Prayer is one of those things most of us do—just not always on purpose. We pray when we’re stressed. When something breaks. When someone’s sick. When we’re out of options. And thank God, He meets us there. But prayer was never meant to be an emergency button we push when life gets hard. It’s a steady conversation that forms us over time.
What’s interesting about Jesus’ teaching on prayer in Matthew 6 is not what He commands, but what He assumes. He doesn’t say if you pray. He says, “When you pray…” (Matthew 6:5). His tone assumes prayer is already part of the life of a disciple. Not a spiritual extra. Just normal, everyday discipleship.
Hard truth: we make time for what we believe matters. If prayer is truly meeting with the living God—the Creator, the Provider, the One who loves us, sustains us, and holds all power and provision in His hands—then it won’t stay on the margins. Prayer doesn’t reveal our intentions; it reveals our priorities. It exposes what we believe and value most.
In Matthew 6, Jesus also reshapes how we approach prayer. He pulls prayer out of performance and pressure and brings it back to relationship. “Go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret” (Matthew 6:6). Prayer, according to Jesus, isn’t about being impressive. It’s about being present. It’s personal. It’s relational. It’s honest.
That’s where many of us get stuck. We want prayer to feel powerful, eloquent, and emotionally moving. When it doesn’t, we assume we’re doing it wrong. But Jesus doesn’t tell His disciples to pray longer, louder, or smarter. He invites them into consistency—into a regular time with the Father, into a conversation that shapes them slowly and faithfully over time.
So how do we move from haphazard, as-needed prayer to a consistent life of prayer?
First, choose a time and protect it. Consistency grows where intention lives. It doesn’t have to be long—but it does need to be regular. Pick a time that fits your actual life, not your ideal one.
Second, simplify what prayer looks like. Simple prayers prayed consistently will form us more than complex prayers prayed occasionally. Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer not as a script to rush through, but as a framework. Start with the Father. Turn your attention toward Him. Praise Him. Surrender your will to His. Ask for what you need. Confess. Receive grace. Pray for strength.
Third, practice listening—not just talking. Prayer is a conversation, not a monologue. After you speak to God, sit quietly for a moment. Read a short passage of Scripture. Pay attention to what surfaces—convictions, encouragements, reminders. God often speaks more quietly than we expect, but He is no less present.
And finally, release the pressure to feel something every time. Prayer isn’t measured by emotional intensity. Some days will feel rich and connected. Others will feel simple and ordinary. Both count. Formation happens in the showing up.
Jesus assumes His disciples pray because prayer is how relationships stay alive. It’s how we remain connected. Disciples don’t drift into a life of prayer. They choose it—intentionally, again and again, because there are no accidental disciples. A
Response for the Week:
Choose one specific time each day this week to pray—even five minutes. Speak honestly to God. Sit quietly with Him. Let prayer become less about urgency and more about presence. You don’t need perfect words. You just need to show up.