How to pray

“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.”

Letter of St Peter 5:7

Many people would like to pray, but are unsure where to begin. Perhaps you are exploring Christianity for the first time. Perhaps you have not prayed since childhood. Or perhaps you are facing a challenge in life and simply do not know what to say. If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.

The good news is that prayer is much simpler than many people imagine. At its heart, prayer is about a relationship with God. Just as we grow closer to people by spending time with them and talking to them, Christians believe we grow closer to God through prayer. There is no special qualification required. No exam to pass. No perfect words to learn.

You can pray exactly as you are.

What Is Prayer?

Prayer can take many forms. Sometimes it is speaking to God from the heart. Sometimes it is sitting quietly and listening. Sometimes it is thanking God for the good things in life. Sometimes it is asking for help, strength or guidance. Prayer can be joyful, hopeful, confused, grateful or even angry. Christians believe that God hears us in all of these moments.

You do not need to dress a certain way, kneel in a particular place, or use formal language. God cares far more about what is in your heart than about finding the perfect words.

What Should I Say?

One of the most common questions people ask is:

“What am I supposed to say?”

The answer is: whatever is honestly on your mind. You might want to thank God for something good that has happened. You might want to ask for help with a worrying situation. You might want to pray for someone who is ill or struggling. You might simply want to say: “God, if you are there, please help me.”

That is a prayer. Many Christians begin with a simple pattern:

Thank you
What am I grateful for today?

Sorry
What have I done wrong, or what would I like God’s help to put right?

Please
What do I need help with today?

But there is no right or wrong place to start.

What If I Don’t Believe Yet?

Many people feel they cannot pray because they are not sure whether they believe in God. In reality, prayer is often where faith begins. Some of the most honest prayers ever spoken have started with uncertainty.

If you are curious about God but unsure what you think, you might simply try saying: “God, if you are there, help me to know you.”

Christians believe that God is always ready to listen.

Do I Need to Pray in Church?

Not at all. You can pray anywhere. At home. In the car. Walking the dog. Sitting in a hospital waiting room. Watching the waves. Walking through the countryside around Cosheston. There is nowhere that God cannot hear you.

Some people find it helpful to set aside a few minutes each day. Others pray throughout the day whenever something comes to mind. What matters is not where you pray, but that you take time to open your heart to God.

What If My Mind Wanders?

That happens to everyone. Even people who have prayed for many years find their minds drifting from time to time. Prayer is not about achieving perfect concentration. It is about gently returning your attention to God whenever you notice you have been distracted. Like any relationship, prayer grows through practice.

Sometimes we struggle to find our own words. At moments like these, many Christians find comfort in prayers that have been used by the Church for generations. The most famous example is the prayer Jesus taught his followers: