Louie Giglio - How Do I Pray?
We’re launching this collection with a very practical message for those who haven’t yet started praying. It would be tragic if we went through the entire collection and someone still wasn’t praying at the end of it. Maybe you’re not praying because, while you loved all the talks and felt encouraged by them, you’re not sure what to do with just you and God. So, I want to help you and encourage you today. Is that okay if we go that basic today? I’m not assuming that everyone in the gathering today is praying. If you look at statistics on how often people read their Bibles and pray, the results are dismal. We show up for sure, but in the day-to-day flow of life, most churchgoers aren’t praying much. I invite us all in today. If you’re not praying because you don’t know how or feel unsure about it—if you’re the person who thinks, «Please don’t ask me to pray; I don’t know what to say"—then this message is for you.
We’ll begin with the definition we’ve used all along in this collection: «Prayer is a steady state awareness of Father, Son, and Spirit, creating a constant and seamless union.» Does everybody see this somewhere? Let’s say it together: «Prayer is a steady state awareness of Father, Son, and Spirit, creating a constant and seamless union of heart and mind with the Almighty that shifts earthly perspectives, plans, and purposes as heaven becomes visible on earth.» We’ve been trying to unpack some of the tensions within that, but today I want to keep it as basic as possible. Here are eight things to help you pray:
Number one: make it personal. Sometimes we fall into the idea that prayer is transactional, like going to an ATM, using our bank card, and punching in a code—there’s no real connection in that. Often, when we pray, it’s simply bowing our heads and listing things: «Dear God, here are the three, four, five, six, seven, eight things I need to say. In Jesus' name, amen,» and we’re done, receipt in hand as we move on. What I want to present today is that prayer is communion with God. It is not a list, it is not a routine, it is not rote; it is communion with God. There is a person on the other end of our dialogue, and when Jesus said, «This is how I want you to pray,» he started with, «Our Father.» Right off the bat, he invites us into a personal relationship with God. We need to recognize that there is a person on the other side of the conversation. Here’s the idea: the goal of prayer. So why aren’t we praying? Because we want to see mountains move, and we want to take authority. But primarily, the goal of prayer is God. Ultimately, it’s not to get something from God but to get God.
When we pray, we start by saying, «Father God, I realize you’re a person, and I realize you are real. I’m here to meet with you; I’m here for you. I’m not in a hurry. It’s not just about checking a box that says I prayed today. I’m here for you.» I believe every prayer that begins like that is met by God drawing near. He’s already here, but He said if you draw near to me, I’ll draw near to you. When we say, «God, I’m here, I’m settled, and I just want to be with you,» that’s step one of prayer.
The second thing is to lead with praise. «Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name.» Before you do anything, remember who God is. Praise Him first! We often come with what we need from Him, but prayer is really about being with God. Communion is an elevated term; it’s more than just hanging out. When we enter into communion, our gaze will be drawn upward toward Almighty God. When that happens, the first thing we need to do is begin to praise Him. Tell Him what you appreciate about Him; praise Him for who He is and what He’s done. It could just be, «Hallowed be your name,» but let praise lead the way in prayer. As it leads the way, you’ll see a new perspective, which will likely impact everything else that happens in your communion with God.
Number three: align it with His plans. «Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.» In my life as it is in heaven, in this meeting I’m going to as it is in heaven, in my family today, in this decision we’re making, and with these friends I’m hanging out with today—let your will be done and your kingdom come in my life today on earth as it is in heaven. When we align our prayers with God’s plans, that’s the strength of prayer—aligning with what He is already doing.
We lean into Bible translation as a movement. Since Shelley and I have personally engaged in this, we’ve seen that this moment in history is pivotal for taking God’s Word to every people group on the planet. It’s been happening for centuries, with sacrifices made by many, but right now, there’s something catalytic occurring. Within the next 10 to 15 years, it’s possible there will be a portion of God’s Word in every heart language on Earth for the first time. There’s synergy, collaboration, and finance; a move of God is happening, and we want to be part of it because we want our resources, energy, and effort to support where God is working. I don’t want to miss out on what He’s doing. If you want to know what God’s doing, get with Him.
Jesus withdrew early and late and was often by Himself with His Father. Why? In John 5:19, He says, «The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing.» In John 8:38, He says, «I speak what I have seen with my Father.» What’s Jesus doing? He’s doing what He sees His Father doing; He’s saying what He hears His Father saying. We commune with God and say, «God, what are you doing? What are you saying? What’s on your mind? What’s your priority today? How can I assist you in your purpose and plan today?» A.W. Tozer wrote that God’s loving motive is to bring us into total harmony with Himself so that moral power and holy usefulness become ours. This is the goal—total harmony with God, where you and I are in lockstep with Him.
Number four, and these aren’t necessarily in any order: «Give us today what we need.» «Give us this day our daily bread.» God, I know You are good, and you have enough. Thank you for that. I’m asking for what I need, and He wants you to ask Him for what you need. I made an acrostic for prayer: P-R-A-Y-E-R. P is pause, R is remember, A is the Almighty, Y is your Father, E is everything you need, and R is receive. Pause and remember; the Almighty is your Father, who gives you everything you need.
We don’t have to stress about requests because our Father has everything we need. We will receive what we ask. The scripture says, «You have not because you ask not.» So, we ask because He invites us to ask. We knock because He invites us to knock. We say to the mountain, «Be moved,» because He invites us to say it. Do you realize that when you woke up today, your Father was already giving good things to you? Some of you haven’t even asked for anything today. Many haven’t communed with God today, yet our Father has been working for us all night long. You don’t have to worry about having a perfect list to present; you can simply say, «Thank you that you supply all my needs according to your will and work in Christ.»
