How to Pray: If you’re struggling to pray, I’m here to help!

If you’re new here, I’m Jillian.

I was a lukewarm Christian until 2024. In February of 2024, I recommitted my life to Christ. When I did so, I ran into a teeny problem—I didn’t know how to pray.

Well, I did, but it felt like there was a disconnect in what I was praying. I felt like my words didn’t carry any weight in the spiritual realm, and I was praying in circles.

I now know I wasn’t, but I spent some time learning how to pray with the Holy Spirit and through the Word of God.

Now, I’m here to help you. Let’s break it down.

1. Thanksgiving and Praise

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6, “'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Before we offer our petitions to God, we give thanks.

When I would read prayers in the Bible, they began with thanksgiving. Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2 begins with praising God. Hannah spent years believing God for a son—Prophet Samuel. When she gave birth to him and dedicated Samuel to the Lord, she prayed a prayer beginning with praise in 1 Samuel 2:1-2:

Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.”

Nearly all of Paul’s prayers begin with thanksgiving. In Philippians 1:3-11, 1 Corinthians 1:4-9, and Romans 1:8-10. Even Jesus began a prayer with thanksgiving and praise in Matthew 11:25-26:

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.”

I could go on and on, but the point remains—thank God and give him praise.

If you don’t know where to begin, read the Bible and thank God for what he’s already done, such as sacrificing his one and only Son for your sins. If you don’t know where to begin to praise God, begin with a worship song. Find a Psalm and pray it because David knew how to praise God and glorify His Name.

2. Submit your petition

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6, “'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

After we offer thanks, submit your petitions to God. A petition is praying for a specific need. This can be healing, wisdom, guidance, protection, and provision. 

When you submit petitions to God, ask with confidence at his throne (Hebrews 4:16). Ask with sure confidence that God hears your prayers. 

Remember, you can pray scripture. If you’re petitioning for wisdom, use James 1:5 as your foundation. If you’re believing God for healing, you can use Isaiah 53:5 as your foundation. If you’re believing God for provision, you can use Romans 5:17. These are just examples. There’s an abundance of scriptures you can hold on to when submitting your petitions to God.

3. Be specific!

So many Christians pray vague prayers for some strange reason.

I can only speak for myself.

When I was vague in my prayers, it was because of unbelief, or I didn’t feel worthy to request what I needed. I didn’t pray for what I needed because I didn’t think God could do it for me (I have since given myself a stern talking to. He’s God. He can do anything and everything). I also felt a sense of shame. I knew I wasn’t living a “perfect” life, so I didn’t feel like I was worthy of God’s blessings and provision (Again, I have given myself a stern talking to. I am worthy because Christ says so).

When you pray, be as specific as possible. God can handle the details. He knows more details than you.

If you’re praying for the means to get your car fixed, ask God for the exact amount of money you need, the mechanic you should go to, and you can even throw in there that your car will never need that specific repair again. As someone who has done this, God is more than capable of making that happen.

Also, don’t think everything is just going to happen with a snap of the fingers. God answers prayers in whatever way he wants.

Let’s stick with the car troubles prayer point. You may come into the money through working overtime, a check in the mail, or someone else covering the bill. You could’ve had to pay for another expense, but the provider gave you an extension on it, making way for you to pay for your car repairs. 

You could be at the grocery store, and someone strikes up a conversation with you. Suddenly, the conversation pivots to your car troubles, and that person is either a mechanic or they know a mechanic.

I’m not saying the most miraculous miracle isn’t going to happen because it can. What I’m saying is that God answers prayers in ways you would never think of.

4. Repent

Yes, repentance should be in your prayers. No, this is not my opinion. It’s scripture.

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” -Isaiah 59:2

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” -Psalms 66:18

“We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.” -John 9:31

Repenting is to acknowledge that you’re a sinner. Then you turn away from sin. You repent to be reconciled with God and for your life to be aligned with his will. Acts 3:19 says that if you repent and turn to God, your sins are wiped out and the times of refreshing come upon you.

Any sins you’ve committed, repent. When you don’t repent, the enemy has legal right to hurl true accusations against you in the courts of heaven. When you live a life of repentance, every accusation will be false. The enemy has no legal grounds against you.

Therefore, repent.

Now, I also want to throw out there that every single prayer you pray doesn't require repentance. I pray throughout the day, so I make it a point to offer a prayer of repentance at least once a day, even if I'm only repenting for a couple of things.

Example prayer:

Lord, I acknowledge I am a sinner. I was born of sin. Your word says in Isaiah 59:2 that my sin has separated me from you. My sins have hidden me from you, so you do not hear me. Lord God, I repent. I repent for playing in your face and living a life full of sin. I repent for erecting sin as an idol in my life. In Jesus name, I utterly destroy every idol in my life by the blood of the Lamb. I repent for loving and serving the world more than you. 

I repent for turning everything I touch into an idol. I repent for forsaking you, even when you never forsaken me. I repent for cherishing sin in my life. I repent for (confess your sins unto God). I ask that you turn your ear to me. I ask in your mercy, compassion, and love for me that you turn your heart towards me. I pray Psalm 51 (read and pray Psalm 51), and I ask for your forgiveness and redemption of my sins. 

Lord God, by the power and authority given to me by Jesus Christ, I come against ruminating thoughts in His name. I come out of agreement with being a slave to my mind, and I am now a slave to Christ. I lay hands on my body, and I speak against the sickness and disease that is resting in my bones, skin, organs, and mind. Come out now, in the name of Jesus Christ. I plead the blood of Jesus Christ over the infirmity that is plaguing my body. I speak Holy Ghost fire over every infirmity in my body, in the name of Jesus Christ. Lord God, I thank you for being Jehovah Rapha. Thank you for healing my body because I know it’s not if, but when.

Jehovah Rapha, thank you for your healing power. Lord God, thank you for giving your one and only Son for me. Despite all of my sins, idols, and every detestable thing I’ve done against you, I thank you. You saw me through it all and still said I'm worthy of the cross. How great are you, Lord? How loving and gentle are you to look past my sin and say I’m worth dying for? I thank you for deeming me worthy despite my forsaking your name. Thank you for the gift of salvation, Lord God. 

Thank you for cleansing and purifying me by the blood of the Lamb. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for dwelling in me and making me your temple. Thank you for the chance of having my name written in the book of life. Thank you that I am no longer a slave to sin and this world, but a slave to you, Lord God. Thank you, Lord.

In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

TL;DR

The importance is to always give thanks and praise God. Glorify and exalt his name. Then, submit your request to God. Be specific in your prayers and use scripture as your foundation. If you're anything like me, you repent. Now, do I repent in every single prayer? No. But I do repent daily. That's it! You can also pray as Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9-13.