Prayer—What Is It? And How Should I Pray?

The Origins of Prayer

Prayer is unquestionably one of the most ancient acts of worship that we know of. Since the days of Adam and Eve when the first prayer was uttered, prayer has been central to human life throughout recorded history.

Based on accounts from the Bible and other revealed scripture, Adam, Eve, and their posterity offered prayers to God (see Genesis 4:26, Moses 5:4). We also know that the ancient Sumerians, Akkadians, Egyptians, and Mesopotamians likewise built altars on which they placed sacrifices and offered prayers—all in the hope of gaining God’s favor.

What Is Prayer?

So, what constitutes prayer? From a Judeo-Christian perspective, the various Hebrew and Greek words translated as “prayer” throughout the Bible are straightforward in their meaning. The seven Hebrew terms and five Greek words rendered as “prayer” (in most English-language Bibles) mean exactly what you would expect them to:

• Attempts to reach the divine in order to commune or connect with, to bond with, or to be in relation to God.
• Efforts to gain intervention in the form of help, favors, information, or guidance.
• Requests for peace, a cessation of longing, or seeking meaning during grief, suffering, or crisis.
• A means of worship, singing to, appeasing, attempting to understand God’s will, and aligning our will with His
• An effort to draw down blessings or intervention on behalf of others.
• Strengthening our relationship with the divine.

These constitute not only the literal meaning of the Hebrew and Greek words translated as “prayer” in the Bible, but they also summarize the common reasons people engage in regular prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer as a Pattern

The most famous example of prayer in the entire Bible, of course, is the Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer provides not only words but a spiritual framework that supports our conversation with God.

Interestingly, Jesus Christ prefaced His famed prayer with these words: “After this manner therefore pray ye” (Matthew 6:9, KJV). Luke’s account records Him saying: “When ye pray, say” (Luke 11:2). With these words, the Savior intentionally set an example—a pattern His followers could learn from—showing not just how to pray, but also what to pray. This modeled approach fosters a stronger relationship between the petitioner and the Lord.

Following the Savior’s example, a prayer may sound something like this:

• Begin by addressing God by name in a respectful and reverent manner. There have been many names used to refer to God throughout history, but it is clear from John’s writings that the Savior respectfully referred to God as “Father” or “Father in Heaven” (Heavenly Father).
• Manifest reverence and express praise for Him.
• Be submissive to God and His will for your life, placing it above your own will or desires.
• In requesting God’s aid, acknowledge that all that you have comes from Him.
• Confess your sins, and seek forgiveness.
• Commit to follow the example of Jesus Christ to serve others, and ask for strength to do it.
• Plead for protection, particularly spiritual protection.
• Acknowledge His power, glory, and ultimate supremacy over all things.

What We Learn About Prayer from the Scriptures

In addition to offering the Lord’s Prayer as an example, Christ also taught a few other things about how we should pray—and what we should not do in prayer.

Foremost, He taught we are to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ. (see John 14:13-14; 15:16; 16:23-24; 3 Nephi 18:19-21).

Additionally, He said we should not pray to be seen by others as the “hypocrites” of His day did (Matthew 6:5; see also Isaiah 29:13).

By comparison, the way He prayed on various occasions suggests that at times we might want to seek an isolated or private place to offer up our prayers (see Matthew 6:6; Mark 1:35)—though there are also times when public or group prayers are important (see Acts 1:14; 12:5, Moroni 6:5).

Jesus showed that longer prayers are suitable, at least under specific circumstances (see Luke 6:12). This demonstrates the power of spiritual endurance and connection in prayer. Indeed, possibly drawing on Jesus’s example of spending the night in prayer, Paul said believers should “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

The Book of Mormon further emphasizes this principle in Alma 34:27: “Let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.”

Elsewhere in the scriptures we’re taught that our prayers should be filled with “thanksgiving” (Psalm 100:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Doctrine and Covenants 46:7) and that we should go to God in prayer to seek His help (see Psalm 121:1–2).

