Prayer
Prayer is an open, ongoing conversation with God — a way of bringing Him our praise, our dependence, and our asks.
The Bible gives us many beautiful examples of prayer, Matthew 6:6 and Luke 6:12 come to mind.
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” - Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
“In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.” - Luke 6:12 (ESV)
In Matthew, Jesus gives us clear guidance on prayer, and in Luke we see Him modeling it with His own life. The guidance is simple yet profound: talk to the Father. Spend quiet time with Him where you can be fully truthful and hear the confident, steady voice of the Spirit within. He hears you and will respond in His perfect timing and way.
Why Pray?
Prayer is one of the most beautiful ways to connect with God. It allows us to open our hearts fully, to release what burdens us, and to receive counsel from the Holy Spirit.
We don’t pray to inform God — He already knows (Matthew 6:8).
“Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” - Matthew 6:8 (ESV)
We pray to align ourselves with Him, to learn His character, and to be reminded of His goodness. As we pray, we remember that Jesus has already taken our sin upon Himself. Through His death and resurrection, we are forgiven, cleansed, and free.
When we confess, we’re not earning forgiveness — we’re stepping into the grace already won for us.
Intimacy in Prayer as Surrender and Intimacy
“these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.” - 1 Corinthians 2:10-12
The Spirit knows our depths as well as the depths of God. The relationship is deep, so value the moments you get to spend here. The quiet moments spent in creation, free from distraction and the noise of the world where you become most in tune with His Spirit. It’s in this stillness that we can give thanks, recognize His goodness, and feel deeply connected to Him.
My Own Journey
For me, much of my wrestling has been with negative thought patterns — shame, guilt, and self-condemnation. Over time, I’ve realized that so much of my sin comes from neglecting God’s perfect design and forgetting the forgiveness I already have through Jesus.
When I pray about these struggles, I find freedom in remembering: I am forgiven. I am loved. I am made new. And out of that place, I can ask Him for joy, peace, kindness, and the fruit of His Spirit.
This is why I pray: because all healing, all joy, all goodness flows from God. Prayer is how I draw close to remember His grace, to rest in His presence, and to be reshaped into His likeness.
My Encouragement for You
Say this simple prayer, talk to the Lord.
Lord, I thank You for the wisdom You lay on my heart, the beauty that surrounds me, and the guidance and conviction of the Holy Spirit to grow daily. May You guide me deeper in faith and more fully in trust and surrender. Amen.
Final Thoughts
Prayer shifts our perspective, strengthens hope, fuels positive thinking, and reminds us that wanting better is not only possible but a reflection of God’s goodness at work in our lives.
If you’re a believer, pray with steadfast faith. Pray with confidence in what we know to be true: that in Jesus, we are forgiven, cleansed, and healed.
If you’re not sure what you believe, start with prayer anyway. Let it be an experiment in honesty, gratitude, and surrender.
