You do not need special words.

How to Pray

Prayer is nothing more than talking to Jesus as if He is your best friend. You do not have to sound religious. You do not have to know the right words. You can simply talk to Him.

Just Talk to Him

Jesus already knows you. He knows what has happened in your life, the decisions you have made, the things you are proud of, and the things you wish you could change. You do not have to hide any of it from Him.

Did you make a bad decision? Did you put Coke in the cup when you only paid for water? Are you jealous because someone else received a promotion, found a relationship, bought a house, or has something you wish you had? Tell Jesus about it.

Talk to Him about what happened. Tell Him what you were thinking. Tell Him when you are angry, afraid, confused, lonely, ashamed, grateful, or happy. Ask Him to help you make your next decision.

Prayer can be elaborate, but some of the most powerful prayers are very simple:

“Jesus, I need You.”

“Jesus, help me.”

“Jesus, help me make this decision.”

“Jesus, I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

“Jesus, I cannot do this by myself.”

“Jesus, thank You for being with me.”

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)

Who Do We Pray To?

This can be confusing when you are new to Christianity. You may hear Christians talk about God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Are these three different gods? No. Christians believe in one God.

The Trinity, in very simple language

The Bible reveals one God who is known as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Father is God. Jesus, the Son, is God. The Holy Spirit is God. Yet there are not three Gods—there is one God. They are distinct Persons, perfectly united as the one true God.

You do not have to understand everything about the Trinity before you can pray. Christians have spent centuries trying to describe a truth greater than our minds can completely grasp.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” — 2 Corinthians 13:14 (KJV)

So whom should I talk to?

Jesus taught His followers to pray to our Father in heaven. Christians come to the Father through Jesus, and the Holy Spirit helps us pray. It is also completely natural to speak directly to Jesus, as people did throughout the New Testament.

If all you can say is, “Jesus, help me,” say it. Do not let uncertainty about the wording keep you from talking to God.

“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” — Matthew 6:9 (KJV)

“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought...” — Romans 8:26 (KJV)

Why Do Christians Pray “In Jesus' Name”?

Ending a prayer with “in Jesus' name” is not a magic phrase. It reminds us that we come to God because of Jesus—not because we have earned the right to approach Him or because we have lived perfectly.

Jesus is our way to the Father. To pray in His name means we are trusting Him and seeking what is consistent with who He is and what He wants.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” — John 14:6 (KJV)

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” — John 14:13 (KJV)

A Very Simple Prayer of Being Saved

There are no magic words that save you. Jesus saves you. Prayer is how you can honestly tell Him what you believe and ask Him for forgiveness. If you are ready to trust Jesus, your prayer can be very simple:

Jesus, I have made bad decisions and wrong choices, and You already know about them. Please forgive me.

I believe that You died for me on the cross, and I believe that God raised You from the dead.

I confess my sins to You. I put my faith and trust in You.

I want You to be with me for the rest of my life, and I want to be with You in Heaven when I die.

Please help me know You, follow You, and live the life You want me to live.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

The prayer itself is not a formula or a transaction. The Bible points us to genuine faith in Jesus Christ—believing in Him, turning to Him, and calling on Him.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” — Romans 10:9 (KJV)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” — Romans 10:13 (KJV)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9 (KJV)

Common Questions

You may be wondering about one of these questions. Here are short answers to help you keep going.

How do I talk to God?

Talk to Him honestly, the same way you would speak to someone you trust. You can tell Him what you fear, what you need, and what you are thankful for.

Does a prayer have to sound special?

No. A simple prayer can be powerful. Sometimes all you can say is, “Jesus, please help me.”

Who do Christians pray to?

Christians pray to God the Father, through Jesus, with the help of the Holy Spirit. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one God.

What Do I Say Tomorrow?

Keep talking to Him. You can thank Him when something good happens. Ask for good judgment before a difficult decision. Tell Him when you fail. Ask for forgiveness. Pray for someone you love. Tell Him when you are frightened. Sit quietly with Him when you have no words.

You can pray in your car, in bed, at work, while walking, in a hospital room, or sitting alone at a kitchen table. You do not need a church building to talk to God.

You do not need to impress Jesus. Just be honest with Him. Start with the words you have—even if the only words you have are, “Jesus, I need You.”

Learn more about who Jesus is or read more about being saved and forgiveness.