What about Prayer?

Since we believe that God is alive and well, prayer is our means of communicating with Him. Like any other form of communication, prayer involves both talking and listening.

How do I start with Prayer?

• Find some time, preferably a guaranteed time each day.
• Find a place, preferably one where you won*t be disturbed or distracted.
• LISTEN before speaking, by reading something of what God has to say in the Bible.
• Ask God for His help as you pray.

In Old Testament times, before Christianity began, the Temple was the place to go and pray.

Psalm 24 v. 3 - 4 describes the sort of things that keep us from prayer 

 .... Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart,who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false

In Mark 1 v. 35 we see Jesus at prayer.

 .... Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed

With crowds of people clammering for him wherever he went, how did he make room for prayer in his busy schedule?

What do I say in Prayer?

There are times when a written prayer, like the Lord’s Prayer, can be of help. However, there is much more to prayer than that.

A.C.T.S. is a good way of remembering what to include in our praying:

BE HONEST           God knows all about you anyway

BE NATURAL          God wants to hear you pray from the heart, not the religious phrase book

In Luke 18 v. 9-14 Jesus tells a story about prayer.

.... To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: `God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, `God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted

The Pharisee*s prayer was wrong because he saw nothing wrong with himself. he could not see beyond his own arrogance and self righteousness.

We should be like the tax-collector and confess our faults and simply ask sincerely for forgiveness.

What should I pray about?

The List is endless, and it is easy to get so swamped that you end up not praying at all.

In 1 Timothy 2 v. 1-4 Paul writes to a young Christian telling him what to pray for.

.... I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

A HANDY way of remembering what to pray for is shown below:

THUMB strong and dependable like God. Start by thanking him.

INDEX FINGER as used for wagging! Pray for those in authority.

MIDDLE FINGER biggest finger, biggest group. Pray for others in need.

RING FINGER a reminder of family ties. Pray for Church family and real family.

LITTLE FINGER last but not least. Pray for yourself.

A prayer diary can be helpful, with a particular topic to remember on each day of the week:

But there will be problems with Prayer won't there?

NEVER GIVE UP - GOD IS ALWAYS LISTENING