How to pray
How to pray daily and build a habit that lasts
· 2 min read
How to pray daily, with a simple routine, a set time and place, a prayer list, and help for days you miss. Practical steps rooted in Scripture.
To pray daily, pick a time and place, keep it short at first, and use a simple guide so you know what to pray. Jesus assumed His followers would pray regularly. He said “when you pray,” not “if” (Matthew 6:5-6). Paul wrote, “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
How do you start praying every day?
To start praying every day, choose a time and place you can keep, start with five minutes, and use a simple guide like the Lord’s Prayer or a short prayer list. Pray for a few people each day instead of everyone at once. A daily reminder helps, and when you miss a day, start again the next morning without guilt.
1. Pick a time
Choose a time you can keep most days. Daniel prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10). Jesus rose early to pray (Mark 1:35). For many people, morning works best because the day hasn’t filled up yet. See this morning prayer routine.
2. Pick a place
A chair, a walk, or your car before work. Jesus said to “go into your room and shut the door” (Matthew 6:6). A regular place helps you settle in.
3. Start small
Five minutes you keep is better than thirty you skip. Let it grow on its own.
4. Use a simple guide
- The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), line by line.
- The ACTS method: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, supplication.
- A prayer list, so you know who to pray for. See how to make a prayer list.
To start from Scripture, these Bible verses about prayer show why and how the Bible tells us to pray.
5. Don’t pray for everyone every day
A long list can feel heavy. Pray for some people daily and others once a week or once a month. You’ll still pray for everyone, without the list growing every day.
In The Pray App, Today shows only the prayer cards due that day.
6. Get a reminder
Set a daily reminder on your phone for your prayer time. It’s a simple nudge, not a rule.
See how to set a daily prayer reminder on iPhone and what to do when it comes.
For a season of daily prayer toward Christmas, see these Advent prayers for each week.
7. Start again when you miss
You’ll miss days. “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Start again tomorrow.
Pray daily with The Pray App
Set each prayer card to come up daily, weekly on the day you pick, or monthly on the dates you pick. Each day, Today lists the cards that are due and about how long they’ll take. Turn on a daily reminder in Settings, and the dots on Today show the days you’ve prayed this week.
The Pray App is free on the App Store. See how to set a daily prayer reminder.
Questions people ask
How long should I pray each day?
There's no set length in Scripture. Start with five minutes you can keep, then let it grow. Consistency matters more than length.
What is the best time of day to pray?
The best time is one you can keep. Many people pray in the morning (Psalm 5:3), but a lunch break or bedtime works too.
What should I do if I miss a day of prayer?
Start again the next day. God's mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Missing a day doesn't undo your walk with Him.
What should I pray about every day?
Praise God, confess sin, give thanks, and bring your requests and the needs of others. The Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) is a good guide.
Related guides
- How to pray with your kids, at bedtime and every dayHow to teach your kids to pray, a simple pattern they can remember, bedtime prayers, praying a blessing over them, and ideas for every age.
- The ACTS prayer method, a simple guide with examplesThe ACTS prayer method explained, adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, with a short example of each and Scripture to pray.
- Advent prayers for each week, for you and your familyAdvent prayers for each week of Advent 2026, Scripture to read from God's promises to Christ's return, and simple ways for a family to pray toward Christmas.
- Bible verses about prayer to encourage you to prayBible verses about prayer, grouped by theme, on why to pray, how to pray, praying with faith, and God hearing our prayers, with short notes.