How do I pray?

 
In regard to how to pray, remember that prayer is essentially talking with God as you would talk with an earthly parent who loves you and wants the best for you. God is your heavenly Father who loves you perfectly.

The ACTS model will probably be helpful to you as you learn how to pray. ACTS stands for Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

Adoration means worship. Begin your time of prayer by adoring and praising God. Praise Him for Who He is. Express to the Father what He means to you. God delights in your praises!

Confession is a time to express sorrow about what you have said, thought, or done that is not pleasing to God. Ask Him to forgive you for these things, and then believe that He does so freely. When you confess your sins, you receive God's cleansing and this helps to remove any barrier in your communication with Him (read 1 John 1:9).

Thanksgiving means being thankful to God. Thank Him for His love, protection, provision, and for recent blessings He has given you.

Supplication means praying for your needs and for the needs of others, such as friends, family, your pastor, missionaries, government leaders, and persecuted Christians around the world.

Keep in mind that the ACTS model serves as a guide to help you, not a rigid formula to follow. Just talk from your heart. There are additional steps that will help.

• Choose a specific time and place to pray each day where you can be alone with God.

• Begin your time by reading the Bible. Select a devotion or passage to read.

• Reflect on what God is "speaking" to you through the passage.

• Journal your thoughts and what you feel God is speaking to you.

• Ask God to help you apply what you are learning.