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I used to think I knew how to pray. Then life required desperate prayer—and I thought I really learned what it meant to pray.
Now that I’ve lived lots of years and lots of life, I realize I know almost nothing about praying. Prayer is a wonder I can’t comprehend. I feel woefully inadequate and terribly ineffective—does anything happen when I pray?
Yet I pray.
Often. Always.
Here are some of the ways I pray. This is not a formula. There is no order, because life in the moment dictates how I come to the Lord, what I say, what position I’m in.
We’ll start with one of my favorite ways to pray: walking on the beach. An hour conversation with my God, with the sand in my toes, the waves lapping my ankles, the ocean masking nearby sounds. I usually ask, “What do you want to say to me? “ But sometimes I start with, “I have something to say…”
I almost always pray with great honesty. I find it’s good to tell God the truth—He knows it anyway. The beach is a good place to yell out my anger or fear or confusion. My home when no one else is there works as well. He always listens patiently and responds compassionately. Reminding me of truths I know, of what He is like, of how I need to respond.
Sometimes I fall on my face—literally—in awe that the God of the universe would invite me into His presence, to talk with Him, to share my heart, to listen to His. I am so unworthy, yet He treasures me and wants me with Him!!
I might drop to my knees and cry out, begging God to choose to do what I know He can do. Would he please heal, or rescue, or provide, or change things. Change a mind or a heart or a situation. Jesus says he responds to those who cry out day and night. So I do.
Many times, like David describes in Psalms, my tears have soaked my pillow. “Help me, Lord.”
I pray by myself and with others. I pray through Scripture. I read aloud prayers written by others. I raise my hands in worship.
Of course I have interceded on behalf of those I love, friends and coworkers, our leaders, world situations, those needing justice…and many other people, needs, events.
And gratefully, one of my most frequent prayers is “Thank You, Lord.” I have taken seriously the admonition to give thanks in all things, and oh the difference it has made in all the above prayers.
I thank Him? Does He answer me, that I should say thanks? Well yes, He answers, though sometimes my hearing is not so good. Often He says no, not a good idea. Often He says yes, but it usually looks a little different than what I had in mind. Most often he says, “I have a better idea.”
He is rarely in a hurry, but always on time—from His great knowledge and love. My saying Thank You affirms that I believe He is God and He is good. And in my experience those little words are like a key to open a door for God to work.
I’ve experienced some amazing answers to prayer. I seen people healed in heart and body. I’ve enjoyed remarkable community praying with others.
And yes, sometimes God seems silent. I feel like I know nothing about praying. I grow weary of waiting.
Then, once again, my Abba Daddy invites me into His embrace, into His heart. We talk and listen and cry and laugh.
How sweet is that!
What about you? What are some ways you pray?
C2012 Judy Douglass
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Kindling 
Thanks Judy, for sharing your exprience, I pray saying words in my heart. I pray walking on streets when i can after work. I pray also writing to God before on papers now on tablets. Its not always one way, i beleive how ever i talk to God He is ready to listen and i try to observe and listen to God in all situations. I some times enjoy listening soft songs with out talking.
Yes, He listens, and I am learning to listen more.
I use seeing emergency vehicles (ambulances, firetrucks and police cars) as a prompt to pray for those first responders inside them regardless of whether or nor they have their lights/sirens going.
I do that too, Kelly. My husband’s mother used to tell him that when he was growing up.
Wonderfulul post Judy. What a beautiful example of not just how to pray, but also of the endless ways God invites us to talk to him..not based on certain words, but rather the honest posture of our heart and sincere desire to bring all of our lives to our God in faith….believing that he hears, he cares, he sees, he knows and most of all that he loves it when we come to him in earnest dependence. Our journey of learning to pray/ talk to God should absolutely provoke a grateful heart that allows us to thank him for his sovereign care over all aspects of our lives. On Monday, God redirected (interrupted) my career plans. I was going one way – and an unexpected turn of events took place. As I process this abrupt change I sit in my morning chair and pray knowing that it’s ok that I can’t see the why right
now. And I watch and wait for his purpose to unfold in my life and in the life of those I love as I bring all of me to all of Him. Thank you again friend.
Thanks, Betsy. May His grace and peace keep you through this redirect.
Thank you Judy. I too have thought that I knew how to pray well. Now I am also finding the truth that I am the child still learning, especially in the broken, hopeless places I find myself on the inside…..having no words, only groans, whimpers and ashamed to say…whining. I KNOW to give thanks. “Lord, enable me to do it and thank you that I can just lay here in your embrace!” Love you Judy.
Oh yes, Martha. I forgot to mention the whining.
Oh, I really connected with these words: “I used to think I knew how to pray. Then life required desperate prayer—and I thought I really learned what it meant to pray. Now that I’ve lived lots of years and lots of life, I realize I know almost nothing about praying.” Those are my thoughts exactly – and just like you, I am longing to continue and learn more and more of this greatest of privileges – connecting with God through prayer.
An unpredictable journey.
Judy your descriptions of the many ways that prayer leads you are simply great examples of ways to pray! Sometimes the shortest prayer is the best, like “Help, Love, Abba! One word prayers bring me into the silence where I can hear his words.
Yes, there is conversation, and sometimes silence, but even in the darkest hours when the silence is the deepest, I know that he is with me. I can look at the stars or the moon, and find God!
Most of all, I am filled with gratitude that this most wonderful Abba, loves me as I am, and sometimes as you stated says no.
Recently over the course of maybe 5 years I kept hearing, “not yet.” It was about Mom and her living alone at 95, and her many issues. Three weeks ago, the spiral finally came to a point where my family finally agreed with me, that Mom was not safe home alone. She is now safely ensconced in a nursing home, where she needed to be for however long God she remains on earth. This was a very long and emotional prayer for a very long time, and I cried those tears that you mention often into my pillow at night. Now I am learning once again, that not now, does not mean always, not forever! God bless, and thanks for your posts Judy, you are an inspiriation.
Thanks for this. And so glad you have peace about your mom.
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Thanks for the repost.