How to Pray
Practical help for growing in prayer
Many of us know we should pray — but when we sit down to do it, we’re not sure what to say, how to start, or whether God is really listening. Prayer can feel awkward, routine, or even discouraging when it seems like nothing is happening.
But Scripture paints a very different picture. Prayer is not a religious obligation or a performance — it is direct access to God Himself. It is how we experience His presence, align our hearts with His will, find peace in uncertainty, and grow in our faith.
At Haven Fellowship, we believe prayer is a relationship to grow, not a formula to master. This page gathers biblical teachings and practical tools to help you develop an honest, meaningful, and Scripture-grounded prayer life — wherever you are in your journey with God.
Sermons on Prayer
21:55
8:22
23:04
21:49
33:03
31:02
27:26
18:59
23:13
20:05
23:31
20:38
21:33
24:01
Biblical Teachings on Prayer
The teachings and tools below are drawn from sermons, Bible studies, and other resources from our Practicing Prayer series. Use them as a practical guide to help you understand, develop, and deepen your prayer life in Christ.
Prayer of Confession
Here are four lessons on Prayer of Confession drawn from Daniel 9.
1. Prepare Your Heart (vs 3)
Daniel prepared his heart with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. We may want to use these or other external methods, such as praying on our knees, to help prepare our hearts for confession.
2. Start with God (vs 4)
Daniel doesn’t begin by focusing on himself but on God. When we start our prayer by focusing on God’s holiness, we more clearly see our sin and need for confession. We also more clearly see God’s grace and can approach Him with boldness (Hebrews 4:16)
3. Honestly and Specifically admit your sins (vs 5-17)
Pray honestly, not sugarcoating or excusing your own sin. Pray specifically admitting to God the things you’ve done that you shouldn’t, the things you haven’t done that you should, the thoughts you’ve had, and the attitudes you’ve held that have violated God’s proper design for you and boundaries on how you are to live.
4. Trust in God’s Grace (vs 18-19)
Daniel didn’t confess to God based on his righteousness “but based on God’s abundant compassion.” When you confess, trust in God’s grace and mercy. Know that when you confess, God is “faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
Why We Pray
Wondering why we pray? Here are 10 reasons.
1. To Grow Closer to God (Psalm 145:18)
2. To Align Ourselves with God’s Will (Phil. 4:19)
3. To Seek God’s forgiveness (Psalm 86:5 )
4. To Gain Strength and Hope (Psalm 73:26)
5. To Gain Wisdom and Guidance (James 1:5)
6. To Increase Our Faith (1 Corinthians 2:5)
7. To Gain Peace and Comfort (Philippians 4:7)
8. To Resist Temptation (Hebrews 4:15)
9. To Give Thanks and Praise (James 1:17)
10. To Experience God’s Miracles (Job 5:9)
7 Prayer Tips from Daniel
Daniel demonstrates what powerful prayer looks like. Here are seven tips on Prayer from Daniel.
1. Pray privately
2. Pray according to scripture
3. Pray remembering Christ’s sacrifice
4. Pray in humility on your knees
5. Pray regularly
6. Pray with thanksgiving
7. Pray as a habit
Rules for Prayer
In Matthew 6:5-8 Jesus offers 4 rules for prayer.
1. Don’t pray hypocritically (vs 5)
2. Pray to God (vs 6)
3. Don’t pray manipulatively (vs 7)
4. Pray Trusting in God (vs 8)
The Model Prayer
In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus provides a model prayer teaching us how to pray.Â
1. Focus on God (vs 9)
2. Seek First the Kingdom (vs 10)
3. Present Your Requests (vs 11-13a)
4. Close in Celebration (vs 13b)