August 22
Prayer
Without Rules
“Never stop praying.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIrV)
Tara sat on her bed, staring at the ceiling. How do I even start? She had been a Christian for only a few weeks, and prayer was still a mystery to her. She had seen people at church close their eyes and bow their heads. Some whispered, some spoke out loud, and others seemed to know exactly what to say. But when she tried to pray, she felt awkward. Do I have to be in a quiet place? Should I kneel? What if I say the wrong thing? Does God even hear me?
She had tried praying before bed the night before, but her mind had wandered. What should I even say? She listed a few things she was thankful for, asked for some help with work, and then... silence. It felt unnatural, like she was talking to herself.
That afternoon, while grabbing coffee with her friend Chloe, she finally blurted it out. “I don’t think I’m praying right.”
Chloe smiled. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” Tara admitted. “Do I have to say certain words? Should I pray out loud? What if I don’t have time to stop and be alone?”
Chloe took a sip of her coffee and set the cup down. “You’re overthinking it. Prayer isn’t about saying the right words or being in the right place. It’s about being with God. You can pray anytime, anywhere.”
Tara frowned. “But doesn’t it have to be, you know… official?”
Chloe laughed. “Nope. You can talk to God while walking to work, while cooking dinner, or even in the middle of a conversation with someone. It doesn’t have to be out loud—He hears your thoughts too.” She pulled out her phone and showed Tara a verse: ‘Never stop praying.’
Tara read it and let the words sink in. Never stop? Did that mean she could talk to God throughout the day, even if it was just in her head?
That evening, as she drove home, she decided to try it. “God, I don’t really know what I’m doing, but… here I am.” She felt silly at first, but as she kept going, it felt more natural. She told God about her day, her worries, her hopes. She talked to Him the way she would a close friend.
And for the first time, prayer didn’t feel confusing. It felt real.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding me that prayer isn’t about rules or rituals—it’s about being with You.
Help me to talk to You throughout my day, knowing that You hear me no matter where I am or what I say.
Teach me to pray without hesitation, without fear, and without feeling like I have to be perfect.
I just want to be close to You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
