When Prayer Becomes Simple and Real
Prayer is not performance, it’s relationship
“And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.”
— Matthew 6:7 (NIV)
Let me start with a personal confession. For many years, I was committed to praying every morning. I would get up early, open my Bible, set aside the time, and go through the motions. But honestly? I still felt empty inside. I felt like something was missing. My prayers often felt like they were bouncing off the ceiling. I wasn’t enjoying prayer, and I certainly didn’t feel confident in it.
One morning, in the quiet, I finally said, “Lord, what’s wrong with me? Why do I feel so disconnected when I’m doing all the right things?” And gently, in that still small voice, I sensed God whisper in my heart:
“Ras, you don’t believe your prayers are good enough.”
Wow. That hit me. I’d never put it into words before, but deep down, I felt like I wasn’t praying the right way. Maybe it wasn’t long enough, or passionate enough, or wordy enough. I thought I had to sound like other people I’d heard pray, you know, those who could go on for 20 minutes with poetic language and power in their voice. But here’s the truth I’ve come to discover:
God is not impressed with how long or loud we pray
Sometimes in church circles, especially in Pentecostal ones like ours, there’s an unspoken pressure that suggests if your prayers aren’t passionate, lengthy, or filled with Scripture quotes, they’re not powerful. But Jesus Himself told us not to “babble on” like the pagans, thinking we’ll be heard because of our many words.
Jesus is not after performance. He’s after the heart. Prayer is not about eloquence, it’s about authenticity.
I’ve seen this shift in people’s lives. Just the other week, someone in our church came to me and said, “Pastor, I’m not good at praying out loud, so I just keep it short and simple.” And I told them, “That’s exactly what God loves – simple, believing prayer that comes straight out of the heart.”
Real prayer is raw and honest
You don’t need fancy words to connect with God. Some of the most powerful prayers in the Bible were just a few words:
“Lord, save me!” – Peter, sinking in the sea (Matthew 14:30)
“Have mercy on me, a sinner.” – The tax collector in the temple (Luke 18:13)
“Jesus, remember me.” – The thief on the cross (Luke 23:42)
These weren’t rehearsed or polished. They were desperate, honest, and full of faith. And God responded to every one of them.
I remember one night when I was overwhelmed with everything church, family, personal burdens, and I had no energy to pray a long prayer. All I could say was, “God, help me.” And do you know what? He did. He brought peace. He carried me. He reminded me I wasn’t alone.
God listens to faith, not formulas
It’s not about the formula, it’s about the faith. Some people say, “I don’t know the right way to pray.” But there is no “right way.” There is just your way. The Bible says in Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” So what pleases God? Faith. Even mustard seed faith.
If all you can do is whisper, “Jesus, I need You,” that is enough. If all you can say is, “I trust You, Lord,” that moves the heart of God. Prayer is not about twisting God’s arm – it’s about holding His hand.
Let go of pressure and enjoy the presence
Sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves in prayer. We try to sound like others, pray a certain number of minutes, or tick a box. But God is not after ritual. He is inviting us into a relationship.
If you’re a parent, you’ll understand this. Imagine your child coming to you only when they had the perfect speech prepared. Wouldn’t you rather they just came and sat with you, talked to you honestly, or even just cried in your arms? That’s how God feels about us. He wants us to come as we are, not as we think we should be.
Practical ways to simplify and strengthen your prayer life
Let me leave you with some practical encouragement:
1. Talk to God like you talk to a friend
You don’t need to use King James English. Speak to Him in your everyday language. Be real. Laugh. Cry. Pause. Just be you.
2. Keep a simple rhythm
Instead of aiming for an hour of prayer, start with 5–10 minutes of honest, focused time. Sometimes less is more when it comes from the heart.
3. Use Scripture as conversation starters
Read a verse and then turn it into a prayer. For example, if you read Psalm 23:1, you can simply say, “Lord, thank You for being my Shepherd. I trust You to lead me today.”
4. Write down your prayers
If you struggle to focus, writing your prayers down can help. It also becomes a record of God’s faithfulness when you look back.
5. Just pause and breathe
Not every prayer needs to be spoken. Sometimes, just sitting in God’s presence with a listening heart is powerful.
You are heard, you are loved, and your prayers matter
Dear friend, I want to encourage you today: You don’t have to impress God. You just need to be with Him. He already knows your heart. He sees your tears. He hears your whispered prayers. And He answers.
So let go of the pressure. Come back to simple, honest, believing prayer. And watch how your relationship with God begins to flourish again.
Let me end with this:
“Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, it is laying hold of His willingness.” – Martin Luther
He is willing. He is waiting. And He loves to hear your voice.
Keep it simple. Keep it real. Keep praying.