PRAYER

1. PRAYER What is it? Why do we do it? How do I do it?

2. What is Prayer? People can be frightened by prayer. They don’t know how to do it, particularly if they have been brought up with set prayers or no prayers at all. Prayer is a conversation between you and God. There is no set formula, or set words, you do not have to put yourself into any special position such as kneeling, unless you feel comfortable doing that. Talk to God as you do your friends. Remember this is a two way street, you have to listen too.

3. WHY DO WE PRAY? We pray to God for many reasons. It might be that we, or a loved one are in trouble and we ask for God’s help. Or something wonderful has happened to us and we want to say Thank- you. Maybe we just want to build our relationship with God our Father/Mother, Creator or Saviour , however we think of God.

4. So how do we pray? There are many different ways , and at different times you may try all of them. There is the Arrow prayer, which is a quick prayer you can shoot up at anytime, maybe you see a funeral cortege and say “God Bless”, or a disabled person struggling to do something and you say “God help them” These prayers can be used at anytime in any place . You do not even have to say the words out loud.

5. There is Contemplative Prayer which needs somewhere quiet, where you can find stillness both around and within you. Many find this the most useful, others find silence scary. If that is you, play some quiet music in the back ground, or a recording of birdsong or other natural sounds. Unplug the phone, disconnect the doorbell! Some find it useful to focus on a candle or a cross, or pebbles. Some people chant a phrase they find helpful such as “Peace be with you” or “God is love”

6. You need to blot out all the sounds and thoughts within and around you, and focus on whatever you need to. It may be a part of your personality you want to change for which you need God’s help. Or a situation or a person which needs help. Most of all you need to allow God space to communicate with you. This may happen in many ways, a warm feeling, a vision, a thought, light flooding through the window just at the right moment. It may seem as if God isn’t there, but he will be listening. He will answer you in his own time at the right moment for you , not when you always expect it or in the way you expect.

7. Silent Retreats If you find contemplative prayer difficult, it might be worth your while going to a conducted retreat. There is an organisation which brings all of these places together in a directory. http://www.retreats.org.uk/ Conducted retreats will focus on a theme, and you will be guided by the retreat conductor throughout the retreat. There will be times of discussion around the theme, times when you will be asked you pray together and times when you will be given guidance in a personal interview. Times of silent prayer. Mealtimes may be silent, which can be quite powerful. Group meditation will give you skills which you can use in your own prayer time.

8. Set prayers Sometimes when you are tired or distressed, prayers written by others can be helpful. This is not wrong , if it is right for you. Remember this is a relationship between you and your God, he would far rather you were communicating with him than ignoring him. Better to pray someone else’s words than not pray at all.

9. Family prayers This used to be the normal activity in families years ago, but many of us have got out of the habit, and may feel embarrassed to suggest it. Grace before meals is a simple way to start . You just need to thank God for the food ,those who produced and prepared it. You can also pray for those who won’t be so lucky.

10. Bedtime Prayer Bedtime Prayers are a great way to introduce children to prayer. Before you read them a story, just ask them to pray for members of the family including the pets! that God will keep them safe. News items can sometimes upset children and this is a way they can feel they are helping. Pray for their school-friends or family who are sick. Remember also to give thanks for all the fun things that have happened during the day.

11. Church fellowship Many people say you don’t need to be a Church goer to be a Christian. You can live by the same principles of love and peace, without being a Church goer, but you miss out on the fellowship of congregational prayer and worship which can uplift the spirit and also bring you closer to God as part of his family.

12. Prayer Circles These are a useful tool too to focus the prayers of the circle on set topics, this does not mean you don’t need to pray yourself, it is an added tool. Prayer circles either meet at a set time each week or month to pray together or they agree a time when all will pray where ever they are at that time.

13. You need to get together initially to set the topics you are going to pray about, for the year. It might be countries, or charities or just topics like famine, war etc. You also need to add space for current topics in the news. The more people praying for a topic the more likely things will happen, though God has promised us that he will listen no matter how few are praying. It can be incredibly inspiring to know that you as a group are praying at the same time. At Union chapel ,a few of us have agreed to pray together at 10am everyday wherever we are for all those who use the Chapel during the week, from staff to volunteers to concert goers and performers to the homeless and those rehearsing there. Why don’t you join us? if we miss 10am we pray at 10pm The point is you know others are with you.

14. Aids to Prayer We are all different and we all find different things help us. Many find natural items like stones or water help them focus on God as Creator. Others find a candle representing Christ the Light of the World, helps them. Focusing on a cross and Jesus as our Saviour helps others.

15. Others find beads helpful, you can name each bead for different aspects of God’s personality such as love, peace, Saviour, Guide etc. and pray on each topic as you touch each bead. Or you can choose maybe hunger , war, abuse, topics such as these to focus on. Whatever you find helps you. A good book of prayers for those days when you cannot focus.

16. Some use the Bible as a Prayer tool, they may open it at random read a passage and pray on that , or they may work their way through it systematically. Maybe using a concordance to help understand the passage. Some use music as inspiration. Whatever works for you is fine.

17. Spiritual advisors At times we all hit a block in our prayer life and may feel we need extra help . There is the possibility to have a Spiritual Advisor who is trained to help you find the way forward. They will work with you on a one to one basis ,suggesting books or other aids you might find helpful. See the link page for further details.

18. Prayers Written by Wendy Craig “Show me the way” When I’m confused , Lord, show me the way baffled and bruised Lord, show me the way Still my heart and clear my mind, Prepare my soul to hear your still, small voice your word of truth Peace be still your Lord is here.

19. Always so close to show you the way Show you ,show you the way. When I’m afraid, Lord show me the way Weak and dismayed, Lord show me the way. Show me ,show me the way, Lift my spirit with your love Bring courage , calm and peace You who bore all for my sake So I could walk from fear released

20. With you beside me showing the way Showing, showing, showing the way. Amen (which means, so be it) A good one for the start of prayer.