Lesson 6: How to Pray — Learning to Speak with God
Introduction: The First Prayers
Prayer is one of the most personal and powerful parts of walking with God — but many people aren’t taught what it is or how to do it. Thankfully, Scripture gives us both examples and invitations.
The first mention of prayer-like communication is in Genesis 4:26:
> “At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.”
As people began to multiply, they also began to cry out to God. Prayer started not as a performance or ritual, but as a response — a calling on God’s name.
Early Examples of Prayer and God’s Response
Abraham (Genesis 18:22–33) — Pleads with God for mercy over Sodom. Bold intercession.
Hagar (Genesis 16:11) — In her distress, God hears her affliction and answers.
Abraham’s Servant (Genesis 24:12–14) — Prays for help finding a wife for Isaac. God answers clearly.
Jacob (Genesis 32:9–12) — Prays for protection from Esau. Honest and fearful.
Hannah (1 Samuel 1:10–20) — Prays in agony for a child. God answers with Samuel.
David (Psalms) — Pours out lament, praise, repentance, and worship. God responds with nearness.
Elijah (1 Kings 18:36–38) — Prays for fire from heaven — and it comes.
James 5:16 — “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Why Did They Pray?
For mercy
For deliverance
For children
For protection
For guidance
For victory in battle
For healing
For forgiveness
For comfort
God answered — sometimes with yes, sometimes with no, and often with something unexpected but better.
Why Does God Want Us to Pray?
God desires relationship — not just obedience. Prayer is the bridge between our human hearts and His divine wisdom.
Prayer keeps us connected.
Prayer humbles us.
Prayer invites God into our choices.
Prayer changes our hearts even more than our circumstances.
Jeremiah 29:12 — “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
He could do everything without us — but He wants us involved.
Who Do We Pray To?
Scripture teaches us to pray to the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 2:18 — “Through him [Jesus] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”
We pray to God as our loving Father.
We come in Jesus’ name, because His sacrifice gives us access.
We pray with the help of the Holy Spirit, who guides and intercedes.
John 14:13 — “Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do...”
My Experience with Prayer
I have been talking to God my whole life. Sometimes He’s felt far off. Other times, deeply close. In my most desperate moments, my only prayer has been: “Help.” And somehow, even that was enough.
To me, prayer is a talking to. Communication. When I read the Bible, I’m praying — asking God to reveal His Word to me. When I worship, I’m praying — and that’s when I often feel Him the most clearly.
Does God answer every prayer the way I want? No. But I believe He answers every time. Sometimes the answer is silence, or a wait, or a no. But it’s always with purpose. He knows what I don’t. And He’s good.
What Prayer Looks Like for Us Today
Prayer is not about using fancy words or perfect timing. It’s about honesty, relationship, and faith. Jesus didn’t just tell people to pray — He taught them how:
Matthew 6:9–13 — The Lord’s Prayer
“Our Father in heaven” — We pray as children to a loving Father.
“Your kingdom come” — We align with His purposes.
“Give us today…” — We ask for our daily needs.
“Forgive us…” — We confess and receive grace.
“Deliver us…” — We recognize spiritual battles.
Prayer can be:
Spoken aloud or whispered quietly
Written in journals
Sung as worship
Groaned in the Spirit> Romans 8:26 — “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us…”
Types of Prayer We See in Scripture
Adoration — “Holy, holy, holy…” (Isaiah 6:3)
Thanksgiving — “Give thanks to the Lord…”(Psalm 136)
Confession — “Against You only have I sinned…”(Psalm 51)
Supplication — “Hear my cry, O God…”(Psalm 61)
Intercession — “I urge… that prayers be made for all people...(1 Tim. 2:1)---Personal
Reflection Questions
1. Do I approach God as a Father or a far-off authority?
2. Have I withheld parts of my heart in prayer?
3. Am I listening in prayer, or only talking?
4. Do I pray regularly or only in crisis?
5. What is something I need to bring honestly before God today?
Closing Prayer:“Lord, thank You for inviting me to talk with You. Teach me to pray the way Jesus did — with honesty, trust, and love. Help me to listen, to wait, and to surrender. Let my prayers be shaped by Your Word and stirred by Your Spirit. Amen.”---
Next Lesson: Walking in Righteousness — What it Means to Live Set Apart