A Framework for Prayer
When you don't have the words, pray the Word.
Matthew 6:9–13 · The Lord's Prayer
Choose your own scripture and work through each section at your own pace.
The Framework
Tap any section to see how it works — using Psalm 23 as the example
The Question to Ask
How does this scripture reveal God to you? What name or role does He show Himself to be?
How It Works
Jesus began by addressing God personally — "Our Father." This section is about approaching God the way this specific scripture reveals Him. Don't open with a generic title. Let the verse show you who He is, then address Him that way. Every scripture reveals a facet of God's character — your job is to find it and speak directly to Him from it.
📖 Psalm 23 · Step 1: Extract
What name or title does the text give God?
The very first line says "The LORD is my shepherd." That word is the address.
Step 2: Pray It
"Lord, my Shepherd…" — just that. Address Him by what the text reveals before you say anything else.
The Question to Ask
What does this scripture declare about God's character, holiness, and glory? Proclaim it back to Him.
How It Works
"Hallowed be Your name" means to set God apart as holy — to declare that He is glorious, worthy, and unlike anything else. You are not asking yet — you are worshipping. You are agreeing with what the text says about who He is and declaring it holy.
📖 Psalm 23 · Step 1: Extract
List every quality the text reveals about God's character:
· He provides (I shall not want)
· He gives rest (green pastures, still waters)
· He restores
· He leads in righteousness
· He is present in darkness
· He prepares, He anoints, He overflows
· He is good · He is faithful
Step 2: Pray It
"Lord, You are my Provider, my Restorer, my Guide. You are holy in Your faithfulness — worthy of all reverence and praise."
The Question to Ask
What does this scripture reveal about God's will? Ask for that will to be done in your situation.
How It Works
This section is not about giving God suggestions — it's about finding His will in the scripture and aligning your heart with it. The text tells you what His kingdom looks like. Your prayer asks for that reality to come into your life and circumstances.
📖 Psalm 23 · Step 1: Extract
What does the text declare God wills for His people? List the promises:
· To lead (paths of righteousness)
· To provide (I shall not want)
· To restore (restores my soul)
· To protect in danger (valley of the shadow)
· To honour (table, anointing)
· To follow with goodness and mercy
Step 2: Pray It
"Lord, Your will is provision, leading, and restoration — not lack, not lostness, not depletion. Let that will be done in my situation."
The Question to Ask
What does this scripture give you permission and grounds to ask God for? Bring that request now.
How It Works
This is where you bring your real request before God — but not randomly — according to His Word. The scripture gives you the grounds for your ask. What has God revealed He is willing to do? Ask for that. Specifically.
📖 Psalm 23 · Step 1: Extract
Which promises in the text give you grounds to ask? Map them to your specific need:
· "I shall not want" → grounds to ask for provision
· "He restores my soul" → grounds to ask for inner renewal
· "He leads me" → grounds to ask for direction
· "I will fear no evil" → grounds to ask for courage
Step 2: Pray It
"Shepherd, the text says I shall not want — so I am asking You now for [my specific need]. It says You restore — I am asking for that restoration in [this specific area]."
The Question to Ask
What does this scripture reveal about how you have fallen short? Let the Word search your heart.
How It Works
This is where you allow the scripture to search your heart — not to condemn you, but to correct and restore you. Confession here is specific, not vague — it flows directly from what the scripture has shown you.
📖 Psalm 23 · Step 1: Extract
Where has your life contradicted what the text declares? Name the gap:
· Text: "I shall not want" → My reality: anxiety about lack
· Text: "He leads me" → My reality: striving to figure it out myself
· Text: "I will fear no evil" → My reality: fear has been leading me
· Text: "He restores my soul" → My reality: I haven't let Him
Step 2: Pray It
"Lord, I confess I have lived in anxiety when You declared I lack nothing. I have been striving when You said You lead. Forgive me — restore the trust this psalm describes."
The Question to Ask
What does the enemy use to contradict this scripture in your life? Stand on the truth of the Word against it.
How It Works
This is where you take the truth of the scripture and use it as your weapon against the lies, fears, and opposition that contradict it. Name the lie and counter it with the Word.
📖 Psalm 23 · Step 1: Extract
What lies or fears does the enemy use that this text directly contradicts? List them as pairs:
· Lie: "You will not have enough" → Truth: "I shall not want"
· Lie: "You are alone in this" → Truth: "You are with me"
· Lie: "This situation will destroy you" → Truth: "I will fear no evil"
· Lie: "God has forgotten you" → Truth: "Goodness and mercy follow me"
Step 2: Pray It
"I reject the lie of lack — this text says I shall not want. I reject the lie of abandonment — You are with me in this valley. I stand on every truth of this psalm."
The Question to Ask
What has this scripture revealed about God's greatness? Close by praising Him for who He is and what He has promised.
How It Works
Jesus ended the prayer by returning everything to God in worship. You began by addressing who God is in the scripture — now you end by praising Him for it. The praise is not generic — it flows from everything the text has revealed.
📖 Psalm 23 · Step 1: Extract
Look back at everything you extracted in sections 1–6. What do you now know about God that deserves praise? Gather it:
· He is Shepherd-King
· He provides, leads, restores, protects, honours
· His presence turns valleys into places of peace
· His goodness is not occasional — it follows me all my days
Step 2: Pray It
"To You belongs all glory — You are the Shepherd-King who provides, leads, and restores. Your goodness follows me. You are worthy of all praise. Amen."
Teach Us 2 Pray
Enter your scripture below, then work through each section using the pattern Jesus gave us.
Scripture
Saved Prayer