What is prayer? Prayer is active communication between you and God. It is active in that you are actively listening as well as speaking to God. Praying to God is much the same as having a conversation with a close friend.

Prayer involves time, and takes some effort - as do all of our close relationships. Start off by setting aside 5 to 10 minutes a day to meet with God. From here, you will spend more and more time praying as your relationship deepens.

Again, prayer is conversing with God. Therefore, there are two parts to it - listening and speaking. The most direct way to listen to God is by reading the Bible. As you read, listen to the stories he has to tell, or the advice he has to give you. While reading, ask him the questions that come to mind about the passages and verses. The other half of prayer is talking to God. He is interested in what we have to say. If you don't know what to say to God, try following the model Jesus gave us:

      "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will       be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us       our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into       temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:9b-13)

This prayer can be broken down into four different sections. A helpful way to remember this is by A.C.T.S.:

Adoration - (Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name) Tell God who he is to       you and how good he is. Tell him how much you love him (He always likes to       hear that).

Confession - (Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors)       Confession is rooted in the meaning, "to agree together with." It is important       to agree with God of the mistakes we have done. Relationships with each other       grow closer when we admit we're wrong - the same with God.

Thanksgiving - (Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven)       As God's will is being done in our lives, we can thank God for His goodness. It's       important to realize that God is in control in both good times and in bad times -       which we can be thankful for.

Supplication - (Give us today our daily bread… And lead us not into temptation, but       deliver us from the evil one) Supplication is to ask for earnestly and humbly. Ask       him for the things that he promises us: provision, guidance, and protection. Ask       for you and for others.

Remember, though prayer may seem like a discipline, do not let it feel like a duty. Prayer is a privilege that God gives to us. We get to talk with him.