Often times in churches around the world, it is taught that prayer is essential in the lives of Christians. But as often as it is taught, there is not always an understanding of prayer.

What is prayer? Essentially, prayer is simply a conversation with God. Like any conversation, it includes speaking to God and listening to what God has to say to us. Prayers can be Adoration (general praise of God), Confession (admitting our sins and asking for God's forgiveness), Thanksgiving (thanking God for what has been done for us), and Intervention (asking for God's help in our lives and the lives of others).

Why should I pray? In whatever form your prayers take, prayer takes the position of an admission that there is a God who is more powerful than we are, and beyond our situation. When we give thanks to God, we say that God is one who blesses no matter what. When we ask God to intervene in a situation, we are saying that we need that God who is beyond us to reach our needs. We should pray because we want God to be there in all our situations.

When should we pray? The Bible says that we should "Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Of course this doesn't mean that we need to stop what we do in life and bow our heads 24/7. But we need to pray to God in everything we do. If we need help, we need to ask. If we are in trouble, we need to look to God for help. When things are going good, we need to thank God for the blessings.

How should I pray? People tend to say "get down on your knees... bow your head... close your eyes... cross your hands..." But the truth is that there is no magic formula. In some cases, bending down with your eyes closed is the best way to clear your mind. In other times, looking up with your hands raised in praise might be right. Other times, laying on your bed might be right. The exact way a person should pray is between them and God.

Jesus did give his people a good form for "how to pray" when he told them what people have learned as "The Lord's Prayer." "Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be your name" (in simple terms, "God, you are holy!"). "Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Lord, come and rule in this earth). "Give us this day, our daily bread" (Take care of my needs today) "and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Forgive my sins, and let me forgive others). "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil" (Help me to avoid things that I know are wrong). "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever" (You are all powerful and deserve all our praise forever).

Yes... prayer is essential. It is also simple. Talk to God. Give your thanks. Give your pains. Give them to God in the name of Jesus.