How to pray?

[jr001]

Hi

I know this may be a silly quetion but how do I pray? I have never prayed before and I don't how how to begin. I know that sounds silly, but I have no idea what to say or anything.

 

[motherprayer]

Hi, and God bless you!

Prayer is personal, you can do it however you feel is right. I can tell you how I pray, though it might not be best for you
First, I probably utter a gazillion prayers every day. I'm always like "Thank you God for doing this or that." Or "God please get me through this." Or "God help me do this right."

But during my quiet time with God: I always start by asking God's forgiveness for my sins. Then I just, ah, let my mind flow. I tell him how I am feeling, and what I am struggling with. I ask Him for peace, and help, and wisdom.

I am going to warn you, tho, you're gonna get like a million answers to this question

 

[LilLamb219]

Have you heard of the Lord's Prayer? It comes from Jesus who taught the disciples how to pray. It is such a perfect prayer because while saying it you can reflect on what the words mean to you and how God is present in your life.

 

[timf]

how do I pray?

Luke 11:1-4 And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

Praying is more than just submitting to God a "to do" list.

Praying is better thought of as talking. We can ask God things and we can tell Him things. Christians generally start with pretty worldly lives. We slowly come to surrender more and more of ourselves to God, our conversation with Him becomes more like a family member than a distant stranger.

Our Christian life is supposed to be about us becoming more like Jesus. Our prayers should reflect that this is our desire and our trust that God will help us.

 

[jr001]

Of course, I forgot about the Lord's Prayer! Will start with that I think, considering Jesus tells us to do just that!
Thank you for all your replies, I have had "chats" with God but never thought of it as a form of praying before.

 

[LilLamb219]

Of course, I forgot about the Lord's Prayer! Will start with that I think, considering Jesus tells us to do just that!
Thank you for all your replies, I have had "chats" with God but never thought of it as a form of praying before.

Pray without ceasing = chats with God

Not that any of us can really pray without ceasing...but in our daily doings we can talk to God about anything that all!

 

[St_Worm2]

Hi

I know this may be a silly question but how do I pray? I have never prayed before and I don't know how to begin. I know that sounds silly, but I have no idea what to say or anything.

Hi jr001, one thing that might be helpful is knowing a "pattern" to follow when you pray. The one I usually use in my quiet time is the acrostic known as "ACTS". It stands for:

A - Adoration (praising God for who He is, adoring Him)
C - Confession (confessing your sins)
T - Thanksgiving (giving thanks to God for anything/everything)
S - Supplication (prayer for others needs/your needs)
​

Here's a link if you'd like a little more detail: ACTS

The other thing you'll want to do is respond back to the Lord in prayer as He teaches you from His Word (as you study it). Thanking Him, asking Him questions about the verse or passage you're on, praying that He would help you fulfill what He is calling you to do, etc.

Hope that helps!

Yours and His,
David

 

[jr001]

Hi jr001, one thing that might be helpful is knowing a "pattern" to follow when you pray. The one I usually use in my quiet time is the acrostic known as "ACTS". It stands for:

A - Adoration (praising God for who He is, adoring Him)
C - Confession (confessing your sins)
T - Thanksgiving (giving thanks to God for anything/everything)
S - Supplication (prayer for others needs/your needs)
​

That sounds pretty much what I have been doing. I have just basically saying thank you for finding me, repenting my sins and asking for help to be a better person, and then thanking Him for certain things.

 

[insurchoftruth]

The greatest pleasure for the Greatest, is to be recognized as the Greatest, by the worship of his creation, the lesser. We worship God for who he is as a person, his character, nature and attributes. We praise God, for the great things he does.

It is called a sacrifice of praise, because you leave your things, and go and do God's things, worshipping him. God does not exist for us, but we exist for him.




Song of Songs, Psalm 119:164, 2 Timothy 2:20,21, Psalm 27:6, Psalm 29:1, 2, Isaiah 6:1-4, 42:8,10,12, 43:6,7,21, 66:23, 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, 10:31, 1 Chronicles 23:5,30, Acts 12:23, Romans 1:21, 12:1, Hebrews 1:6, Revelation 1:6, 4:8-11, 5:10-14, 7:11,12, 19:1-10,16, 20:6, 22:8,9, Exodus 34:8, 14:16,17, Hebrews 2:10, 13:15,21, 2 Kings 17:36, Psalm 150:2, I Chronicles 23:5, 30, II Chronicles 5:12-14, 29:25-30, Psalm 19:1, Psalm 22:27,28,29 Ephesians 1:12, Psalm 29:2, Psalm 148, John 4:23, 24, Psalm 92:1, Psalm 95, Psalm 96

 

[Forge3]

In your own words and without a script.

