Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days

by Kay Arthur

Many books offer tips on enhancing your prayer life but leave you adrift when it comes to actually praying. In this bestselling 28–day study (more than 450,000 copies sold), Kay provides intensely practical insights to help you know how to pray, what to pray, and what to expect when you pray. Thankfully, Jesus gave His disciples the perfect pattern for meaningful prayer. It is refreshingly simple and exceedingly powerful—and it can begin to transform the way you pray (and live) today!

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Prayer, Christianity, Christian Living, Faith, Spirituality

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Kay Lee Arthur was an American Christian author, Bible teacher, and co-founder of Precept Ministries International. Renowned for her accessible and inductive approach to Bible study, she helped millions engage deeply with Scripture. Arthur began her ministry informally, teaching teenagers in her living room alongside her second husband, Jack Arthur. Their work soon grew into a global outreach, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, under the name Precept Ministries International. She hosted the daily Bible teaching program Precepts for Life and became a respected voice in evangelical circles. Arthur authored numerous books and was a four-time winner of the ECPA Christian Book Award for titles such as A Marriage Without Regrets and The New Inductive Study Bible. Her ministry was rooted in a personal reawakening to faith in the early 1960s, following a divorce and a return to religious life. She and Jack also served briefly as missionaries in Mexico before founding their ministry. Arthur remained active in public faith-based initiatives into her later years and was known for her firm stances on social issues. She passed away on 2025 leaving behind a lasting legacy in Christian education and publishing.

Reviews

[Kathy May · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book as I was sorting through my deceased Mother’s belongings. According to the notes in the margins, she had read this book in 1994. I was intrigued by the subject, especially since my mom had studied the book, underlined certain sections, wrote in the margins, and kept the book long after she finished reading it. Very practically, the book walks through “The Lord’s Prayer” using it as the ultimate example for effectively talking to God. By reading this book and reflecting on my mom’s thoughts, I felt as if my mom was still teaching me important life lessons.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was tempted to discount this as being simplistic after the first few days, but this is a powerful study on prayer. Kay Arthur shares her inductive study method, using the Lord's prayer as a framework for all prayer. Each day encourages going to passages of Scripture to create a deeper understanding of biblical prayer. Each day encourages reflection as well and ends with a directive for prayer for that day. Combing the lessons with the featured Scripture led to prayer that moved me to tears- and I am not an emotional person. I adored this study and feel much closer to Christ!

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lessons on how to pray don’t get any more basic than this. And I don’t mean that as a criticism. If you are trying to teach a new Christian how to talk to God, this is a great place to start. Each day is a baby step toward understanding the Lord’s Prayer that can be done alone; and in the appendix are some discussion questions that can be done at the end of each week with the new Christian and his or her mentor.

If you grew up in a praying home, like I did, this is probably way too simple. In that case, Precept Ministries’ book The Essentials of Effective Prayer might be a better option.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books/studies God brought to me at the right time and the right place. It deeply ministered to me when I needed to be reminded of some of the simple/basic yet profound truths about prayer.

I highly recommend it to anyone struggling with the feeling that their prayers aren't working.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Focusing on how Jesus taught the disciples to pray and how we can apply that to strengthen our own prayers. A different approach than most other books on the subject with strong emphasis on biblical study as critical component of a prayerful life.

[Darlene Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome bible study on prayer

[Jan Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interactive study on the Lord’s prayer. There are some great insights and Kate Aurther draws this reader into study on their own.

[Andy Valadez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this over 28 days. Really helps the reader to understand the power of prayer and why Jesus gave us a powerful index on how we should pray. It is important to ask God for our daily bread and that it come from him, not from our own efforts. When we ask him directly, he clears the way for our future in his service. Lot's more to write about here, but limited in time. Read for yourself.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate being given guidelines, an outline, indexes on how to pray, what I ought to be thinking about and allowing God to speak to me through prayers. I loved the insight & illumination I obtained in reading this book. Page 47 Names of God is now memorized along with Mat 6:9-13! This is good for everyone that wants to strengthen their walk with Jesus. Jesus prayed all the time for all things. Go & do likewise!

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was unable to separate her writing style from the substance of what she was saying. Her voice as an author was just too intrustive for me - down to telling me how and when to annotate my own Bible? I don't think so.

[Anne Calvert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic! Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days by Kay Arthur made me realize there was quite a bit I didn't know about prayer. It is written to be read in 28 days, but I used it as part of my quiet time and spread it out. She did a great job taking into consideration that people are busy on weekends and did a one page weekender with an assignment.

"It's one thing to make an accurate declaration of who God is and another thing entirely to give God our full allegiance." This book is filled with gems just like that. It gives a better understanding that while Matthew 6:6-13 can be said as a prayer, Jesus "was teaching the disciples an index for prayer". "Memorize the Lord's Prayer, and no one can take from you God's way to pray. You will have it for the rest of your life."

I highly recommend this book for everyone, the new Christian all the way to the most mature Christian. I believe there is something for everyone in this book.

[Jessica (JT) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read with my Mixed 20s Community Group.

