How do I learn to pray?

IS THERE A RIGHT WAY TO PRAY?

Prayer is talking to God. Simple!

But sometimes it can be hard to know where to start.

Do I have to go somewhere special? Do I kneel down, close my eyes and say certain words?

Should I talk out loud and use ‘Thee’ and ‘Thou’?

Or can I just be myself?

When Jesus’ disciples wanted to learn how to pray, he showed them how to speak to God and ask for what they needed.

No need for long, fancy prayers – they could use simple, everyday words and phrases, like a child talking to a loving father.

The prayer Jesus taught them is still used today. It’s called the Lord’s Prayer.

THE LORD'S PRAYER - TRADITIONAL VERSION

You may be familiar with the old wording, memorised by generations over the centuries:

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER IN TODAY'S ENGLISH

But if we rewrite it in simple phrases for today, it reads more like this:

Heavenly Father,

May your holy name be honoured.

May your kingdom come on earth

And your will be done here just like in heaven.

Give us everything we need for today

And forgive the wrong things we do,

Just like we try to forgive other people who do wrong to us.

Keep us safe in hard times and protect us from evil.

For all power and glory belong to you,

Now and for ever.

Amen.

Whichever version you choose, this is still a great prayer – and just as relevant for us now as it was 2000 years ago when Jesus taught it to his disciples.

The Lord's Prayer is short, to the point and focuses our attention on who God is, not on our own problems.

It’s also a great model for our own made-up prayers. He loves to hear us!

Praying may seem strange to start with, but actually it's natural and instinctive. Humans were made to know God and be in relationship with him.

TOP TIPS FOR PRAYER BEGINNERS

Be yourself. Keep it natural and honest – he knows you very well so no need to be formal, or try to cover up the truth!

Pray anywhere, just short prayers as you go about your daily life. You don't even need to close your eyes.

In private, kneeling down or praying aloud (even just whispering) can help if your thoughts start wandering.

Don’t forget to thank him! Counting your blessings gives glory to God and raises your spirits.

Expect answers. God always hears and responds, but not always in the way we hope – he may say yes, no or not yet.

Your Father knows exactly what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:8