Introduction: What Does It Mean to Truly Pray?

For many believers, prayer can feel mysterious or intimidating. Some wonder, “Am I doing it right?” Others worry about their posture, their words, or whether God will even hear them. But prayer, at its core, is simple: it’s heartfelt communication with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” – Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

This blog will explore:

• What matters most in prayer
• Why body position isn’t the focus
• How to pray with faith
• Why forgiveness is already yours in Christ

Heart Over Posture: The Truth About Body Position in Prayer

Many people associate prayer with kneeling, bowing, lifting hands, or even lying prostrate. While these postures can reflect reverence or surrender, God is not concerned with the position of your body as much as the condition of your heart.

“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

Jesus often withdrew to pray, sometimes standing, sitting, or alone on a mountain (Luke 5:16; Matthew 14:23). What mattered most was not His posture but His intimacy with the Father.

How to Pray: The Three Biblical Steps

Too often people approach prayer thinking, “If I just believe after I receive something, then my faith will be real.” But Jesus gave us the opposite order:

1. Pray

Speak to God from your heart. You don’t need eloquent language or memorized phrases. Just talk to Him honestly and reverently.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

2. Believe

Faith is the foundation of prayer. When you pray, believe that God hears you and is able to do what He promises—even if you don’t see it immediately.

“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” – Mark 11:24 (NIV)

3. Receive

Receiving comes after believing, not before. Receiving may happen spiritually before it happens physically. But the key is this: you receive by faith—not by sight.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

The Truth About Praying for Forgiveness

A common misunderstanding in prayer is the repeated request for forgiveness. While it's appropriate to acknowledge our sins (1 John 1:9), believers must understand this critical Gospel truth: In Christ, you are already forgiven—past, present, and future.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” – Ephesians 1:7 (NIV)

When you put your faith in Jesus, your sins are not just covered—they are removed forever.

“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” – Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)

So rather than begging for forgiveness, approach God with thanksgiving for what Jesus has already done. That’s real faith.