Prayer is a universal human experience, transcending cultures, religions, and personal beliefs. It's our innate way of reaching out to something greater than ourselves. Remarkably, prayer is so integral to human life that more people engage in it daily than in some of the most fundamental human activities. According to a 1992 Newsweek article, more Americans will pray this week than they will do just about anything else—including sex:

This week, if you believe at all in opinion surveys, more of us will pray than will go to work, or exercise, or have sexual relations. According to recent studies at NORC, a research center, by Andrew M. Greeley, the sociologist-novelist-priest, more than three quarters (78 percent) of all Americans pray at least once a week; more than half (57 percent) report praying at least once a day. Indeed, Greeley finds that even among the 13 percent of Americans who are atheists or agnostics, nearly one in five still prays daily, siding, it seems, with Pascal, and wagering that there is a God who hears them.[1]

This observation is supported by data from the Pew Research Center, which indicates that nearly six-in-ten adults in the U.S. say they pray at least once a day. Everyone prays. 

Even atheists find ways to pray. During the heady days of Communism in Russia, party stalwarts kept a “red corner,” placing a portrait of Lenin where Christians used to keep their icons. Caught up in the fervor, Pravda ran this advice to its readers in 1950:

If you meet with difficulties in your work, or suddenly doubt your abilities, think of him—of Stalin—and you will find the confidence you need. If you feel tired in an hour when you should not, think of him—of Stalin—and your work will go well. If you are seeking a correct decision, think of him—of Stalin—and you will find that decision.[2]

Why is prayer so prevalent? Because it taps into a deep-seated part of our humanity—something God Himself placed within us. Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us, "God has set eternity in the human heart." Whether you're sitting in traffic, facing a personal crisis, or enjoying a moment of peace, there's an inherent desire to connect with the Creator. Prayer is the means by which we fulfill that desire. 

You might feel like you don’t pray very well. You don’t not-pray very well either. You can’t help it. Humans can hardly keep from praying.

The Cry of the Heart

Consider the diverse situations that prompt people to pray:

• A soldier in a foxhole prays for safety.
• A mother in a hospital waiting room prays for her child.
• A student prays before an exam.

Even those who identify as non-religious often find themselves praying in moments of crisis. The saying, "There are no atheists in foxholes," reflects this reality. Prayer isn't merely a religious ritual; it's a human instinct. We pray for all kinds of reasons:

We pray because we want to thank someone or something for the beauties and glories of life, and also because we feel small and helpless and sometimes afraid. We pray for forgiveness, for strength, for contact with the One who is, for assurance that we are not alone. Millions in AA groups pray daily to a Higher Power, begging for help in controlling their addictions. We pray because we can’t help it. The very word prayer comes from the Latin root precarius—a linguistic cousin to precarious. In St. Petersburg, Russia, I prayed out of desperation. I had nowhere else to turn.

Prayer is universal because it speaks to some basic human need. As Thomas Merton put it, “Prayer is an expression of who we are.… We are a living incompleteness. We are a gap, an emptiness that calls for fulfillment.” In prayer we break silence, and sometimes those words flow out of our deepest parts. I remember in the days after September 11, 2001, saying over and over the prayer, “God, bless America.” “Save America” is what I meant. Save us. Let us live. Give us another chance.[3]

We pray because, deep down, we recognize our limitations. We need Someone greater than ourselves. In times of hardship, we cry out; in times of joy, we offer thanks. Regardless of our circumstances, prayer is a gift from God, accessible to everyone.

Prayer Is Simple

Many people overcomplicate prayer, believing they need the right words or a specific formula. However, Jesus taught that prayer doesn't need to be elaborate; it just needs to be sincere.

At its core, prayer can be distilled into four simple words: thanks, sorry, help, wow. (Adapted from Anne Lamott, see below)

• Thanks: Expressing gratitude for life's blessings.
• Sorry: Confessing our sins and mistakes.
• Help: Requesting God's guidance and provision.
• Wow: Praising God for His power and goodness.

That's all it takes. Prayer isn't about impressing God or others; it's about opening your heart and being honest. I am not sure we need a book on prayer, not even a book on Prayer Made Simple.

Some of the churches now advertise courses on how to pray. How ridiculous! That is like giving a course on how to fall in love. When the Holy Spirit comes He takes the things of God and translates them into language our hearts can understand. Even if we do not know the will of God, the Holy Spirit does know, and He prays “with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).[4]