• Start Here
    • Disclosure & Privacy Policy
  • Blog
    • Prayer
    • Spiritual Disciplines
    • Trusting God
  • Prayer for the Week
  • Store
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Prayer and Possibilities | Prayer - Discipleship - Spiritual Disciplines - Discernment - Trusting God

Prayer & Possibilities

  • Deepen Your Prayers
  • Develop Your Faith
  • Step Into God’s Possibilities
You are here: Home / Prayer / Is There a Right Way to Pray?

August 14, 2019 ·

Is There a Right Way to Pray?

Prayer

Sharing is caring!

4.2K shares
  • Facebook559
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
Do you struggle to pray consistently? A daily habit of prayer can be transformative. Follow these 5 simple steps to make prayer a habit today.

“Is there a right way to pray?”  I heard this question from a new Christian who was struggling to figure out prayer, but it’s one I’ve also wondered myself.

Do you ever wonder if you’re praying the right way? Are you using the right words, the right motions, the right methods? Are your attempts at prayer good enough for God to listen?

So many guides and instructions on how to pray, but which one is “right”?

  • Do I close my eyes or open them?
  • Do I kneel and bow my head or look up at God?
  • Should I be praying the written prayers of the prayer book or making up my own?
  • What about some of other methods, like praying through art or movement? Are those really praying?
  • What do I need to say in my prayers?
  • Do I need to use the big “church-y” words or are my own enough?
  • Aren’t there some rules I’m supposed to follow?
  • Where do I start?

What about you? Do you ever wonder if you’re getting it “right”? Wonder if you’re praying the “right” way?

Let’s explore prayer and find the “right” prayer methods for your prayers!

Is there a right way to pray to God? Find the right prayer methods for how God designed you and learn how to pray to God effectively.

Is There a Right Way to Pray?

What are the essentials for prayer? Should we follow certain rules and guidelines? To answer this question, I went in search of what Jesus taught about prayer and examples of prayer captured in scripture.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)

When Jesus taught about prayer, he was more focused on the state of our heart and our intent for prayer, rather than the form and content of our prayers. He did provide some content structure through the Lord’s Prayer, but his teaching primarily focused on coming to God with a humble and forgiving heart, ready to include God in all our conversations, needs, and decisions.

Jesus taught these essentials about prayer:

  1. Have an open and moldable heart, aligned with God, and pray in the Spirit
  2. Pray frequently
  3. Pray about everything and everyone
  4. Be humble and forgiving

As long as you approach God in these ways and open your heart to Him, there is no one single “right” way to pray.

Why So Many Methods For Prayer?

Over time, Christians have found numerous ways to approach God through prayer. Some people are great at just sitting down and entering into a prayer conversation with God, while others need more structure and guidance.

We can also find examples throughout scripture of various prayer methods. The Psalms provide examples of corporate prayer and prayer through written words and song. Jesus incorporated scripture in his prayers. Joshua and the Israelites marched around Jericho in an example of a powerful prayer walk. Just to name a few…

God designed us each with different communication and learning styles, so the way I pray best may not be the optimal method for you.

  • Perhaps you’re wired for the written word, either to communicate through reading or writing.
  • Maybe you’re more wired for oral communication.
  • Some of us love silence, while it makes others uncomfortable.
  • Others of us are wired more creatively and communicate best through art or music.
  • Sometimes we need movement to help us focus and communicate.
  • Other times, we need the language of scripture or the words of others to expand and enhance our own prayer language.
Is there a right way to pray to God? Find the right prayer methods for how God designed you and learn how to pray to God effectively.

Prayer Methods That Match Your Communication Style

The best way to find the prayer methods that work best with how God designed you is to try them. Explore the various prayer methods and see which ones fit best for you and help you connect with God in your prayer time.

Don’t be afraid to try something new. You just might find a new favorite!

Your preferences may even change over time, so periodically try some of the methods again. Variety keeps your prayers fresh and focused.

I have researched and written on a number of prayer methods. Below are links to learn more.  For a more convenient, printable format, grab a copy of my new Prayer Toolbox, a reference guide for your prayer time detailing 16 of these prayer methods, including over 50 ideas for how to incorporate these into your daily prayers.

Prayer methods for when you're getting started with prayer

Are you just getting started with prayer?

Not sure what to pray? Want to expand your prayer language?

Try some of these more structured methods, using templates and guides:

  • How to Pray The Lord’s Prayer
  • How to Use the A.C.T.S. Prayer Template
  • How to Pray the 5 Finger Prayer
  • How to Use Prayer Prompts to Pray Throughout the Day
  • How to Use the Book of Common Prayer in Your Daily Prayers
  • How to Pray the P.A.S.T. Prayer for Purification

Praying Scripture is also a fantastic way to get started with prayer.

  • How to Pray Through Scripture
  • How to Use the Psalms in Your Prayers
Prayer methods when you love the written word. Try prayer journaling

Do you love the written word?

Try writing your prayers in a prayer journal.

  • Ideas to Start Prayer Journaling
Best prayer methods when you're wired for oral communication

Are you more wired for oral communication (do you love to talk)?

