Prayer

Prayer is a way of turning to God. Christians pray to express their thoughts and feelings, give thanks, ask for help, seek guidance and bring their concerns to God. Prayer can be spoken aloud, expressed silently or take the form of a moment of stillness.

There is no single right way to pray. Some people use familiar prayers they have learned by heart, while others speak to God in their own words. Prayer can be part of everyday life or a response to moments of joy, uncertainty, grief or gratitude.

What does prayer mean to Christians?

For Christians, prayer is part of a relationship with God. It is a way of turning towards God and trusting that God is present, even when life feels confusing or difficult.

Prayer is not simply about asking for things. It can also mean giving thanks, expressing sorrow, admitting uncertainty or taking time to be still. Christians do not always find words for what they feel, and prayer does not require them.

Christians believe that God listens to prayer. However, prayer does not mean that every request will be answered in the way a person hopes or expects. Sometimes prayer brings comfort, strength or a new perspective rather than a clear answer.

Different ways to pray

Prayer can take many forms. It can be personal or shared with others, spoken or silent, familiar or spontaneous.

• Personal prayer is a moment to turn to God alone, using your own words or simply being still.
• Written prayers offer words for situations when it is difficult to know what to say.
• The Lord’s Prayer is a central Christian prayer taught by Jesus. It is shared by Christians around the world and is often prayed in church services.
• Prayers in church services bring people together to give thanks, ask for help and pray for one another and the world.
• The Psalms are ancient biblical prayers and songs that express a wide range of human experiences, from joy and gratitude to anger, fear and grief.

Prayer does not have to follow a particular formula or take a certain amount of time. What matters is the opportunity to turn towards God.

Prayer in the Bible

Prayer is an important part of the Bible. It includes prayers of praise and thanksgiving, as well as cries for help and questions about suffering and injustice.

Jesus himself prayed and taught his followers to pray. The Lord’s Prayer, which begins with the words Our Father, is one of the best-known prayers in Christianity.

The Psalms offer words for many different situations in life. They show that prayer can include the full range of human emotions. People do not have to hide their doubts, fears or sadness when they turn to God.

Can anyone pray?

Prayer is open to everyone. You do not need to be a member of a church, know particular prayers by heart or have a strong faith. Some people pray regularly, while others turn to prayer only at certain moments in life.

Questions and doubts can be part of prayer, too. There is no need to have everything figured out before turning to God.

Explore prayer in everyday life: Prayer can also be a simple part of daily routines, moments of uncertainty or times when you want to remember someone else. Read more on the page Prayer in Everyday Life.