Prayer Strategies for New Believers: How to Start Praying with Confidence and Consistency

Jul 15

Starting your walk with God is beautiful — but if you’re a new believer, you might be wondering:
"How do I even start praying?"
"Am I doing it right?"
"What do I say?"

You’re not alone. So many of us have felt uncertain or intimidated when it comes to prayer. But here’s the truth: Prayer is not about perfection. It’s about connection.

In this post, you’ll learn:

A simple, powerful method to start praying
Practical strategies to build a daily habit of prayer
Encouragement for your spiritual journey

Let’s dive in.

What Is Prayer?

Prayer is simply talking to God — openly, honestly, and consistently. It’s not about having the “right” words or sounding like someone else. It’s about spending time with your Heavenly Father, getting to know Him, and aligning your heart with His. Psalm 145:18 tells us that God is near to all who call on Him. That means as you and I go to Him in prayer, He draws near to us, one to hear and listen, and two, to manifest Himself to us.

A Simple Model for Prayer: ACTS

One of the easiest and most effective ways to begin praying is by using the ACTS model. This structure can help you stay focused, connect deeply with God, and grow your spiritual confidence. ACTS is an acronym that stands for:

A – Adoration

Begin by praising God for who He is — His character, His goodness, His power. For example, when you give Him adoration, you say words to this effect: “God, You are faithful. You are holy. You are my Provider and Protector.”

C – Confession

Be honest about where you've missed the mark. None of us is perfect. We have all missed the mark. The problem only lies in our denying it or trying to hide or cover it up from a God who sees and knows all. Confession is an act of strength; it is admitting to the One who made you that you are weak and can only be made strong and perfect in Christ.

Here’s an example: “Lord, I confess that I’ve been distracted and impatient. Please forgive me.”

T – Thanksgiving

Take time to thank God for His blessings — big and small. Anything God does for us is a cause to give Him thanks. We should maintain a heart of gratitude in every situation and in all circumstance.

Example: “Thank You for waking me up today. Thank You for Your peace and provision.”

S – Supplication

This is where you ask God to move — in your life, in others' lives, and in the world. This is where you pray for healing, provision, peace, direction, and more. Don’t be afraid to be specific. God wants to hear from you.

Try saying: “Lord, please guide my decisions today. I pray for my family’s protection and strength.”

This method isn’t a formula — it’s a framework. Some days you’ll spend more time thanking, others you’ll just sit and listen. That’s the beauty of relationship.

Prayer Strategies to Help You Stay Consistent

Beginner Prayer Workbook | ACTS Model | Guided 5-Day Prayer Challenge + Scripture Prompts | Faith-Based Printable Journal

Now that you know how to pray, here are a few practical tips to help you make prayer a daily part of your life:

1. Set a Sacred Space and Time

Choose a quiet place where you won’t be distracted — even if it’s just a cozy corner. Pick a time each day (morning, lunch, or before bed) to meet with God consistently. The keyword here is consistently.

2. Write Your Prayers

Journaling your prayers helps you stay focused and allows you to look back and see God’s faithfulness over time. You can start with a sentence like:

“Dear God, today I feel...”

Grab a journal you love and that will inspire you to write down your prayers.

3. Use Scripture to Guide You

The Bible is full of prayers you can pray word-for-word or use as inspiration. For example:

Psalm 23 when you need peace
Philippians 4:6 when you feel anxious
James 1:5 when you need wisdom
Psalm 91 when you need protection

4. Start Small, Stay Faithful

Even 5–10 minutes of intentional prayer each day makes a difference. Don’t aim for perfection — aim for presence. You can even play some worship music to help set the tone for your time in His presence.

Here’s My Encouragement to You for the Journey

You don’t have to be a seasoned believer to pray boldly. God isn’t waiting for fancy words — He’s waiting for your heart. You can come as you are.

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8

If you’re still unsure where to start, I created a Prayer Workbook for Beginners that walks you through this ACTS model, gives you guided prompts, Scriptures to pray, and a 5-day prayer challenge to build your confidence.

Want Help Getting Started?

Grab the [Prayer Workbook for Beginners] – your printable guide to learning how to pray, filled with space to journal, Scripture prompts, and encouragement for every step.

👉 Click here to download the workbook