If you consider yourself an atheist, I want to gently challenge you to try praying – simply by asking God to reveal Himself to you – and then give it time. Think about it: If God isn’t real, you lose nothing. But if He is real, then you gain all the goodness that comes from Him, including eternal life. So just try it. You might be surprised by what happens.
Below are some sample prayers you can use if you’d like to pray for the first time but aren’t sure where to start. The best prayers are, of course, the ones spoken in your own words, even if it’s just a single sentence. I truly believe that sincere, genuine prayer has the power to draw our hearts closer to the Lord.
Prayer to seek God
” God, if you really exist, if you are the one true God who created the heavens and earth, and that you really do care about me, would you reveal yourself to me? I want to encounter you. – Amen ”
“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:12–13
Prayer to accept Jesus
( Written by Pastor Rick Warren)
” Heavenly Father,
I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I confess I have sinned, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died to take away my sins and that you raised Him to life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”
If you’d like to learn more about prayer, the book of Psalms in the Old Testament is a wonderful place to start. (It’s actually what inspired the name of my blog.) The Psalms are filled with King David’s honest, heartfelt conversations with God – poetic prayers of joy, sorrow, fear, repentance, praise, and gratitude. God welcomes every emotion, and no matter where you are on your journey, there is a Psalm that will speak to your heart.
