How to Start Praying
Years ago, I was part of a Bible study group that met every second Saturday for fellowship. We’d gather at a local park, where our leader would share a passage of Scripture, and then we’d take turns reflecting — telling our own stories or sharing what the passage stirred in us.
One Saturday, after our leader spoke on the topic of prayer, she asked us to pair up and pray for each other. I was matched with a woman close to my age who had only been attending church for a couple of years. She admitted, a little shyly, that she didn’t really know how to pray for someone else before and wasn’t sure how.
I smiled and told her it was simpler than most people imagine. “Just close your eyes,” I said. “Start with something like, ‘Dear Father…’ and then speak honestly to Him about the need — whether it’s yours or your fellow believer’s. Prayer is really just talking to God from the heart.” She gave it a try, and in that quiet moment under the open sky, I realised how often we make prayer feel harder than it is.
That experience reminded me of something life‑changing: if you’ve given your life to Jesus Christ, you already have direct access to God. You don’t need a ritual, an offering, or some special ‘holy’ action to approach Him. Through Jesus, the way is open — right here, right now. As Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) says:
And maybe that’s the most freeing place to start — knowing you don’t have to get it all right. You just begin. In the rest of this post, we’ll break down exactly how to start praying in a way that feels honest, simple, and possible… even if you’ve never tried before.
Start with Honesty – You don’t have to sound “spiritual” when you pray. Talk to God the way you’d speak to a trusted friend who knows you inside and out. Be honest about what’s really going on — the good, the bad, and the confusing. As Psalm 62:8 reminds us, “Trust in Him at all times… pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.” That’s exactly what prayer is: pouring out your heart, knowing He’s a safe place to bring it all.
Pick a Posture That Feels Natural – There’s no single “correct” way to position yourself in prayer. Scripture gives us many examples: King Solomon knelt before the Lord (1 Kings 8:54), Hannah stood as she poured out her heart (1 Samuel 1:26), and Paul encouraged lifting holy hands (1 Timothy 2:8). Posture isn’t about impressing God — it’s about choosing what helps you focus on Him, whether that’s walking, sitting quietly, lying in bed, or kneeling in stillness.
Begin with a Simple Address – Honestly, you can start your prayer with something as straightforward as “Dear Father’ or “Hey God” is enough. The Prayer that Jesus teaches the Disciples in Matthew chapter 6:9 starts with “Our Father in heaven”.
Say What’s on Your Mind – The great thing about praying is you don’t need to rehearse your words or filter what you’re feeling in the moment. Just talk to the Father about what’s happening in your life — your worries, your joys, your questions. Jesus Himself prayed this way. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked the Father, “If it is possible, may this cup be taken away from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). He was honest about how He felt, even though He knew why He had been sent to earth. Jesus shows us that we can do the same — speak from the heart and trust God with the rest.
Listen as Well as Speak – Prayer isn’t just talking to God — it’s also making space to hear from Him. Think about a conversation with a friend: it’s not one-way, you both speak and listen. It’s the same with God. That means pausing at times in your prayer to give Him room to respond. And don’t panic if you think, “What if I can’t hear what He’s saying?!” The Lord communicates with each of us in different ways, but He meant it when He said, “Call to me and I will answer you…” (Jeremiah 33:3). Sometimes, after you pause, a Scripture might come to mind, or you might suddenly think of a person you need to pray for or reach out to. Those gentle nudges can be ways God is speaking.
- Keep It Simple and Consistent – Prayer doesn’t have to be long to be meaningful. It also doesn’t need to be complicated or filled with impressive words. The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9–13 is a perfect example of getting straight to the heart of the matter. A short, sincere prayer offered daily can be far more life-giving than a long one you only pray occasionally. If there’s one thing I wish I had focused on more when I was younger in my faith, it’s consistency — making prayer a daily habit, without worrying about how long it is.
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✨ PAUSE & REFLECT
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Take a few quiet minutes with these questions.
You might jot your answers in a journal, talk them through
with a friend, or simply sit with them in prayer.
1. Start with Honesty – What’s one thing I’ve been holding back from saying to God because I thought it wasn’t “spiritual” enough?
2. Pick a Posture That Feels Natural – Which posture helps me focus most when I pray, and why?
3. Begin with a Simple Address – How would I naturally start a conversation with God today?
4. Say What’s on Your Mind – If Jesus could bring His deepest fears and desires to the Father, what’s stopping me from doing the same?
5. Listen as Well as Speak – When I slow down and listen, what do I sense God might be saying to me?
6. Keep It Simple and Consistent – What’s one small way I can make prayer a regular part of my life this week?
Father,
Thank You that I can come to You just as I am.
Teach me to speak honestly, to listen for Your voice, and to trust that You hear me.
Help me bring every part of my life — the ordinary and the overwhelming — into Your presence.
Thank You for Your mercy, Your grace, and Your nearness.
Amen.
Next up: When you feel hopeless and lost, sometimes you just need to see a few examples of what to say to our Father in Heaven. Look no further than the Book of Psalms in How to Use Scripture in Prayer.
✨ Prayer Resources✨
If you’re coming back to the Lord or you’re new to the faith and are looking for help to get your prayer life on track, feel free to check out the ‘Prayer Journaling Kit: Repentance, Renewal & Obedience at our shop.
A complete bundle of faith-filled printables — devotionals, prayer trackers, and reflection guides to deepen your walk with God.
All six devotionals and trackers in one bundle — or you can buy them individually.
Need Help Starting? Here’s a Prayer Zine You Can Hold
How to Use This Zine
- Keep it in your journal or Bible
- Gift it to someone who’s returning to the faith
- Use it as a starting point in prayer journaling
Discover more from Wayfinding in the Dusty Bible
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