Out of interest... how do you pray?

[Appletini]

Do you go to a particular place, say certain things or just talk in your head?

I seem to like praying in empty churches and find it hard to do at home in a way that feels right so interested in what others do, whatever religion you are.

I suppose there's serious, solemn, concentrated praying - empty church? - and there's chatting. These days I often don't speak - in my head or speak out - because whatever is going on is beyond words. Sometimes I sing or listen to music - all music. Beauty is a good prayer, all kinds of beauty - we don't all respond in the same way to different types of beauty ie certain types of beauty are our 'thing' (I haven't put that very well). I've recently started going to morning prayers at the my local CofE church and that's an interesting way to pray. I've never been the sort for that type of prayer but the words are good, focuses the mind. But prayer isn't always about the mind. Praying without my mind (or as far as that is possible..) is interesting, refreshing to just 'be' and see what comes up. Your mind drifts all over the place but God knows what we're there for and he usually tips up - perhaps he likes the chance to pray for us instead of us doing it.

What a lovely reply, thank you.

I am a Catholic and find I can usually easily pray in any church, I also pray at home. I find somewhere where I am alone and I put myself in the presence of God. I will sometimes light a candle or say to God I am lighting the candle inside myself and I sit in God's presence. I experience God relating to me and I know I am not alone. The more I do this the more I experience a deep peace - no matter what is happening in my life. My whole day is different when I take time to pray. I think it helps to pray for at least an hour if you can.

I am also a member of a prayer group - we meet this Friday.

Lookingforfocus- that sounds lovely! Every day I say I am going to spend more time in prayer, but every day whizzes by and I haven t done it. I like the idea of lighting a candle inside myself - will try that, thanks.

Although I said an hour a day, realistically it's always better to start with something very simple, as a wise priest told me once "pray the way you can, not the way you can't". If certain practices just don't feel comfortable and natural to you don't force yourself - instead do what feels doable and what attracts you. As Catholics we believe that all prayer is a gift from God so it is a mutual exchange - the Holy Spirit comes and prays within you. Just open yourself to God in the ways that appeal to you - whether that's quiet prayer at home, praying with a group, praying in nature, singing, working with your hands and giving it as prayer to God, vocal traditional prayers, reflecting on Holy Scripture; There really are endless ways to pray.

We all are very busy and can be distracted but it's a matter of what we make a priority. Realistically if we can find time to read Mumsnet we have time to pray!

I'm going to use the symbol of lighting a candle inside myself, too. I like that and think it will be helpful, thanks. x

I'm not great at being articulate in prayer. In other words, I don't go in for big old dialogues, I'll just have a phrase in my head and repeat it over and over, sometimes. Eg, pease help me have more patience, help me be patient, etc, like a silent chant in my head to Jesus.

Thanks for all your replies. Someone at my church told me she imagines Jesus sitting down at the table with her and listening, which I really liked.

Another idea to reflect upon is that when you have a desire to pray or want to be closer to God, the Holy Spirit is moving within you. So the desire to be together is initiated by God, Jesus wants to be in communion with us as much as we do with him.

A classic and simple form of prayer form the earliest Christian times is contemplation, just being in God's presence. Switch off all internal dialog, don't wonder what to think or say but just be in God's presence. As an elderly parishioner of the the Cure d'ars said when asked why he came daily to the church to pray in front of the tabernacle "He looks at me and I look at him".

This type of prayer is transformative when regularly practiced.

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

2 Corinthians 3:18

sometimes pray can feel a bit like a shopping list this is an old aid

ACTS

A = adoration remembering who God is and what he has done is doing and will do
C = Confession of sins
T = Thanksgiving
S= supplication what we need and want it is ok to ask God for what we want

also the Lord's prayer is a good starting point and can expand personally on each line, we should expect God to answer but not necessarily how we would like him to answer

TeacupDrama, I have been using the ACTS acronym as an aid for about the last month, since being introduced to it by The Bible in One Year, an online HTB resource. I realised I hadn't really being confessing much previously! I spend the first 10 - 30 minutes of my day praying, and the last 10 minutes of each day. Basically, when I wake up and when I go to bed.

During the day, I particularly like communing with God whilst out walking. It just seems right whilst in the middle of His beautifully created nature and I've had some interesting conversations!