Have You Ever Thought About How Many Ways There Are to Pray?

Most of us grow up thinking prayer is just one thing, fold your hands, bow your head, say a few words, and that’s that. I can think back to when I was a child, my family always prayer before a meal, it was always the same words, and going to bed meant bedtime prayers, again it was always the same set of words, the "Now I lay me down to sleep...", but that was always more personal as we would also add a blessing to each person we could think of, ultimately ending with bless everyone before the amen! 

But lately I’ve been wondering, what are the many different ways to pray? Some people sing their prayers. Some write them down. Others sit in complete silence and just listen.

Prayer doesn’t have to sound polished or formal. It can be messy, raw, whispered, written, or even felt more than spoken. You can pray while washing dishes, walking outside, or lying in bed at night when your mind won’t settle.

There’s conversational prayer, where you talk to God like a friend, this is how I often pray. But I'm learning that there are many other ways to pray. There’s journaling prayer, where your pen becomes your voice. Breath prayers, where you slow down long enough to connect each inhale and exhale to a short phrase, like “Lord, I’m here” or “Peace within.” You can even pray through Scripture, letting the words come alive in your own situation.

Once you realize how many styles of prayer there really are, it changes everything. You start to see that prayer isn’t just an act, it’s a rhythm woven through everyday life.

So, I’ll ask you this: what’s your favorite way to pray? And if you’re not sure, maybe this week is the perfect time to explore a few new ones and see which feels most natural for you.

I asked ChattyG for 20 prayer styles, I wasn't sure what I would get, but here they are, I'm actually pleasantly surprised at the variety of prayer styles, I certainly have some studying to do!

I had been planning on doing a deep dive into learning more about prayer and turning it into a study/class with the ladies at my church, this just expanded that greatly, as I stated above, I have some studying to do!

Here are 20 prayer styles, each with a short description and example use so you can explore different ways to connect with God depending on your mood, need, or spiritual focus:

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Foundational and Personal Styles

1. Conversational Prayer – Talk to God like a trusted friend, sharing thoughts, worries, and gratitude naturally. (my personal favorite)

2. Structured Prayer (e.g., ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) – Follow a framework to stay focused and balanced in your prayer time.

3. Silent Prayer – Sit quietly before God, listening instead of speaking, creating space for His presence and peace.

4. Breath Prayer – Pair short phrases with your breathing, such as “Lord Jesus” (inhale) and “have mercy on me” (exhale).

5. Journaling Prayer – Write out prayers, thoughts, or scriptures that come to mind, creating a record of your spiritual journey.

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Scripture-Based Styles

6. Praying the Psalms – Use the Psalms as personal prayers, adapting David’s words to your own life.

7. Scripture Declaration – Speak God’s promises aloud, turning verses into prayers (for example, “I can do all things through Christ”).

8. Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading) – Slowly read and meditate on a short passage, then pray over what stands out.

9. Praying Through Bible Characters – Pray from the perspective of people in Scripture, asking God to teach you through their lives.

10. The Lord’s Prayer Expansion – Take each line of the Lord’s Prayer and expand it with your own words and situations.

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Reflective and Meditative Styles

11. Contemplative Prayer – Rest quietly in God’s love, focusing on a single word or phrase such as “peace” or “Abba.”

12. Thanksgiving Prayer – Focus solely on gratitude, naming everything you’re thankful for without asking for anything. (another favorite)

13. Listening Prayer – Ask a question, then wait in stillness for impressions, scriptures, or inner guidance from the Holy Spirit.

14. Centering Prayer – Choose a sacred word to draw your focus back to God whenever your mind wanders.

15. Nature Prayer – Pray outdoors, using the beauty of creation to inspire praise and connection with the Creator.

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Intercessory and Action-Oriented Styles

16. Intercessory Prayer – Pray intentionally for others by name, situation, or region. (I've done this)

17. Warfare Prayer – Pray with authority against spiritual oppression, using Scripture as your foundation (Ephesians 6:10–18).

18. Corporate Prayer – Join others in agreement, whether aloud or silently, amplifying unity and collective faith.

19. Prophetic Prayer – Pray what you sense the Holy Spirit revealing for encouragement, direction, or discernment.

20. Action Prayer (Prayer in Motion) – Combine prayer with movement, such as walking, dancing, gardening, or creative acts, turning action into worship.

Which one of these resonates most with you? Which surprised you? Which feels more natural? And which feels like it would take some practice to use?

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Wretha,

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