Are you looking for short prayers to help you connect with God? Have you been avoiding prayer because you’re not sure how or you think prayer needs to be long and elaborate?
Good news! God isn’t looking for perfection in your prayers. Short Prayers and Simple Prayers from your heart are all you need.
I’ll get you started with 10 quick powerful prayers that cover various occasions when people turn to God, usually in difficult times. Use these quick prayers as a starting point to deepen your connection with God.
He’s ready and waiting for you!
What do you say when you pray?
If you’re not sure how to pray, don’t worry. You really can’t do it wrong!
I’ll get you started with ten quick prayers and simple prayers for beginners. Don’t worry, long prayers aren’t necessary to reach God.
Rest assured that God already knows you and loves you! He’s been with you all along, even if you didn’t realize it. He already knows your struggles and your joys.
He’s just waiting for you to turn to him and turn over your worries and anxieties.
Beyond that, acknowledging him as your heavenly Father and thanking him for blessings in your life makes him happy, as it would for any parent to hear from their children.
Short Prayers for Blessings
This list of Simple Prayers for Beginners will get you started in developing a comfortable way of speaking to God.
I pray these prayers will ignite a small fire in your soul and make talking to God a normal part of your daily routine.
Talking to him as you would a trusted friend or loving parent is the best way to develop a relationship with him. Once you get to that point, your life will change in amazing ways.
1. Prayer Introducing Yourself to God
It might seem a little silly to introduce yourself to God, but it’s a great place to start your Christian prayers if you’re a curious agnostic or atheist who’s willing to reach out.
I assure you that God already knows who you are – He created you after all! But that’s okay. Go ahead and start the conversation that I pray changes your life forever.
There is no way to ‘pray wrong’. Say what’s in your heart and ask God whatever you’d like to know. Lay it all on Him. He can handle it.
Dear God, are you there? Do you really know me? I’m [say your name] and I suppose you’re responsible for my existence, so you do already know me.
Your creation is amazing and it’s one reason why I think you exist. The intricate and perfect details found in nature couldn’t have happened by accident.
I want to get to know you better and I pray you will lead me to you. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Related Bible Verse 1:
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27
Related Bible Verse 2:
So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:21
Here’s a related Christian Contemporary song that you might enjoy. Word of God Speak by MercyMe.
2. Prayer During Doubt
When we’re first coming to Christ, we often feel doubt along the way. Sometimes doubt also creeps in even after we’ve become believers.
When doubt starts taking hold, turn it over to God. Ask Him to help you. Ask Him to show you He’s real.
Listen closely to messages that come into your heart as you pray. They are likely the Holy Spirit talking to you and guiding you.
When doubt comes, pray more than ever!
Dear Heavenly Father, I feel in my heart that you might be real, but my mind fills me with doubt.
Please help me find the path to you. My heart longs to know that you’re with me. Open my ears and my eyes for signs of you.
I want to feel the love and peace that comes from knowing you. I pray this in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Related Bible Verse:
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29
You might enjoy this song. I Am Yours by Casting Crowns.
3. Prayer of Thanksgiving
Too often our prayers turn into ‘gimme’ sessions. Give me a better job, give me a better marriage. Gimme, gimme, gimme.
It’s natural to turn to God during tough times and challenges but keep in mind all the blessings you do have during the ‘good’ times. These are gifts of God’s love we should be thankful to receive.
Quick (and frequent) ‘Thank You’s’ are a great way to stay connected to God. Start with a short morning prayer (Good morning. Lord! Thank You for this day! I love You!) and then throughout the day.
O Lord, I believe I exist only because of you and I want to thank you for the gift of life.
It isn’t always perfect, but it’s actually very amazing. I’ve been blessed with many wonderful people and good things in my life, particularly [state a specific situation you’re thankful for].
I’m eternally grateful for everything you’ve provided for me. With much thanksgiving from your son/daughter [say your name].
Related Bible Verse:
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4
A song for your inspiration is Scars by I Am They.
4. Prayer for Strength
We can rely on God’s strength to carry us through our challenges. What we aren’t capable of handling or accomplishing on our own, we can accomplish through God’s power.
