Wednesday, August 19, 2026
(The Practice, Power, and Promise of Prayer Series)
Tonight’s Study, Session 3: What is the Proper Way to Pray?
Introduction: Many believers ask the question, “What is the proper way to pray?” Is it best to pray kneeling or bowing down, standing up, or sitting down? Should our hands be open, closed, or lifted up to God? Do our eyes need to be closed when we pray? Should we pray in the morning when we get up or at night before we go to bed? Are there certain words we need to say in our prayers? How do we begin our prayers? What is the proper way to close a prayer? These questions, and others, are common questions asked about prayer. This study will answer these questions as we study from God’s Word and answer the question, “What is the proper way to pray?”
Far too often, prayer is viewed as a “Magic formula.” Some believe that if we do not say exactly the right things, or pray in the right position, God will not hear and answer our prayers. This is completely unbiblical. God does not answer our prayers based on when we pray, where we are, what position our body is in, or in what order we word our prayers. We are told in 1 John 5:14-15 to have confidence when we come to God in prayer, knowing He hears us and will grant whatever we ask as long as it is in His will.
1 John 5:14-15 – Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
Look what Jesus says about Praying
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. -Jesus (John 14:13-14)
According to this Scripture and many others, God answers prayer requests based on whether they are asked according to His will and in the name of Jesus (to bring glory to God).
So, what is the proper way to pray? Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to pray without being anxious*, to pray about everything, and to pray with thankful hearts. God will answer all such prayers with the gift of His peace in our hearts.
*Anxious – experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
The proper way to pray is to pour out our hearts to God, being honest and open with God, as He already knows us better than we know ourselves. We are to present our requests to God, keeping in mind that God knows best and will not grant a request that is not His will for us. We are to express our love, gratitude, and worship to God in prayer without worrying about having just the right words to say. God is more interested in the content of our hearts than the eloquence of our words.
The closest the Bible comes to giving a “pattern” for prayer is the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13 – In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer is not a prayer we are to memorize and recite to God. It is an example of the things that should go into a prayer – worship, trust in God, requests, confession, and submission. We are to pray for the things the Lord’s Prayer talks about, using our own words and “customize” it to our own journey with God.
Conclusion: The proper way to pray is to express our hearts to God. Sitting, standing, or kneeling; hands open or closed; eyes opened or closed; in a church, at home, or outside; in the morning or at night – these are all side issues, subject to personal preference, conviction, and appropriateness. God’s desire is for prayer to be a real and personal connection between Himself and us. Next Week, Session 4: How can I be sure I am Praying according to the will of God?