Try speaking your prayers or praying with others.

  • 7 Tips for Praying Out Loud
  • How to Pray with a Prayer Partner
  • How to Pray with the Saints
Prayer methods when you want to listen for God

Do you love the silence and desire to hear God’s whisper into your heart?

Try some of these more contemplative forms of prayer:

  • How to Pray a Listening Prayer
  • How to Pray the Examen
  • How to Begin Your Prayers with a Centering Prayer
  • How to Find Stillness with God
  • How to Pray with Gospel Contemplation
  • How to Pray Through Lectio Divina
Prayer methods when you feel creative

Do you express yourself through forms of art?

Are you creative? Do you express yourself best through art?

Try doodling or drawing your prayers Or, pray through works of art.

  • How to Pray with Prayer Doodles
  • How to Use Art in Your Prayers with Prayer Mandalas
  • How to Pray Visio Divina
  • Praying with Icons

Or, try praying through music:

  • 3 Ways to use Music in Prayer
  • How to Pray Through Taize Prayer
Movement prayers to help your mind focus

Do you need movement to help your mind focus?

Sometimes we focus and listen best when we’re moving, so try forms of prayer that involve walking.

  • How to Take a Prayer Walk
  • Ideas for a Virtual Prayer Walk
  • How to Pray by Walking a Labyrinth
What's in your Prayer Toolbox? Discover 50+ ideas and prayer methods to inspire and ignite your prayer life.

The Prayer Toolbox

Even though I’ve studied and used these various prayer forms, I sometimes still get stuck in my prayer time.

To help refocus my prayer time, I created The Prayer Toolbox as a reference guide to keep near my Bible.

When I’m feeling disconnected or distracted, I can look through these ideas and find one to use in my prayer time. Sometimes a small change or different approach is just what I need to refocus and reinspire my prayer time.

The Prayer Toolbox includes details on many of these prayer methods and includes more than 50 ideas to inspire your prayer life. 

Click on the image below to learn more:

Want to pray better? Reboot your prayer life and go deeper with God? Try the Prayer Toolbox, your reference guide for a variety of prayer methods, with over 50 ideas to inspire and deepen your prayer life.

What Are Your Best Prayer Methods?

As you explore different methods for prayer, you’ll find a combination of these that work best for your prayer life.

You’ll find one or two methods as your “go-to” for everyday prayer.

You may have another couple that you use when you really need to get quiet to listen for God’s guidance.

You may have another for when you simply want to praise and worship God.

Then, there are the ones you use to shake things up a bit and reignite your prayer life when your prayers begin to feel lackluster.

As an example, these are my personal prayer preferences:

  • For everyday prayer: written prayers (prayer journaling) or praying through scripture
  • To closely listen for God’s responses: Lectio Divina or listening prayer
  • To worship and praise God: prayer through music
  • To change things up: prayer doodles or a virtual prayer walk

You’ll develop a different set of preferences as you explore the various prayer methods. Find ones that work best with your communication and learning styles.

God made you unique and wonderful and He will receive you in the prayer forms that work best with how He created you.

I invite you to explore these prayer methods and find your favorites. Write down your favorites and keep them in your journal or Bible as a reference. Note which forms of prayer you like for each of these purposes:

  • For everyday prayer:  _____________
  • To closely listen for God’s responses:  _____________
  • To worship and praise God:  _____________
  • To change things up: _____________
Is there a right way to pray to God? Find the right prayer methods for how God designed you and learn how to pray to God effectively.

Other Posts You May Like

Previous Post: « Daily Prayer for the Impossible
Next Post: Daily Prayer to Calm Anxiety »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ruthie Gray says

    February 6, 2017 at 7:36 am

    What a great post and resource, Kathryn! I’ll be sharing this with my Couch to Knee Facebook group, as well as pinning and tweeting! 🙂

  2. Lillian says

    February 6, 2017 at 9:57 am

    Thank you for sharing this! God has designed us all uniquely and thinking about those differences and your various ways to pray truly makes sense! So glad I clicked over to read! Pinned to my prayer board on Prayer too!

    Have a Lovely Day!

  3. Lillian says

    February 6, 2017 at 10:00 am

    Not sure if this comment will be a second one… maybe a glitch? Not sure!

    Anyhow- thank you for sharing this! God has made us all unique and different and these are such wonderful ideas of connecting to our Heavenly Father that correspond to how we speak and hear.

    Thank you for sharing!

    Have a Lovely Day!

  4. Starla J @ Pressing In and Pressing On says

    February 9, 2017 at 2:43 pm

    Thank you for sharing this over at the Grace & Truth Link Up Party.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hi, I'm Kathryn! I'm glad you're here to journey with me! I'm just an ordinary girl following an extraordinary God, learning to seek God's possible in this world of impossible. Fueled by loads of coffee, I'm passionate about helping and encouraging you along this journey, too! Let's step forward together and learn practical ways to live into God's possible! Read More…

Lookup a word or passage in the Bible


BibleGateway.com

Footer

Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 · beloved theme by Restored 316

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT