How Can We Pray? What Jesus Taught About Speaking to the Father

Ashland Watson
May 5
5 min read

Have you ever wondered.... “How can we pray?” well... you are not alone. Whether you’re a seasoned believer, a new Christian, or somewhere in between, this question is a common one among us. Thankfully though... we’re not left guessing. Jesus himself taught us how to pray, showing us that it’s not about perfect words, formulas, or performance. It’s about relationship.

Here at Mosaic, relationship is very important to us and our mission is to strengthen and mobilize local churches in Tanzania, Rwanda, South Asia, and the Philippines. That said, we believe that prayer is at the heart of every movement of God.

Pray is how we communicate and connect with God. We believe it is how communities are transformed. Which is why it is so important for us to have a daily pray practive with Him.

So... how can we pray? Let’s explore the biblical foundation, the example Jesus gave us, and what it means to have a conversation with God, right where we are.

1. Start With Who You’re Talking To: Your Heavenly Father

Jesus begins His teaching on prayer by saying,

“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…’” (Matthew 6:9, NIV).

Before anything else, prayer starts with knowing who we are speaking to.

God is not distant. He’s not cold or indifferent. He’s a loving Heavenly Father who longs for connection with His children. Jesus didn’t tell us to begin our prayers with “Almighty Judge,” or “Distant Deity,” but with Father.

In doing so, He invited us into a family dynamic. He showed us that prayer is not a religious obligation, it’s a conversation.

Whether you’re praying from a remote village in Rwanda or a bustling city in South Asia, the same truth applies: your Father in heaven is listening.

2. Follow the Blueprint: The Lord’s Prayer

If you’re wondering how can we pray when we don’t have the words, Jesus gives us a model, the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13).

"This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into tempatation, but deliver us from the evil one"

It’s not meant to be a script, but a structure. Here’s a breakdown:

Praise: “Hallowed be your name..." Start with worship. Acknowledge God’s holiness and goodness.
Surrender: “Your kingdom come, your will be done…” Align your heart with His purposes.
Provision: “Give us today our daily bread” Ask for your needs. Nothing is too small.
Forgiveness: “Forgive us our debts…” Confess and receive His mercy.
Protection: “Lead us not into temptation…” Ask for strength and guidance.

You don’t have to pray this word-for-word. But using it as a guide can help shift your focus from anxiety to assurance.

3. Be Real... Prayer Is a Conversation With God

One of the most beautiful truths about prayer is that it doesn’t require perfect language, it just requires honesty. You can come to God in joy, in grief, in confusion, or in celebration.

Psalm 62:8 says,

"Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."

That means there’s no need to polish your words. Just speak. Whether you’re sitting on a hillside in Tanzania or walking through a crowded market in South Asia, prayer is accessible. It’s not confined to church walls, it’s a lifestyle of connection with your Father.

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16). He modeled that prayer is more about presence than performance.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. - Luke 5:16

4. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Prayer

You’re not alone when you pray. Romans 8:26 reminds us,

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Holy Spirit himself intercedes for us…"

Have you ever sat in silence, unsure what to say? That’s okay. The Holy Spirit fills in the gaps. Whether you're interceding for clean water in a village or wisdom for your church, the Spirit is already at work, guiding, translating, and comforting.

5. God Does Answer Your Prayers, Even If It Looks Different

Sometimes, the hardest part of prayer is waiting. Or receiving a different answer than the one we hoped for. But Jesus encourages persistence:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

It’s a promise: God hears and answers your prayers, even when the answer is “not yet” or “not this way.”

6. Pray With Others, There’s Power in Unity

Prayer is personal, but it’s also communal. Jesus said:

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).

When we come together, whether it’s in a small home church in the Philippines or during a Sunday gathering in the U.S. God moves.

Keep It Simple. Keep It Faithful.

So… how can we pray?

We pray by showing up. By talking to our Father. By using Jesus’ example. By inviting the Holy Spirit. By trusting in God’s timing. By joining hands with others. And most of all, by remembering that it’s not about perfection, it’s about presence.

As we mobilize churches, equip pastors, and respond to needs across the globe, may we never lose sight of this truth: the local church is the hope of the world. And prayer is the power that fuels it.

Let’s pray like Jesus taught us. And let’s believe that when we speak, Heaven listens.

Want to be part of what God is doing globally through Mosaic International? Subscribe for updates and consider how your prayers and support can strengthen the local church through our four pillars, relief, development, discipleship, and mobilization, as we build relationships and empower communities to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Ready to pray? Start with this:Father in Heaven, thank You for hearing me. Teach me to speak with You daily. Align my heart with Yours. Move in my community and across the world. Use my prayers for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.