By Natalie Wolfe

Ever since I was little, prayer was something we did before every meal, right before we go to bed, or as part of another habit. I always knew prayer was important, but I also knew that it was something you needed to do as a “Christian.” I was never any good at prayer though, so I just… didn't pray. Prayer can look different; some pray silently, some pray out loud, some sing it, and many other ways. I’ve tried most every method I can think up, some worked and some didn’t, but I keep falling behind.

I do pray for people when I tell them I'll pray for them. I also pray before and after I read my bible. My problem isn't that I never pray, it’s that prayer is just another step in something else. I never seem to be able to pray just to pray. Prayer should be something we do because God calls us to pray and build that relationship with Him, not just something we do cause we’re “Christian.” I eventually realized one of the things holding me back has been trying to do it "correctly." I had to say the right words, do the right things, talk in just the right tone. I never felt comfortable praying because I felt like I couldn’t do it right.

I've had Philippians 4:4-8 memorized since college and looking back at that passage whenever I’m going through something always gives me a fresh perspective. Verses 6 and 7 say: “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

This passage reminds me that God does listen to all of our prayers, however they come out. It doesn’t need to be pretty and well put together for God to know what is on our hearts. We’re not just supposed to show God our good, we’re supposed to show him our bad too. Whatever we’re going through, big or small, ugly or nice, He is listening. That should encourage us! Even though there’s millions of people praying at once, He hears each one and cares about each word we are saying, even if they aren’t that well put together.

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