Getting into the Right Mindset
Choose whether to pray out loud or in your head. There's no right answer; the choice really just depends on what you're comfortable with. You might prefer to pray out loud to help keep you on track as you're talking to God. On the other hand, if you want to pray privately and there are other people around, you might choose to pray in your head. However you choose to pray, know that God can hear you, whether it's out loud, in your head, or when your heart is hurting so much you can't even find words.
Find a quiet spot where you won't be disturbed. You can pray anywhere, and at any time, but if you want to take the time to really express what's on your mind, it's best to pray somewhere quiet, away from any distractions. You can even set aside a certain time of the day that you dedicate to prayer, like first thing in the morning, while you're driving to work, or before you go to bed each night. During those times, turn off the TV or radio and mute your phone so you won't be interrupted. Note: Sometimes, you might choose to pray with other people. That's perfectly fine, as long as they respect the act of prayer and take it seriously. In fact, praying with someone else can strengthen your relationship with that person and with God.
Decide whether to kneel, sit, or stand. For some people, kneeling to pray shows humility before God, and it helps to put them in the right frame of mind before they say a prayer. However, you may prefer to sit, stand, or even lie down when you're praying. Tip: If you want to kneel but it hurts your knees, place a folded blanket or towel on the floor.
Write down your prayer if you have trouble staying focused. By writing down the things you want to pray about, you can help keep your mind from wandering while you talk to God. Or, at the very least, it can help get you back on track when you lose your place. This is especially helpful if you have a lot on your mind. It can also help you narrow down what's really important to you. Consider starting a prayer journal, where you write down your prayers in a notebook each day. When you look back through the journal, you'll be amazed at the way God has worked in your life.
Praising God and Giving Thanks
Address God by name. You might say, "Dear God," "Our Heavenly Father," "Jehovah," or any other name you have for God. You can even pray to Jesus, if you like.
Acknowledge God's greatness. If you have faith in God, you believe he is the creator of the world and all life on earth. Imagine the incredible power God must have to have created all of that! Then, think about that powerful being taking the time to listen to your problems and take an interest in your life. Tip: You could say something like, "God, you are so mighty and strong!" or "Loving Father, you hold the world in your hands."
Thank God for his goodness and mercy. God is merciful, loving, and generous. Take the time to include worship in every prayer. You could thank him for coming into your life, for all of the blessings he's given you, and for answering your prayers. Tip: For instance, you might say, "Thank you for forgiving us, even when we mess up. Thank you for my loving family, and thank you for allowing me to feel your presence in my life!"
Pour out your feelings to God. Remember, God already knows what's on your mind, what has happened in your life, and everything you feel. Prayer isn't about telling God these things, but about building a stronger relationship with God by communicating with him. This is similar to the way telling your parents "I love you" is about reinforcing the bond with them, rather than telling them something they don't know. You might talk to God about something that hurt you, an upcoming event you're feeling nervous about, or a Scripture you're having trouble understanding. Just talk to him about whatever's on your mind!
Making a Request and Closing the Prayer
Ask God to forgive you for your sins. Before you ask God for anything else, you should ask for his forgiveness for your sins. Look into your heart and find the areas where you need to improve, then ask God to forgive you for falling short. Ask God to give you the strength to do better in the future. Sins don't always have to be big things like stealing or lying; sometimes they might include being jealous of a coworker, being unkind to your sibling, or prioritizing material things over your relationship with God. Say something like, "God, I know I said I wouldn't get so mad when a customer says something rude, but I have been struggling with that lately. Please forgive me for not keeping my temper, and help me find the strength to stay calm next time."
Tell God your troubles and ask for his help. No matter what you're going through, you should ask God for help. God wants us to seek him first in every situation. However, keep in mind that God knows what is best, and his answer might not always be what you had in mind. For example, if you're struggling financially, praying "Please let me win the lottery" might not have the results you want. However, if you pray something like, "Please send me an opportunity to use my strengths and provide for my family," you might be surprised what happens. On the other hand, God might have ordained that you don't need a lot of money, so a better prayer might be, "Lord, help me be wise with my finances so I can make do with what I have." You could also pray for your health, your relationships, guidance in a tough situation, or anything else you could possibly need.
Pray for people around you who are struggling. When you see a need in others, ask God for his help. It might be someone close to you, or it could be a group of people on the other side of the world who are suffering. Praying for others is an important way to strengthen your faith. For example, you might say something like, "God, my aunt is really ill, and it's causing her so much pain. Please send her some comfort and peace, and let her feel your presence." You could also say, "Lord, my heart is heavy for the people at war in the Middle East. It seems like such a huge problem that no one can fix it, but nothing is too big for you. Please bring peace to that region and to all of your children."
Ask God to help you understand his answer. God speaks to us in ways that can be hard to spot, especially if you're just beginning to build your spiritual relationship with him. Ask God to help you recognize the signs that he is answering your prayer. When you pray, do so expecting that God will answer your prayer. Just don't try to anticipate what God's answer will be.
Thank God again, then close the prayer. It's important to have a grateful heart while you're praying, so opening and closing the prayer with thanks will help keep you in the right spirit. Thank God for listening, and for the good works you know he still has in store. You can close the prayer however you wish, but most people end a prayer by saying, "Amen."
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