 

[EagleHawk]

Hi

I know this may be a silly quetion but how do I pray? I have never prayed before and I don't how how to begin. I know that sounds silly, but I have no idea what to say or anything.

Hi jr, I too am new to all of this, and didn't know how to pray either, so thanks for asking this question, as these responses have helped me greatly. Best of luck in your journey of discovering God.

 

[jr001]

Hi jr, I too am new to all of this, and didn't know how to pray either, so thanks for asking this question, as these responses have helped me greatly. Best of luck in your journey of discovering God.

Hi EagleHawk, I'm glad this question has helped you too! It's a lovely feeling when you finally accept Jesus into your life, we are very blessed to be starting the journey!
(I see you live in Cornwall, I used to live down that way too (well in Ilfracombe so please don't hate me lol), but live in Kent now. I miss the South West coast so much, it's so beautiful)!

 

[EagleHawk]

Hi EagleHawk, I'm glad this question has helped you too! It's a lovely feeling when you finally accept Jesus into your life, we are very blessed to be starting the journey!
(I see you live in Cornwall, I used to live down that way too (well in Ilfracombe so please don't hate me lol), but live in Kent now. I miss the South West coast so much, it's so beautiful)!

Wow, it is a small world, eh? And you're right we are very blessed! I wish you the best of luck in your journey my friend.

 

[TheGuide]

Hi

I know this may be a silly quetion but how do I pray? I have never prayed before and I don't how how to begin. I know that sounds silly, but I have no idea what to say or anything.

It's not a silly question at all. Your prayer can be four words or a conversation with the Lord. To help you formulate prayers you can read the Book of Pslams. Those are all prayers that you can mix/paraphrase for your own use. For example:

23rd Pslams "The Lord is my sheppard I shall not want..."

For myself I would say "Lord, you are my guide and my rock and I praise and thank you for loving me."

Read Pslams often so your subcontinous can help you bring needed prayers forward.

God bless you.

 

[Isatis]

Hi

I know this may be a silly quetion but how do I pray? I have never prayed before and I don't how how to begin. I know that sounds silly, but I have no idea what to say or anything.

Here is a good course for you 9. Worship - Communing with God. JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey, new believer discipleship and spiritual formation

and if you want the whole "discipleship training for new christians", go here JesusWalk® Beginning the Journey - new Christian discipleship training and spiritual formation curriculum for new believers and converts

There are 12 lessons you can complete at your own pace. When you register, you can join his forum (optional) where you can meet other Bible students.

Let me know how you like it and if there is anything else we can do for you.

God bless you!

 

[follower08]

Hi,

I'm fairly new to Christianity, but I've found praying the psalms connects me to God well. I also have a journal, and I consider all that I write in it prayer. I spill out all my beans on paper and I know God reads all that I write--all my troubles, good times, and everything in between. Hope this helps

 

[jr001]

Hi,

I'm fairly new to Christianity, but I've found praying the psalms connects me to God well. I also have a journal, and I consider all that I write in it prayer. I spill out all my beans on paper and I know God reads all that I write--all my troubles, good times, and everything in between. Hope this helps

These are really good ideas. In fact I think I might have to viit the Psalms and see if I find anything inspiring to help me pray. Thanks

 

[Cjwinnit]

Of course, I forgot about the Lord's Prayer! Will start with that I think, considering Jesus tells us to do just that!

Interestingly, Jesus gives us His Prayer (His = The Lord ) as the answer to "how to pray"!
From Matthew, Chapter 6,

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven....

 

[Tremic]

St Worm2, many thanks for the link. Like the originator of this thread, I also have been looking for the "right way" to pray to our Heavenly Father. A.C.T.S. is going to be a great help to me. Many thanks again and God bless you.
Tremic

 

[rayhodge02]

I personally Pray as if the Lord is sitting next to me Giving thanks, asking for guidance for the day. If I'm upset asking the Holy Spirit To help calm my spirit ....Hope that helps