How to pray: a simple way to start

Prayer is talking with God. You do not need special words, a special place, or a lot of time. Jesus’ own disciples asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1), and He gave them a pattern, not a performance. When your mind wanders or you do not know where to begin, a simple shape helps.

Here is one shape, called CAST: Confession, Adoration, Supplication and Thanksgiving, with time in the Word at the center.

First, shut the door

Find a quiet place, put your phone face down (or use it only to pray), and give yourself a few minutes. Many people pray in the morning, before the day speaks louder: “in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up” (Psalm 5:3).

C: Confession

Begin by being honest. Ask God to show you anything that stands between you and Him, and name it plainly. He knows already, and He is not shocked.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalm 139:23–24, KJV

Then receive His forgiveness: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9).

A: Adoration

Before you ask, adore. Praise God for who He is, not only for what He gives. One way is to pray His names: Jehovah Jireh, the LORD will provide (Genesis 22:14); the Good Shepherd; our Rock. “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4).

The Word, and a moment of silence

Read a short passage slowly, maybe one verse, maybe a psalm. Read it again. Then be still for a minute or two and listen. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Prayer is a conversation, and Scripture is how God speaks first.

S: Supplication

Now bring your requests: your own needs first, one at a time, then the people you carry, your family, your church, your leaders. Be specific. “In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). A prayer list helps you remember them.

T: Thanksgiving

End with thanks. Name what God has done, the particular things, so you remember them. Writing them down in a prayer journal turns today’s thanks into tomorrow’s encouragement.

CAST and ACTS

You may know the shape ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. It has the same four parts in a different order. CAST begins with confession, so nothing stands in the way, and ends with thanks. Use whichever helps you pray.

Let the app walk you through it

In the free Prayer War Room app, you tap the door on Home and your prayer time follows this shape, one step at a time: what you are bringing today, confession with a verse, adoration, the Word and a timer for silence, each of your battles, thanksgiving that goes into your journal, and amen.

When prayer feels hard

• Keep it short. Five honest minutes are better than none.
• Pray Scripture back to God, a psalm a day.
• Write your prayer down when your thoughts scatter.
• Pray with someone. Read how to pray for each other.
• Keep going. Prayer is a habit before it is a feeling.