Be About It: Prayer: Teach Us To Pray

What do you do when you’ve heard a lot about prayer, but your actual praying feels inconsistent, confusing, or almost non-existent? 

In this message, Student Minister Austin Garrett walks through a simple way to move from just talking about prayer to actually living a life of prayer every day.

Rooted in Ephesians 6:18, Austin helps listeners see that God’s invitation is not to a “prayer life” we squeeze in, but to a life of prayer that runs through everything—school, work, parenting, late-night worries, and quiet moments at home. He unpacks the ACTS model—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Surrender—as a practical framework for anyone, whether you’re brand new to faith or have followed Jesus for years. Along the way, he shares real stories about coaching, parenting young kids, stressful evenings at home, and what it looks like to actually pray instead of just feeling guilty that you don’t.

This message speaks to people who feel anxious and overwhelmed, parents wanting to set a spiritual tone at home, those carrying guilt or shame they’ve never really confessed, and anyone who feels stuck knowing about prayer but rarely doing it. You’ll see that confession brings sin into the light, thanksgiving pushes back anxiety, and surrender means placing real situations at the foot of the cross for a Father who gives good gifts (Matthew 7:9–11, NIV).

In this message, Austin invites not-yet-believers to take an honest first step by talking to God in their own words and considering what it would mean to follow Jesus. For believers, he challenges you to practice ACTS prayers each day this week and, for parents, to model a life of prayer at home—especially in simple moments like unhurried bedtime prayers with your children.