Q&A for How to Pray to Jesus

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How do you pray to God properly?

Zachary Rainey
Ordained Minister
Rev. Zachary B. Rainey is an ordained minister with over 40 years of ministry and pastoral practice, including over 10 years as a hospice chaplain. He is a graduate of Northpoint Bible College and a member of the General Council of the Assemblies of God.

Zachary Rainey

Ordained Minister

Expert Answer

A Christian should “pray without ceasing.” You should begin your day with focused prayer, continue to pray in your heart as you perform your activities of the day, and retire to bed with another time of prayer. A conversation with God never ends.

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Question

What is the perfect time to pray?

Community Answer

Any time at all! Sometimes it is best to sit in a room on your own where it is peaceful, or when you're in a group of Christians.

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My mom raised me Christian, but growing up I had very hard times and I went atheist. How do I get back to Jesus? I feel hopeless.

Marta Keyes

Community Answer

He never left you. God will not leave you nor forsake you. Start by accepting Him as your Lord and savior. Confess your sins, He is merciful. Read your Bible, and get to know Him more. You will find your real identity through Christ and will feel hope again.

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Am I really forgiven? It's hard to forgive myself.

Community Answer

God will always forgive you, even when others won't. And you should forgive yourself. Let the past go.

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Question

Do I have to shout when I am praying?

Community Answer

You do not have to shout, God is not hard of hearing in that sense. You can whisper or regularly speak your prayer. If you want to shout, you can, it's totally up to you but unanswered prayers are not to do with deafness, they're more to do with what you've asked for and how you need to discover they've been answered.

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Can l pray in my heart without talking?

Community Answer

Certainly, your heart and soul are easily heard by the Lord.

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Question

Will praying to Jesus help me clear my mind of the things I am afraid of?

Community Answer

Yes. God has not given us the spirit of fear, but also the spirit of power, love and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). When you are afraid, your mind is not sound, so any fear of that sort doesn't come from God. Christ will triumph over it for you.

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Question

What should I say at the start and end of my prayer?

Community Answer

Maybe start with "Lord, thank you for what you have given me" and end with "in Jesus's name, amen."

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Question

How can I stay focused on praying?

Community Answer

Pray like you are simply talking to a friend. Imagine Jesus sitting with you as you pray. If your mind wanders, ask for forgiveness.

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Question

I never know what to pray for or about. Can you help me to pray better?

Community Answer

You can pray about your day, thank God about what He has given you, and what He did for you that day.

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Question

I often fall into deep sleep in my bed while praying at the end of day, and don't get to the "praise you, God" and "thank you for everything, God" part of my prayer. Or close it with "Jesus, wonderful name, amen."

Community Answer

Your main prayer time should be done in the morning so you can pray about the day ahead. You still may pray at the end of the day, but it doesn't need to be very long.

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Question

I recently prayed to Jesus for help and guidance with my anger issues. While I was praying my radio was on and a segment about controlling anger came on. How do I know if it is him answering?

Community Answer

Jesus heard you and that is likely him giving you a sign that he will guide you through your issues. He wants you to do anger management as part of your lifestyle.

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Question

How do I focus my mind while I am praying?

Community Answer

I'd recommend turning off music and all the other things that might distract you. If you want to listen to music while praying choose some calm music (maybe for meditation). If you feel you can't keep your mind from wandering include the things you unintentionally think about in your prayer.

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Question

Why is God not answering my prayers? We have gone on like this for the last 2 years.

Community Answer

Sometimes it feels like God has abandoned you, that He is too busy. But he hears every prayer, and He has three answers: Yes, No, and WAIT. Keep praying, even if the light has gone out. Go to a church and ask someone there for help, or ask other Christians to pray with you. Just remember: You're not alone. Everyone has been through this. God hears your prayers, but He sometimes does not answer them right away. Don't give up hope!

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Question

The Bible talks about salvation. How do I get saved?

