Many Christians want to pray, but often feel unsure about the right way to talk with our Father in heaven. This is a common question, and after careful Bible reading, it becomes clear that Jesus shared helpful steps on prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.
In this post, we will look at what He teaches us, learn what the Lord’s Prayer means, and find simple tips for growing closer to God the Father. Discover how Christ Jesus shows each of us how to speak honestly and with confidence when we pray—keep reading!
Jesus’ Teachings on How to Pray
Jesus showed us how to pray with simple words and real hearts, teaching the Lord’s Prayer as a model—“Our Father in heaven.” He told his followers not to use empty phrases or babble like other people but instead speak honestly to God, who listens with love.
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
Jesus gave the Lord’s Prayer as a model for how I should pray. I start by calling God my heavenly Father and giving Him glory. Next, I ask for His kingdom to come and for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
The prayer shows me to ask God, “Give us this day our daily bread,” trusting that He gives all I need.
I ask God to forgive my transgressions just as I forgive others who sin against me. Then, I seek help not to fall into temptation and request, “but deliver us from evil.” This pattern keeps my prayers simple and honest.
By following these words from the gospel according to Matthew, I focus on God first, then trust Him with what matters in life each day.
Avoiding Vain Repetitions (Matthew 6:7-8)
After praying through the Lord’s Prayer, I see another lesson from Matthew 6:7-8. The Bible tells me not to use empty or endless words in prayer. My savior warned against repeating phrases just to fill time or sound holy—God does not want prayers like those used by people who think many words will help them get results.
I know God sees my heart and understands what I need even before I say anything. It comforts me that God listens when I pray with honesty, not with vain repetitions. Paul also spoke about sincere prayers in the gospel coalition writings.
Instead of long-winded speeches, I focus on clear and simple requests, trusting in God’s will for daily bread and salvation. This helps me grow faith in God rather than worrying if my words are enough for Him to hear me.
Praying with Faith and Confidence
I pray with strong trust in God, knowing He listens and cares. The Bible shows me that asking boldly—without doubt—brings peace and confidence when I talk to the Lord our God.
Mark 11:24
Mark 11:24 gives clear guidance on confidence in prayer. Jesus says if I pray and ask for something, I should trust in God and have faith that it will happen. I see a strong call to pray with faith in God’s power—believing before I receive it.
Many people like George Müller lived by this, trusting God even for daily bread.
This verse is not just about asking but believing that my request lines up with God’s will. Jesus teaches me to stand firm in prayer, expecting an answer from the Lord who cares for His children.
Faith fills my prayers with hope instead of doubt; this changes how I seek help from God every day.
James 1:6
James 1:6 urges me to pray with faith in God, not doubting at all. If I ask for something but do not trust that God can answer, my prayers become weak. The verse compares a person who doubts to a wave in the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
I know confidence in prayer is key. Trusting God’s will helps strengthen my faith as I pray for daily bread or when interceding for others. Each time I approach God, I want to have full faith that He hears me and will answer according to His plan.
Praying with Thanksgiving
I see how God asks me to pray with a thankful heart. When I thank Him, even as I ask for daily bread or grace, I feel peace and grow in faith in God.
Philippians 4:6-7
Paul tells me to pray about everything and worry about nothing. Prayer should come with thanksgiving. God wants me to bring every need, big or small, to Him. The Lord’s peace will guard my heart and mind when I do this.
I ask for help, give thanks even before answers come, and place trust in God’s will. Paul says the peace of God goes beyond what people can explain or understand. This kind of confidence in prayer helps me let go and let God handle my cares each day.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
God wants me to rejoice always, pray without stopping, and give thanks in every situation. These three commands stand together. Each day, I choose joy, keep an open conversation with God, and thank Him—no matter what happens around me.
By doing this, I follow God’s will for my life as shown in the gospel according to John and other scriptures.
This habit shapes my attitude toward others and reminds me that praying with thanksgiving is part of living by faith in God. Next, I’ll focus on how humility shapes sincere prayer using examples from Luke 18:10-14 and Psalm 145:18.
Praying in Humility and Sincerity
God hears me best when I come to Him with a humble heart and honest words. When I pray without pride or pretending, He draws close—I see this in the stories of David and his cries for mercy.
Luke 18:10-14
Two men went to pray in the temple. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed about all the good things he did. He thanked God that he was not like others, especially not like the tax collector.
His words were full of pride. The tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even lift his eyes to heaven but beat his chest and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Jesus said that only the humble man—the tax collector—went home right with God.
This story shows I need humility in prayer; it is key for praying according to God’s will. I should talk honestly to God about my sins and struggles instead of boasting about good deeds or using fancy words like vain repetitions mentioned in Matthew 6:7-8.
True confidence in prayer comes from admitting my weakness before the Lord our God, knowing His grace gives eternal life—not from trusting my own works or position among saints or leaders such as David or Peter found throughout biblical theology stories.
Psalm 145:18
God draws near to all who call on Him in truth, just as Psalm 145:18 says. I find comfort knowing that God hears my prayers when I come with a sincere heart and honest words. No fancy speech is needed—just real trust in God and faith in His love.
I pray with humility and sincerity, seeking God’s will rather than my own plans. This helps me grow closer to the Lord our God each day. Trusting God’s promises gives me confidence in prayer, even during hard times or doubt.
Praying Without Ceasing
God asks me to talk with Him often—prayer is not just for church or emergencies. I keep praying at all times, using words and silent thoughts, so God stays close as I move through each day.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Paul tells me to pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. I see this as a call to keep talking with God, all through my day. It does not mean kneeling every minute. Instead, my heart stays open to Him, like breathing—steady and natural.
