Do you want to know how to pray when you don’t know where to start? Read this guide on how to pray, even if you have never prayed before. Praying does not have to be complicated. It’s just a matter of talking to Jesus and telling him what you feel and what you need.

How To Pray When You Don’t Know Where to Start

Before you follow some fancy formula for your prayers, there are three key things to keep in mind. The biggest keys to prayer are to begin talking in the first place, view God as a good Father, and be vulnerable and open with God about how you feel.

If you feel ready for a more in-depth prayer guide you can access the Beginner’s Guide To Prayer or learn How To Pray Like Jesus.

1. Start Praying by Talking

The first step to knowing how to pray when you don’t know where to start is to let go of all preconceived ideas of what or how you think praying should look/sound like.

You do not have to sound eloquent. There is no wrong thing to say. Just start talking. 

2. Start Praying to Him as Your Good Father

When my three-year-old daughter gets scared, she doesn’t want me– her beloved momma. She wants her daddy.

I’m perfectly okay with this because it warms my heart to see just how much she loves her dad. 

She’s currently in a phase where she is terrified of shadows on her bedroom wall.

My husband and I both know that a shadow can not harm her. We know the shadow just scares her big, wide, beautiful imagination. But to my three-year-old, these shadows are REAL. And they are scary.

“Daddy! Daddy! I’m scared! Come here!”

When she calls her father for help, she doesn’t think about the words that she is going to say. 

She just cries out his name. She speaks his name, and he comes near her. He comforts her and holds her when she is afraid.  He knows this shadow will not bring harm to her. Her dad shows up in her time of need.

As you begin to pray, remember that God is a good and loving Father. He is not criticizing the way you speak to him or form your words.

3. Start Praying as You Tell God How You Feel

Just as a three-year-old doesn’t stop and think about what they are going to say before they say it, I want to encourage you to do the same when you cry out to the Heavenly Father for help.

This “shadow” in front of you —God already knows all about it.  

It doesn’t scare him, and it doesn’t surprise him.  

He cares for you! He wants to comfort you in the midst of your fear and worry. (1 Peter 5:7)

The Bible says that he catches our tears and stores them in a jar. (Psalm 56:8) It’s okay to cry, but know that Jesus sees your tears.

Tell him how you feel, tell him your worries, and ask him to comfort you.