rescued you from?

    Thank Him for His faithfulness, and let Him know where you need help. Consider praying on behalf of other people who may also need protection. Remember that even when situations seem hopeless, there is nothing God cannot do.

  1. Rejoice and reflect.
  2. Celebrate what God has done in your life, and look for ways to worship Him throughout your day.

    Then, spend a few minutes reflecting on this time with God. What has He shown you? Consider adding anything that stands out to your YouVersion Prayer List.

Did you enjoy this prayer guide? You can get more prayer content like this by using the Guided Prayer experience inside your YouVersion App.

Try Guided Prayer

When we start to pray like Jesus did, we will start to experience intimacy with God like Jesus did. And when we let prayer shape the way we live, we start to realize that we can approach God at all times with confidence, vulnerability, and trust.

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A Journey Through Luke & Acts

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All the believers were united in heart and mind… The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.

ACTS 4:32-33

How Jesus and the Church tie the whole Bible together.

Even if you’re not familiar with the New Testament, you probably know that Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (the Gospels) tell Jesus’ life story from the perspective of His disciples. The author of Luke also wrote Acts, structuring them as one continuous story. Luke covers Jesus’ life and ministry, then flows directly into the founding of the early Church in Acts.

Today, in a special partnership between YouVersion and BibleProject, we’re announcing A Journey Through Luke & Acts, an all-new video devotional that lets you experience these books together. Throughout the Plan, short narrative videos from BibleProject reveal how Jesus’ life and teachings fulfill Old Testament prophecies about the Savior—and ultimately bring together the overall narrative of the entire Bible.

Even better, A Journey Through Luke & Acts is available in over 20 languages, so you’ll be enjoying it together with other people from all over the world. Start A Journey through Luke & Acts below, and spread the word to all your friends about this exciting new Plan from BibleProject and YouVersion!

Start the Plan

Hope—for now and always

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Have you ever felt beyond disappointed? Lost? Without hope?

Maybe life took an unexpected turn, and suddenly, your whole world turned upside down.

Hold on.

Jesus’ disciples thought God was going to remove the unjust Roman government and place Jesus at the head of a new, righteous system. But God’s plan was beyond anything they could imagine.

Sunday is coming.

Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and…by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.

JOHN 20:31

Let these resources help you meditate on Jesus’ resurrection, and what it means to you today.

Verse of the Day Stories is now in Spanish!

Verse of the Day Stories in Spanish

Now in Spanish!

Verse of the Day

Stories

Verse of the Day Stories is now available in Spanish! Turn your heart and mind toward God and His Word through daily devotionals, prayers, and video content created by inspiring Spanish-speaking leaders.

Experiencing Verse of the Day Stories in Spanish is easy:

  1. Open your App and select the More button.
  2. Scroll down and tap Language.
  3. Under the App Interface section, change the default language from English to Español.

Verse of the Day Stories in Spanish will then appear at the top of your Home Feed, and you can come back each day to discover a new Story.

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