Prayer is a gift from God. Although we are all unworthy to talk with our perfect, divine God, He is gracious enough to give us the gift of prayer since through Jesus, our sins are forgiven and we are made new. It should be at the center of your life and your daily walk with God. Life can get busy and hectic, and time can get away from us. Before we know it, it can be days since we’ve talked with God. How can we build consistent prayer habits? Who better to look to than the Son of God, our perfect human example—Jesus?

Our prayers don’t have to be long, elaborate, and drawn out. Jesus tells His disciples in Matthew 6:5 not to be like hypocrites, praying lengthy prayers to be seen by others. Rather, He told them to go into their room, close the door, and pray to their Father. Prayer is not meant to be a performance. Just pray. Talk to God and bring your requests to Him, regardless of where you are.

God already knows what you need before you ask Him. The Bible says this in Matthew 6:8. God also reminds us of this in Matthew 6:31–32, telling us that our heavenly Father knows what we need. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself to have it all together or to know the perfect words to pray. God just wants you to come to Him as you are. Just start talking to Him.

Look at the prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray: The Lord's Prayer

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