When you’re feeling weak, exhausted, and overwhelmed, turn it all over to God. His strength is all you need.
Turn to Him. He’s ready to help!
O Lord, I’m struggling with [name your struggle].
My heart is weighed down with anxiety, frustration, anger [name your emotions]. Please help me turn this over to you.
I can’t fix it. I want to trust you to handle it. Give me the strength to let go and accept the outcome, whatever it may be.
I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Related Bible Verse:
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29
You may enjoy Plumb’s song I Need You Now.
5. Prayer for Hope
When we feel despair and don’t see a way out of our current painful situation, we become hopeless. God IS our hope.
Through Christ, we will find light again, we just need to trust in His promises. Turn all your dread, fears, and hopelessness over to Him.
Ask for His guidance. He is there to help you.
Lord God, I’m feeling hopeless and I can’t see a light at the end of my dark tunnel. Please help me.
Show me the path back to hope. Walk with me so I don’t feel so alone. Lead me.
You are my God and I know you can deliver me through the sacred heart of Jesus. Amen.
Related Bible Verse:
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5
Lauren Daigle’s musical inspiration You Say.
6. Prayer Asking for Forgiveness
We all sin in different ways. God knows it’s a part of being human.
When we sin, we should turn to God in repentance. True repentance isn’t an apology because we got caught at something.
True repentance is a sincere regret for the sin we committed along with the intention to not repeat the sin. (Yes, we sometimes fail at not repeating the sin, but we should be actively trying to change.)
When we turn to God with a contrite heart, we are forgiven. Always.
He doesn’t care how dirty or shameful your sin was. What He wants is for you to bring it to Him with a repentant heart.
Dear Heavenly Creator, I’ve done some awful things in my life that I’m very ashamed to admit. But I’m bringing it to you today and asking for your forgiveness.
You may know it already, but I [name what you did that you want forgiveness for]. I wish I could take it back, but I know I can’t.
I pray you will forgive me and remove the burden of this sin on my heart. I ask this as your humble child. I love you. Amen.
Related Bible Verse 1:
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
Related Bible Verse 2:
No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:34
Here’s your musical inspiration by Crowder, Forgiven
7. Prayer to Help Me Forgive
When we can’t (or won’t) forgive others who’ve wronged us, that anger and hurt prevent us from living out the rest of our lives in the peace and joy that God wills for us.
Holding on to pain and holding grudges keeps us hostage to the hurt and we never heal.
I like to say that forgiving someone doesn’t mean we will allow ourselves to be mistreated. Jesus never said we have to be a doormat for cruel people to walk on.
You can forgive while also never allowing that person to hurt you again.
Turn your hurt and hardened heart over to God. He will guide you through the pain and show you how to go on to live the life He envisioned for you.
O God, I have been wronged and I’m angry/disappointed/hurt.
I let the scenario replay in my mind and it consumes me. It prevents me from enjoying life.
Please help me shed the shackles of pain and hurt. Show me how to move forward in light and love.
I’m turning this hurt over to you today. Please fill my head and heart with your peace as I walk forward by your side, leaving the shackles behind.
I ask this in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.
Related Bible Verse:
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
Matthew West’s Forgiveness is for you!
8. Prayer for My Family Struggle
Our families are our greatest joy but sometimes become a source of great frustration and angst.
Whatever your current family struggle is, turn it over to God. Ask Him for mercy, guidance, and strength. He will give you all of those!
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of my family. They are my greatest blessing but also bring some of my biggest challenges.
Today I need your help specifically with [describe a current hardship]. I know that with you all things are possible.
Please guide my family through this difficult time.
Allow us to handle this situation with the grace, strength, and perseverance that is only possible in your holy name. Amen.
Related Bible Verse:
Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Psalm 25:17
May Danny Gokey’s Haven’t Seen it Yet bring your soul the peace you need.
9. Prayer for Loved Ones Serious Illness
Sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what to pray for when someone is very ill.
Do you pray for a miracle for your 85-year-old grandfather who’s in a coma after a stroke? Maybe. Or do you pray for God to reveal Himself to your grandfather and welcome Him to Heaven with mercy when his time comes?
