🙏 5 Simple Ways to Start Praying Daily: A Faith-Based Guide for Beginners
Looking for simple ways to start praying daily? You’re not alone—and you’re in the right place.
Every journey toward simple ways to start praying daily begins with a single moment of decision. I remember when one of my kids first asked me, “Dad, how do you actually pray?” It was one of those moments that stopped me in my tracks. Here I was, a father of six, married for over twenty years, and it hit me—even the most simple ways to start praying daily can feel overwhelming when you’re just beginning.
That conversation sparked something in me. I realized that many Christians, whether new to faith or seasoned believers, struggle with the same question. Prayer feels too formal, too intimidating, or we simply don’t know how to start. But here’s what I’ve learned through decades of faith, military service, and raising a houseful of kids: finding simple ways to start praying daily doesn’t have to be complicated.
The truth is, every one of these simple ways to start praying daily begins with understanding that God doesn’t need your perfection—He wants your heart. Throughout this guide, I’ll share five practical methods that have transformed not just my prayer life, but the prayer lives of countless families I’ve had the privilege to mentor over the years.
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Prayer makes many people uncomfortable, and there’s nothing wrong with admitting that. During my years in the Air Force, I met countless people who wanted to connect with God but felt like they needed some special formula or perfect words.
The truth? God doesn’t need your eloquence—He wants your heart.
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth” – Psalm 145:18-19
This verse revolutionized my understanding of what it means to find simple ways to start praying daily. Notice it says “in truth,” not “in perfect theology” or “with the right words.” God values authenticity over articulation.
The Origin of Prayer Anxiety
Many of us grew up with misconceptions about prayer:
- 🚫 You need to use fancy “church language”
- 🚫 Prayers must be long to be meaningful
- 🚫 You can only pray in certain positions
- 🚫 God only listens to “perfect” people
These ideas create barriers that God never intended. The most effective simple ways to start praying daily involve understanding that prayer is meant to be as natural as talking to a friend.
Show ImageAlt text: Simple ways to start praying daily in quiet peaceful room
💬 Start With Simple, Natural Conversation
Many people think of The Lord’s Prayer as a mandatory script to recite daily. While it’s beautiful and meaningful, Jesus gave it to us as a model, not a rigid requirement.
Here’s what changed everything for me: The most effective simple ways to start praying daily involve speaking to Him openly and passionately, just as we would our closest friends and family.
🏠 Prayer in Everyday Moments
Some of my most meaningful prayers happen:
- 🚿 In the shower before starting my day
- 🚗 Driving to work during my morning commute
- 👨🍳 While cooking dinner for the family
- 🛏️ Before bed, reflecting on the day’s events
- 🏃♂️ During my morning jog
- ☕ Over my first cup of coffee
These simple ways to start praying daily aren’t a sign that you’re “going crazy” talking to someone invisible. It’s building a relationship with God through natural, flowing conversation.
💭 What to Talk About in Prayer
Put it all on the table. Seriously. As a father of six, I’ve learned that nothing is off-limits with God:
- 😰 Your worries about work, relationships, or finances
- 🙏 Gratitude for small daily blessings
- 😤 Frustrations with life’s challenges
- ✨ Hopes and dreams for yourself and loved ones
- 🤔 Requests for wisdom in difficult decisions
- 💔 Grief and loss you’re processing
- 😂 Joy and celebrations to share
God already knows your thoughts—prayer is about opening your heart and building that relationship.
⏰ Create Your Daily Prayer Rhythm
Consistency beats perfection every time. In the military, we learned that small, daily disciplines create massive results over time. The same principle applies when implementing simple ways to start praying daily.
🌅 Morning Prayer Routine
I’ve found that starting the day with prayer sets the tone for everything else. Here are simple ways to start praying daily in the morning:
- ⏰ Wake up five minutes earlier than usual
- 🪑 Find a quiet spot (could be your bed, a chair, even the kitchen table)
- 🙏 Begin with gratitude for three specific things
- 💭 Share your concerns for the day ahead
- 🧠 Ask for wisdom and guidance
- 👨👩👧👦 Pray for your family members
- 📱 Briefly check your prayer list
🌙 Evening Prayer Practice
Before bed, spend a few minutes reflecting:
- ✅ What went well today?
- 👀 Where did you see God’s hand at work?
- ❓ What challenges need His guidance tomorrow?
- 💙 Who in your life needs prayer?
- 😌 What are you grateful for today?
These simple ways to start praying daily in the evening help process the day and prepare your heart for rest.
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6
🍽️ Mealtime Prayers
Don’t underestimate the power of regular meal prayers:
- Brief gratitude before eating
- Family prayers before dinner
- Silent thanks during lunch at work
- Blessing the food and those who prepared it
🏠 Find Your Sacred Space
Creating a dedicated prayer space isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention. You don’t need an elaborate setup or expensive materials.
