Our top tip on how to pray is – just do it. Have a go. Pray. You don’t need special words or a special place. You can take anything to God, pain, guilt, joy, worry, hopes, dreams, fears, anger. Just remember that God loves you and he is listening out for you.
P.R.A.Y. is our second tip. Pause – just take a moment to be still, to breathe deeply, to try and still your mind. Repent and Rejoice – is there anything you want to take to God, to say sorry for? Rejoice – what can you find, however small, to say thank you for. Gratitude can help us see the world differently and help set us free. Ask – what issues and concerns do you want to offer to God – for yourself, your family, your friends, at work, our town and community, our world? What is on your mind right now? Yield – offer all your prayers to God and ask for his peace. (Thanks to Pete Greig for this one – see below)
‘Pray for 5‘ reflects that it’s good to look beyond our own concerns. Are there 5 people you can pray for, regularly if possible. Pray for their needs, for peace and hope, to know the love of God in their lives.
We often find prayers written by others really helpful. See what you think….. (to follow)
Two of our favourite books on prayer, both written by Pete Greig are How to Pray and God on Mute. Pete is one of the founders of the 24*7 Prayer movement and his books are both honest and practical. God on Mute deals with our struggle with unanswered prayer, when God doesn’t seem to be listening. In Dirty Glory, Pete tells the inspiring story of the 24*7 prayer movement and how prayer spills over into mission and justice.
24*7 also produce some valuable resources for individual prayer that are freely available here.
Lectio365 is a free ‘app’ again from the 24*7 prayer movement. It provides short services of morning and evening prayer that you can use each day.
You might also want to join us for prayer in any of the following ways …….. We’d love to pray with you and for you.