Do you pray for a complete recovery when someone you love has stage 4 cancer? Maybe. Or do you pray for many days of peace and comfort?
We can pray in any way we want. We can ask God for whatever we choose. God wants us to bring all our requests to Him.
God does grant some healing miracles. When and why He chooses to do this, we don’t understand. So, pray for miracles!
But also realize that people do get sick and sometimes die. They won’t all be fully healed in this life – but they will be fully restored in heaven.
Praying for healing, mercy, and comfort are ways we can ask God to help our loved ones, even if they are not restored to good health.
Praying for someone you love who’s seriously ill might vary from begging for a miracle one day to expressing your pain or even anger to God the next.
Whatever you experience through this difficult challenge, bring it all to God. Tell Him what’s on your heart. Show Him your hurt and fear.
Let the Son of God guide you through your trial. Most importantly, keep Him close to you through the fire.
Dear God, [name of sick person] is sick and I’m scared. The prognosis is frightening and I don’t know what to do or where to turn.
Please intervene with healing. I know it’s possible. Give them and me the strength to handle whatever comes our way.
I pray this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Related Bible Verse:
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. Psalm 41:3
Maybe Hilary Scott’s Thy Will will help you put all your troubles in God’s hands.
10. Prayer After the Death of a Loved One
The death of a loved one is never easy.
It’s easier to accept the passing of our elderly family members, but it still isn’t easy. It’s torturous to experience the death of a child. It’s gut-wrenching to lose a loved one in an expected tragedy.
How we get through grief varies for each of us and every circumstance is different.
But it’s easier to get through any difficult loss with God at your side. You can do this through prayer.
Some people turn their grief into anger at God. If that describes you, that’s okay. God can handle your anger. Tell Him. Just don’t turn away from Him. Keep talking to Him.
Rely on God’s strength and the hope of eternal salvation as you bear the loss of your loved ones. Ask for His mercy, peace, and comfort. He’s got you (and your loved one) in the palm of His hand.
Holy Father, I’m heartbroken with the death of [name the loved one]. I’m lost and scared/angry [describe what feelings you have].
I pray that you have mercy on his/her soul and welcome him/her into your heavenly kingdom.
It gives me some peace to think of him/her resting in eternal peace, but it doesn’t take my pain away.
Please give me the strength to handle the grief and face life again without him/her. I ask for your help in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Related Bible Verse:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
I hope you receive comfort from Jeremy Camp’s There Will Be a Day.
Expand your Journey into Prayer
This post may contain affiliate links. This is my full disclosure.
If you enjoyed the music, this Worship Through Music article includes a YouTube playlist of other great music. It might be just what your soul needs!
Or, if you’re new to Christianity, you might find this article on Being Christian helpful to get you started.
Are you ready to expand your prayer life with some journaling? This Daily Prayer and Gratitude Journal by The Christian Journal Co. is a simple and helpful tool to connect with God. The short verses and prompts are perfect for busy new or lifelong believers.
Below are some other resources that will support your faith. The 20 One Line Prayers Wall At and Coloring Pages are FREE.
Did you find these prayers helpful? Be sure to leave a comment below to let me know other ways I can help you jump-start your Christian journey!
Perhaps you’ll be interested in checking out our ACTS Prayer Model Guide. It provides daily prayer prompts for the month to help you establish a well-rounded prayer life.
Or maybe our FREE Seeking Jesus Guides will help you along in your journey. Send me an email or leave a comment and I’ll give you some suggestions for the next steps you can take in your journey.
My Prayer for You
And, lastly, before you leave, I’d like to say a prayer for you, because there’s a reason why you found me today…
Dear Lord, I thank you for leading this reader to me today. Please make your presence known to her/him. Soothe her/his pain and ease her/his burden. Open her/his eyes, ears, and heart to you. Let her/him feel the peace and love that are only possible through your amazing grace. I ask this in the name of your son, Jesus. Amen
So tell me…
Do you find these simple prayers and quick prayers helpful? What else do you need to help you pray? Let me know in the comments…
Photo credit: Ben White on Unsplash. Backgrounds for prayer graphics: WaterCreaturesColor, DigitalSilk, Salted Galaxy, and Andrea Kostelic.