Simple prayers
to help you to learn about prayer
by Keith Simons of www.usefulbible.com
EasyEnglish is a system of simple English designed by Wycliffe Associates (UK).
Paul urges Christians to pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17). James says that the prayers of God’s people achieve much (James 5:16). Jesus encouraged people always to pray, and not to give up (Luke 18:1).
Many people would love to pray, but they are unsure where to begin. They may not know what kind of prayers please God. They may feel afraid to speak to him. Perhaps they can pray privately, but do not know how to pray in public.
If you would like to pray better, these prayers are for you. You can read them as your own prayers, or you might want to learn some of them. Or, you can use these prayers to give you ideas for your own prayers. In Luke 11:1-4, Jesus used a prayer to teach his disciples (special students) to pray.
These are Bible-based prayers. That means that the ideas in each prayer come from the Bible. We have given the passages at the end of each prayer. If you look up these passages, you will understand each prayer more clearly. So, you could use these prayers in order to study about prayer.
It is important always to show respect to God when we pray. We can begin our prayers in many different ways. We can give God honour as our God, our Master and our King. We can express our love to him as our Father God. Sometimes we pray to God the Father; sometimes to Jesus who is God the Son. We have one God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In Christian churches, it is the custom to end each prayer with the word ‘Amen’. That word comes from the Hebrew language; it means ‘the truth’. When we say ‘Amen’, we express our agreement with the prayer (1 Corinthians 14:16). ‘Amen’ is also a word to praise God; when we say ‘Amen’, we express our agreement with all God’s plans and purposes (2 Corinthians 1:20). We desire what God wants. We agree with all his plans.
In addition to private prayer, and prayers at church, Christian families should try to gather for family prayers. Choose a time each day when as many members of the family as possible are present. Read a passage from the Bible, then encourage each member of the family to pray. They could read their prayers, or pray their own prayer.
For the Bible passage, it is good to choose a passage from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the books that tell about Jesus’ life). Use shorter Bible passages and prayers if young children are present. Many families like to pray the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) together.
Our series of prayers begin with prayers on each subject in the Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer that the Lord (Jesus) taught in Matthew 6:9-13. It is a good idea to learn and to use that prayer.
Our Father,
How great is the love that you have shown us! When we receive you into our lives, we become members of your family. As your children, we wait for Christ’s return. Then you will change us completely, to be like him always. Amen.
(John 1:12; 1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 John 3:1-2.)
Dear God, our King,
You are completely holy: perfect and right and good in every way. There is nothing wrong in you and you never do any wrong act. Forgive us, because by our wrong thoughts, acts and deeds we bring shame upon your holy name. May all people and all nations give you the honour that you alone deserve. Amen.
(James 1:17; Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 148:13.)
Lord Jesus Christ,
You are the King of kings, and the ruler of all rulers. Both heaven and earth, and everything in them, belong to you. In heaven, where you sit on the right side of God the Father, your rule has always been complete. However, on earth, people still oppose you and they serve the devil. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Save your people, and free the world from the devil’s power. Establish your government, and rule always. Amen.
(Revelation 19:16; Isaiah 66:1; Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 22:20.)
Jesus our God and King,
One day you will rule the whole world, but now you offer to rule over our lives. Help me to serve you and to accept your authority completely. Help me to do what you want. Help me to desire what you desire. Be the ruler and guide of my life, I pray. Amen.
(Mark 1:15; Mark 10:14-15; Psalm 40:8; Psalm 23:1-3.)
Our Master and our God,
In the Bible, you teach us the way that we should live. You have written your law on the hearts of your loyal people. Help us to love what you desire. Teach us to do what you want. May we consider your instructions to be better and more precious than gold. Amen.
(2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 8:10; Psalm 40:8; Psalm 19:10.)
Father God,
You provide for all that you have created. You feed the birds of the air; you dress the flowers of the field. You give good gifts to those who ask you. Please provide our food and everything that we need this day. Thank you for your love. Amen.
(Matthew 6:26; Matthew 6:28; Matthew 7:11.)
Father God in heaven,
Help us not to worry, because you are our provider. May we desire first your rule in our lives, and to do what you want. Then show us how to place what we need for tomorrow in your hands. Teach us to trust you each and every day. Amen.
(Matthew 6:33; Hebrews 11:6.)
Dear God, our Father,
Thank you for all that you have provided for us. Help us never to be greedy; may we always be grateful to you for your goodness. Show us how to be content with the lives that you have given to us. Amen.
(1 Timothy 6:6-8; Philippians 4:11-13.)
Father God,
I confess that I have done wrong things against you. I have not obeyed your law. I have neglected your commands. I have not loved you as I should. I desire to turn from these wrong deeds and, with your help, to begin to serve you properly.
You sent your Son, Jesus, to die and to suffer the punishment for my wrong deeds. So now I invite you into my life. Please forgive me, and make me your child. Amen.
(John 1:12-13; John 3:16; Acts 3:19; Romans 6:23.)
Jesus,
Thank you that you died on the cross to forgive my wrong deeds. Thank you that you became alive again. You are my friend. Help me always to love you and to obey you. Amen.
