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Why do we pray? We pray to connect and build a relationship with a higher power. Those of us who are of the Abrahamic faiths pray to God, YHWH or Allah, depending on which tradition we follow. The three largest of the Abrahamic faiths are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam and trace their roots back to the biblical patriarch Abraham. They believe in monotheism: that there is a single, all-powerful, and all-knowing Creator.
Other religions may pray to a higher being or specific deities, depending on what they are seeking. Hinduism follows this path. Buddhism does not pray to a creator god. They chant or meditate to the Buddha or other enlightened beings to show reverence, seek guidance, or cultivate inner peace. Other spiritual traditions, such as Indigenous, Pagan, and others, pray to nature, the universe, or their ancestors.
The purpose of prayer is not just to ask for something; it is to offer praise and thanksgiving. We acknowledge the many blessings we have received from the higher being that we believe in. Those blessings may be the weather, good fortune, safe travels, or anything that we think is a blessing.
Many people say that they do not know how to pray. There is no right or wrong way to pray. People are often afraid that they will say the wrong words. This is the furthest thing from the truth. Prayer is just a heart-to-heart conversation with God. Just come as you are, and speak honestly. God desires to be in an unconditional, loving relationship with you. When I pray, I think of God as a good friend. Others talk to God as if they are talking with a loving parent. I talk with God about my joys, my hurts, my desires, my blessings, for being present in my life. I pray for my friends, family, and the world – really, anything that I find important in my life. One thing to remember is that prayer is a two-way conversation. It is also important to be open to listening to God.
One suggestion is to take a moment after praying to sit quietly, reflect, and listen for how you might feel guided by God's presence.
I have a few suggestions if you are new to praying or don't know where to begin. First, I would find a quiet space, which in today's 24/7 world may be difficult. Maybe go to your bedroom, or if you live alone, turn off the television, radio, or cell phone, and sit quietly. When I was a young mother, I would go to the bathroom and close the door.
Second, address God directly. Dear God, Heavenly Father, Loving Creator: acknowledge God as you see God. Next, express gratitude for your blessings, for God's goodness and mercy, for just being present in your life.
Continue by sharing your needs and concerns. Tell God freely what your needs are, mention things you are struggling with, and ask for guidance. Always remember to ask for forgiveness for your mistakes and shortcomings. Ask for God's grace and help to forgive others.
When I wanted to structure my prayer life, I asked a dear friend. She suggested "The A.C.T.S. Method." This is a very popular acronym used by many for structured prayer time. A is for Adoration, which is simply praising God for being God. C is for Confession, which is confessing our sins and mistakes. T is for Thanksgiving: thanking God for what God has done in our lives. S is for Supplication, which is asking for our needs and the needs of others.
Examples of prayer can be found in the Bible if you need a place to start. Jesus prays often in the Bible. He left us an example in the Lord's Prayer, which can be found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4). He taught it to his disciples when they asked him to teach them how to pray. So, it offers another structure to follow.
The Book of Psalms has many prayers in it. Many of the psalms were written by David. Some of his psalms are prayers. Psalm 64 is a prayer; it begins with "Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from the dread enemy" (ESV). The beginning of Psalm 22 is quoted by Jesus on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" David starts Psalm 8, "O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (NRSV). David is praising God. There are many more examples of prayers both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Following the examples of Jesus and David, remember that we pray to connect with God. In addition to our personal prayers, I believe in today's society we also need to pray for the world.
May your journey into prayer help bring you closer to your God and peace in your everyday life.
Debra Smith, Christ Episcopal Church, Williamsport