How to Pray - A Simple, Real, and Biblical Way to Talk to God
Matthew BellShare
A lot of people overcomplicate prayer.
They think:
- “I don’t know what to say”
- “I’m not saying it right”
- “My prayers don’t sound good enough”
But here’s the truth:
Prayer is not about sounding good—it’s about being real with God.
You don’t need perfect words. You don’t need a script. You don’t need to impress God.
In fact, the Bible makes it clear that God already knows what you need before you even speak.
1. God Already Knows What You Need
📖 Matthew 6:7–8 (KJV)
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do…
Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”
This changes everything about how you approach prayer.
You are not informing God—you are connecting with Him.
This means:
- You don’t need long, complicated prayers
- You don’t need to repeat the same phrases over and over
- You don’t need to “perform”
You can literally pray something as simple as:
“Father God, I need help.”
And that is real, valid prayer.
Because God already knows your situation—He’s looking at your heart.
2. The Lord’s Prayer Is a Framework—Not a Script
📖 Matthew 6:9–13 (KJV)
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”
Jesus said, “After this manner”—meaning this is how you should structure prayer, not something you must repeat word-for-word every time.
It’s a model, not a ritual.
If you only repeat it without thinking, it can become exactly what Jesus warned against—vain repetition.
Instead, use it as a guide.
3. Start with Worship (Focus on God First)
📖 “Hallowed be thy name”
This means recognizing who God is before focusing on your problems.
Example:
- “God, I thank You for being patient with me.”
- “You’re in control even when I don’t understand things.”
- “You’re good even when life feels confusing.”
This shifts your mindset:
👉 From stress → to trust
👉 From fear → to faith
4. Align Yourself with God’s Will
📖 “Thy will be done”
This is where you surrender control.
Example:
- “God, I want this situation to work out, but I trust Your plan more than mine.”
- “Even if this doesn’t go how I expect, help me accept Your will.”
This removes pressure from you trying to control everything.
5. Bring Your Needs Honestly
📖 “Give us this day our daily bread”
God cares about your real life—not just “spiritual” things.
Example prayers:
- “God, I’m stressed about money and don’t know what to do.”
- “I feel overwhelmed and I need peace.”
- “I don’t know what decision to make—please guide me.”
This is where you talk to God like you would talk to someone you trust.
6. Confess and Be Honest About Your Struggles
📖 “Forgive us our debts”
You don’t need to hide anything from God.
Example:
- “God, I know I messed up.”
- “I keep falling into the same thing and I need help.”
- “I don’t even fully want to change yet—but I want to want to.”
That level of honesty is what builds real relationship.
7. Forgive Others (This Affects Your Prayer)
📖 “As we forgive our debtors”
Unforgiveness can block your spiritual growth.
Example:
- “God, I’m still hurt by what they did.”
- “Help me let this go, because I don’t want it controlling me.”
Forgiveness doesn’t mean what happened was okay—it means you’re choosing freedom over bitterness.
8. Ask for Strength, Not Just Solutions
📖 “Lead us not into temptation”
Instead of only praying for outcomes, pray for strength.
Example:
- “God, help me not go back to what I just got out of.”
- “Give me discipline where I feel weak.”
- “Help me make better decisions tomorrow.”
This is where real change begins.
9. Be Real—Even If It’s Short
📖 Psalm 62:8 (KJV)
“Trust in him at all times… pour out your heart before him…”
“Pour out your heart” means:
👉 Don’t filter it
👉 Don’t clean it up
👉 Don’t make it sound religious
Sometimes your prayer might just be:
- “God, I don’t understand what’s happening.”
- “I feel lost.”
- “I’m tired.”
- “I need help.”
And that is enough.
10. Prayer Changes You First
📖 Philippians 4:6–7 (KJV)
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer… let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God… shall keep your hearts and minds…”
Prayer doesn’t always immediately change your situation.
But it will:
- Calm your mind
- Give you peace
- Shift your perspective
👉 Sometimes the first thing God changes is you.
Simple Daily Prayer Example
If you want something practical, here’s a real, simple flow:
“Father God, thank You for today.
I don’t have everything figured out, but I trust You.
I need help with (be specific).
Forgive me for where I’ve fallen short.
Help me do better and make better decisions.
Give me strength and guide me.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
That’s it.
No performance. Just real connection.
Final Encouragement
You don’t need perfect words to pray.
You don’t need long prayers to be heard.
You just need to come to God honestly.
The more you pray, the more natural it becomes.
And over time, it won’t feel like a routine—it will feel like a relationship.
If this helped you...
If this helped you understand how to pray in a real and practical way, share it with a friend who could benefit from this. You never know who is struggling with where to start.
