Prayer is the spiritual communion with God, an intimate act that nourishes our faith.
Whether you're new to prayer or seeking to deepen your practice, here’s a simple guide to help you connect with the Divine.
1. Find Your Sanctuary
Choose a quiet space where you can be alone with your thoughts. It could be a designated room, a quiet corner, or even a serene outdoor setting. This physical space can act as a sanctuary, a sacred place for conversation with God.
2. Settle Your Heart and Mind
Before you begin, take a moment to breathe deeply and center your thoughts. Release the clutter of daily concerns to create a clear path for your prayers.
3. Open With Reverence
Start your prayer with an acknowledgment of God's presence. This can be a simple gesture of reverence, like a bow or the sign of the cross, or a spoken expression of worship.
4. Speak Authentically
Prayer doesn’t require grand words; what matters is authenticity. Speak to God as you would a cherished friend. Share your joys, sorrows, gratitude, and the desires of your heart.
5. Listen
Prayer is a dialogue. After sharing your thoughts with God, pause to listen. This might not come as an audible voice, but rather an internal sense of peace, a new insight, or an unexplained resolve to act.
6. Read Scripture
Incorporate reading Scripture into your prayer time. The words of the Bible can guide your prayers, providing language for praise, confession, and petition.
7. Use Structured Prayers When Needed
Sometimes it’s difficult to find your own words. In these moments, structured prayers like the Lord’s Prayer can provide comfort and focus.
8. Close With Commitment
End your prayer with a statement of faith and a commitment to live out God’s will, whether that’s through a simple 'Amen' or a personal vow to follow through on what you’ve received in prayer.
Prayer is as diverse as the individuals who practice it. It can be silent or spoken, still or active, spontaneous or structured. Remember, the essence of prayer is not about the method but the relationship it builds. When you pray, you open your heart to divine influence, guidance, and love.
“ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So, they have no excuse for not knowing God.” Romans 1:20
“So, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the hills— from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
“Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the scriptures: ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is amazing in our eyes’?” Matthew 21:42
"Walk by the Spirit . . . led by the Spirit . . . live by the Spirit . . . keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:16, 25
“[Paul Gives Thanks to God] I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus. Through him, God has enriched your church in every way—with all of your eloquent words and all of your knowledge.” -1 Corinthians 1:4-5
“Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” Proverbs 3:9-10
As we begin a new season in the church, it is good and right to think about what we mean when we pray “give us this day, our daily bread.” It is all about God’s provision. If we see God as a parent, we know that if we have a need, God will provide exactly what we need. The scripture verse above proves the case. Ask and it will be given to you. Knock and the door will be opened.
All children are precious to God. Psalm 139 speaks to God knowing us before we were born. At our conception we are “children of God.” We belong to God by way of grace. However, it is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we know that we are children of God (John 1:12). To acknowledge that we are children of God is a sign that our rebirth from above has begun to take place in our lives. It says that we accept the fact that regardless of our age, we need and want to be parented by our heavenly Father.
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9, NIV)
