Styles of Prayer

Prayer is communication with God. It is bringing to Him our praise and gratitude, our needs, and talking to Him about our daily lives. Although our Creator already knows all about us and knows our needs before we ask, God wants to hear from us each day, to develop and strengthen our relationship with Him.

Formal prayers are prayers that are already written and then recited, such as The Lord’s Prayer, which most faith communities pray during their worship services. Devotional prayer is prayer that begins with the Scriptures. Many people choose to read a psalm or another passage from the bible to start their conversation with God. The conversational style of prayer is the one that most people are familiar with because it is, quite simply, speaking to God from your heart. It is choosing to talk to God as if He were right there with you, like any other friend would be. Spontaneous prayers are prayers that arise from your heart for any given reason. This type of prayer flows from the circumstances around us. Prayers of action are another way people pray. Some people do not like to sit still, and prefer to walk or be doing something while they pray. The very action they take, such as doing an act of kindness for another person, becomes a prayer. Meditation is simply sitting in silence with God, basking in His presence. For some people, this can be a powerful form of prayer.

There is no right way or wrong way to start a conversation with God. There are various styles of prayer to choose from, and which one you use is entirely up to you.