How do I pray?

When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He gave them a simple yet powerful model in Luke 11:2–4 and Matthew 6:9-13. This prayer isn’t meant to be repeated without thought—it’s a guide that helps us approach God with the right heart and priorities.

The Lord’s Prayer covers every major area of our spiritual life: worship, surrender to God’s will, daily dependence, forgiveness, and protection from temptation.

Below, we’ve broken it down into key topics to help you understand and apply it in your own prayer time.

1. Worship & Reverence

“Father, hallowed be Your name” We start by recognizing God’s holiness and giving Him honor. This sets the tone—our prayers begin with praise, not requests.

2. God’s Kingdom & Will

“Your kingdom come” We align ourselves with God’s purposes, asking for His rule, His ways, and His plans to be established on earth and in our lives.

3. Daily Provision

“Give us each day our daily bread” We acknowledge our dependence on God for both physical and spiritual needs. This is trust for today, not worry for tomorrow.

4. Forgiveness & Grace

“Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us” We seek God’s mercy for our own failures and commit to extending that same forgiveness to others.

5. Protection from Temptation & Evil

“And lead us not into temptation” We ask for God’s guidance to avoid situations that would cause us to sin, and for His strength to resist the enemy’s attacks.

Making the Lord’s Prayer Your Own

The Lord’s Prayer is a framework, not just a script. Use each section as a prompt to speak to God in your own words. Praise Him for who He is, invite His will into your life, thank Him for meeting your needs, confess your sins and forgive others, and ask for strength to stand firm against temptation.

As you pray through these themes, be specific—talk about what’s happening in your life right now. The more personal and heartfelt your prayer, the more you’ll grow in closeness to God.

Be intentional about prayer. Set aside regular, focused time to talk with God each day, free from distractions. Prayer should be both planned and constant—Scripture encourages us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This means keeping a continual conversation with God throughout your day, whether in moments of joy, need, or gratitude.