FAITH, COMMUNITY AND EVERYDAY LIFE

How to pray: a guide for beginners

ROOTED IN CHRIST · GROWING IN PRAYER

Prayer begins with a conversation.

Prayer is speaking to God and making room to listen as you reflect on Scripture. You can begin with ordinary words, gratitude, a need or an honest question. You do not need a special location or an impressive vocabulary.

Hands held in prayer on a Bible

The Prayer of Jabez: Blessed to Be a Blessing

Pray through 26 original Scripture-rooted prayers with practical responses. Follow a seven-day devotional journey or use the 60-minute group session.

Read the Jabez prayer guide · Begin the seven-day plan · Open the leaders’ guide

A GENTLE BEGINNING · 7 DAYS

Learning to Pray When Words Are Hard

Pray through seven days with Bible teaching, full daily readings, reflection questions, prayers, declarations and manageable actions.

Begin the seven-day study →

HONEST PRAYER · 12 DAYS

When God Becomes Real

Bring faith, purpose, forgiveness and everyday life into prayer. Follow the journey or choose the guide that speaks to your season.

Explore the prayer journey →

Ask for prayer

Start with Jesus’ teaching

Choose a quiet moment and read a short Bible passage. Notice what it reveals about God and respond in your own words. A few honest minutes can be a useful beginning; length and eloquence are not measures of your worth.

Try a simple first prayer

You can name something you are thankful for, acknowledge a wrong, ask for help with a need and remember another person. For example, tell God what is on your mind and ask for wisdom for the next step. Silence can also be part of prayer.

Create a small, sustainable rhythm

Choose a regular moment you can sustain, such as after breakfast or before bed. Begin with five minutes: read one short Bible passage, name one request, give thanks and choose one practical response. Keep a brief note and return the next day without treating a missed day as failure.

For a guided beginning, use Prayer Changes Things: six steps and a seven-day prayer guide. Each day includes the full Bible reading, a reflection, an action and a prayer.

When prayer feels difficult

The Bible includes prayers of grief and uncertainty. Psalm 13 is an example of lament. An unanswered prayer does not give another person the right to blame you or claim that your faith is inadequate.

Psalm 13 in full

1 How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart every day? How long shall my enemy triumph over me?

3 Behold, and answer me, LORD, my God. Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;

4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him;” lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall.

5 But I trust in your loving kindness. My heart rejoices in your salvation.

6 I will sing to the LORD, because he has been good to me.

World English Bible, British Edition, public domain.

David’s lament makes room for the question “How long?”. You can bring sorrow and trust into the same prayer without pretending your circumstances have changed.

Pray with care for others

Put prayer into practice: Pray with the Spirit’s help offers Scripture, a guided time of intercession and a practical act of care. It is Study 4 of Living from the Inside Out, our seven-study journey in daily fellowship and Christian growth.

Ask what a person wants prayer for and respect their privacy. Do not circulate sensitive details without an appropriate reason and consent. Prayer can accompany professional care and practical help; it should not be used to pressure someone into a decision.

Questions people ask

Can I pray if I am new to Christianity?

You can begin honestly and ask God for help understanding. Our Who Is Jesus guide gives context for Christian prayer.

Must I use the Lord’s Prayer every time?

You can use it as a prayer and reflect on it as a pattern. You can also pray in your own words.

Will prayer guarantee a particular outcome?

Christian prayer is not a technique for guaranteeing health, money or an outcome you request.

Can I ask ANCC for prayer?

Yes. Use Prayer Request and share only the details needed to arrange a response.

Prayers for everyday life and our city

Use a short reflection when you would like a starting point for honest prayer.

ONE DAY AT A TIME

Twelve days of honest prayer

Explore faith, purpose, forgiveness and everyday life through thirteen original ANCC guides: an introduction and twelve daily prayers. Read the full Bible passages, use four prayer prompts and take one practical step.

Begin with When God Becomes Real →

  1. DAY 01

    The Beginner’s Prayer

    A starting point when prayer is unfamiliar or words are difficult to find.

  2. DAY 02

    The Destiny Prayer

    Pray about purpose, present responsibilities and the courage to serve.

  3. DAY 03

    The Doubter’s Prayer

    Bring your questions to Jesus and take the next step of honest trust.

  4. DAY 04

    The Possibilities Prayer

    Pray honestly when a long struggle has worn down your hope.

  5. DAY 05

    The Forgiving Prayer

    Receive God’s mercy and learn to offer forgiveness with truth and wisdom.

  6. DAY 06

    The Visionary’s Prayer

    Bring the needs you care about to God before you make a plan.

  7. DAY 07

    The Guilty Soul’s Prayer

    Bring real wrongdoing and burdensome shame into the light of God’s grace.

  8. DAY 08

    The Emotional Prayer

    Tell God what you feel and let his wisdom shape what you do next.

  9. DAY 09

    The Returning to God Prayer

    A prayerful beginning when you want to reconnect with God.

  10. DAY 10

    The Fighting Bitterness Prayer

    Bring disappointment to God and protect your capacity for hope and love.

  11. DAY 11

    The Identity Prayer

    Receive your dignity in God and learn to serve without comparison.

  12. DAY 12

    The Kingdom Prayer

    Pray for God’s will in your life, your neighbours, Leeds and the wider world.

Explore related guides

Practical guides to continue with

Scroll to Top