Back to BasicsSample

‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’

(Philippians 4:6-7, New International Version)

What is prayer?

Prayer, simply put, is talking to God.

Sharing your thoughts and feelings with God means that you remain connected to Him, just as you would in talking to and sharing your life experiences with a friend or family member.

God is interested in the details of our lives, not just the big events, so talking to Him about anything and everything is beneficial because He cares about everything.

You do not need to adopt a specific position in prayer. You can sit, stand, kneel, spread your hands out or hold them by your side – our posture doesn’t change the efficacy of our prayer. It is our hearts that God is interested in.

You do not need to go on and on in order for your prayers to be heard by God. In fact, He discourages this:

Pray with Simplicity

“And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for fifteen minutes of fame! Do you think God sits in a box seat?

“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.

“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.

(Matthew 6:5-9, The Message Version)

Some of the most effective prayers I have ever prayed have been short, sharp sentences that have communicated – very simply – how I am feeling and what I am going through.

So, to recap:

• Prayer is simply talking to God.
• God is interested in our lives, even the small details
• Prayer positioning can be whatever feels comfortable for you.
• Prayer can be long, short, or somewhere in between. What matters is your heart.

I hope these simple pointers have whet your appetite for praying; now, let’s get into how we can pray in more detail...