🚪 Your Prayer Closet
Jesus mentioned the “prayer closet” in Matthew 6:6. This doesn’t have to be a literal closet (though it could be). It’s any space where you can pray without distraction:
- 🪑 A corner of your bedroom with a comfortable chair
- 🌿 A spot in your garden or patio
- 🚗 Your car before work
- 🛁 Even a bathroom if that’s the only private space available
- 📚 A reading nook by a window
- 🏔️ An outdoor spot in nature
🛠️ Setting Up Your Space
Keep it simple:
- 📖 A Bible or devotional book
- 📓 A notebook for prayer requests and reflections
- ✝️ Perhaps a cross or meaningful image
- 🪑 Comfortable seating
- 💡 Good lighting if you’re reading
- 🕯️ A candle for ambiance (optional)
- 🌱 A small plant or flowers
- 📱 Prayer app or audio resources
The goal is creating an environment that helps you focus on God, not impressing anyone with your setup.
📚 Use Resources to Guide Your Growth
As someone who values practical tools, I’ve discovered that the right resources can accelerate your prayer growth significantly.
📖 Daily Devotionals
A good daily devotional provides structure and fresh insights. Two that have profoundly impacted my prayer life:
- 📅 “The One Year Chronological Bible” – This 365-day devotional includes scripture for additional reference and follows God’s story throughout history. Check it out here
- 🌅 Paul Tripp’s “New Morning Mercies” – Excellent for daily reflection and prayer guidance. Find it here
- 💪 “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young – Short daily devotions perfect for busy schedules
- ⛰️ “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers – Classic devotional for deeper spiritual growth
For those looking specifically for daily devotional guidance, I’ve also written about finding grace for today that speaks to the heart of everyday spiritual struggles.
🎧 Audio Resources
If you’re like me and learn well through listening, Father Mike’s Bible in a Year podcast is exceptional. He reads through the entire Bible with insightful commentary that enhances prayer and understanding.
Other audio resources include:
- 🎤 Podcasts on prayer and spiritual growth (Pray as You Go is excellent)
- 🎵 Worship music for prayer time (Hillsong Worship and Bethel Music)
- 📻 Christian radio during commutes (K-LOVE and Air1)
- 🔊 Bible apps with audio features (YouVersion Bible App)
📱 Simple Prayer Apps
Several apps can help maintain consistency:
- YouVersion Bible App – Daily Bible verse notifications and prayer plans
- Echo Prayer – Prayer request tracking and reminders
- Abide – Meditation and reflection guides
- PrayerMate – Organize prayer lists and track answered prayers
- Lectio 365 – Daily devotional with prayer focus
- Timer functions for prayer sessions
💪 Make It a Lasting Habit
Building any new habit requires patience and persistence. As a father, I’ve learned that sustainable change happens gradually, not overnight.
🎯 Start Small and Build
Week 1: Pray for 2-3 minutes daily Week 2: Increase to 5 minutes Week 3: Add specific prayer requests Week 4: Include Scripture reading Week 5: Add journaling Week 6: Include intercession for others
🎭 Set Realistic Expectations
- ❌ You’ll miss days—that’s normal
- 🎢 Some prayers will feel more meaningful than others
- 👂 God hears every prayer, regardless of how “good” it feels
- 📈 Progress isn’t always linear
- 🎓 Prayer is a skill that improves with practice
🤝 Use Accountability
- Prayer partners or groups (Upper Room has great resources for finding prayer groups)
- 👨👩👧👦 Family prayer time
- 📝 Journaling your prayer journey
- 👨🏫 Regular check-ins with a mentor or pastor
- 💻 Online prayer communities (Crosswalk.com and Guideposts offer prayer support)
- 📱 Accountability apps
🚧 Overcoming Common Prayer Obstacles
🤐 “I Don’t Know What to Say”
Start with the ACTS method:
- 🎵 Adoration: Praise God for who He is
- 😔 Confession: Admit your mistakes and shortcomings
- 🙏 Thanksgiving: Express gratitude
- 🙋♂️ Supplication: Make your requests
These simple ways to start praying daily give structure to your conversations with God without feeling rigid or forced.
🦗 “I Feel Like God Isn’t Listening”
Remember that God’s timing isn’t our timing. Sometimes the answer is “wait,” sometimes it’s “no,” and sometimes He’s working in ways we can’t see yet.
Signs God is listening:
- 🕊️ Sudden peace during difficult times
- 🚪 Unexpected opportunities appearing
- 💡 Wisdom in challenging situations
- 👥 People speaking words you needed to hear
😵💫 “I Keep Getting Distracted”
Distractions are normal. When your mind wanders:
- 🎯 Gently bring focus back to prayer
- 📝 Write down worries to address later
- 📖 Use a prayer book or app for guidance
- 🗣️ Pray out loud to maintain focus
- 🚶♂️ Try walking prayer
- 📿 Use prayer beads or rosaries
⏰ “I Don’t Have Time”
Time management for prayer:
- 🌅 Wake up 5 minutes earlier
- 🚗 Pray during commutes
- 🚶♂️ Prayer walks instead of regular walks
- 📱 Use transition times (before meetings, etc.)
