Prayer is not a performance. It is not about eloquence. It is about relationship, alignment, surrender, and authority. It's focused time on trying to find the right posture to speak with God about life's events and occurences.
Prayer seems mystical in many ways, but it really isn't. Insteady of getting into all the different types of prayers, purposes, etc. I thought we might keep today's post mostly surface level. In fact, let's just start with understanding what prayer actually is.
Understand What Prayer Actually Is
Prayer is not primarily asking. Prayer is communion.
From the beginning, God created prayer as a means of fellowship. In Genesis, God walked with Adam in the garden. There was no ritual, only relationship. Prayer is the restoration of that access through Christ.
Prayer is communication, which requires both the aspects of talking and listening.
When you pray, you are not approaching a distant official. You are approaching your Father.
Jesus taught us this, by way of teaching his disciples in Matthew 6:9... “Our Father in heaven…”
Prayer begins with identity. You are speaking to your Father.
Not a force. Not an idea. A Father, the one who gave your life.
Jesus Directly Taught Us How to Pray (The Model Prayer)
Jesus, in His teaching, did not say “pray these exact words every time.” He said, “pray in this manner.” It is a structure and pattern. The prayer He prayed, now coined The Lord's Prayerm can be found in Matthew 6:9–13
Step 1: Begin with Worship and Honor
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”
Begin by acknowledging who God is. Not because He needs affirmation, but because it aligns your heart and mind.
Here's an example:
Kind and loving Father, You are holy. You are righteous. You are above all things. You created all things. You are faithful and unchanging. Praising Him opens spiritul access and aligns your spirit with basic truths. Spiritual alignment is important, since it is His will you are seeking regardless of your prayer.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.” - Psalm 100:4
Step 2: Submit Yourself to His Will
“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Prayer is not primarily about convincing God to do your will, as I just mentioned.
It is moreso about aligning yourself with His. Jesus Himself prayed this way in the garden: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” - Luke 22:42
As an example today:
All knowing Father, I submit myself to Your will today. Lead my steps. Align my heart with Yours. Let Your purposes be fulfilled in my life.
This posture unlocks obedience and spiritual clarity.
Step 3: Bring Your Needs Honestly
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
God invites you to bring your needs. He cares deeply about them. He knows that you have needs, before you ever ask. But the things that you bring to Him emphasize the things that are important to your heart and mind. Philippians 4:6 tells us to “Present your requests to God.”
Another modern example:
Father, I ask for strength today. Guide my mind. Provide wisdom. Provide what I need physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I ask for your provision only for today, for I know that you are also in my tomorrow.
Dependence on God builds trust.
Step 4: Confess and Clear Your Heart
“Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Sin disrupts intimacy, not the relationship per se, but the closeness.
Confession restores clarity and prevents our attempts at withdrawing or hiding from an all knowing, all seeing God. 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…”
This also attests to the state of our heart. We admit imperfections and shortcomings. We don't wish to take advantage of His grace, but lean into it when we do knowingly mess up.
Example:
Father, search my heart. Reveal anything in me that is not aligned with You. I confess my pride, my impatience, my doubt. Cleanse me.
This keeps the communication channel open and active. It also removes barriers that may create a divide.
Step 5: Ask for Protection and Spiritual Strength
“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
This is something that most Christians understand very little about, however the truth has been revealed... you are in a real spiritual battle. Right now. Later. Tomorrow. Every day that God gifts you here on earth, there is a literal war waging around you, involving you.
Simply put, prayer strengthens your defenses. It empowers the efforts on your behalf.
An example of this might be:
Father of mercy, guard my mind today. Protect me from deception. Strengthen me against temptation. Keep me grounded in truth.
Jesus told His disciples: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” - Matthew 26:41
Prayer strengthens spiritual awareness.
3. Pray With Honesty, Not Performance
God is not impressed by religious speech. Jesus warned directly against this in Matthew 6:7:
“Do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”
God responds to sincerity and would prefer you to speak plainly. David prayed raw prayers- honest, emotional, and very direct. He poured out his heart in genuine discussion. God desires the same from you, real truth from deep down in your inner being (Psalm 51:6).
