Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7
Before Christ’s death and resurrection, most people didn’t have access to God. If they could approach Him at all, it was usually through a priest. But now, with Jesus as our High Priest who paid for our sin and broke down the barrier keeping us from God, followers of Christ can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
This gives us the incredible opportunity to meet with God in prayer. The Author of the universe actually listens to us when we pray… and He answers! “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” – John 5:14-15
So how do we approach Him? Clearly, we can approach Him confidently. We don’t have to use any special language, or pray in any particular position, or even pray with our eyes closed. While kneeling or closing your eyes may help you concentrate or put you in the right mindset, you are free to simply talk to God, the way you’d talk to anyone.
In the devotional book Love to Pray, Alvin VanderGriend defines prayer as “the conversational part of the most important love relationship in our lives, our love relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Just as you couldn’t maintain a close relationship with a spouse or family member for long without talking with them, so it’s important to talk with God regularly.
You can talk to Him out loud or silently. You might also find it helpful to write or journal your prayers. There are many great prayers and scriptures in the Bible to pray through yourself or use as a guide for prayer. The “Lord’s Prayer” in Matthew 6:9-13 is a great model for our prayers, but the Bible is full of prayers worth using as a pattern. You can also use your own words, and you often should.
At times, a simple prayer of “Help!” can be sufficient. Or perhaps a silent prayer for wisdom at a moment of decision. You can talk to God all day long, while driving or doing chores, struggling with a difficult task, taking a walk, watching sports—you name it. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 even tells us to “pray continually”!
But also be sure to spend some longer times in dedicated prayer. It’s good to start with praise and thanksgiving for who God is and what He has done in the world and in your life. As you focus on His goodness, power, and sovereignty, it helps you to reframe your vision and to realize His sufficiency to take care of everything that's on your mind (Psalm 138:8). Confess any sin you are aware of (Psalm 66:18; 1 John 1:9), and of course, bring God your requests, both for yourself and others. When possible, add time for listening for God’s direction, in silence or through His Word.
None of your concerns is too small for Him to care about or too big for Him to handle! While His answers may not come how or when you expect, you can be sure He has heard you, He loves you, and He’ll work things out according to His perfect will. He may even redirect your concerns. Ask Him to help and guide you. As you get to know God better, He will shape your prayers more and more as He brings your will in line with His.
Whether we feel God’s presence or not, He is faithful to meet us when we pray and to act on our behalf (Isaiah 64:4), and He wants us to “always pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1). Submit yourself to His will, leave all your concerns with Him (1 Peter 5:7), then be “watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2) as you prepare for His response!