When someone asked me at Bible study how to have a better prayer life, I realized it’s something I’ve wrestled with too. Prayer hasn’t always been easy for me.
There were seasons where I felt like I was repeating the same words or just checking off a box. Over time, God’s taught me a few simple ways to grow in prayer that have made a real difference. I want to share them in case they can help you the way they’ve helped me.
One thing I’ve learned is to reflect at the end of the day. Before I fall asleep, I pause and ask, “Lord, what did I learn today?” Sometimes He points to a mistake where I need to grow. Other times He reminds me of a small blessing I almost overlooked. When I bring the details of my day back to Him, it turns even ordinary moments into prayer. Writing those reflections in a journal has helped me see God’s hand at work. Baylor University has shared insights on the power of building prayer habits, showing how consistency, even in short times of prayer, strengthens spiritual life.
Another step for me was dealing with distractions. I don’t know about you, but when I try to pray with my phone buzzing or the TV on, my thoughts scatter everywhere. Now I turn those things off, and that choice says to God, “You have my attention.” What helps me focus even more is praying through Scripture. Instead of scrambling for words, I let God’s Word shape my prayer. The process is simple:
- Pick a verse or two. For example, Psalm 23 if I need peace or Philippians 4:6–7 when I feel anxious.
- Pull out key words or themes. Words like “peace,” “guard,” and “thanksgiving” stand out.
- Turn them into prayer. I might pray, “Lord, guard my heart with Your peace. Help me bring my needs before You with thanksgiving.”
This way of praying keeps me focused and connected. The Gospel Coalition explains why praying Scripture enriches faith, and Desiring God offers practical advice for learning this practice. Both confirm what I’ve experienced firsthand—Scripture-centered prayer deepens focus and aligns my heart with God.
The third change came when I finally became comfortable with silence. At first, sitting in silence felt awkward. I thought I was doing prayer wrong if I wasn’t speaking. But over time, I’ve discovered that silence isn’t empty, it’s full. Some of the closest times I’ve had with God have been when I simply sat with Him, no words, no agenda. Just presence. Divine Mercy University explains that prayer is more than performance—it’s relationship. And Reformed Theological Seminary adds that praying without ceasing is about awareness of God’s presence, not constant words. Those insights echo what I’ve found in the quiet moments: God often speaks most clearly when I stop speaking.
So if you’ve ever wondered how to have a better prayer life, these three things have helped me: reflecting on my day with God, removing distractions while praying Scripture, and resting in silence. They aren’t complicated, but they’ve transformed prayer for me. It’s no longer about saying the right words. It’s about building a real relationship with Him, and that has made all the difference.
FAQ: How To Have A Better Prayer Life
Release the pressure to say the “perfect” thing. Prayer is a relationship, not a performance. Try the ACTS framework: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Read a short Scripture passage first to center your heart and give your mind something to anchor to before you begin.
This is one of the most universal struggles in prayer, and completely normal. Find a consistent, distraction-free spot. Put your phone on silent. Pray out loud rather than silently. Speaking your prayers keeps your mind engaged. Prayer walks work well too. Moving your body while talking to God keeps focus and opens you up to worship.
Prayer needs regular conversation, not just emergency calls. Start small. Commit to just 5 minutes at the same time each day, whether morning, lunch, or bedtime. As that habit takes root, add depth by praying specifically. Name exact people, situations, and needs. Layer in shorter prayers throughout the day so communication with God becomes less of an event and more of a lifestyle.
Pastor Rick Penn is an ordained pastor, writer, and the founder of Get-Prayer.com, a resource built to help believers develop a consistent, grounded prayer life.
With more than 20 years of preaching the Gospel, Pastor Rick brings deep theological training and lived pastoral experience to everything he writes. He holds a Master of Divinity from Virginia University of Lynchburg, an M.A. with a concentration in New Testament Studies from Baptist Bible Seminary, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Averett University.
His writing reflects a personal commitment to making prayer accessible to everyday Christians. Whether he is writing a prayer for someone in a hospital waiting room, walking through fear about the future, or sitting down with a blank prayer journal for the first time, Pastor Rick writes from a place of both theological grounding and pastoral care.
Pastor Rick hosts In The Moment, a Christian television program airing on Roku through AIM Christian Television. Viewers can watch the show at aimchristian.com/yourmoment and listen as a podcast on Spotify.
Before founding Get-Prayer.com, he served in the U.S. Navy, where he built his communication skills as a writer, editor, and public affairs professional. He now applies those disciplines directly to ministry and teaching.
Every article on this site reflects his core conviction: Prayer is not a performance of faith. It is the daily practice that holds everything else together.
Pastor Rick Penn is the author of all content on Get-Prayer.com.
Rick currently resides in Pennsylvania, where he continues to teach, write, and encourage believers to deepen their walk with God through prayer and the study of Scripture.
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