"Hello"

This, then, is how you should pray. — Matthew 6:9

Most of us won’t remember the first conversation we had with our horses, but it had to have started with some form of “Hello.” I like to say hello with a brush. Brushing horses builds trust between both human and horse. Brushing makes the horse — and you — calm. It’s my favorite language to use with horses as we grow closer.

One of the best ways to grow closer to God is to speak to Him in prayer.

It doesn’t have to be complicated or fancy. Prayer is a conversation with God.

However, feeling as if you don’t know what to say or how to say it is common for new believers (and even faithful people who’ve believed for a long time).

The disciples admired the miracles Jesus did and the comfortable, direct way He talked with God. So they asked Him to teach them to pray. That’s why Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer. It’s an excellent outline for prayer.

The prayer begins with praise:

Hallowed be Your name. — Matthew 6:9

Beginning our prayers with praise gets us in the right frame of mind. Next, Jesus humbly surrendered to God and agreed with His plan and purposes:

Your kingdom come, Your will be done. — Matthew 6:10

The prayer continues with a request for provision and mercy:

Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts. — Matthew 6:11–12

It ends by asking God to guide and protect His children.

There is nothing wrong with reading and saying a prayer written by others; just make sure whatever you say, it comes from your heart.

God is listening. He longs for a relationship with you. So don’t delay. Start the conversation by simply saying, “Hello.”

Lord, thank You for examples of powerful and effective prayer. Teach me to pray, amen.

Excerpted with permission from Unbridled Faith by Cara Whitney, copyright Cara Whitney.

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Your Turn

Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated or confusing. Sometimes when our relationship with the Lord has grown a little distant or stale, we forget that it’s just a conversation with Him. We can follow the map Jesus left us and share our praise in humility and ask God for what we need and what the world around us needs. It’s that simple. Come share your thoughts with us on our blog. We want to hear how you pray!