Community Answer

Tell God you're sorry for the wrong things you've thought and done -- admit you are a sinner who is helpless to save yourself. Confess that you know that Jesus is God's son, and that He died for your sins because no one is perfect but Him. Ask Jesus to come and make his home in your heart, to be with you always. And read the Bible; the Bible is important.

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Question

Can I pray while sleeping on the bed or sitting?

Community Answer

Definitely. Sometimes, when you're trying to sleep, something will pop into your mind that worries you or makes you happy. You can pray right there for God to help you, or thank Him for something.

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Question

How do I focus my mind while I am praying?

Community Answer

Do whatever makes you feel relaxed and comfortable. As the article said, you could doodle, sing, or do something with your hands.

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Question

I know I am a sinner. Do I need to ask for forgiveness first each time I pray?

Community Answer

Just apologize if you know of something specific you've done that you need forgiveness for. God has already forgiven you, but it's good for your soul to acknowledge your wrongdoings and receive (each time) his pardon fresh.

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Question

I feel so low and empty. How do I pray to Jesus to help me feel good about myself?

Community Answer

God loves you. He loves everyone, He thinks of you as His child, which makes you the child of a King, the King of the World! Just cry out to Him, telling Him how you feel and what you need. Tell yourself, "I am loved." And then, when you hear the devil hissing these lies to you, tell yourself again, "I am loved! These are lies -- God loves me! I am His child! He is good to me, and He loves me!" Fight for yourself, and use God's word (what the Bible says) as your weapon.

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Question

I really want to see Jesus! What do I do?

Community Answer

Sometimes you just have to wait until he comes back.

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Question

How can I pray if I find myself getting bored?

Community Answer

Your prayers don't have to be long -- they can be short and simple, which might help you avoid boredom. Writing down your prayers and reading them out loud can also help you focus better.

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Question

Is He always with me?

Community Answer

Always! He may seem far away, but He is still there. He is always with you.

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Question

I want to feel closer to God. I feel like I'm trying my best. I decided to start to read the bible, but I feel I don't completely understand. And now from what I've been reading I feel my prayer isn't good enough. What do I do?

Community Answer

Just knowing that you want to do your best to be closer to God is already a step in the right direction. You should always strive to better yourself. Reading the bible and praying are good, but you can also find a church group who help the community by feeding the homeless, etc.

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Question

I have a problem with praying. Whenever I pray, I tell myself not to think about inappropriate things while I pray, but when I say that, I think about that stuff because I put it in my head. What should I do?

Community Answer

You should be very relaxed. Focus on the words, attempt to visualize the words and how they make you feel. Should other thoughts intermingle, focus and continue, repeat until you focus on the prayer.

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Question

Is kneeling down a mandatory while praying?

Community Answer

No. You can pray in any position, even lying down (as long as you don't fall asleep!). Kneeling is not mandatory, although sometimes the physical position of kneeling can help your heart adopt a more submissive stance.

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Question

How long should I pray for?

Community Answer

Until God answers -- however long that takes. Do not regulate your prayers to a rigid form, or think that by praying a certain amount of minutes or hours that you have done your duty. Just seek God with your whole heart, and He promises if you do that, He will surely answer.

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Question

Will the Lord forgive me for repeated mistakes?

Community Answer

Yes, if you are repentant and honestly trying to change.

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Question

I have so many issues. I pray for guidance and wisdom, but things only get worse. My heart has gone hard and bitter. What should I do?

Community Answer

He hasn't left you. Every believer goes through these kinds of desert seasons when God seems silent and life is terribly hard. Just keep praying desperately. Go to church and ask the pastor, worship team, or fellow members to pray for you. Meditate constantly on Scripture to encourage your heart and keep your mind from going crazy places: the Psalms are an excellent part of the Bible to set up shop in when you're going through a season like this.

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Question

Is watching television out altogether?

Community Answer

TV is perfectly fine, as long as you don't put it first in your life in front of God.

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Question

Is singing to Jesus considered to be another way of praising him?

Community Answer

Yes, because singing to God is praising him.

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