First steps
🙏 Talk with God
6In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7
Prayer is talking with God. There are no special words to learn and no right voice to use. You can pray out loud or silently, kneeling, walking or lying in bed.
Jesus gave his friends a pattern, the Lord’s Prayer, and it’s a good place to start. Praise God for who he is, ask for what you need today, say sorry for what’s gone wrong, and ask for help to live his way.
Start small. A few honest minutes most days is better than a long prayer once in a while.
Read Matthew 6:5–13
5“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. 6But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7In praying, don’t use vain repetitions, as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. 8Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need, before you ask him. 9Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth. 11Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. 13Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’
Matthew 6:5–13