There is no set way to pray—one culture may pray by using dramatic movements in their bodies, while another may pray by sitting quietly.

The year I graduated from college, I spent three months teaching English in Tanzania. I lived in a small village outside of Arusha, down rocky dirt roads and green open countryside. Throughout the day, our small community would gather for times of prayer, worship and shared meals. This always involved singing, dancing and handclapping. We shuffled our feet and opened our throats to express enthusiasm for the food we were eating, ask God for tangible needs and lament the suffering we encountered in our surrounding region.

My time in Africa taught me that prayer can transform us as we make space in our lives to connect with God. Prayer helps us acknowledge how God is already present, centering us in a deeper reality.

The following practices, each based on Scripture, have influenced my own life as I seek God in prayer.

Pray Simply

In Hebrew, the word for “breath” also means “wind” and “spirit.” It is used to describe the Spirit of God hovering over the waters at the time of creation: “ the earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the Spirit of God was moving over the water” (Genesis 1:2, GNTD). Our breath reminds us that the same Spirit of God who was present in creation is present in us today. Every breath we take can acknowledge the reality of God’s presence and our reliance on God.

For this reason, a practice was developed long ago to use our breath as a means of prayer. In “breath prayer,” you choose a short phrase to repeat as you inhale and exhale. The repetition lets the words slowly sink into your body, ultimately becoming part of your thinking. A common phrase to use is the Jesus Prayer (taken from Luke 18:9-14) “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Practice: Sit quietly for a moment. Focus on your breathing. Ask God to bring a word, phrase or Bible verse to mind. Spend a few minutes reciting the verses with the rhythm of your breathing. Inhale and exhale. Practice this throughout your day. How does this method affect your thinking? 

Pray At All Times

One of my favorite activities in Tanzania was sitting with the women in a circle on the lawn, sifting through beans to remove any rocks. This required patience and was often tedious. But I loved the way it let me spend time with the women in our community. I loved listening to their conversations, laughing and being invited into a more intimate part of their lives. Prayer often looks similar. It is a way we share our lives with God and experience God’s intimacy even in our most mundane activities.

In Paul’s instruction to the early church in Thessalonica, he says: "Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, GNTD).

Praying at all times sounds impossible at first, but Paul reminds us that our lives are lived in union with Jesus Christ. God is already present in all of our circumstances and activities—even if these are as simple as sifting through beans in the afternoon heat. Prayer draws us back to this awareness.

Practice: Pick an ordinary task from your day. This may be preparing dinner, doing laundry or going to a business meeting. Ask God to be present with you. As you carry out your task, be aware of God’s presence. You can make yourself aware by talking to God, consciously serving God with your actions or just being aware that God is with you.

Seek Transformation

As I spent more and more time in my Tanzanian community—and as I integrated prayer into the rhythms of my day—I began to rely more readily on God’s presence. I asked God for help while planning and delivering my lessons. I felt more connected to the people around me. Instead of having to do everything for myself, I drew on their support, nurturing and resources. I felt more content in each moment as I saw God in the ordinary aspects of my life. Tasks like washing dishes or having a conversation were just as full of God’s presence as formal times of worship.

While praying at all times—through every breath and daily activity—I joyfully experienced growth in my union with Christ. I inhaled and I exhaled. I ate meals and went to work. And with God’s Spirit breathing in me, my life was transformed.

Although there are a number of ways to pray, I encourage you to give these practices a try. I hope you find your own ways of connecting with God, ultimately experiencing the transformation of prayer.