Lesson 1 of 4 · 8 min
Prayer
What prayer is, how to start, and what to do when it feels dry.
Talking with a Father
Jesus taught his followers to begin 'Our Father'. Prayer is not incantation or performance; it is honest speech to a God who already knows and still wants to hear.
A useful frame is ACTS: Adoration (who God is), Confession (what I have got wrong), Thanksgiving (what he has given), Supplication (what I and others need).
When it feels dry
Dryness is normal and appears throughout the Psalms. Praying the Psalms out loud gives words when your own run out. Consistency matters more than intensity; short and daily beats long and rare.
Key passages
Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.'
Matthew 6:9
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought.
Romans 8:26
Reflect
What is one honest thing you have been avoiding saying to God?
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Where this came from
We're not experts — these are the sources we used while researching this page. Read them yourself, keep digging, and hold us to them.
- [1]The Holy Bible — Blue Letter Bible interlinear and lexicons
Primary source for every lesson; Strong's and BDB/Thayer entries for word studies.
- [2]The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (381) — full text and history, Britannica
The doctrinal frame for the lessons on God, Christ and the Spirit.
- [3]N. T. Wright, lectures and articles archive (NTWrightPage)
New Testament scholarship drawn on for the gospel, kingdom and resurrection lessons.
- [4]Catechism of the Catholic Church (Vatican) and the Westminster Confession of Faith
Consulted side by side wherever a lesson describes how different traditions teach a doctrine.