What's the point of praying? How do you start? Tips and ideas for teens.
Prayer for Teens
Did you ever have an imaginary friend? To be honest with you, I didn’t – but I tried really hard. I thought it would be so fun to have someone to talk to and hang out with, especially if my friends were busy or I was stuck grounded in my room. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t do it. Although I loved imagining things, my brain just couldn’t come to terms with the idea that there was actually someone there to talk to. When I tearfully told my mum about it once, she wasn’t concerned about my dilemma at all. ‘Why would you need one, Zari? You already have someone to talk to whenever you want – and He actually hears you.’ My younger self was very confused. ‘Who?’ I asked. My mum just smiled and said, ‘God, of course. He’s always listening and ready to talk to you.’ What was meant to be encouraging shocked me more. ‘All the time?’ I asked. ‘Even when I’m being silly or like, on the toilet or something?!’
Now, if you’re new to this concept, or a bit confused as I was, don’t stress. Unlike the imaginary stories of figures like Santa Claus, who are always watching to make sure you’re good, God isn’t imaginary – and He’s not watching out to get you in trouble. In fact, He prefers when we speak to Him directly. That’s where prayer comes in.
But how do we speak to someone we can’t see or hear? How do we know God is real and not imaginary? It’s a good question, and one I found hard to understand for a long time. In the end, I found the best way for me to think about it was like this: although I can’t see, or always hear the wind, I know it exists, right? That’s because I can feel its effects. When the wind blows, I can feel the air rustle up my hair and cool my skin. I can see it moving the leaves of the trees and pushing the waves in the ocean. Similarly, it’s through effect and feeling that we can often know God is real, and that He’s listening. Although we don’t always get a spoken response, often when we pray, we might get answers in other ways. For example, when I pray for peace or to be calm about a situation that is making me angry, I often sense that feeling coming over me in the next few minutes, even though there’s no other reason for me to be calm. Or, when I pray for God to help in a certain situation, such as being able to focus on a test or having one of my friends feel better after feeling sick, I can see the results. I’ve even been praying when I’ve been sad and alone, asking God for help, and had animals suddenly come close to comfort me. Now it’s your turn to think back: have you ever had that happen, and perhaps not even noticed at the time? God loves us. He sees us, and He wants to talk to us about whatever we’re going through. Whether praying aloud for our friends and family in an important situation, or just talking to Him in our heads when we feel happy, upset, or overwhelmed about something. It’s important that we involve Him in our lives through these conversations, especially as it has so many benefits. For a start, knowing that someone has listened to us and that we’re cared for is life-changing. Further, talking to God and asking for help can let us see when those questions are answered. Now, the most common way we’re taught prayer is to speak to God aloud or in our heads, kneeling with our hands folded and eyes closed. This traditional way of praying is important, as it’s respectful and encourages us to stay focused and reverent as we pray to our God. However, not everyone finds it easy to sit down and be still while they have even a normal conversation, let alone one that requires personal thought and concentration. It’s so easy to become lost in our thoughts – whether or not we have our eyes closed. So, while it’s important that we stay respectful, it’s also essential to use a method that allows us to stay honest and on track in our personal prayer time. With that in mind, we’ve put together some guidance on how to talk to God – in more than just one way. [If you’re looking for a more basic step-by-step guide on how to pray, try reading our blog on How to Pray.]Pause and Reflect: Let Stillness Be a ReconnectionOne of the most important elements of prayer is that we’re honest with ourselves and honest with God. What’s been stressing you out? What are you grateful for? What’s on your heart right now? Remember, this process doesn’t have to fit a certain time frame – it can be as long or as short as you need. Just give yourself the chance to slow down, even for a few minutes. Breathe deeply, and allow this time for a spiritual reset and reconnection, where you can tell God where you’re really at. Reflection Doesn’t Mean Quiet and StillEven in the Bible, we can see people have different ways of connecting with God. David danced and sang (2 Samuel 6:14; 2 Samuel 22:1), Daniel made a habit of sitting at his window (Daniel 6:10-12), Jacob literally wrestled (Genesis 32:24-28), and Jesus withdrew to quiet places (Luke 5:16). These people were all close to God, but all connected with Him in different ways. We can do the same. For example:- If sitting still and praying doesn’t work for you, then use movement! Try going for a walk or run, and praying your thoughts out loud. If you’re feeling extra joyful, you can even dance like David did!
- If music helps you get into the right headspace for prayer, then try listening to or playing worship music or peaceful background music while praying. This can not only keep you focused, but remind you of all you’re praising God for.
- If you’re into art, try drawing or creating something while in that special prayer space. This visual outlet can help you express what you really want to – even when your brain is just too full.
- Journaling is another great way to connect with God in a tangible way that you can look back on. In fact, this method is often recommended as one of our methods of prayer, as it allows us to visibly reflect on our past experiences and see how we’ve grown since then. This can be as descriptive or simple as you’d like – you could write letters to God, use it as a daily reflection, or even just list dot points. The choice is always yours.
- Thank God for something.
- Tell Him what’s going on in your head and your life.
- Ask for help or guidance.
- Listen quietly for a few moments – even if it feels awkward at first.
