The Art of Prayer: What to Say In Prayer

Victoria Kamau
Aug 3, 2024
5 min read

In a world where distractions abound and uncertainties loom large, there is a timeless practice that can easily be sidelined and yet it offers solace, guidance, and a profound sense of peace – the art of prayer.

Learning how to pray is not just a ritual; it is a lifeline of support, and a beacon of hope in moments of despair. In prayer, we find connection – to ourselves, others, and God.

Whether you seek comfort in times of distress, clarity in moments of confusion, or simply a way to express gratitude for life's blessings, prayer holds the key to unlocking a world of spiritual growth and profound transformation.

Join me as we delve into what prayer is: its simplicity and depth all the while exploring its mysteries, unraveling its beauty, uncovering its transformative potential, and discovering the profound impact it can have on our lives.

Why Do We Struggle When it Comes to Prayer?

Whereas there’s no expert on prayer, a couple of factors contribute to the struggle even for those we consider prayer warriors. These include:

Busyness: In today's fast-paced world, people often find themselves overwhelmed with responsibilities and distractions, making it challenging to set aside time for prayer.
Lack of Discipline: Maintaining a consistent prayer routine requires discipline and commitment, which can be difficult to sustain amidst competing priorities.
Spiritual Dryness: Sometimes individuals may experience periods of spiritual dryness or doubt, leading to a reluctance or difficulty in engaging with prayer.
Distractions: External distractions such as technology, noise, and others can hinder one's ability to focus during prayer.
Lack of Understanding: Not fully comprehending the purpose or benefits of prayer can make it seem like a chore rather than a meaningful practice, leading to resistance.
Guilt or Shame: Feelings of guilt or inadequacy related to past actions or beliefs can create a barrier to engaging in prayer, causing inner conflict and resistance.
Perceived Lack of Time: Some individuals may believe they do not have enough time to dedicate to prayer amidst their busy schedules, leading to neglect of this spiritual practice.

Overcoming these struggles often involves reflection, intention setting, seeking support from a community or spiritual leader, and gradually building a habit of prayer through small, consistent steps.

However, in light of all these factors, prayer is actually simple & enjoyable. It is not a complex mystery filled with jargon. It is as simple as having a conversation. In fact, prayer is a conversation with God. Are there modalities? Yes, but quite simple they are. They include everyday language, things known to us, and things that anybody can do, even a child.

We’ll look at the Lord’s prayer as the model that Jesus left us with to help us learn and grow in prayer.

Let’s get into it.

The Components of Prayer

Acknowledgement of God as A Father

We can call God Father because Jesus told us to but the Holy Spirit in us also confirms that we are indeed children of God according to Romans 8:16.

Further on, the book of John in its 1st chapter says we have been given the right (authority) by God Himself to become His children for anyone who believes in His name.

As you pray, remember that you’re not just praying to God but you’re praying to a God with whom you have a close relationship.

2. Worship/ Reverence of His Name

Now that we’ve established that God is your Father, let’s look at how we’re supposed to treat Him.

Jesus did not accidentally slip this in but it is intentionally there because we need to know the vast difference between us and God. In God Being God, He is awesome, mighty, the creator of all and as such His name receives the highest honour.

God is not your buddy but He is near and personal. We should give Him the highest place of honour and respect because that is who He is, worthy of our worship.

In our approach to Him, we are to be reverential.

3. Your Kingdom Come

This is to say, “May God's Kingship reign on earth as it is in heaven”. In other words, may the will and wishes of Him as God and King be done on earth as it is in heaven.

How does God’s kingship reign on earth? Through you and me as His children. Just like ambassadors, we are representatives of what God desires and wills for His creation.

And just like children, we resemble our Father in character and attribute.

4. Petitioning for What We Need

It is important to take note that Jesus didn’t place a limit as to the much we can petition or ask from Him. This comes as a wonderful gift! We can ask God to give us what we need including physical/material needs and not just spiritual.

As a Father, He will take care of all the needs that come from being human. He’ll care for our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs.

So as you think about the things you need, remember you can bring this to God in prayer, He has granted you the permission to ask Him.

5. Asking for Forgiveness

A rather interesting but needful part of prayer is in asking for forgiveness. This goes much deeper than simply asking for an apology, this is in effect a practice that is necessary for the wellbeing of our souls. We need forgiveness as a part of our lives because we do sin and make mistakes in the course of our day to day living. We wrong others and we definitely wrong God. We’re not always acting in godly ways let alone holding godly attitudes. This part of prayer is more about confession that we may be cleansed and healed.

This confession facilitates fellowship with God.

6. Forgiving those Who Are With Us

Because we too have been wronged by those we interact with, we need to forgive them as we have been forgiven. In some instances, this looks like having a long conversation with the offender, in other cases, we don’t need to talk or make mention of it we just forgive and carry on.

This practice is essential for sustaining happy and healthy relationships with others.

7. Deliver Us from Temptation

Why would Jesus include this? There are so many other things He could have chosen to comprise what makes for the standard in prayer but He found it imperative to include this. What does deliver us from temptation mean? It could mean a number of things but I suppose what He had in mind was situations where we are likely to unknowingly make compromises that would adversely impact the fellowship we have with God. And so, in making mention of this, it is a proactive step to ask God to help us not to fall or to steer clear of such places where we’re weak and prone.