We are counseled to be guided by the Holy Spirit in what we pray (see Romans 8:26-27; Ephesians 6:18) and to make our personal prayers a time of confession and repentance (see Psalm 32:5; Daniel 9:3–19; 1 John 1:9).

We are also informed that prayers can be vocalized, though God accepts them even if they are simply uttered in our mind or heart (see Psalm 19:14; 1 Samuel 1:13; Romans 8:26).

If our prayers do not appear to be answered immediately, we are advised that we should “continue in prayer,” believing that God will hear them and may answer them in ways we may not initially recognize (Colossians 4:2; see also Luke 11:5–13; 18:1–8).

While scripture emphatically teaches the power of prayer, stating that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous [person] availeth much” (James 5:16), we are also informed that our personal sinfulness can impact the effectiveness or power of our prayers (see Psalm 66:18; James 4:3; 1 Peter 3:7; Doctrine and Covenants 88:64–65).

Approach prayer with a sincere heart and let it become a daily part of your communion with God.

Examples of Those Who Prayed

One might rightfully ask, “If Jesus sets a pattern for prayer, are there other patterns in the Bible that instruct us on what we should physically do as we pray?”

• Some people—like Daniel, Solomon, Paul, and Jesus Christ—are described as kneeling during prayer.
• Some people are depicted as standing during their prayers, including Solomon and Jesus Christ and also certain Pharisees and publicans.
• In certain parts of the Bible, those praying are said to be face down on the ground as they sought to commune with God. Jesus Christ, Abraham, Moses, and Aaron, all engaged in this form of prayer.
• At times, the righteous are described as praying with uplifted arms or hands. We know that David, Solomon, and Paul all prayed this way or encouraged others to pray this way.
• At least once in the Bible, we read of a believer seeking to commune with God while being seated.
• Some are said to have prayed out loud, even “crying out” to God. Hannah, David, and Jesus Christ apparently all approached God in this way.
• Elsewhere we are told that silent prayer, in the heart or the mind, is also acceptable to the Lord. We see Hannah and Nehemiah both praying silently.
• Some biblical figures recognized the value of private prayer, but the Bible also portrays group prayer, prayer during worship, and even prayer while walking or traveling as appropriate.

All of these descriptions show that patterns of prayer in the Bible are varied. The righteous have approached God in many ways—in their physical posture, the places they pray, and even how they voice their prayers. Each approach, whether spoken or silent, adds depth to a rich spiritual life.

God Commands All to Pray to Him

God has continually taught us that He both directs and desires us to communicate with Him through prayer. Modern-day prophets and apostles have been called to declare the same message for us today.

Prayer allows petitioners to exercise faith as they describe to God their needs or the needs of others and as they manifest trust that He cares enough to answer their prayers. Through this conversation, the faithful can develop a deep spiritual relationship with the divine. Prayer is the primary way we can commune with Heavenly Father, and sincere daily prayer strengthens our relationship with Him.

Through prayer we can ask for forgiveness of our sins. And because of Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice for us, He has the power to remit our sins as we come unto Him and follow His commandments. Daily prayer can also provide peace and perspective for those struggling with challenging situations.

Finally, prayer is a way for those who love God to express that love in worshipful words, which God hears and appreciates. Thus, even if a prayer asks for nothing, it can convey to God the love and adoration of the individual who utters the thoughts and feelings of their heart.

Praying with Real Intent Glorifies God

God has provided a way for everyone to communicate with Him. If you humbly and reverently approach Him through prayer, He will hear you. He can comfort you in times of need and direct you on the path you should take. He knows and loves you and has provided His Son, Jesus Christ, to be your advocate before Him.

You can come to know the mind and will of God in your life through regular and patient prayer and by focusing on the promptings of the Holy Spirit. By aligning our desires with God’s prayer becomes a holy conversation that draws us nearer to His presence.