God invites us to speak to him in prayer and promises to hear us.  What an incredible gift!

For a Christian, prayer is to be as natural as breathing.  We inhale (God speaks to us in his Word), and then we exhale (we speak to God in prayer).  Any time you've found yourself in trouble and thinking, "Lord, help me!", you've realized how natural prayer is for those who know God's love in Christ.

"Natural" doesn't always mean "easy", though.  There's great blessing in a family praying together.  Do you do that?  If not, hopefully these simple resources will help you start.  If you already do, Lord-willing they will give some help or growth.

What follows is simply a collection of some common prayers and tips for building your own.

The Lord's Prayer
(Consider using every morning and evening)
Our Father, who are in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Before meals
Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let these gifts to us be blessed.  Amen.

The eyes of all look to you, O Lord, and you give them their food at the proper time.  You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.  Amen.

After meals
O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever.  Amen.

We thank you, Lord, for meat and drink,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Morning
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger.  Keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please you.  Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all things.  Let your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me.  Amen.  (Dr. Martin Luther's Morning Prayer)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to this new day.  Defend us with your mighty power, and grant that this day we neither fall into sin nor run into any kind of danger; and in all we do, direct us to what is right in your sight, through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.  Amen.  (Prayer for Grace)

Evening
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have graciously kept me this day. Forgive me all my sins, and graciously keep me this night. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me. Amen.  (Dr. Martin Luther's Evening Prayer)

Lord God, all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works come from you.  Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments.  Defend us also from the fear of our enemies that we may live in peace and quietness, through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen. (Prayer for Peace)

Teaching your children to pray
The simplest and greatest way for your children to learn to pray is simply from hearing you pray.  Establish a prayer life in your home - before and after meals, before everyone leaves for work or school in the morning, and at bedtime.  Not only will this teach your children the importance of prayer and help you regularly bring your needs to God; there are also rich blessings for a family to be united in prayer multiple times a day!

From an early age, ask your children what they want to pray for.  Do they have a scratch on their leg?  Is their friend sick?  Pray to God out loud for them.  Teach them that nothing is to small to bring to God.  And don't forget to prompt their prayers ("Those are good things to ask God for.  Can you think of anything we should thank him for, too?").  Once they hit about age 3 or 4, encourage them to ask God for these things out loud.  If they're hesitant to, don't push them. It'll come!

Models for prayer
The Lord hears any prayer offered in faith.  To keep a balanced prayer life, though, consider these models:

Address - Begin the prayer addressing God by name and thanking him for his love ("Heavenly Father, you've given me life and faith...";  "Lord Jesus, you've kept me safely through another day")
Confession - Confess the sins that weigh on your heart.  Don't be afraid to be specific.  Ask God to assure you of the forgiveness you have in Christ's perfect life and innocent death.
Thanksgiving - Give thanks to God for blessings of body and soul.  Give thoughtful reflection on what he's done.
Supplication - God promises to give us what we need.  Don't hesitate to ask him!  Bring specific requests to him and trust in his love to answer in the right way.

Praying Scripture
Martin Luther encouraged a prayer life that flowed from Scripture.  As you read a section of the Bible, ask yourself the following four questions and build a prayer off of them:
- How does this portion of Scripture show me my sins that I should confess?
- How does this portion of Scripture show me my Savior and God's love?
- How does this portion of Scripture guide me in a Christian life?
- What does this portion of Scripture teach me to pray for?