What is Prayer?

 

What is Prayer?


“Everything that one turns in the direction of God is prayer”
St Ignatius Loyola

 

What is Prayer?
Prayer is about speaking with God, listening to God, doing stuff for God or simply being with God, acknowledging his presence and resting in it.

Prayer can be noisy or it can be silent.
It can involve singing or whispering or simply being very still.

Prayer is emotional.
It can be angry, tearful, desperate, fearful, loving, thankful, questioning.
Prayer can be active or passive.
We can pray at any moment of any given circumstance.

 

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Why Pray?
Prayer is what brings us into relationship with God. Prayer is like the oxygen in our blood.

Through prayer, you’ll discover a God who loves you so much; a God who pours his love into your life and who values you, simply because you are YOU.

In prayer, you’ll encounter the peace of God, which will carry you through the most difficult of situations; you’ll discover a joy that you never knew; you’ll find a way through the obstacles of your life and you’ll receive hope for a better tomorrow.

In prayer, you will know forgiveness for all the dross stuff in your life and you’ll find the strength to carry on.
If you don’t believe it, then try it for yourself!

 

 

How easy is Prayer?
I remember a cousin showing me his sophisticated system of telecommunications and telling me that his boss can contact him anywhere and any time. Having taken me through the complications of it all, I replied,
“I just have to get on to my knees to speak to my Boss”.
But in fact, I don’t. I can speak with God, silently or audibly, consciously or sub-consciously about anything at any given moment.
This is how accessible our God is!

Don't make Prayer into a Science
Just do it!
Your God and Father in Heaven is waiting to hear from you NOW!

Don’t say that no-one is interested in you,
or no-one can be bothered with you,
or that you don’t want to waste anyone’s time.

Your God is interested.
He is bothered.
He loves you beyond all measure and he wants to hear your news, your fears, your concerns, your hopes and dreams, NOW!

The God of Heaven and Earth is waiting for you, so why not speak to him, now?

 

 

How do I Pray?
Simply engage with God.
Below, you will find just one easy warm up exercise to help you on your way.

1. Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted by telephone, TV or anything else.

2. Make yourself comfortable. You may want to sit in a comfy chair, or you may find kneeling more helpful.
3. Place your feet firmly on the ground. Rest your hands palm facing upwards on your lap.
4. Close your eyes. Still your mind. Take slow deep breaths, exhaling slowly.
5. As you breathe in, become aware of Jesus.
It’s Jesus you want.
It’s Jesus you need.
Breathe him into yourself.
6. As you breathe out, try to imagine exhaling all the dross in your life.

 

 

 

Now you're ready to go
I. Pray: In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 
II. Pray: Lord Jesus please come to me.
I need you. I want you.
Fill me with your Love. Amen
III. If you have any special need or request, or if there’s a situation or a relationship that you’re struggling with, then tell this to Jesus, now. (These are called ‘petitions’) IV. If you have any special concerns for anyone else, then bring them to Jesus now. (These are called ‘intercessions’)
V. You may want to thank Jesus that you can come to him at any time; that he loves you so much; that he wants the best for you; that he cares. Thank him that he’s present with you, listening to you and wanting the very best for you. Thank him that with him by your side, you can start again ... you can be your very best. VI. You may want to be still and quiet for a while and simply rest in Jesus’ love and peace.
Listen for any words or  look in your mind’s eye for any pictures that he may be giving you to help and encourage you.


VII. Finish your prayers with the prayer that Jesus has taught us:

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;
And 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.

 

 

 

Encouraging the Family to Pray Together

Can you imagine if every household in Bingley were to pray. Do you have any idea how the face of the world would change?

If you have a family, then try using the above model for prayer and encourage all the members of your family to pray together. Remember to respect each member of the family and don’t use this time as an opportunity of getting at someone or telling them that you’re upset with them! Remember, you’re speaking to the God of Heaven and Earth!
Something very big is happening in a very small way!

 

 

Please remember to keep the church and parish of All Saints Bingley in your prayers.

If you visited this prayer page and have found this model of prayer helpful, please let us hear your comments

Links to other sites should you wish to say one of the 'offices' of daily prayer

Prayer at the start of the day The Office of Morning Prayer

Prayer in the Evening The Office of Evening Prayer

Daily Prayer provided by the official Church of England web site,
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2002-2004.
 

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