Let’s face it; there are some great prayer tips out there. If you are really looking forward to spicing up your prayer life, this list is going to do the trick!
Maybe your prayer life is already abundant. Wouldn’t you love to know a few more prayer tips – some that might make things a bit more interesting? This list of prayer tips is going to rock your world.
Be sure to check out all the prayer tips to see which one works best for you. You might find that you want to try them all, or some of them may inspire you to come up with your own prayer tips!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.
Top Prayer Tips and Ideas
One note I must make about these prayer tips is that the list was SO long that I had to split the article into two parts (as you might have guessed from the title)! This is part one, and the second half of the article will be published later. Maybe I should have written a book on the topic!!
#1. Be grateful.
Always include an element of thanksgiving in your prayers. An attitude of gratitude is very welcome when praying to God! It not only helps prepare your heart for prayer, but it also reminds you of the good God has done in your life.
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. – Psalm 95:2 (NIV)
#2. Read up on prayer topics.
It’s very easy to find the motivation to pray, especially when you read up on the subject. Read a website that focuses on prayer (Hint: Prayer Section of Sharing Life and Love), an article on prayer, or even just a poem or series of prayers or devotional books that inspire you to pray!
#3. Try deep breathing.
Often, when we practice deep breathing, we find peace, comfort, and a new sense of calm – the same elements that can help you during prayer to stay focused and on track.
#4. Listen for God.
Listening for God to speak to you can be quite enlightening. You will likely not hear an audible, deep voice from Him, but He does speak to us in other ways. Learn to listen to God through music, the Bible, or another means.
Discover more about Listening to God!
#5. Read the Bible back to God.
Praying the Scriptures can be very effective! Just break out your Bible and begin praying the Psalms. The Psalms are a great place to start when reading the Bible or studying, as well!
#6. Write it out.
One of my favorite prayer tips is to write it out. Making or using a prayer journal is a very popular way to do this! You can often express yourself more easily through writing!
#7. Speak out loud.
If you voice your prayer requests, they become real. Find new ways to pray and enjoy talking out loud to our Lord!
#8. Be yourself.
There is no point in hiding from God. He knows your heart. Speak the truth when you pray!
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. – Psalm 139:23 (NIV)
#9. Dress the part.
Often, when we dress up, we find new inspiration to do things!
#10. Play worship music.
One of the easiest prayer tips you can use is to play worship music. There are some great artists out there that will truly ignite your prayer life.
#11. Pray with a friend.
Having Christian friends is great because you can pray for one another or together.
For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them. – Matthew 18:20 (NIV)
#12. Give yourself grace.
Don’t expect perfection when you pray! Give yourself a little latitude, understanding that no one knows the perfect way to speak to our Creator! You’ve got this!
Learn about the types of grace!
#13. Set alerts on your smartphone.
While I do think that steering clear of your phone can be a good thing, having reminders to tell you to pray can also be quite beneficial, especially if you are swamped with doing too many things!
#14. Lift your hands.
Often, we feel most connected to God when we do something physical, like raising our hands during prayer. Maybe you find bowing or kneeling to help you show reverence to our Lord!
#15. Buy a new prayer accessory.
There are many prayer accessories that you can purchase to enhance your prayer life. Consider a new prayer journal, a Bible, or a notebook with dividers! I love my prayer notebook, where I have added tabs for different topics that I pray about.
#16. Make room for disturbances.
One of the prayer tips that can help you the most is to give yourself grace. When you budget your prayer time, be sure to allow for interruptions. Children, spouses, or even pets will surely disturb your prayer time every now and then (if not daily)!
#17. Talk about your hobbies and interests.
God gave you the passions that you have. He wants you to talk about what you love. If you enjoy fishing, talk about your hobby! Prayer time is not reserved just for world peace and the other things on your wishlist!
#18. Ask questions.
While you will not always hear an answer right away from the Lord, when you ask questions during your prayer time, you will soon discover that God hears you and does answer you!
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: 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 what we asked of Him. – 1 John 5:14-15 (NIV)
#19. Talk normally.
Another helpful prayer tip is to talk as you would to a friend. Do not speak in Old English or some crazy accent that you do not normally use. Instead, speak the way you always do, even if you worry that God will not understand. He is all-powerful and understands your meaning!!
#20. Spend time in silence.
Do not spend your entire prayer time talking about what you want. Take the time to read the Bible back to the Lord or sit in silence as you wait for Him to respond to you through the Holy Spirit. You might hear God through a nudge or a longing in your heart!