Jesus’ teachings about prayer often showed this same spirit. He prayed often and trusted His Father’s will—even during hard times like the passion narratives or on the cross crying out “my God, my god, why have you forsaken me?” I want that same closeness.
So each moment—whether giving thanks for daily bread or praying for the sick—I keep faith in God. This is what it means for me to live as if “the Lord is my shepherd.”.
Ephesians 6:18
Ephesians 6:18 teaches me to pray at all times, using all kinds of prayers. I try to stay alert and pray for other believers too. This reminds me that prayer is not just a one-time thing I do in church or at meals.
Prayer helps me trust God’s will daily, even when life feels hard.
This verse says I should always talk to God, asking Him for help, peace, and strength. It encourages intercessions—praying for my friends and family who also need God’s grace. By praying without stopping, my faith in God grows stronger each day.
This way, prayer becomes as common and natural as breathing.
Types of Prayers Highlighted in the Bible
God shows us many different ways to pray in the Bible. Each kind of prayer—asking, thanking, or speaking for others—helps me grow closer to the Lord our God and understand His grace.
Prayers of Confession (1 John 1:9)
Prayers of confession help me stay close to the Lord our God. I admit my sins and ask for forgiveness. First John 1:9 says if I confess my sins, God is faithful and just to forgive me and make me clean.
This truth gives confidence in prayer, knowing Jesus’ grace covers all who turn back to Him.
Confession keeps my heart humble before God’s will. It reminds me that through Jesus’ passion and sacrifice, I find forgiveness—not shame—when I tell the truth about my mistakes.
Each time, God does not hold back His love; instead, He restores joy in trusting Him again.
Prayers of Intercession (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
God calls me to pray for others. In 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Paul urges prayers for all people, including kings and leaders. I ask God to help those in charge make wise choices so everyone can live peaceful lives.
I try to lift up my friends, family, and even strangers before the Lord our God. This kind of prayer matches God’s will and shows love for neighbors and enemies alike. Jesus taught about this too—He said we should love our enemies and pray even for those who hurt us, just like Matthew 5:44 reminds me.
Prayers of Supplication (Philippians 4:6)
After I pray for others, as in prayers of intercession, I also lift my own requests to God. Philippians 4:6 teaches me not to worry about anything. Instead, I come to the Lord with all my needs.
In prayer and supplication—with thanksgiving—I let my requests be made known.
Supplication means asking with a humble heart. I do not demand; instead, I trust in God’s will and timing. The English Standard Version puts it simply—make your needs known to God through prayer and thanksgiving.
Even Jesus prayed for daily bread each day in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13). As I ask boldly but humbly, faith in God gives me confidence in prayer—and peace that surpasses understanding fills my heart.
The Role of the Holy Spirit in Prayer
I often feel weak or unsure in prayer, but God gives me help through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit guides my words and strengthens my faith—He points me to Jesus as I seek God’s will.
Romans 8:26-27
God knows I do not always have the right words in prayer. Sometimes, my heart feels weak, or I do not know what to say for God’s will. In Romans 8:26-27, Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit helps me talk with God.
The Spirit prays for me even when all I have are deep sighs or tears.
I trust the grace of God because He understands these prayers better than any words can express. This truth gives confidence in prayer and helps deepen faith in God every day. Even silence has meaning before the Lord our God; His Spirit speaks for us and guides us closer to Him as we seek His kingdom of God each time we pray.
Jude 1:20
Jude 1:20 tells me to build myself up in faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. This means I do not rely only on my own words or strength during prayer. The Holy Spirit helps me talk to God, even when I struggle with what to say.
Praying this way fills my heart with confidence in prayer and a deeper trust in God’s will. It reminds me that faith grows stronger when I let the Spirit guide my prayers, much like Romans 8:26-27 teaches.
Staying close to the Lord our God brings peace, especially as I wait for the second coming of Jesus and walk through each day trusting Him for daily bread.
Conclusion
We have seen the Bible gives clear steps on prayer. Jesus taught us to pray simply and trust God for our daily bread. Faith, humility, and thankfulness all matter as we speak to the Lord our God.
These tips make prayer easy to start, even if life feels busy or hard. For more help, I often use ESV Bibles or read guides from Desiring God and thinkers like John Piper. Try these habits today—God hears every word when you seek Him with an honest heart; I know because He changed mine too.
FAQs
1. What does the Bible say about how we should pray?
The Bible, in Matthew 7:7 and John 3:16, suggests that we should pray with faith in God, seeking His will and trusting Him for our daily bread.
2. How is the Lord’s Prayer relevant to our prayer life?
The Lord’s Prayer serves as a model for us on how to approach God in prayer. It teaches us to acknowledge “the Lord our God, the Lord is one,” express our dependence on Him for daily sustenance and seek His guidance away from temptation.
3. What role does confidence play in prayers according to the Bible?
Confidence in prayer comes from having trust in God and believing that He hears us when we call out to Him as shown by verses like John 5:14.
4. How do adverbs and adjectives fit into biblical prayers?
In expository preaching of texts like Mary’s Magnificat or Moses’ plea against the golden calf, adverbs and adjectives are used extensively to emphasize humility before God and desire for His intervention.
5. Does desiring God influence how we should pray?
Yes! Desiring God influences our prayers as it aligns them with godly desires such as loving your enemies or seeking freedom from spiritual slavery akin to Israel’s physical slavery in Egypt.
6. Should I refer only ESV translation while praying or can I use other Bibles too?
Any version of the Bible including ESV can be referred while praying; what matters most is understanding its message – Revelation of Christ – rather than focusing solely on specific words or versions.