How should a Christian pray?

Approaching God: Humility, Reverence, and Confidence

When we come to God in prayer, our posture should be one of humility and reverence. We acknowledge His infinite greatness and holiness, and our own dependence upon Him. The prophet Isaiah records God's own words: “This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2). At the same time, because of Jesus Christ, we can approach our Holy God with confidence. Through faith in Christ, we are adopted as children of God, and we can call Him “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6). Jesus, in teaching His disciples to pray, began with "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name" (Matthew 6:9). This teaches us to begin with adoration and acknowledgement of God's character. Our boldness in prayer is not rooted in our own worthiness, but in the finished work of Christ that grants us access to the Father (Hebrews 4:16; Ephesians 3:12).

The Elements of Biblical Prayer

The Bible presents several key components of prayer. One helpful acronym to remember these is ACTS:

* Adoration: Praising God for who He is—His character, attributes, and majesty. The Psalms are replete with examples of adoration, such as Psalm 145 which extols God's greatness and goodness. We can glorify God for His love, power, wisdom, and faithfulness (e.g., Psalm 103:1-5).
* Confession: Acknowledging our sins to God and seeking His forgiveness. Scripture assures us that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us (1 John 1:9). Confession keeps our relationship with God open and honest, removing barriers to fellowship. David's prayer in Psalm 51 is a profound example of confession.
* Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude to God for His blessings, His provision, and His work in our lives. The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to give thanks: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Giving thanks cultivates a heart of contentment and trust.
* Supplication/Petition: Presenting our requests to God. This includes praying for our own needs, for others (intercession), and for God's will to be done on earth. Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), acknowledging our dependence on God for material needs. He also instructs us to pray for His kingdom to come and His will to be done (Matthew 6:10). We are encouraged to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to cast all our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7). This demonstrates our reliance on God, rather than our own strength.

Praying in the Spirit and According to God's Will

The New Testament also emphasizes praying "in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 1:20). This refers to praying with the guidance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit, who helps us to pray rightly, even when we don't know what to say (Romans 8:26-27). Praying in the Spirit aligns our prayers with God's desires. Consequently, biblical prayer is always offered with a submission to God's will. While we present our requests boldly, we ultimately conclude with the understanding that God's wisdom and timing are supreme. Jesus Himself prayed, “not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Therefore, effective prayer is not about bending God to our will, but aligning our will with His. The assurance that God hears us and answers us is contingent on our asking according to His will (1 John 5:14-15).

Christians disagree on certain specifics of prayer, such as whether specific postures are required (kneeling, standing, etc.), or if extemporaneous prayer is always superior to written prayers. Scripture shows examples of various postures (e.g., kneeling in Daniel 6:10, standing in Mark 11:25) and organized prayer. The key is the heart behind the prayer, not its external form. What is consistent throughout Scripture is the call to pray regularly, earnestly, and with faith.