A lot of people don’t pray because they don’t know how. They think they need special words, a church voice, or a script. Jesus said the opposite:
“When you pray… do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” (Matthew 6:7)
The problem isn’t repeating, it’s empty repetition. God isn’t looking for magic phrases; He’s looking for your heart.
The Parent Picture
Think of a loving parent watching their kid play outside. They saw every pass, every scraped knee. But when the child comes inside and bursts with, “You won’t believe what happened!” the parent leans in. Not for information, but for connection.
God is like that. He already knows your day (Psalm 139), but He wants to hear it from you, the wins and the losses, the silly and the serious. A good prayer is simply a sincere conversation with your Father.
What Prayer Is (and Isn’t)
- Is: honest, ordinary words; gratitude and requests; confession and questions; quiet listening as well as speaking.
- Isn’t: a performance, a checklist, a vending machine code, or noise to impress God or people (Matthew 6:5–8; Luke 18:9–14).
You don’t need perfect grammar; you need a present heart.
A Simple Way to Start: TALK
Use this as a light framework, not a rule.
- T — Thank: “Father, thank You for ______ today.”
- A — Ask: “I need help with ______. Please lead me.”
- L — Listen: Sit one quiet minute. Breathe. Read a verse. Notice what settles.
- K — Keep going: Pray for others by name; keep the conversation open through the day (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Three Prayer Starters (pick one today)
30 seconds:
Father, here’s my day in one breath: ______. Thank You for ______. I’m worried about ______. Please guide me and give me peace. Amen.
2 minutes:
Lord, I felt ______ when ______ happened. Thank You for ______. Forgive me for ______. I give You this situation: ______. What do You want me to know? (sit quietly) Amen.
For a rough day:
Abba, I’m tired and frustrated. I don’t have fancy words. Be near. Trade my anxiety for Your peace (Philippians 4:6–7). Help me do the next right thing. Amen.
When You Repeat Yourself
If you keep bringing the same thing to God, that’s not “babbling,” that’s persistence (Luke 18:1–8). The issue is empty repetition, not earnest repetition. Keep asking with a soft heart, and keep surrendering the outcome.
Make It a Rhythm (5 Minutes)
- Open: “Father, I’m here.”
- Thank: three specifics.
- Tell: one joy, one worry, one need.
- Listen: read a short Psalm/Proverb; sit 60 seconds.
- Bless: pray for one person by name.
Set it at the same time daily, wake-up, lunch, or before bed. Prayer grows like a muscle: small, consistent reps.
Why Prayer Matters
- Presence over pressure: God’s peace guards your heart (Philippians 4:6–7).
- Alignment over anxiety: You trade control for trust (1 Peter 5:7).
- Relationship over ritual: You become more aware of a Father who delights in your voice (Romans 8:15).
A Short Poem to Take With You
I don’t bring polish; I bring truth,
not magic words, just me.
And somehow when I speak His name,
my chains lose one more key.
Prayer to Pray Today
Father, thank You for loving my real voice. I give You my day, the good and the hard. Teach me to talk with You and to listen. Grow honesty, peace, and trust in me. Make prayer my first instinct, not my last resort. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Troy P Zehnder 