How to Build a Stronger Prayer Life

Prayer is an important part of spiritual growth because prayer is how we talk with God.

You do not need special words.

You do not need to sound like a preacher.

God wants you to come to Him honestly.

Tell God what is happening in your life.

Thank Him for what He has given you.

Ask Him for help.

Tell Him when you are afraid.

Confess when you have sinned.

Pray for your family, friends, church, and people who need Jesus.

Prayer is not only about asking God for things.

Prayer is about building a relationship with Him.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray. He also showed them how important prayer was by making time to pray Himself.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)
“Pray without ceasing.”

Prayer can become part of everything you do.

How Can I Build a Stronger Prayer Life?

Start by talking honestly with God.

You do not need long or impressive prayers.

Tell Him what is happening in your life.

Thank Him.

Ask for help.

Confess your sin.

Pray for others.

Read His Word and listen to what He is teaching you.

Pray before problems come.

Keep praying when answers take time.

Most of all, make prayer part of your everyday walk with God.

Start small. Start today. Keep the conversation with God going.

1. Begin With Honest Prayer

God is not waiting for perfect words.

He wants your heart.

Tell Him what you are thinking and feeling.

If you are happy, thank Him.

If you are afraid, tell Him.

If you have sinned, confess it.

If you need wisdom, ask for it.

You do not have to impress God.

You can talk to Him honestly about what is happening in your life.

Prayer becomes stronger when we stop trying to impress God and begin speaking to Him with honesty.

Your next step: Take five minutes today and tell God honestly what is on your heart.

2. Make Prayer Part of Your Day

Prayer does not have to happen only during a special quiet time.

Make prayer part of your whole day.

Pray when you wake up.

Pray before making an important decision.

Pray when you are worried.

Pray when someone needs help.

Pray when God blesses you.

Pray when you do not know what to do.

Keep praying when the answer does not come quickly.

“Pray without ceasing” does not mean you must stay on your knees all day.

It means prayer can become part of everything you do.

The more you pray, the more natural talking with God can become.

3. Listen as You Pray

Prayer is not only about speaking.

Make room to listen too.

Read a few verses from the Bible and ask:

“Lord, what do You want to teach me?”

Sit quietly for a moment.

Think about what God has already said in His Word.

He may remind you of a truth you need to obey.

A person you need to forgive.

Or someone who needs your prayers.

Prayer and God's Word belong together.

Your next step: During your next prayer time, read a few Bible verses before you pray and ask God what He wants you to learn.

Want to learn more? Read How to Hear God's Voice Through Scripture.

4. Pray Before the Problem

Do not make prayer your last choice.

Make it your first response.

Pray before the meeting.

Pray before the hard conversation.

Pray before you make an important choice.

Pray for your family before trouble comes.

Pray before worry takes control.

When prayer becomes part of normal life, you learn to depend on God before a crisis begins.

Instead of always asking:

“What am I going to do?”

begin asking:

“God, what should I do?”

That is a powerful change.

5. Keep Praying While You Wait

Some prayers are answered quickly.

Others take time.

Waiting can be hard.

But waiting does not mean God has forgotten you.

Keep praying.

Keep trusting.

Let the waiting season draw you closer to Him.

Luke 18:1 (NKJV) teaches that we “always ought to pray and not lose heart.”

When you do not see an answer, remember that God can still be working.

He may be changing the situation.

He may be changing another person.

Or He may be changing you.

Do not stop talking with God simply because you do not see an answer.

Prayer is not about controlling God. Prayer teaches us to depend on Him.

6. Make Thanksgiving Part of Your Prayer Life

Prayer is not only about needs and problems.
Spend time thanking God.
Thank Him for your family.
Thank Him for another day.
Thank Him for salvation.
Thank Him for the ways He has helped you before.
Thanksgiving helps turn our attention from what we do not have to what God has already given us.
Before asking God for something today, stop and thank Him for something He has already done.

Remember These Five Words

PRAY → TRUST → WAIT → OBEY → GROW

A stronger prayer life can be remembered with five simple words:

PRAY — Talk honestly with God.

TRUST — Depend on Him instead of yourself.

WAIT — Keep praying when answers take time.

OBEY — Respond to what God teaches you through His Word.

GROW — Let prayer deepen your relationship with God.

Prayer is not only something you do.

Prayer is part of walking with God.

