What Does Prayer Really Mean to Us?

In a Christian school, prayer is something we encounter every day: In the classroom, during chapel, before meals and exams, and in quiet moments of joy or difficulty. Because it is so familiar, we may rarely stop to think about the deeper reason and meaning of prayer. 

When I started thinking about it and talking to others, I realized that even if we pray together, our experiences of prayer are often very different.

This article brings together short reflections from students and teachers in our school community, each answering one simple question: What does prayer really mean to you? These testimonies reflect the diversity in our community and invite us to pause, reflect, and reconsider our personal relationship with prayer. 

Jessie K.

Class of 2027

“Prayer is a quiet generator of peace in my life. In moments when I feel overwhelmed by hardships or weighed down by negative thoughts, prayer becomes the place I turn to for comfort and grounding. It allows me to pause, breathe, and place my worries into God’s merciful hands. Each night, my family and I end the day with prayer together. In those moments, we are not just speaking to God, but also reconnecting with one another. Prayer strengthens our bond as a family and reminds us of what truly matters. There is something deeply reassuring and almost magical about closing the day in faith and gratitude.”

Seha P.

Class of 2028

“To me, prayer truly means a lot. It’s not just about putting hands together and asking for something. I think prayer is an undeserved and humbling privilege that allows me to communicate with Him. Through prayer, I reach out in gratitude, open up my deepest challenges, and find courage when my confidence fades. It is also a reminder that I am always loved, even when it becomes hard to love myself. Being able to talk to Him in this way feels incredibly special and precious to me, and that is why I am truly thankful for the blessing of prayer.”

Malik M.

Class of 2032

“دۇئا مەن ئۈچۈن ئىنتايىن مۇھىم، چۈنكى مەن خۇدا بىلەن كۆپرەك بىللە بولالايمەن، قىيىنچىلىققا يولۇققاندا، خۇدادىن ياردەم سورايمەن. نۇرغۇن كىشىلەر خۇدا بىلەن بىللە ۋاقىت ئۆتكۈزۈش بىزنى ئۇنىڭغا يېقىنلاشتۇرىدۇ، شۇڭا دۇئا مەن ئۈچۈن مۇھىم دەيدۇ.”

(in Uyghur language)

“Prayer is important to me because I can spend more time with God, and when I encounter difficulties, I can turn to God for help. Many people say that spending time with God makes us closer to Him, so prayer is important to me. (translated)”

Ms. Julie Stine

DP English & Literature and TOK teacher

“For me, prayer is a way to calm down my monkey brain at night. While getting ready to fall asleep, I recite the Lord’s Prayer, this ancient incantation that sums up Jesus’ teachings.  I learned that, in fact, Jesus himself taught it to his disciples to show them how to pray.  When I recite it, it instructs me on how to live.  Each night, a new phrase really resonates with me. For instance, the opening: Our Father, who art in heaven; Hallowed be thy name. I could just think about this forever! Each word is so perfectly crafted and powerful, and it makes me feel safe and secure before I fall asleep. 

For any English geeks out there, it’s fun to see and hear how the Lord’s prayer was spoken in both Middle English and in Old English, too.”

Mr. SungWoong Kwon

Bible Studies teacher

“Prayer for me is seeking His will done in my life and in the lives of others. (Matthew 6:10) – Sometimes I know his will for me and for others, but other times I do not. Still, I ask his will to be done because Jesus taught us to seek his will first in our prayer. 

Prayer for me is the practice of living in God’s presence (John 15:4) – Prayer is not just seeking his will but also getting into the habit of living with God and living in God’s presence. 

To practice this prayer, I practice silence and listen to God’s word. 

Prayer for me is asking God to give me what I need and want (Matthew 6:11) – Prayer for me is also asking God to give me what I need and want. When praying for my needs and wants, I try to be mindful of whether I am using God as a means to achieve my own ends.”

Mr. Larry

Spiritual Life Minister 

“To me, prayer is my refuge.  When things get too huge for me to handle or too confusing for me to wrap my brain around, I find myself wanting to talk to God.  Prayer alone generally helps with whatever I’m facing.  Talking to God is soothing, but it also brings clarity, and hopefully, wisdom.  In the middle of a prayer when I’m listening for his voice, when my breathing slows down, when I’m focused on him and not me, that’s when things become less foggy.  I still get in the way with my anxiousness and selfishness, but I know he’s there… with me, and that makes the difference.” 

Mr. Bradley Brunner

DP TOK, Economics, and Global Politics teacher

“Personal prayer is the most meaningful relationship I have with God. When I pray, I feel a level of intimacy in my connection with God that I don’t experience in collective worship or collective prayer. And when I pray, I do my best to align my prayers with what I believe Jesus valued. For example, I do my best to pray for others prior to praying for myself, unless the prayer for me is such that another person may personally benefit. For example, as a father, I prioritize my kids’ lives over my own. With that, I pray for my health and happiness, not for personal gain, but so my sons may experience a healthy and happy father. Also, I attempt to prioritize my prayers for those who need it the most. When I pray, I make sure to think of others whose lives are in desperate situations, such as violence, war, poverty, sickness, abuse, etc. Sometimes, I intentionally conclude my prayer after praying for people in these situations to symbolize what I am trying to communicate to God—please prioritize those in need. I also use prayer to thank God for His Grace and the opportunities my family and I have to experience it.  God’s Grace is overcoming, and prayer allows me the opportunity to show my appreciation for the blessing of His Grace. It also reminds me to help others see God’s Grace, and seek clarity to God’s plan for all of us.”

Reading these reflections, I was reminded that prayer does not have to look perfect or sound well-spoken to be real. For me, prayer became most meaningful when I was broken, when I had nothing to offer God except honesty. In those moments, I felt held and restored in ways I couldn’t explain. Now, every time I pray, I return with gratitude. I thank Him not only for answered prayers, but for His presence, His patience, and the quiet ways He continues to save and guide me.

The reflections in this article show that prayer can be comfort, discipline, refuge, conversation, or silence, yet all of it is received by the same loving God. As Proverbs 15:8 reminds us, “The prayer of the upright pleases Him”. May these voices encourage us to pray not out of habit alone, but out of trust, gratitude, and a desire to remain close to Him.