There are some things I want to bring to you because I’m your son or daughter. God, will you please touch this situation? Will you move in this situation? Ask Him and tell Him what you need.
Number five: clear the air. We’re in communion with God, so we cannot pretend. We can’t say, «I praise you because you are amazing,» when we think someone else is more amazing. God is real, and it’s real talk. When we come to Him, we need to clear the air. If there is anything we need to confess, we should do so: «Lord, I do love you, and you are amazing, but I have something I need to tell you—not because you don’t know, but because I need to own it.» I confess and acknowledge X, and I thank you, God, for your grace. I thank you for paying the price; I thank you that I am forgiven, but I also want to work on this.
In Matthew 5, Jesus said when you come to the altar and realize you have an issue with your brother or sister, you need to take your gift back, go to them, reconcile, and then come back to the altar. Why? Because that honors the grace of God. I can’t be in His presence, confess His richness of grace, and withhold His grace from someone else. Communion shifts things. You may leave communion knowing you need to reach out to someone: «I need to call so-and-so; I need to text this person; I need to make right that conversation.» Seek peace as far as it depends on you.
Number six: acquaint yourself with His Word and connect it to your communion with Him. Sometimes we want to separate reading the Bible and praying. Are we talking about reading the Bible, or are we talking about prayer? I thought the shift was about prayer, not reading the Bible. It’s all the same. The idea of a «prayer life» is a strange term to me. How’s your prayer life? I don’t have a prayer life; I just have a life, and my life is meant to be in communion with God.
If God speaks through His Word, if He reveals His character, will, and your identity through His Word, then when you’re in communion with Him, you’ll want the Word to be part of that communion. When you pray and tell God what He said, that’s powerful. When you pray and show God what He promised, that’s powerful. When you pray and ask God to clarify something unclear, that’s powerful too. Now you’re in a relationship, not just a transaction with a book, but a relationship with a person.
Psalm 46 opens, «God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.» If I’m with God in communion, I can say, «God, You’re my refuge and strength today, and I need to know that You are an ever-present help in trouble.» The psalmist said he would not fear even if the earth gave way and the mountains fell into the heart of the sea. However, I’m honestly feeling a bit fearful today, so I want to refocus on the truth that You are my refuge and strength. I need that more than ever. You said, «Be still and know that I am God,» so I’m going to do that right now.
The Word in communion is powerful. God’s Word can act on its own—it’s mighty. Prayer is mighty in its own right, but when you combine the Word of God with your communion with God, that’s when something powerful happens.
Number seven: don’t be afraid of the silence. The first word in that little prayer was pause—be still. Don’t rush in. Often, we come to God feeling frantic because we haven’t budgeted our time well. We dive in with a hurried prayer, «Dear Lord, thank you for this day; it’s amazing! I love you, bless you, praise you,» etc., but really we need wisdom for the meeting we’re going into, which feels chaotic. God wants us to take a breath—a big, holy, God-sized breath. Everything is going to be okay because He has been God for a long time.
The best friends are the ones with whom you can enjoy silence without feeling awkward. Those moments of quietness with God—meditating and being in His presence—are gifts He wants for all of us. If you’re unsure what to say, that’s okay! Just be there and tell Him. «Lord, I don’t really know how to pray or what to say next, but I’m just going to be here with you. I’ve got time, and I want you.» What a prayer! That feels real, right? That’s the kind of prayer God is looking for.
The eighth thing is simply to be grateful. There are many articles discussing the power of gratitude to combat depression. Oftentimes, we don’t feel like being grateful, but when you choose to be grateful despite how you feel, you’ll often notice your feelings begin to change along the way. Someone might say, «I would praise God, but I don’t feel like it.» The good thing about praising God is that you don’t have to feel like it to do it. You can acknowledge, «I don’t feel like praising you, God, but I believe you’re worthy, so I’ll praise you anyway.»
1 Thessalonians 5 says, «Rejoice always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.» What is God’s will for our lives? To be rejoicers, to be in communion with Him, and to recognize His sovereignty in every circumstance. Say, «I want to be grateful.» Why? Because the one who calls you is faithful. He will do it—He is dependable and will accomplish what He’s called you to do. Because of that, I will rejoice. Because of that, I’ll stay in communion with Him and express gratitude right in the middle of this moment.
You might think, «I don’t have anything to be grateful for.» Here’s some thoughts: Thank God that He hears you. Thank Him that He knows you. He’s not leaning over to some angels asking, «Who is that again?» Isn’t it amazing that you can call the Creator of the universe? Thank Him for breath, for life, for being who He is, for being Almighty. Thank Him for never changing, for being good, for His grace, for forgiveness, for seeking after you, for providing what you need.
Thank Him for being with you, for not giving up on you, for blessing you, for including you, for inviting you, for using you, for covering you, for going before you, and for coming behind you. Thank Him for holding you and for calling you His own. Thank Him that He gives you hope, for your role in His plan, for His wisdom and patience, for not being finished with you yet.
Thank you, God! I want to be grateful. I want to praise you and express gratitude in this moment of communion, where a little person like me gets an audience with the King. God, if there’s any way you can use me, I’m available to you. Please touch this situation; we desire a miracle. You do miracles, and we believe! Provide because we can’t see any other way except Yahweh. Set free—this is what you long to do. Do it again; we need revival in this city. I want to be grateful because you are the God of revival, the God of salvation, the God who breaks chains and sets people free. Thank you, God, for the freedom you brought this week in my co-worker’s life. Thank you, God! What a shift!
So if you want to start talking to God, make it personal. Fill that moment with praise, set your eyes on Him, align with Him, tell Him what you need—He already knows, but He wants you to ask Him. Enter that moment in communion with Him, let your requests be made known, clear the air, connect to His Word, don’t hesitate to embrace silence, and be grateful.