A Simple Daily Prayer Plan

If you are not sure how to begin, try this simple pattern:

THANK GOD

Name something God has given you or done for you.

TALK HONESTLY

Tell God what is happening in your life.

CONFESS

Admit where you have sinned or gone the wrong way.

ASK

Ask for wisdom, help, strength, and direction.

PRAY FOR OTHERS

Pray for family, friends, your church, people who are hurting, and people who need Jesus.

READ GOD'S WORD

Read a few verses and ask what God wants to teach you.

TRUST

Give your needs to God and trust Him with the answer.

You do not have to pray for a certain amount of time.

Begin where you are and keep the conversation going.

How Does a Stronger Prayer Life Change You?

The more you pray, the more natural prayer can become.

You may begin talking with God throughout the day instead of only during emergencies.

When a problem comes, your first thought may begin changing.

Instead of:

“What am I going to do?”

you begin asking:

“God, what should I do?”

That is spiritual growth.

A stronger prayer life can lead to stronger faith.

You begin depending on God more and yourself less.

Talk with God today. Be honest. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep the conversation going.

Make Prayer Part of Your Daily Time With God

Prayer becomes even stronger when it is joined with regular time in God's Word.

Find a quiet place.

Open your Bible.

Read.

Pray.

Listen to what Scripture teaches.

Choose something to obey.

Then continue talking with God throughout your day.

Read next: How to Spend Time With God Every Day

Learn More About Christian Prayer

Prayer is more than asking God to solve problems.

It is part of a growing relationship with Him.

Through prayer we praise God, confess sin, ask for help, pray for others, give thanks, and learn to depend on Him.

If you want to continue growing in prayer, visit:

Christian Prayer: How to Pray and Grow Closer to God

Want to Go Deeper in Prayer?

A stronger prayer life is built one conversation with God at a time.

As you grow in prayer, you can also learn more about faith, trust, persistence, waiting, and depending on God.

Prayer That Moves Mountains can help you continue building a deeper life of prayer and faith.

🌱 LEARN ABOUT PRAYER THAT MOVES MOUNTAINS

A Simple Prayer for Today

Lord, help me talk with You throughout this day. Teach me to pray before I worry and trust You while I wait. Help me listen to Your Word and obey what You show me. Make prayer more than something I do in trouble. Make it part of my daily walk with You. Amen.

Download the Free Prayer Guide

Want a simple reminder to help you strengthen your prayer life?

Download the free Build a Stronger Prayer Life guide.

Keep it with your Bible or use it during your daily quiet time.

Remember:

Pray. Trust. Wait. Obey. Grow.

🌱 DOWNLOAD THE FREE PDF

Questions About Building a Stronger Prayer Life

How can I make my prayer life stronger?

Paste:

Begin by talking honestly with God. Make prayer part of your everyday life, spend time in God's Word, pray before problems come, and continue praying while you wait.

Do I need special words when I pray?

No. You do not need special words or need to sound like a preacher. God wants you to come to Him honestly. 

What should I talk to God about?

Talk to God about your real life. Thank Him, ask for help, tell Him when you are afraid, confess sin, and pray for your family, friends, church, and people who need Jesus. 

How often should Christians pray?

First Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” This does not mean staying on your knees all day. It means prayer can become part of everything you do. 

What should I do when God does not answer quickly?

Keep praying and keep trusting. Waiting does not mean God has forgotten you. God may use the waiting season to deepen patience, trust, and faith. 

Should I pray only when I have a problem?

No. Your guide encourages praying before the problem. Pray before decisions, conversations, meetings, and difficulties so that depending on God becomes part of normal life. 

Can prayer help me grow spiritually?

Yes. As prayer becomes more natural, you may begin talking with God throughout the day instead of only during emergencies. Your first response to problems can begin changing from “What am I going to do?” to “God, what should I do?”

Start Today

You do not need perfect words.

You do not need a long prayer.

You do not need to wait until life becomes difficult.

Talk with God today.

Tell Him what is on your heart.

Thank Him.

Ask for help.

Pray for someone else.

Read His Word.

Trust Him while you wait.

Then talk with Him again tomorrow.

Start small. Start today. Keep the conversation with God going.

Pray. Trust. Wait. Obey. Grow.

About James Constable

James Constable is a Christian author, pastor, teacher, and disciple maker. His writing helps Christians grow closer to Jesus, strengthen their prayer life, live out God's Word, and help others follow Him.