There is no one single best way to pray. A prayer is an act of worship, a conversation between you and your Creator. Since God blesses us with a variety of creative talents, gifts, and abilities, it stands to reason that creative expressions could be incorporated into our prayer lives. In fact, we are a manifestation of God’s creative expression. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

We can pray through various mediums of expression including spoken or written word, song, visual art, or dance. To the baker, prayer may be expressed in a cake. To the sculptor, prayer may be a sculpture. To the gardener, prayer may be a flower bed. To the photographer, prayer may be a photograph. To the musician, prayer may be a song. A prayer is an individualized form of expression. Although certain conventions may be followed during corporate worship, we can be more creative during our one-on-one time with The Lord. Prayer is based on our heart and thoughts. The Lord knows our thoughts and heart anyway. Even when we decide not to pray, we cannot hide our motives, intentions, feelings, nor acts from Him. The first five verses of Psalm 139 says:

Lord, you have examined me
    and know all about me.
You know when I sit down and when I get up.
    You know my thoughts before I think them.
You know where I go and where I lie down.
    You know everything I do.
Lord, even before I say a word,
    you already know it.
You are all around me—in front and in back—
    and have put your hand on me.

When we seek the Lord using our creative expression – then that expression may be considered a prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Praying without ceasing doesn’t necessarily mean that we are supposed to lock ourselves away and remain in a kneeling position uttering prayers all day. Prayer is a state of mind. It is an ongoing practice of acknowledging, then surrendering needs and concerns to the Lord. The more readily that we recognize these concerns and release them to the Lord, the more liberated we can become. We can sail through each day “outsourcing” every need, concern, decision, dilemma, fear, and frustration to The One who holds all power in His hands. Mark 11:24 says “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”