The Ultimate Christian Prayer Guide for Beginners

The Christian Prayer Guide teaches us how to pray and what to pray for. It also reminds us to keep our hearts in check and to humble ourselves in God’s presence.

As Christians, praying daily and more than once a day is typical. When we have something to be thankful for, we pray. When life isn’t going according to plan, we pray. When we feel lost and hopeless, we get on our knees and beg for God’s insight through prayer. Yet though we know that praying is our way to communicate with God, we aren’t aware that we are already praying incorrectly. 

The Christian prayer guide doesn’t just teach us what to pray for but to pray with humility and faith in God and His will. Let’s delve deeper into the Christian prayer guide for beginners to learn how and what to pray about.

What is a Christian Prayer Guide?

Rather than a step-by-step list, a Christian prayer guide is an example of how to pray properly and sincerely, especially for beginners. The perfect example of a Christian prayer guide is the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9:13). It may look simple, but once you delve further and study each line, you’ll find that it covers everything you need to include when praying.

What is Prayer?

Prayer is a way for us to communicate with God. The act of praying is a form of praise, thanksgiving, confession, and supplication to God. It helps remind us of God’s grace and mercy towards us. Prayer is one of the ways we can experience God’s presence while we place ourselves in isolation where we are calm and free from distractions.

Why Use a Christian Prayer Guide?

Using a Christian prayer guide will help us pray more sincerely. It helps prepare our hearts for prayer and reminds us of who we are about to talk to. The Christian prayer guide also prompts us to remain humble in God’s presence and remember that it is only through God’s goodness and mercy that we can continue with our day.

Scriptures on how to pray

Matthew 6:6

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your unseen Father. Then your Father, who sees what is done secretly, will reward you.”

If praying is a way to communicate with God, we should do it privately. Remember, communication is never one-sided. So how are we supposed to hear God’s message and properly feel His presence when praying in a noisy place surrounded by distractions?

James 5:16

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Confessing our sins isn’t a sign of weakness but of strength and acceptance that we are flawed human beings that need God’s grace and mercy. When we confess our sins, we acknowledge our wrongdoing and repent so that we will not repeat them.

Romans 8:26

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

We are all capable of letting the Holy Spirit intercede through our prayer languages. A prayer language allows the Holy Spirit to speak to God through an unknown language that no one can understand except God; it’s like we’re directly talking to Him.

Philippians 4:6-7

“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 minds in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

We are not in control of our lives and must remember that. When we try to take control, the more it falls apart because we can easily be swayed by emotion. So instead of worrying about the future, pray to God and pour out all your fear and doubt. Rejoice in His presence and believe that God will always pull through no matter how impossible the situation.

Ephesians 6:18

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

1 John 5:14-15

“This is our confidence in approaching God: He hears us if we ask anything according to his will. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.”

We have to remember that there is nothing that God cannot do for us; all we need is to ask it of Him. Though God already knows what’s best, He still encourages His people to come to Him in prayer because He wants to build a strong relationship with us. 

Psalms 18:6

“In my distress, I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple, he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.”

When life isn’t going our way, we cry out to God in prayer. Because we trust Him, we are confident that God hears our cries for help. 

The Christian Prayer Guide

The Lord’s Prayer

“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, you will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:9-13)

Address the Heavenly Father

Using the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern, we open the prayer by saying “Our Father in Heaven” or “Heavenly Father.” We address God as such because that is who He is to us, and He is the one we’re approaching in prayer. He is our Father in Heaven who created us and the one who we owe with our whole being.

Thank the Heavenly Father

Before anything else, show your gratitude for the blessings and guidance God has given you for the day. As Christians, we know that everything that happens in life has a purpose and a reason, whether good or bad. So don’t forget to thank God for the challenges and hardships. As long as we live and breathe, there will always be something we can thank Heavenly Father for.

Ask for God’s will

Aside from asking for our needs and help, we also have to ask for God’s will and plans. As human beings, we are forgetful; it’s part of our nature. We must constantly communicate with God to remind ourselves of His will and plan our lives. 

Ask for forgiveness

After expressing gratitude for the provisions and guidance God gave us, do not forget to ask for forgiveness for our sins and shortcomings. When we verbally confess our sins to God, we acknowledge our wrongdoing and sincerely repent. Remember that when we ask God to forgive us, we must also forgive ourselves.

Close in the Name of Jesus Christ

We close our prayers with ‘In Jesus’ name’ because we can only access God the Father through the Son and His righteousness. We are not worthy to come into God’s presence on our own. But when we close our prayer with ‘In the name of Jesus’, we represent Him and all that He is, thus making us worthy of coming into the Father’s presence.  

What is the Value of Using a Christian Prayer Guide?

To pray with humility.

The purpose of using a Christian prayer guide is to remind us that we pray for God’s exaltation and not ours. We seek God’s glory and His kingdom. Praying itself is an act of humility; we do not go into prayer to boast about ourselves but to praise God for His grace and mercy upon us. Also, when we remain humble in God’s presence, we gain wisdom that only comes from Him.

To pray with awareness.

We use the Christian prayer guide to teach us to be aware of God’s presence and to know how to act when we approach Him in prayer. When we communicate with God in prayer, we have to be in a place where we can be calm and free from distractions. I know we have deadlines to meet and places to be, but taking a moment out of our busy schedule to be in God’s presence will properly put everything we worry about.

To pray with love and grief.

Though we are allowed and encouraged to pray always, that doesn’t mean we have to do it out of obligation. Think of it this way; since prayer is us communicating with God, pray as if you’re sharing your concerns and worries with a close friend. Pray with eagerness to talk to God and pour out your love and adoration to Him. The Christian prayer guide also reminds us to sincerely ask for forgiveness and repent for our sins. 

To pray with hope and total faith in God.

Though it will be hard at times, pray with total faith in God’s work and guidance. Trust in His timing and direction because there is always a purpose to everything that happens in life. I know how frustrating it is to be uncertain and not have your plans go the way you want them to; it’s like you’ve lost a sense of control in your life. 

But it’s not supposed to be like that; the Christian prayer guide reminds us that God’s will be done and not ours. Surrender the control and choose to trust in Him instead. Let God do the leading and have faith because He always has what’s best for us in mind. 

In Summary

Prayer is one of the ways we can communicate with God one-on-one. Improving how we pray will strengthen our relationship with God and set our hearts toward His desires. The Christian prayer guide teaches us what and how to pray correctly. It reminds us that our prayers should glorify God. It should help us strengthen our faith in His guidance and provisions. Remember that praying isn’t just about saying the right words; it must also come from the heart. If our hearts don’t convey the same sentiments as our words, then we pray without sincerity.