Sometimes it feels weird to pray. You’re just talking (out loud or in your head) to someone who you cannot see about the deepest parts of your life. It can feel weird to find the words. Let’s simplify it. If you’ve been in certain churches, you’ve heard people pray with long elegant words and phrases, their prayers sound impressive, and it can feel like they know some secret code that makes God hear them. But you don’t need any of that. God knows your heart.
There is nothing you can say in your prayer that is going to shock or surprise God. So, instead of giving a long list of requests just talk to God like you would the most loving parent of all time. I’m talking classic TV sitcom, all your problems will be solved in 22 minutes, parent. If you went up to the best parent in the world and asked for protection (something they always do their best to give you), they would smile at you and say of course I will that is why I am here. Talk to God instead about what’s going on in your life. I’m scared about this. I’m worried about that. I’m so excited I get to.
God knows what is on your heart, and like that good parent, is excited to hear you talk about your life in any way that helps the two of you grow closer. A great way to start praying is opening up to any Psalm and just read it to God as if you wrote it. Treat it like the Psalmist’s words are your words. Try it with the verses below. Most of all, know that prayer is like a muscle. It gets stronger and is more comfortable to do the more you use it.
Psalm 63:1-8
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
6 when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
7 for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.