Prayer seems like it should be so simple. Yet, when it comes to actually praying, often it feels awkward and complicated. What do you say when you don’t know how to pray?

In time for America’s National Day of Prayer May 4, Bible Gateway interviewed Adam Weber (@adamweber) about his book, Talking with God: What to Say When You Don’t Know How to Pray (WaterBrook, 2017).

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You say your book is intended for people who aren’t sure how to pray. How large a group do you envision that to be?

Adam Weber: I would only hope that the book would encourage and apply to anyone. The person who’s still on the fence about God but is curious to know more about prayer. The person who’s been following Jesus for years and yet is maybe stuck in a rut when it comes to their prayer life. The person who feels like they fall short in relationship with God, and also the person who thinks they have prayer all figured out.

What did Jesus have to say on the subject of prayer?

Adam Weber: Jesus speaks about prayer often. He explains, when you pray don’t do it to be seen by others (Matt 6:5). There’s no need to ramble on and try to pray extravagant prayers (Matt 6:7). God knows what we need before we even ask (Matt 6:8). Instead, when you pray, let your words be simple and speak with God (Matt 6:9). All of this is from a few short verses.

What general principles about prayer should we learn from The Lord’s Prayer?

Adam Weber: There are so many principles we can learn from the Lord’s Prayer. In Matthew 6:9 alone, we learn that God and even his name are holy. This is God we are speaking with in prayer. The same God that angels covered their eyes when in his presence (Isaiah 6:2). And yet, it’s “Our Father.” Not “Our King,” not “Almighty God,” but “Our Father.” God is holy, yet we can speak with him intimately like we do with a loving parent. We don’t have to edit our words or clean our lives up before we speak with him; instead we can approach him. Knowing that he loves when we’re in his presence.

Why do you think even Jesus’ disciples, those who followed him closely, didn’t have prayer figured out?

Adam Weber: Jesus wouldn’t have talked about prayer with his followers if they did have prayer figured out. And it doesn’t surprise me that they didn’t have prayer figured out. I’ve been following Jesus for 17 years now and I’m still growing and learning in my own prayer life. We’re all a work in progress. A dear friend of mine was a pastor for decades and yet recently I asked if he was still growing in his prayer life. His response: “I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface.” Through daily prayer, we come to know and understand an infinite, unending God. How wonderful!

What should people pray about? Is anything off-limits?

Adam Weber: Anything that comes to the surface within our heart. Words of adoration towards God. Requests we have of our Father. Feelings of joy and also of pain. Obviously, as followers of Jesus, we should be respectful of God. But learning from David, nothing is off-limits. God can handle our questions, concerns, and frustrations.

What’s a person to say (or shouldn’t say) when praying? (Can the word “just” be used too many times?)

Adam Weber: Whatever is inside of us. Whether we’re excited, scared, or overwhelmed, say what’s inside of you and direct it towards God. There’s no “right” or “wrong” words to pray. Speak with God the way you talk with anyone else. Don’t speak in a different voice. Don’t speak using strange words that you wouldn’t elsewhere. Talk with God.

Are there different ways of praying?

Adam Weber: There are many different ways to pray. My youth pastor once explained that sometimes we need to sing to God because what we’re feeling inside is so wonderful. We’re thankful and in awe of God’s goodness and we need to sing. Other times we need to get on our knees. We’ve made a mistake, we’re broken, or we’re bringing a request to God so it just seems right to be on our knees. Other times we can speak with God just like we do with a friend. Jesus says “I don’t call you servants, instead I call you friends” (John 15:15).

Why should we pray? What difference does it make?

Adam Weber: We should pray to express our love for God. We should pray to hand our concerns over to God. We should pray because all throughout the Bible we’re told that God hears our voice and considers what we have to say.

What are your thoughts about Bible Gateway and the Bible Gateway App?

Adam Weber: I use Bible Gateway weekly, sometimes daily. What a gift to any follower of Jesus to have such easy access to God’s Word and the different translations. Whether you’re a new Christian or a pastor, what a wonderful gift.

Bio: Adam Weber lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He likes typewriters, drives a Rambler, cheers for the Cincinnati Bengals, has 4 chickens, and a dog named Daisy. He’s the founder and lead pastor of Embrace, a 10-year-old church that has grown to 6 campuses in two states. He and his beautiful wife, Becky, have four kids: Hudson, Wilson, Grayson and Anderson. Fun fact: He once made worldwide news when a turkey vulture fell out of the sky and onto his back porch during an ice storm. Google it.

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