- 🛌 Bedtime prayers replace scrolling
👨👩👧👦 Building a Family Prayer Life
As a father of six, incorporating prayer into family life has been both challenging and rewarding.
🍽️ Family Dinner Prayers
- Take turns leading prayer
- Let kids choose what to pray for
- Keep it age-appropriate
- Include thanksgiving for the day
- Pray for family members’ needs
As someone who’s been married for over 20 years, I’ve learned that prayer is foundational to a strong marriage relationship. The way couples pray together sets the tone for their entire family. You can read more about building strong family foundations in my piece on God’s plan for marriage.
🛌 Bedtime Prayer Routines
- Individual prayers with each child
- Gratitude sharing
- Praying for tomorrow’s activities
- Simple songs or recited prayers
- Reading prayer-focused children’s books
📖 Family Devotion Times
- Weekly family devotions
- Age-appropriate Bible stories
- Discussion questions
- Prayer requests sharing
- Service projects as prayer in action
🚀 Advanced Prayer Techniques
As you grow in your prayer life, consider these deeper practices:
📖 Scripture Praying
Pray Bible verses back to God:
- Find verses that speak to your situation
- Pray them with personal pronouns
- Meditate on their meaning
- Let Scripture guide your prayers
Bible Gateway and Blue Letter Bible are excellent resources for finding verses on specific topics to incorporate into your prayers.
🧘♂️ Contemplative Prayer
- Silent listening to God
- Focusing on God’s presence
- Breathing prayers
- Centering prayer techniques (Contemplative Outreach offers excellent resources on this)
📝 Journaling Prayers
- Write letters to God
- Record prayer requests and answers (Prayer Journal Guide has helpful tips)
- Reflect on spiritual growth
- Track answered prayers
- Document spiritual insights
🚶♂️ Prayer Walking
- Combine physical activity with prayer
- Pray for neighborhoods you walk through
- Use creation as prayer inspiration
- Walking meditation (Pray As You Go has guided prayer walks)
- Labyrinth walking (Veriditas has labyrinth locator)
🌟 The Transformative Power of Consistent Prayer
After decades of marriage, raising six children, and navigating life’s ups and downs, I can testify to this truth: consistent prayer brings an inner peace you’ve never felt before.
📈 Benefits I’ve Experienced
- 😌 Reduced anxiety and stress (learn more about faith and mental health)
- 🤔 Better decision-making
- 💑 Improved relationships
- 😊 Greater joy and contentment
- 💪 Strength during trials
- 🧭 Clearer life direction
- 💖 Deeper love for others
⏰ Set Your Alarm Today
Here’s my challenge to you: Set an alarm for tomorrow morning. Wake up just five minutes earlier. Find a quiet spot. And simply talk to God. Share what’s on your heart. Thank Him for something. Ask for help with something.
That’s it. That’s how you begin implementing these simple ways to start praying daily.
Remember, all simple ways to start praying daily begin with that first step. There’s no perfect moment—there’s only now.
🎯 Moving Forward in Your Prayer Journey
Prayer is a journey, not a destination. As you begin or restart your prayer life, remember that God meets you exactly where you are. He doesn’t expect perfection—He desires relationship.
Through years of military discipline, parenting challenges, and life’s inevitable storms, I’ve discovered that implementing simple ways to start praying daily isn’t just something we do—it becomes who we are. It shapes our perspective, strengthens our faith, and connects us to the source of all wisdom and love.
🚀 Your Next Steps
- ▶️ Start today with a simple 2-minute prayer
- ⏰ Choose a consistent time for daily prayer
- 📖 Find a resource (devotional, app, or Bible plan) that resonates with you
- 🏠 Create your sacred space for focused prayer time
- 😊 Be patient with yourself as you build this habit
- 👥 Find a prayer partner for accountability
- 📝 Keep a prayer journal to track your journey
💝 Special Prayer for New Beginners
“Lord, I’m just starting this journey of prayer. Help me to be consistent, patient with myself, and open to Your voice. Thank You that You meet me where I am and love me unconditionally. Guide my steps as I learn to walk in daily conversation with You. Amen.”
📞 A Personal Invitation
I’d love to hear about your prayer journey. Whether you’re just starting or looking to deepen your existing practice, know that you’re not alone in this. Prayer has been my anchor through deployments, parenting challenges, career changes, and every season of life.
God bless you as you take this step. And remember—He’s already listening, even before you speak. 🙏
What questions do you have about starting a prayer life? I’d be grateful to hear from you in the comments below. 💬
✈️ About the Author: I’m a father of six, married for over 20 years, and a U.S. Air Force veteran. Through years of military service and raising a large family, I’ve discovered that the most important battles are fought on our knees in prayer. My goal is to help others discover the transformative power of daily conversation with God.
Please, also take a look at my other blogs at:
https://lifetimefamilyjourney.blog/
https://everydayexposed.com/