#1 Anyone can pray – Jesus’ apostle made it clear in Acts 17:24-28 that God made each of us so that we would seek him out and that he is not far from any of us. God heard a Roman centurion named Cornelius in Acts 10:1-4 before he became a Christian. Surely God will hear you as well.

#2 You don’t have to know what to say – In the letter to the Romans (8:26-27) we are taught that God’s Spirit intercedes for the saints specifically because we do not know how to pray. Perhaps this same blessing is afforded all who seek God. Rest assured that you will not confuse God or leave him misinformed when you speak to him. 

#3 You can talk to God about anything – your most secret thoughts are safe with him. He already knows them. God’s opinion of you, therefore, will not change when you open your heart to him. 

#4 You don’t have to hold back – Hannah “poured out her soul” to God, and was heard because she spoke from an oppressed heart according to the First book of Samuel, 1:12-18. Open up to God the way you want those whom you care about to open up to you. 

#5 You don’t need to pray for a long time – Jesus’ prayer that he modeled for his disciples is only 68 words in English and takes about 25 seconds to say (gospel of Matthew 6:9-13). 

#6 You can pray privately – as a matter of fact, this is the kind of prayer Jesus emphasized in Matthew’s gospel (6:6). Go to your “inner room” and close your door. God will hear you and respond. 

#7 Pray to God in Jesus’ name. No one really comes to the father except through Jesus (see the gospel of John 14:6 & 13-14). Jesus taught the apostles to pray “in his name”, recognizing that it is only through Jesus’ authority as God’s son that we have any right to come before God at all. God appreciates and rewards our recognition of his son.