In its simplest form, prayer is just talking to God. But sometimes we just don't know what to say. Don't feel awkward if you don't know how to pray-even Jesus' own disciples asked for help, "Lord, teach us how to pray" (Luke 11:1). Many Christians do not devote consistent time to prayer because they don't know how or because they do not realize the power of their prayer. Just like a child must learn to walk, so a Christian must learn to pray-and just as a person will not do much in his life without first walking, so the Christian will not accomplish much without praying.

In response to His disciples' request, Jesus taught them a model prayer that holds six keys to powerful prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). The first and most important thing is to praise God-acknowledging who God is and thanking Him for what He has done. Next is praying for the purpose of God to come-in your life, family, church, country, and world-by asking God for His will to be done. Thirdly, you can ask for provision, for God to meet your daily needs. Jesus also taught us to pray for purity-that God would forgive us our sins just as we forgive others who sin against us. We are to also pray for protection and deliverance from the Devil. And finally, we set our priorities when we acknowledge to God that "Yours in the kingdom, the power, and the glory."

Just like a good parent will give his child what he needs, God loves to give good gifts to His children. As you set out to pray faithfully, you begin on a lifelong adventure of answered prayer from your heavenly Father!

Verses
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him" (1 John 5:14, 15).

"The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles" (Psalm 34:17).

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:6-7)