This article was written by Olivia Woodford and by wikiHow staff writer, Dev Murphy, MA. Olivia Woodford is a Holy Bible Expert and the Founder of Bible Women Speak. Olivia has been teaching biblical stories of women through theater since 1992. She is a member of Biblical Storytellers International and has performed at and hosted learning retreats with churches, schools, and women's groups of all denominations throughout the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Olivia has a BFA in Theater Arts from Boston University.
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To pray means to commune with a spirit or deity that you believe in. While the rituals and conventions of prayer may vary widely, the intention is the same: to renew one's spiritual connection with a power outside themselves.[1]XExpert SourceZachary RaineyZachary Rainey Ordained MinisterExpert Interview Keep reading for things to consider when praying, whether you’ve been practicing your religion for decades or are a beginner.
Dedicate regular time to pray. It doesn’t matter where you pray, but it may help to find a peaceful spot that moves you spiritually, like a church or a meadow.
Pray with intentionality: what are you praying for? Knowing why and to whom you are praying will make the experience more meaningful.
Beyond that, there’s no "right" way to pray: just say what’s on your heart and let the peace of the spirit or energy you believe in flow through you.
Dedicate time to pray. No matter how you pray or whom you pray to, it can be difficult to find time for prayer during busy times. One way to deal with this is to make prayer part of your daily routine, such as praying as soon as you wake up in the morning, right before you go to sleep, or before every meal.[2]XExpert SourceZachary RaineyZachary Rainey Ordained MinisterExpert Interview There is no wrong time to pray.[3]XExpert SourceOlivia WoodfordOlivia Woodford Holy Bible ExpertExpert Interview
Many people pray during emotional times, like when they feel sad, scared, or happy. Some people make it their goal to maintain a state of prayer all the time by remaining conscious of their spiritual connection throughout the day.
Observant Jews pray 3 times a day (Shacharit, Minchah, and Maariv/Arvith) and Muslims pray 5 times a day. Still others pray completely spontaneously, when the mood calls or when certain occasions arise (for one's parents, before a meal, etc.). In short, do what you feel compelled to do.
Try to find a spot to pray that moves you spiritually. You can pray anytime, anywhere, anyhow.[4]XExpert SourceZachary RaineyZachary Rainey Ordained MinisterExpert Interview However, if you have the option, it may help to be in a place where the focus is on spirituality (such as a church or temple) or where the environment reminds you of your spiritual bond (like a natural setting, or a spot with a nice view). You can choose to pray in the presence of others, or you can pray privately.[5]XExpert SourceOlivia WoodfordOlivia Woodford Holy Bible ExpertExpert Interview
For some religions, like Buddhism, meditation is a standard form of prayer (or, sometimes, prayer is a standard form of meditation).
Finding a place where you can quiet yourself and feel connected to your spirituality is an equally respectable form of prayer. Whether an open field or a bowing congregation zens you, find your "place of worship."
Figure out why you're praying. Often, prayer accompanies a ritual, giving purpose to the prayer. It can be a lengthy fire-burning ceremony offering sacrifices to ensure good luck the coming season or it can be a simple, thoughtful utterance in thanks for a meal. It does not have to ask, plead, question, or thank; all it must do is appreciate.
Prayer can be a conversation, but it certainly doesn't have to be. Some religions relish prayer as an opportunity for intellectual contemplation.
In addition, prayer does not have to have anything to do with you. Roman Catholic tradition includes specific prayers and devotions as "acts of reparation," or amending others' sins.
Once you know why you're praying, you may consider who or what you’re praying to. Is there a particular deity, spirit, or energy you’re directing your prayers toward?
Explore different forms of prayer. Prayer does not have to involve crafted, reflective silence. It can be virtually anything. Song and dance have long been parts of many religions' repertoires of prayer. Even some Christians pray while exercising their body![6]XResearch source
Whatever gets you closer to your spirituality, your God, can be a prayer. If a runner's high gets you there, fantastic. If being curled up in your sheets does, great. You can scream at the top of your lungs if it makes you appreciative, full of wonder, or thankful.
Get into your prayer position. What position to assume may depend on the belief you have, if any. Sometimes expressing your thoughts physically can make the experience more meaningful, but there’s no one "right" position to take: consider sitting, kneeling, lying down on the floor, folding your hands, clasping them, or raising them high, holding hands with other people, bowing your head, dancing, prostrating, whirling, swaying, and so on. Some people even pray with their eyes open, and some closed.
In addition to thinking about the position of your body, consider the position of your body in space. Some religions believe in facing a certain direction during the act of prayer (toward Mecca, for example). If there's a spiritual place in your life, consider its place relative to you.
Perform pre-prayer rituals, if you want. Depending upon your belief, you may have a ritual way to prepare for praying that it gets you in the right mindset. Prepare in whichever way you feel is comfortable or appropriate.
All around the world, people are washing, anointing with oil, ringing bells, burning incense or paper, lighting candles, facing specific directions, making the sign of the cross, or fasting in preparation for prayer.