Read more about How to Listen to God.
#21. Trust Him.
Trusting God over your own understanding is never easy, but the more you do it, the easier it WILL get! Give it a try the next time you pray! This will build your relationship with God in a real way, too!
#22. Show up – even when you do not want to.
It can be quite normal not to “feel like” praying. I’ve been there a time or two! Show up anyway! You will be glad you did. I have yet to meet someone who thought that prayer was a waste of time or that they wished they had not prayed in a situation.
#23. Keep a journal.
Keeping a prayer journal is a smart move! You can “junk journal” your own (create it yourself) or even just purchase one that is already made. We have several FREE prayer journals in our Shop! Be sure to check them out to better enhance your prayer time!
#24. Praise Him.
I always try to start my prayer time with praise. God deserves our praise, so sing to His glory, celebrate His works, and how He has impacted your life!
Learn more about how to Praise God!
#25. Practice!
Practicing prayer is one of the best ways to become a prayer warrior!
#26. Do not aim for perfection.
I’m so guilty of being a perfectionist. I never think I measure up when it comes to my spiritual life or my recovery! Do not give up just because you did not meet your own expectations! God still wants to hear from you, even if you only have 5 minutes to give!
#27. Keep a list of any distractions or thoughts.
This is one of the most helpful prayer tips in my book! I keep a running list of anything that makes my mind wander. What’s great is that I usually walk away from my prayer hour with a nice list of things to work on, do, people to contact, or just where I want to meditate!
#28. Get organized with binders, folders, and/or dividers.
Maybe it’s the OCD side of me, but I love getting organized. God wants us to be passionate about our spiritual lives, so work with your areas of expertise. I love being organized and using office supplies (don’t laugh)! Maybe you need to get crayons and pencils to get creative!
#29. Be humble.
Some of my favorite prayers that have been answered happened when I was humble about them. I saw how to use my prayer request for God’s glory, and when it worked out, I made it happen! It feels great to be humble and also have answered prayers to look back on!
#30. Tell it like it is.
There’s no reason to skirt around issues. If something is weighing heavily on your heart, talk to God about it. If you are upset with Him, tell Him. He knows what’s going on with you, so you might as well be honest. Over one-half of the Psalms are considered to be lamentations!
#31. Be patient.
Patience and understanding in your prayer life can certainly help things!
Learn more about building your patience and understanding!
#32. Talk about your troubles.
This is another one of my favorite prayer tips! When something is bothering you, discuss it! Don’t think that God does not already know, but He is our Heavenly Father, and He wants to hear from His children!
#33. Do not hide your worries.
As mentioned, God knows what is going on with us. Don’t try to pretend like everything is going well when it isn’t. Do not pretend to be someone you aren’t with God!
#34. Make a to-do list or a hearing journal.
A hearing journal is one where you record what God has said to you. Write down the times He speaks to you through the Bible, through music, or in some other way. You will really enjoy looking back to see how He has spoken to you in the past!
Learn more about How to Track Your Prayers.
#35. Use photos.
This might be one of the most creative prayer tips! I’ve recently added photos to my prayer journal and found this to be very helpful. Add pictures of the people you pray for often, and it will help you better know what to say about them!
#36. Remember that He loves you!
No matter what you have done. No matter what you have said. It does not affect how much God loves you. That love should be your security blanket, as you can rest assured that He will always love you!!
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)
#37. Be honest.
There is no reason to hide who you are from God. Be yourself; be honest. Get real with God. If you are upset, show it. Tell Him about your feelings! He listens carefully!
#38. Do not feel inadequate.
It is very easy to feel inadequate when we pray. Very few people think they are prayer experts. If you feel like you do not know what you are doing when you pray, realize that you are not alone! Gain confidence in knowing you are trying your best to have a relationship with God!
#39. Never stop trying!
Don’t ever give up when you pray. Remember that practice makes perfect. If you feel you’ve made a mistake, realize that there are no mistakes when we pray. God already knows our hearts, so share what is real for you and those you are praying for.
#40. Remember that God is always available.
Understanding that God is always available is one of the prayer tips that you cannot afford to miss out on! You do not need to worry about disturbing Him. You do not need to be concerned that your small concerns are too minute for Him. He wants to hear from you!!
#41. Use crafts.
It can be quite fun to decorate your prayer journal. Create a prayer board with a divider and decorate it in a fun way! Use your creativity to praise God during your time of prayer!!
#44. Use all 5 senses.
