How to Pray as a Beginner: Tips for When You Feel Afraid or Unsure

If you’ve ever thought, “I want to pray, but I have no idea how,” I want you to know you’re not alone—and you’re not failing. Prayer isn’t about getting the words perfect, and it’s definitely not about impressing God. Prayer is a conversation, and like any conversation, it grows over time.

When I first tried to pray, I was terrified I’d mess it up. What I found instead was that God met me right in the middle of my confusion—and that was enough. I want to show you a few simple ways to start praying, especially if you’re afraid you’ll do it wrong (spoiler: you can’t). This is about showing up, not performing.

1. Start with the Honest Truth

Prayer doesn’t have to be fancy. Start with exactly where you are—messy thoughts and all.

You can say something like:

“God, I’m not sure I believe in You, but I’m here.”

“I don’t know what to say, but I want to talk to You.”

“I’m tired and confused, but I think You might care.”

God isn’t grading you. He’s just glad you showed up.

If you want, you can even write your prayers down. I started journaling mine in a spiral notebook I kept by my bed—sometimes with anger, sometimes with gratitude, sometimes just silence on the page. It still counted. God saw every scribble.

2. Borrow Words from People Who’ve Been There

If silence feels too awkward, borrow a prayer that’s already stood the test of time. The Our Father is the prayer Jesus gave us Himself. Or try the Jesus Prayer, one of the oldest prayers in Christian history:

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Prayers like these are anchors, steadying your heart when your own words feel out of reach.

If you'd like a deeper dive, consider The Liturgy of the Hours, a centuries-old rhythm of prayer used daily by clergy and religious. It’s available in both physical and app form. (affiliate link)

You might also enjoy praying with the Psalms. These ancient songs hold every emotion—from joy to rage to despair—and remind us that nothing is off-limits in prayer. When you pray the Psalms, you join generations who’ve reached for God in every kind of moment.

3. Use Your Senses

Prayer isn’t just in your head—it’s embodied. Light a candle. Hold a rosary. Let your body help your soul focus.

Sometimes movement is prayer too—taking a walk, washing dishes, sitting quietly with your morning coffee while offering your day to God.

Sacred art can also draw you into prayer. Consider placing an icon or cross somewhere visible. Let beauty speak to your spirit.

4. Ask God Questions

Conversations go both ways, and God isn’t afraid of your questions. Try asking:

“Where were You when that happened?”

“What do You want me to know about You today?”

“How can I trust You when life feels like this?”

You might not get clear answers right away, but asking is part of the relationship—in fact, we have a whole practice called Lectio Divina where we read Scripture and ask God questions about what we’ve just read.

And if you’re not ready for Scripture yet, you can still ask. God is not a riddle to solve—He is a person to relate to. Your questions are not a problem to fix. They’re the start of intimacy.

5. Explore Different Styles of Prayer

There’s no single way to pray—and the Church has preserved so many beautiful options to help you connect with God in the way that fits you best. Some people love Ignatian prayer, where you place yourself inside a Scripture story and imagine the sights, sounds, and emotions. Others prefer formal, concrete prayers like the Rosary or Liturgy of the Hours. Some gravitate toward silent meditation, simply sitting with God, while others find their rhythm through spontaneous, conversational prayer.

Don’t be afraid to try different styles and see what helps you open your heart to God.

You might be surprised by what resonates. For me, Ignatian prayer unlocked something powerful—I could imagine Jesus looking at me, choosing me, loving me. That imaginative doorway helped me trust Scripture as something alive, not abstract.

6. Don’t Worry About the Mood

Some people expect prayer to always feel holy and peaceful. It doesn’t. Sometimes it feels boring, awkward, even frustrating. That’s normal.

Prayer isn’t about manufacturing feelings. It’s about showing up, no matter the mood.

In fact, some of the most meaningful prayers come when we feel nothing at all. Faithfulness in dryness is still intimacy—it’s the kind of prayer Jesus modeled in Gethsemane.

The Only Wrong Prayer is the One You Don’t Pray

If you remember nothing else, I want you to remember this: There is no wrong way to reach for God. Whether you use formal prayers or stumbling words, sit in silence or cry in frustration—it all counts.

God is less interested in how you pray than in the simple fact that you do.

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Want more encouragement to build your own messy, beautiful prayer life?
Follow Converting to Hope for honest conversations, practical faith tools, and lived experience from a Catholic convert who remembers the awkward beginning.

Explore our Lectio Divina Journal Template or the Examination of Conscience: The Heart of the Matter for free (or pay-what-you-want) support as you grow.