How do I Pray?

Sometimes it can be hard to make sense of life, when things are going wrong and it seems like no-one cares. But God is always listening; when we cry out, even if we don't know who to, He hears. 

​Prayer is a conversation with God. It is an opening of our heart, what troubles us, or what we wish to be thankful for. When we pray, God hears and prays with us and for us in the power of the Holy Spirit and through Jesus Christ. However big or small, our prayers matter and are heard.

Prayer is a habit. It can start through instinctive prayers of desperation, but if we pray regularly it becomes easier and natural, places God at the centre of our lives; God at the centre of our sorrow, our joy, and our everyday reality.​

The Lord's Prayer is a pattern for all our prayers and a good place to start:
Our Father, who art in Heaven,
​Hallowed be thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
​Thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.
​Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
​As we forgive those who trespass against us.
​Lead us not into temptation;
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
​The power and the glory,
For ever and ever
​Amen

​
What does it mean?
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name; Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done; on earth as it is in Heaven: God is at the centre of the prayer, showing that through prayer we are in a relationship with God. We give thanks and praise for what he has done and seek his guidance.
Give us this day our daily bread: Placing our physical and spiritual needs before God.
​And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us: Asking forgiveness and being forgiving.
​But deliver us for evil:​ asking God for the strength and support we need.
​For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory. For ever and ever: Placing God at the centre and celebrating his glory.
​Amen: So may it be.​

Another prayer from the Bible you may know is Psalm 23:
The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
​he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.
​Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
​I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
​your rod and staff, they comfort me. 
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
​You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
​Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
​and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

This introduction is inspired by Justpray.uk where you can find many useful prayers and resources.
​You  may also find Pray as You Go useful, which guides you through daily sessions of prayer.
​Why not read and listen to the Holy Habits sermon on Prayer, from St. Mary's in January, which can be found here

Some Prayers that may Help

Below are some prayers you may find useful. Some are general prayers, while some are particularly suitable for certain needs and situations. These and many more can be found at Thoughts-about-God.com

A Prayer of Personal Renewal
​Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally.
Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.
​I open the door of life and receive you as my Saviour and Lord.
Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life.
Take control of the throne of my life.
Make me the person You want me to be.
​Amen.

A Prayer for Peace by St. Francis of Assisi
​Lord, make me an instrument of you peace;
​Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
​Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
​Where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving
For health
​And strength 
​And daily food
We praise your name
O God
​Amen
​

​A Prayer for Wisdom
Father God,
There are so many decisions to make
​And I don't seem to know what is the best for now or for the future.
​You said if we lack wisdom, all we need to do is ask you.
I really need you to pour wisdom into my mind today.
​Thank you.

A Prayer for when you are weak or ill
​Father, I am feeling lousy today.
​I ache all over and feel very weak.
​You said your grace was sufficient for me.
​Please strengthen me.
​Give me joy in spite of how I feel.
​Amen.

Seeking God in Prayer

You may find the following Bible verses helpful which encourage us to seek God in prayer

​Luke 11: 1-4 NIV
​11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
​2 He said to them, "When you pray, say:
hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.’”​

Colossians 4: 2-6 NIV
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.​

Romans 8:34 NIV
Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.​

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