4. Pray Continually (Make Prayer a Lifestyle)
Prayer is not confined to a single daily moment. Many of us see prayer as an act- an "act of prayer." But this is only true for the very young and surface level beliver. Prayer is the time you are in communion with your God and Creator. It should be ongoing and continual, rather than appointed times of day. Not that you shouldn't have these appointed times, you should. But you should also resolve to praying at all times, for all things as you mature in the faith.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 tells us to “Pray without ceasing.” This means maintain constant awareness of Him. Talk to Him throughout your day:
- When you wake up
- While driving
- Before decisions
- During difficulty
- In gratitude
This builds constant awareness of Him and a steady fellowship.
5. Pray With Faith, Not Doubt
Faith activates prayer. “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt…” - James 1:6
Faith is not forcing belief. It is trusting His character. It's trusting that He hears you and cares about your petitions. Of course, this doesn't guarantee that answer that you are hoping for, because of our limited ability to see and understand. Again, much of prayer is about alignment.
1 John 5:14: “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” He hears you. Every time. Whether you believe it or not. Whether you accept it or not. Whether you understand it or not. He hears you.
6. The Holy Spirit Helps You Pray
This one is so comforting to me, personally. When you pray, you are not praying alone.
Romans 8:26 tells us that “The Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit Himself intercedes for us.”
Sometimes you may not know what to say. Sometimes all you can do is cry. And that's ok too, tears are fluent in heaven. In these moments, when we wail, cry, and moan... the Holy Spirit knows our heart and conveys these messages on our behalf, to a God who already sees our situation.
Just speak honestly in these moments. The Holy Spirit will help carry your prayer before the throne room of God.
7. A Simple, Powerful Example Prayer
You do not need perfect words. But here is an example prayer using this structure:
My most loving, kind, and gracious Father, I come before You with humility and gratitude. You are holy, righteous, and above all things. Align my heart with Your will. Guide my steps today. Let my thoughts, words, and actions honor You. Strengthen me where I am weak. Provide wisdom, clarity, and peace. Forgive my sins and cleanse my heart. Remove anything in me that does not belong. Bring to light the things that I need to realize, understand, and improve. Protect my mind from deception. Strengthen me against temptation. I trust You fully. I surrender myself to You. I will give you praise, honor, and thanks in all things and in all situations of my life. For you alone are worthy. Amen.
8. The Most Important Truth: Prayer Is Relationship, Not Ritual
God does not measure prayer by length. He measures it by sincerity, humility, and faith. The most powerful prayers in Scripture were often very short. Peter sinking in the water prayed:
“Lord, save me.” (Matthew 14:30) And Jesus immediately responded.
9. If You Truly Want to Go Deeper, Do These Four Things Daily
Set aside intentional time each day, even if only 15 minutes.
Begin with worship and gratitude.
Speak honestly, not formally.
Listen in stillness after you pray.
Prayer is not only speaking. It is also listening. “Be still, and know that I am God.” - Psalm 46:10
Stillness allows sensitivity to His voice and leading.
Prayer is something that just takes practice. The more you do, the more comfortable you feel and the more competent that you become. Speak each time, knowing that the God of the universe is listening to your words. Don't be selfish, rude, or obnoxious. God isn't forced to hear you out, He chooses to out of His unsurpassble love for human creation.
Consider keeping a journal, where you can record your requests. When a prayer is answered or you are redirected, keep a log of these things. This also will provide insight to the works of the almighty in your life.
One last suggestion... seriously consider going through the exercise of sanctification. Clear the slate, so that you can santify as you pray. Clean out your spiritual closet, putting it all on the line.
This process isn't quick or easy, but it isn't meant to be. All things worth having require some level of effort and sacrifice. Remember, you're speaking directly to someone who knows sacrifice. And who has the most understanding and forgiving heart that you could ever possibly imagine.
May God turn His face toward you during your prayer journey and may you experience His intimate presence during your time spent in communion with Him.
~ Devin
Devin Osborne
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