Many religions take your appearance into account. Certain clothes are deemed appropriate or inappropriate for prayerful gatherings. If for some reason you find your current dress distracting, opt for a presentation that is more reminiscent of you and your spirituality.
There is no wrong way to go about it. If a memorized prayer or chant delivers the point of your intended message, there is no need to go about searching for words. But if you have a specific thought, question, or concern in mind, any informal dialogue counts just as much.
There is no length of time necessary for a prayer. Your prayer may consist of a lengthy plea for aid, or you may send a simple "Hey, thanks!" in gratitude for a recent blessing.
Clearing your mind and becoming silent can be a useful part of prayer. Don't feel the need to be constantly thinking, talking, or listening for messages. You may find a clearer mind that has the answers in contemplative silence.
Close with a word or gesture, or simply by sitting in silence. Some people end the prayer with a special word, phrase, or gesture, while others simply sit in silence for a minute or two. Remove yourself, still reflectively, from your position or location and go about your day, a little more spiritually than before.
Some people end or close the prayer with one word like "Amen" or "Du'a," and some may invoke the name of an authority; e.g., many Christians say: "...in the name of Jesus, Amen."
You'll know when your prayer is complete. You may have expressed all you needed to express, or you may simply feel the spirit move through you.
The amount of time usually isn't as important as the quality of time. Pray first thing, if you can, because it's always ]good to connect with God before you begin your day. And pray as long as you are able to. Remember, prayer is spending time with God, not a competition or a performance.
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Just pray. Stay relaxed. Sit in a meditation position, then take a deep breath to relax, then you pray. Tell God what happened with your family, pray to God for smoothness in your life, but don't forget to be thankful and grateful always. Then just breathe, let go of what it was, and accept what happened.
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Talk to God with your regular vocabulary, as you would to a family member or friend. If you're looking for specific prayers to recite, the Lord's Prayer is a good one. You could also pray many of the psalms.
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While prayer can be healing or beneficial when we want something or are in trouble, also pray for your own spiritual and personal well-being. It can have positive effects on your mental and emotional health.[11]XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source
This article was written by Olivia Woodford and by wikiHow staff writer, Dev Murphy, MA. Olivia Woodford is a Holy Bible Expert and the Founder of Bible Women Speak. Olivia has been teaching biblical stories of women through theater since 1992. She is a member of Biblical Storytellers International and has performed at and hosted learning retreats with churches, schools, and women's groups of all denominations throughout the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Olivia has a BFA in Theater Arts from Boston University. This article has been viewed 1,503,664 times.
To pray, get into whatever prayer position feels most natural to you. Try sitting, kneeling, or lying down, with your hands clasped or held up. Then, start to pray in whatever way feels right to you: by speaking out loud, thinking, singing, dancing, reading, or calling on the god(s) you’re praying to. You can ask for answers or strength, send good thoughts to others, give thanks, or even have a simple conversation. When you’re ready, end the prayer with a word, phrase, or gesture. Let the spirituality and peace you feel carry you through the rest of your day. If you want to learn specific prayers based on what religion you believe, continue reading the article!
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,503,664 times.
Reader Success Stories
H. Yang
H. Yang
Nov 11, 2018
"Even though this article was not written specifically for a certain religion, I still found the tips in this article helpful. Tonight after I was studying and then reading the Word, I felt like I needed a reminder about how to pray; I felt as if my prayers were left unheard. However, I know now that it is not the case; He hears, but chooses to respond according to His time and according to His will. All I can do is be thankful and keep praying."..." more
"Even though this article was not written specifically for a certain religion, I still found the tips in this article helpful. Tonight after I was studying and then reading the Word, I felt like I needed a reminder about how to pray; I felt as if my prayers were left unheard. However, I know now that it is not the case; He hears, but chooses to respond according to His time and according to His will. All I can do is be thankful and keep praying."..." more
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Rafaela Gonzalez
Rafaela Gonzalez
Apr 7, 2020
"I was going down spiritually. I thought God wasn't listening to me being locked in my home for the virus that's going on and I have been feeling sick, my back having pain a lot. I felt weak, couldn't think right but with what I read here, it lifted up my spirit. God is listening."..." more
Annonymous
Annonymous
Apr 28, 2017
"I have noticed some organizations desire you to "quote pre-written prayers." This article cleared that up by explaining that: Prayer comes from the heart & NOT a book. We can research pre-written prayers, for better for understanding, but just talk to God. "..." more
Ritesh Chouksey
Ritesh Chouksey
Feb 19, 2017
"I was a religious person, but 10 years ago, due to some incidents I stopped my daily prayer and I did not have a purpose or way to be spiritual. Today I wish to thank and ask God many things and I am happy. This article helped me to start again. Thank you."..." more
Grace Collins
Grace Collins
Oct 14, 2017
"Thank you for providing very useful information. Just reading this article made me feel more spiritual and faithful. In the section Tips, I really liked where you said that God was like your best friend. It's definitely true."..." more
