Prayer has become a big part of my daily routine. I believe prayer is not only about obedience, but it is about building a relationship with God. As Christians, we have the privilege to boldly approach the throne of grace and make our requests known to Him. (Hebrews 4:16 WEB)
If your relationship with God feels distant or nonexistent, I encourage you to start praying. Here are 10 simple, transformative prayers that can foster deeper intimacy.
Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded. – James 4:8 (WEB)
I love how James 4:8 tells us that our desire and attempts to connect with God will not be in vain.
Prayer: Dear God, You are a good Father, always ready and willing to bring me into Your presence. I am feeling distant from You, and I don’t want to. Please forgive me for being lost in the busyness and cares of this world. Thank You for never leaving me nor forsaking me. Draw me nearer to You so I don’t feel disconnected and alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:5-6 (WEB)
Trust requires us to look to God, especially when things don’t make sense, and we face difficulties.
Prayer: Dear God, You are the most trustworthy One I know. Please forgive me for relying on my understanding and going my own way. Thank You for never giving up on me and for gently guiding me. Please make my paths straight in the situation I am facing. I trust You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24 (WEB)
Surrender is the beginning of your faith walk with Christ.
Prayer: Dear God, You gave everything to save my soul. However, I have continued to do whatever I wanted to do. Thank You for always keeping the door open for me to return to a life of surrender. I surrender all my fears, worries, desires, and expectations to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with My eye on you. – Psalm 32:8 (WEB)
We do not have to do life alone, and God will guide us.
Prayer: Dear God, You are faithful and true to the promises in Your Word. I am struggling to find a way out of my current struggle. Thank You for Your instruction and counsel. I ask You to guide me on what to do in ______ and help me make a wise decision. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (WEB)
No matter what you are going through, there is always room for gratitude.
Prayer: Dear God, You are so generous and have abundantly blessed my life with Your presence. Lord, forgive me for taking Your generosity for granted. Thank You for opening my eyes to the blessings You have given me and my family. Show me how I can be a blessing to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. – Psalm 51:10 (WEB)
We all have daily struggles that we need to work through. Sanctification is a process you don’t have to go through alone.
Prayer: Dear God, You know me. I have been struggling with ______ lately. Please forgive me. Thank You for showing me another way. I ask You to remove the struggle from my life and replace it with Your Holy Spirit’s power and guidance. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer; – Romans 12:12 (WEB)
Patience is key to prayer and spiritual growth.
Prayer: Dear God, You are so patient with me and this world that no one will perish. Lately, I have yet to have a good attitude while waiting on ________. Thank You for helping me be more patient. I ask You to send a breakthrough in my life and fill my heart with hopeful anticipation for the future while I wait with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Then He said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of Yahweh is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10 (WEB)
Your life doesn’t have to be perfect to experience true joy.
Prayer: Dear God, You have brought joy into my heart and mind since the very first day I gave my heart to You. Lately, I have been pursuing joy without You and in things outside my relationship with You. Thank You for the promise of Your joy, which strengthens me. I ask You to strengthen me today with Your joy and presence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; – Philippians 2:3 (WEB)
God gave everything, and yet we are entitled to nothing.
Prayer: Dear God, You have given me Your everything, and You are my source in all things. I have felt entitled to a life that I can’t withhold at the moment. Please forgive me. Thank You for giving me what I don’t deserve; it is all grace. I ask for Your continued mercy and grace over my life and for You to keep me humble and aware of my need for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35 (WEB)
Love is essential to the Christian walk.
Prayer: Dear God, You love me unconditionally because You are Love. (1 John 4:7-12 ESV) I have been resentful, hurtful, and bitter in several areas of my life. Specifically, I have been hurtful towards ______. Thank You for loving me through my pain, resentment, and bitterness. Your love helps me to see the error of my ways. Holy Spirit, please fill my heart with the love of Christ so that I may be a light in this dark world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I hope these prayers help you draw closer to God and give you the confidence to walk in His presence daily!
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