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Nothing helps shift our perspective like prayer can. As we go through our day sometimes all we need is a small reminder that we're all connected, that God is always there listening. Prayer is a huge part of any faith practice, it's our conversation with a higher being, whether that is Jesus, or whatever spiritual body you believe in. Prayer is powerful, it strengthens our connection and draws us closer in our walk with the Lord. It rebukes evil energies and gives us protection. Prayer is also meditation, it offers a clear line for God to offer us wisdom, or the "ah ha!" moment we've been needing.
I remember as a child feeling confused when my Catholic friends insisted I wasn't praying right because I didn't pray with a rosary. But at the Lutheran and Presbyterian churches I was accustomed to as a kid we didn't pray with a rosary, and I was told that was a predominantly Catholic thing.
One of my earliest memories of my mother was how earnestly she would pray. Constantly throughout the day. My mother prayed for sirens, she prayed for crosses on the side of the road, she prayed for those suffering she saw on the news, she prayed for crying children at the grocery store... It seemed my mother was always praying. Though rasied with Buddhist beliefs, her family converted to Christianity when my cousin became a Presbyterian Pastor. So naturally my mom would pray in two different ways. She would recite "Om Mani Padme Hum" and "Namo Amituofo" the first meaning to transform your impurities into the exalted way of Buddha, and the latter meaning "infinite light and infinite wisdom" but both act as a prayer of protection and blessing. She would follow this with a traditional Christian prayer, making the sign of the cross, and asking Lord Jesus to bless and watch over whomever needed it that moment.
So growing up there were times when I was deeply confused about how to pray. I vaguely remember a Sunday School session where we were taught that prayer was our conversation with God and just like checking in on a good friend we should keep up our conversations with him. But could it be that easy? Was I just supposed to dial God and ask "what's up and tell him about my day?" The Sunday School teacher broke down the word P-R-A-Y to stand for Praise, Repent, Ask, and Yield.
Still I had a lot of anxiety about praying the correct way as it seems everyone I asked had a different answer. So in my prayers I often repented for not knowing how to pray correctly. My father made it very simple, he told me there was no right or wrong way. Just talk to God, he would say- thank him for the things I was grateful for, apologize for the things I could do better, ask for his blessings not just for myself but for anyone I knew could use it, and praise Him for being there to listen.
So how exactly should you pray? I've learned over time that the beauty of prayer is that it doesn't need to be rigid. You can pray at anytime, anywhere. Sometimes the most simple offerings to God can be the very best. He appreciates a "Thank you Lord" or an "I love you Jesus". Too often we fall victim to wanting to do something perfectly so we don't do it at all. It's better to pray from your heart however it may manifest than to not pray out of fear of doing it wrong.
Going back to the Sunday School model here is a very simple breakdown of how to pray. Just remember it is YOUR conversation with God, so it needn't follow any rules. Prayer is also more powerful when you combine it with scripture. You don't have to be kneeling to pray, you can pray silently or out loud. Prayer can happen at anytime in anyplace. You can pray to any of his incarnations God, Jesus, Jehovah-Jireh, Yahweh, or even The Holy Spirit which is the spirit of God living within you.
1. Start with praise and gratitude. Exalt his name. Open your heart and mind to Him.
2. Ask for forgiveness for doubting, for any actions that may not have been in line with His will. Repentance is highly personal, so communicate your feelings or guilt to God and allow His forgiveness.
3. Ask God for the things in your heart, but don't limit them to only selfish matters. Ask the Lord to look after those in need. Pray not just for yourself but for the good of all of God's children.
4. Open yourself and yield to his influence and Word. Allow Him to give you guidance.
5. End your prayer session with something like "in Jesus' name, Amen" or "in honor of your glory and will, Amen".
A few simple prayers:
Dear Lord, help me each day to find faith even in the midst of darkness. Give me the strength and ability to be guided by Your will. I give you my greatest thanks and gratitude Lord God. Thank you for Your scriptures that offer comfort and wisdom. I am merely a vessel of Your plan. I pray that I will walk closer to You, and that my faith grows ever stronger with each passing day. Amen.
Father God, I praise You today and am humbled by Your presence. I am grateful for you guidance and love. Please forgive me for my transgressions. Please grant me strength. Give me the power to face any struggles with Your grace. I live by Your will. And I know Your will gives me power to face any adversary. Please give strength to all who may need it today. I know I will not fail with You at my side, You strengthen me Lord God. I thank You for hearing our prayers and your everlasting love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.