(John 15:13-14; Romans 5:7; 1 John 4:9-10.)
Dear Jesus,
It is hard for me when people are cruel to me. They hurt me and they accuse me falsely. You suffered like that too, although you never did any wrong thing. You were kind to your enemies; you even prayed for them.
You have forgiven me too, although I have done many wrong things against your law. So please help me also to forgive other people when they do wrong things against me. Please change their lives to serve you, even as you have changed my life. Amen.
(Isaiah chapter 53; 1 Peter 2:20-23; Luke 23:26-37.)
God, please teach me your word, and help me to obey it. Amen.
(Psalm 119:65-67.)
God, thank you for this food that you have provided. Please use it to give us health and strength to serve you. Amen.
(Psalm 23:5-6.)
God, this day belongs to you. Help me to work for you today. Amen.
(Psalm 118:24, Lamentations 3:22-33.)
Dear God, I trust you to save me from every danger. I trust you to protect me from all my fears. I trust you to look after me, this night and always. Amen.
(Psalm 91:9-10, Psalm 121:1-6.)
God, what I have done was wrong. Because of Jesus’ death for me, please forgive me and change me. Amen.
(1 John 1:9.)
Thank you, God, that I have been able to serve you in this way. Help me to give the honour always to you. Amen.
(Galatians 6:14; Colossians 1:10; Colossians 3:17.)
Please show me, God, whether I can help that person. Please give your help at this difficult time. Amen.
(James 2:14-17.)
Dear God: health, strength and life all come from you. In your great love, please work in that person’s body, mind and spirit and make them well. Amen.
(Exodus 15:26; Isaiah 53:5; James 5:14-15.)
Thank you, God, that you have made it possible for me to give this gift for your work. Amen.
(Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11; Proverbs 19:17.)
Dear God,
You care about each person who needs your help. Please act in the lives of ................. (say their names here). You know what help they need at this time. Thank you that your love is great. Your power has no limit. Help us to trust you completely in this situation. Amen.
(Jonah 4:11, Matthew 6:8, James 5:15-16.)
Dear God our Father,
You bring comfort to those who are sad. At this time, please give your help to ................. (say their names here). May they know your peace, your love and your comfort. Amen.
(Matthew 5:4, Philippians 4:7, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.)
Our God and King,
Your rule is perfect and all your laws are good. Please give wisdom and skill to those who have authority in this nation ................. (say their names here). May they use their powers wisely. May their laws be right and good. Guide this nation in the way that is right, we pray. Amen.
(1 Timothy 2:1-2, Romans 13:1-7.)
Our Father,
Please be with your servants ................. (say their names here). Help them to trust you more and to serve you better. May their love for you increase and may they know your goodness in every way. Amen.
(John 17:20-23, Ephesians 1:15-17, Philippians 1:9-11.)
Loving God, our Father,
I pray for my family ................. (say their names here). Please look after us this day, and always. May we learn to serve you, and may we choose to follow you. Please be our helper in troubles, and our guide through life. In Jesus' name, Amen.
(Proverbs 22:6; Mark 10:13-16; Ephesians 6:1-4.)
(26) Thank you, God, for your perfect goodness.
(Psalm 136:1.)
(27) Thank you, God, that your love never ends.
(Psalm 136:1.)
(28) Thank you, God, that you hear and answer our prayers.
(1 John 5:14-15.)
(29) Thank you, God, that you carry out all your promises.
(2 Corinthians 1:20.)
(30) Thank you, God, that you give good gifts to your people.
(Matthew 7:11.)
(31) Thank you, God, that you provide for your people.
(Psalm 23; Matthew 6:31-33.)
(32) Thank you, God, that you are preparing a new heaven and a new earth for your people.
(Revelation 21:1-5.)
(33) Thank you, God, that you sent Jesus to this world to save us.
(John 3:16-17.)
(34) Thank you, God, for all that you teach us through the Bible.
(2 Timothy 3:15-17.)
(35) Thank you, God, that we find our security in you.
(Psalm 18:1-3.)
(36) Thank you, God, that you will defeat every evil power in this world.
(Psalm 2:1-6: Revelation 20:10.)
(37) Thank you, Jesus, that you died to save us.
(1 Peter 2:24.)
(38) Thank you, Jesus, that by God’s power you rose again from death.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-5, Philippians 3:10.)
(39) Thank you, Jesus, that in heaven you are praying for me.
(Hebrews 7:25.)
(40) Thank you, Jesus, that you will come again soon.
(Revelation 22:20.)
(41) Thank you, Jesus, that you have sent the Holy Spirit to help us and to guide us.
(John 14:16-17; Galatians 5:16; Galatians 5:22-23.)
© 2015 Keith Simons. We are happy to permit use of these prayers in church service sheets, provided the wording is not changed and the relevant prayers are described as “© 2015, by Keith Simons of usefulbible.com”. For copyright permission for other purposes, please contact us.
This booklet is in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words), which was developed by Wycliffe Associates (UK).
March 2015