Prayer isn’t some fancy ritual with strict rules or perfect words. It’s actually one of the most intimate, down-to-earth things we can do. Jesus didn’t tell us to impress God with poetic lines or long-winded speeches — He told us to be real. Honest. Like we’re talking to a close friend over coffee… which, funny enough, is exactly what I’m doing right now as I write this, sipping on a lukewarm cappuccino that the barista clearly didn’t love as much as I do.
In a world that’s constantly spinning faster — with TikTok trends changing every two seconds and AI-generated everything — it’s kind of beautiful that prayer, especially the prayers told by Jesus, remains this steady, timeless thing. Let’s break it down, nice and easy.
How Does Jesus Tell Us How to Pray?
Alright, let’s talk basics. Jesus doesn’t leave us guessing — He literally gave us a template. You’ve probably heard it before, maybe at a wedding or whispered before bed when you were a kid: The Lord’s Prayer.
“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name…”
Yeah, that one. It’s found in Matthew 6:9–13 and again in Luke 11:2–4, and it’s not just something to recite without thinking. It’s like a blueprint — not a script, but a guide. Jesus was showing us the heart behind prayer, not the performance.
I remember when I first “got it.” I was fifteen, lying awake after watching a movie that low-key scared the life out of me (don’t judge — it was The Sixth Sense). I was too freaked out to sleep, and I just blurted out, “God, please help me not see ghosts.” Not exactly theologically sound, I know. But in that moment, I wasn’t trying to impress anyone. I was just being honest. And I think that’s the point.
What Does Jesus Say About Prayer?
Jesus had a few things to say about prayer, and spoiler alert: He wasn’t into the whole “look at me, I’m so holy” act.
In Matthew 6:5-6, He says:
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others…”
Translation? Don’t pray to put on a show. God’s not impressed by your vocabulary — He’s interested in your heart. Pray in private. Talk to Him like you would a parent you trust or a friend who gets you.
And don’t overthink it. Jesus literally warns against babbling on and on like God needs convincing. You don’t have to repeat yourself a hundred times or use religious lingo. He already knows what you need — He just wants to connect.
And hey, that connection isn’t just for quiet time in your room. These days, you’ll see people praying on live streams, sharing prayer requests in Instagram stories, or even setting reminders to pause and pray during their workday. Jesus would probably say, “Yeah, cool — just make sure it’s real, not performative.”
How Does the Bible Tell You to Pray?
Besides Jesus’ direct words, the Bible is full of examples of prayer. Some are beautifully messy — like David’s “ugly cry” Psalms — and some are bold, like Hannah’s tearful plea for a child.
Here’s the thing: There’s no “right” mood or format. You can pray in joy, in sorrow, out of desperation, or gratitude. You can whisper, shout, sing, write, or just sit in silence. There’s power in that freedom.
And if you’re like me — sometimes forgetting where you put your keys and then forgetting you even prayed to find them — that’s okay too. Imperfect prayers are still heard.
Even now, with everything going on in the world — wars, elections, the pressure to be “always-on” — more and more people are coming back to prayer. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s human. We all crave meaning. We want to feel like someone’s listening when we’re not okay. Jesus knew that. That’s why He made prayer so accessible.
Prayers From Jesus: A Quick Snapshot
If you’re curious about other prayers from Jesus, here are a few gems:
- John 17 – Jesus’ prayer for His disciples (and for us). It’s like a warm hug in scripture form.
- Luke 23:34 – “Father, forgive them…” even while He was on the cross. That’s some next-level grace.
- Matthew 26:39 – In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was vulnerable and raw. He asked God to take away His suffering but ended with, “not as I will, but as You will.”
Each of these moments shows us that prayer isn’t always pretty. Sometimes it’s sweaty, tear-stained, or full of fear. And still — it’s holy.
Final Thoughts Over Coffee
So, how does Jesus tell us to pray? Simply. Honestly. Humbly. Like we actually believe someone’s listening — because someone is.
If you’re not sure where to start, that’s okay. Just say hi. Seriously. “Hey God, I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m here.” That’s a solid first step.
And if you’ve been praying forever but feel like you’re just going through the motions, maybe today’s the day to pause, take a breath, and speak from your gut instead of your script.
What about you? Do you have a go-to prayer? Or maybe a moment where you felt God was especially close? Drop it in the comments — I’d genuinely love to hear it. We’re all figuring this out together, one quiet conversation at a time.
Until next time — stay grounded, stay real, and don’t forget to pray (even if it’s just, “Help me not forget to pray”).