Where should I pray? It’s a question commonly asked by those new to spirituality and faith and Christianity. God and His Son have taught us through the teachings of the Holy Bible that prayer is to be undertaken with a true and diligent heart, but that prayers can also be said anywhere and at any time of the day.
Where Should I Pray?
The words of God and the teachings of His son Jesus Christ in the Holy Bible show us that prayer is an important part of our faith. When it comes to spirituality and faith, prayer is the anchor that holds us to God and His son. Prayer is an important part of the Christian faith because prayer is communication with God, His son Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and heaven itself, along with its angels and saints that glorify Him.
There is no right or wrong place to pray. Some new believers might believe that prayer that reaches God in heaven should only be given in a church or a place of worship or with the fellowship of others. Yet prayer can also be a very personal and private communication between you and your Lord. You can pray anywhere; at home, at work, while driving, in church, or when you’re outside weeding the garden or taking a walk, or walking your dog.
During his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ taught us how to pray, suggesting that we do so in private, even in a closet, where no one else can hear your words. While you don’t always have to pray in secret, that’s not exactly what that means. Praying in private not only enables you to focus on your faith in your conversation with God, but is also a way to avoid being boastful or self-righteous about your prayers. God doesn’t want us to pray to impress others with the depth of our faith. Your growing faith as a Christian must be seen from your heart, and God will see you and know what is in the depths of your heart and thoughts when you pray with sincerity.
So in essence, where your heart is, there too can you pray. It doesn’t matter whether you’re hiking up a mountain slope or sitting in a boat or in your car in the middle of bumper-to-bumper traffic. It’s your heart that God is concerned about when you pray, not your specific location.
Spirituality and Faith Go Hand-in-Hand With Prayer
Some people have a favorite place where they like to pray. Others pray whenever they feel like it, wherever they are. Spontaneity is not frowned upon. If you’re taking a walk and you see something that makes you smile, you can tell that to God. Thank You, Lord for Your creations all around me, and You have lightened my heart and brought a smile to my face. You are Glorious and All-Knowing, and I thank You also for giving me this moment to acknowledge that. Again, it’s not where should I pray, but that I can pray anywhere my spirit takes me.
Your faith is a gift from God, and it comes from your heart. In the book of Romans, written by Paul the disciple (Romans 10: 9, 10), the Bible says “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.”
Why exactly is faith so important when it comes to prayer? Spirituality and faith go hand-in-hand with prayer. If you don’t have faith that God the Father or His son Jesus Christ will hear your prayer, then why pray? Praying personifies your belief and faith that God is present and will hear your prayer. We can gain strength through that. The Holy Bible also tells us that our faith is strengthened through prayer.
As mentioned, the location of where your prayer is given doesn’t matter to God as much as the truth that you speak in your heart, and that comes from the depths of your soul. Again, you may ask, where should I pray as a beginner, thinking that perhaps because you are new to faith or praying that you probably should do it in a church or with the fellowship of other believers, and of course you can!
Yet it is also important that you further develop your relationship with God and with His son Jesus Christ by praying on your own, a one-on-one if you will, where nothing is shared except between you and your Lord, in spiritual faith.
What Exactly Is Spiritual Faith?
Spiritual faith is belief and trust and certainty and meaning in your relationships with God and His son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Spiritual faith is also the rock upon which you can stand in times of trouble, despair, worry, or other challenges you may face in your life.
At the same time, spiritual faith also gives you the opportunity to pray for thanks, to show gratitude, and to worship with others or when you’re alone in prayer. God wants to hear from you. He wants to know the depth of your belief in your faith and your trust in Him. Even if you’re a beginner, your prayers will please him. He will help to support and guide you as your faith is strengthened through belief in Him. So it’s not so much about “where should I pray” as it is about praying often and with sincerity, for then you can be assured that God is listening and that He will hear you.
Prayers are given and offered in church settings, but you don’t have to be in a church to talk to God. Walking in a park, watching the sunrise or sunset, or simply lying in bed at night before you go to sleep, are perfect answers to the question, ‘where should I pray?’ – enabling you to commune with your creator. So always remember, but it’s not where should I pray, but to keep your prayers, no matter where they are, sincere, respectful, and most importantly, truthful and genuine, straight from the heart.
