Prayer

Prayer is a dialogue between God and God’s people. We pray because we feel the need to be intimate with God. God gave us prayer to fill our need.

People Pray…
~to glorify God
~ to receive God’s comfort in a time of need.
~ to experience God’s forgiveness.
~ to be reminded that God is with us in the Spirit.
~ to be reminded that God loves us.
~ to be reminded that all things are possible with God through Jesus.

Ways to Pray

There are as many ways to pray as there are people who pray. You can pray as a part of a group, individually, in pairs, and basically any way that is comfortable for you and God. You many want to change how you pray or to learn other ways to pray to give you more understanding of the strengths of communication with God. Try:
• Formal - prayers written by others and or in services or worship.
• Out loud - prayers that are expressed verbally, informally, and timely. (spontaneous and impromptu.)
• Breath - prayers that are short and are used in harmony with breathing. (quiet reflection)
• Response - prayers that are fill in the blanks or written. (from call and response prayers to formal litanies.)
• Scriptural - prayers that quote from the Word of God.
• Psalms— prayers that are songs or lyrical. (best when sung.)
• Popcorn - prayers that are tossed out like a popcorn machine and passed within a group. (very informal)

Lectio Divina:

A tradition form of prayer is called Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina or “holy reading”, is a way of praying with the Scriptures that allows the words you read to flow into every part of you; thoughts, words, actions, body, mind, and soul. This is a slow process. Relax and deliberately read looking for more depth and breadth as you pray. Expect to hear God speak to you; so, be open to listening to what the Holy Spirit wants you to understand through the passage. Write thoughts and ideas in your journal.

A simple guide to Lectio Divina:

Reading (Lectio):
Take your time and read the passage. Get a sense of what it is saying. Read the passage a second time. Pause on any words or phrases that strike you, and listen in your heart. You might want to write the words or phrases down.

Reflection (Meditatio):
As you pause on the words or phrases that strike you, ask yourself the following questions: What does this passage mean? What does it mean to me or my situation?

Responding (Oratio):
As you get a sense of the passage’s meaning, ask yourself the following questions: What does this passage want me to pray for? What does this passage make me want to say to God?

Resting (Contemplatio):
Take time to be attentive to your heart, where God moves, lives, and speaks within you. Ask yourself the following questions: What do I feel God is saying back to me now that I have responded to God?