The writing style of this is just not for me. Kay Arthur is very informal and addresses the reader as "Beloved" constantly. She encouraged the reader to mark up their Bibles in specific ways (circle the word sin in red, underline every mention to prayer with a squiggly line, etc.). It felt pointless and repetitive. She seemed to take huge tangents and not even mention prayer for pages. A lot of the questions did not have very good set ups in my opinion. She referenced passages all over the Bible with very little context for the passages so some felt taken out of context.

This might be a good fit for an older generation of readers, but my group of 20 somethings did not enjoy this book.

[Erin Lasky · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many truths that spoke into my heart and transformed my prayer habits and perspective.

This book takes the reader through 28 days of teaching on prayer based on the Lord's prayer. Using that pattern to inspire, Kay Arthur gives a fresh revival to anyone's prayer life.

The daily readings are generally brief (although a few are a little longer) and could easily be added into your day with just 15 minutes.

A short reading, but a lingering truth. It has forever changed my pattern and approach to prayer.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to see past her writing style, calling out the reader with "Oh, beloved"s, and "Do you see it now?"s
But once you look past that, the approach of this book, studying the Lord's Prayer in light of loads of other truths of Scripture, opens up new understandings of the depths of this one Prayer of prayers and all the promises and truths it holds.

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone, new and seasoned believers!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life changing! First, take your time working through this book, and complete the Scripture reading activities! Do this study at your own pace! You won’t regret it! You will experience God speaking to you! Now, sometimes, I can’t wait to talk things over with God the Father, and I now see how prayer is vital and effective. I have so much room to grow in my prayer life, but I am now excited to contine the journey.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely wonderful Bible study. I have always loved Kay Arthur and her Inductive studies, but this has really made me rethink my prayer life. I am not where I should be, but who is? So I am working on making it better! Talk to God through prayer, listen to God through His Word.

[Cathy Endebrock · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books I ever read on prayer. Takes reader through the Matthew 6 prayer element by element exploring what Jesus was trying to convey to His disciples at the time and what He this means for His children today.

[Morgan Fogelstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic bible study. I didn't always agree with the author, but I learned a lot from her. I'd recommend this to anyone interested in motivating their prayer life.

[Preston Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn’t expect to enjoy this book as much as I did due to the frequency with which she uses the word beloved. I ended up finding this walk through the Lord’s Prayer very insightful.

[alwayss.rejoice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed it. And made me open my Bible and answer questions as I read. I do believe this book help me pray better

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really nice introduction to the bases of the Our Father.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal topical study walking line by line of the Lord's Prayer with practical instructions for daily prayer time. Also allowed for plenty of reflective time and prompts for self-reflection.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, practical tool

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

understanding the Lord’s Prayer

If we understand what Jesus was saying when He said, “pray this way” then we can pray effectively. A beautiful journey.

[Lauri]

Actually read in college and it was helpful

[Johnnie High · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found that this is a guide not a flowing story. Lot of good information.

[Kristie Burk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can definitely help with your prayer life, esp. if you don't know what to say or where to start. (Or if you've ever wondered how people could possibly pray for more than a few minutes. Or if your prayer just sounds like a list of requests.)

The book is based entirely on the Lord's Prayer. According to the author, it shouldn't be used as a prayer itself, but rather as instructions for how a prayer should be set up.

I didn't realize the set-up of the book when I started. First, I was trying to do this book while also working on another bible study. I don't recommend doing this unless you have lots of time on your hand. The book requires "homework:" reading the bible and answering questions.

Also, the book should be started on a Monday (did I miss this instruction?) since the weekends are handled differently than the other days of the week.

I definitely think I've grown by reading this book, but I also think it's something I should revisit and do again when I have more time!

[Life'S A · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would suggest that Kay Arthur's view of prayer is very narrow teaching the Lord's prayer as a method, an index for effectiveness and power with God. This seems to indicate that we can manipulate God into guaranteeing that if we simply pray a certain way using the Lord's prayer as a method and an index for prayer we can assume we will get what we are asking from God. I suggest that those who are truly seeking to understand prayer that you balance your study with other writers. I believe God can use Kay Arthur's book to encourage us to pray but hopefully we will not be deceived or confused by her narrow view of prayer even though she couches it in terms of our relationship with God.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a biblical study on prayer. It seeks out what the Bible says about prayer, it reflects on examples of prayer within Scripture, and more specifically it centers on every instruction and example that Jesus gave on prayer.

This is a book that builds understanding upon understanding-- each day I would learn something new about prayer, I would seek to apply it in my life, and by the end my understanding of prayer had been completely transformed. Now I understood the purposes of prayer, the requirements of prayer, and the components of prayer. I highly recommend every book in Kay Arthur's series, but of the ones I have read so far, I would say this one is essential.

[Katy Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kay Arthur is obviously diligent and Spirit guided in her Bible reading. Very Informative and enlightening! I loved the book. I love Kay Arthur's teaching style. I followed along with her instructions on marking my Bible, and was able to understand her points more clearly. I learned more than I knew I needed to learn. It was very needed in my life, and I highly recommend the book, not just to strengthen prayer, but to re-evaluate and strengthen one's own relationship with God.