What is Prayer ?

Prayer (from the Latin precari "to ask earnestly, beg, entreat") is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with an object of worship through deliberate communication.
More simply prayer is how humans seek to relate to the something that is bigger than them. For Christians that means God. Prayer can be individual or communal. It can involve every kind of expression, silence,chants,song,set words or spontaneous utterance.Prayers can be for others, for self, to thank God, to ask for guidance. 
 
There are many different ways that Christians pray but at the heart of prayer is the desire to encounter God in talking and listening to him.
We are assured of God’s love for us and should have no fear that our prayers are not welcome because of who we are or how we pray. 
 
Here are some ways that Christians pray to try - but even if all you say is ‘help me God’ or ‘thank you God’ - that is prayer.
If you would like the Prayer Hub to pray for you follow this link


Here are some prayers to start with

 

 


'Lord, teach us to pray' 
That request was put to Jesus by his own disciples - which should encourage us if we feel we don't know how to pray. They needed help, and so do we, especially at troubled times such as these.

But there isn't just one right way to pray - what works well for one person may not for another. The following thoughts are offered just as guidelines which may be useful:

  • When we pray we come before God with the world on our hearts. We are also offering ourselves to be in some small way channels of love and peace in God's world.
  • God already knows what is in our hearts and minds. We can be honest with God, and say exactly how we feel, or even just sit in silence.
  • It might help to find a quiet space. You may want to be on your own, but you may also find that it helps to join other people, who may be gathering to pray in local churches, but also in schools, workplaces and elsewhere.
  • You may find that you can say just what you want to, using your own words. But many people find it helpful to use written prayers. This site provides a number of prayers for different people and situations as well as some simple forms of prayer for use at different times of the day.
 
From C of  E  site How to Pray 

The Lord’s Prayer

The Lords Prayer  is so called because it was the prayer Jesus taught his disciples according to Matthew 6:9–13     

Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.(ESV)

 Try saying the Lords Prayer as you get up in the morning and before you sleep at night.

 

The Jesus Prayer

The Jesus Prayer

 Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner

 

Known as the “Jesus Prayer” or “Prayer of the Heart,” early practitioners would repeat to the rhythm of their breath the phrase, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” In time, the prayer was shortened to, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy” or simply, “Jesus, mercy.”

 

Try repeating the prayer 5 times every day and rest in God's time for just a short space of time. If this is a way of prayer that suits you take your time over it, some people make prayer ropes - pieces of string with knots to help count the times the prayer is said.

 

Church of England Prayer page

https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/topical-prayers

My experience of prayer
Informed Prayer – Ann Stoake’s experience 
I find it’s no use praying about a situation or for someone without accurate information God knows all the details. When two or three people ask GOD  he will grant their request - HE does - in HIS own good time  – scripture tells me !!
Informed prayer requests must be specific – accurate up-to-date information is essential and must be kept CONFIDENTIAL or shared ONLY  with others on a prayer chain or in a group.I have found I seem to get results when I chose a person or an aspect of the situation nearest to me – e.g. my neighbour  – that  I have  some experience of. I live with a collection of life-long dis-eases and have worked in and volunteered for the NHS. As well as  being  active in my Christian Faith these days I pray for those at dis-ease in body, mind, or spirit.
 Communication is a two way process so listening – being quiet in body and mind is as important as words. I empty my thoughts  about the next tasks into a metaphorical box as I drink and eat a biscuit.
 Informed prayer has two elements to it –the actual asking God to show me His will, then actually doing something practical – sending a  post card with an encouraging message, asking if a telephone call or an e-mail would be appreciated, putting at least £1 in a collecting box.
I have to remind myself that as I change into clean /different clothes  regularly so I need to look regularly at my prayer routine - give it a good tidy-up, get rid of the rubbish, make room to try something new. I find it best to have a slot each day, not always at the same time, I have a day off  each week. I make myself comfortable (chair or bed )with a drink –tea or alcohol and a biscuit(echos of communion/communication with GOD ) and something to occupy my hands –drawing, knitting, string of beads.
 Prayer is something I  look forward too – not a daily chore. It is useful to keep a record of  how each situation is progressing. No progress- I ask for more specific information- has there been a change -if so how or what ? Polite persistence gets results – eventually. 30yrs is my record so far!
Many folks are afraid of the effects of prayer especially in their lives so won’t ask, or put a block on  prayers. If  I feel that has happened I  park their request. It means they are not ready to face the change that the event has caused in their life –the sacrifice.
I never read ‘how to books’ on prayer-the only way to pray is to get involved. Walk the walk instead of talking the jargon.  I am prepared to take risks - it’s got me into and out of all sorts of situations – like writing this for a group of folks I feel I may have met but don’t really know.
I do get cross with God for letting a situation happen to me, personally, or to someone else especially when none of us  saw it coming.     
Prayer I find, is a proven  useful tool in the management of the effects of  dis-ease – pain, lack of movement etc. especially when it includes others in the same boat and those who give support with care,medication etc.
Last of all  when there are results to prayer –return to ease from dis-ease or the final cure - a well managed Death,then I give  THANKS  to GOD for all the help and support  folks on earth prompted by prayer, have given by time, skills and resources-personal or collective! 

 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)