Engaging all of your senses is a smart thing to do when you pray. The more engagement you have with prayer, the better the experience will be. Think about listening to worship music, lighting a candle, drinking your favorite beverage, and/or warming up with your coziest blanket.
#45. Ask that His Will be done.
This is one of those life-changing prayer tips! When you reframe your prayer requests to be more selfless, you will change your prayer life completely. I’ve noticed more of my prayer requests are answered in a clear way when I focus on God’s Will, not mine!
#46. Pray for others.
Another way that you can be selfless in prayer is by praying for others. This also helps you form Christian friendships, as you will want to know how they are doing and will likely ask more questions and interact more with other believers.
#47. Use scripture you have memorized.
Memorizing scriptures is one of the smartest spiritual goals that you can focus on. Consider making the spiritual goal of memorizing 50-100 Bible verses per year! One beneficial aspect of this is being able to pray the Bible to God.
Praying the scriptures that you know can be wonderful!
#48. Ask Him to reveal your sins.
One of the most important prayer tips is to confess your sins. If you are unsure of what sins you have committed, ask the Lord to reveal them to you. Then repent of your sins and strive to change your ways.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
#49. Try something new.
Don’t be afraid to introduce something new in your quiet time with the Lord! Maybe try a new Bible reading plan, a new prayer journal, or even a new Bible! Think about what might help you the most. Hit a thrift shop or your local Christian bookstore for more inspiration!!
#50. Be safe when driving.
One of the most obvious prayer tips is to be smart! If you often pray while driving, be sure you do not close your eyes during prayer. You don’t want to get in an accident!
#51. Use a prayer journal.
Prayer journals can be very handy. I enjoy using guided prayer journals with questions and answers. You could grab a blank journal and make it your own creative invention.
#52. Confess your sins.
It’s important to admit where you have been wrong. God will reveal your sin to you if you ask. His Spirit will guide your heart as you move forward with your day and help you not do the same sin over and over again. This takes self-discipline, also.
#52. Talk about your greatest desires and spiritual goals.
Consider creating some spiritual goals that include prayer. This will help you stay motivated and adopt new spiritual habits that will change your life. When you pray to God, be sure to talk about what is on your heart – your greatest desires!
#53. Use the Lord’s Prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer is a great model of how to pray. You can locate the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. It incorporates adoration, supplication, intercession, and a few other elements. Check it out; it is Jesus’ model of how to pray that He gave His apostles.
#54. Pray continually.
We are told in the Bible that we should pray and offer thanksgiving always. How can you pray without stopping? One thing that you can try is to say prayers in your head. You don’t have to be formal all of the time. Instead, be yourself and talk about what is on your mind.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
#55. Pick a quiet place.
Finding a place where you will not be interrupted when you pray can be a challenge. Consider making a closet your prayer room or prayer closet. Set aside the supplies you will need to pray and some decorative items! This will make your time with the Lord truly special.
#56. Use a prayer guide.
A prayer guide can be very handy. You might have one that has the Names of God or the Attributes of God as the beginning. That would be part of the element of “Praise.” Another aspect might be what you call yourself to God (i.e., Child of God).
#57. Pray for yourself.
This might be one of the most valuable prayer tips! There is no reason that you cannot pray for yourself when you spend time with God. Let Him know what your chief concerns or issues are. Tell Him what is weighing heavily on your heart.
#58. Mimic the prayers of others.
This is not to say you cannot be yourself, but there is nothing wrong with using the model of others’ prayers when you pray. Always be genuine, but also learn from others. This is the best way for you to grow!
#59. Pray daily.
If you do not start your day in prayer, you are truly missing out on something special. Consider making prayer a part of your morning routine!
#60. Pick the least hectic time in your day.
If possible, when you pray, make sure you will not be disturbed. This might be easiest when the children are down for their afternoon naps or when they attend their schools.
#61. Use a prayer closet.
A prayer closet is a place to go to be alone with God. It can be as elaborate or simple as you would like. What would help you grow the most? What would aid in your spiritual development? Figure out what works best for you, and make it happen!!
Conclusion
The hope is that you have found some great prayer tips in this list. Maybe one of these prayer tips will enhance your prayer life and make things a bit easier, more insightful, or more enjoyable!
Which prayer tip did I leave off this list? Which one of these prayer tips do you plan to use? Have you heard of all of these prayer tips or seen them in action? We love to hear from our readers!!
God bless you as you use these prayer tips to spice up your prayer life – starting right now!!
Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next prayer tips article that will continue this list!
