I want to pray but…

WHY SHOULD I PRAY?

Prayer is the only way to build a relationship with God. We can go to church every week, read the bible daily, volunteer to help feed and clothe the poor, and pay our tithes faithfully. Unless we add daily prayer to those things, we will never have a deep personal and intimate relationship with Him. So many people put prayer at the bottom of their “to do” list because they do not understand the importance of it. God wants us to know Him. He already knows all about us. He knows our voice, our thoughts and dreams. To truly know Him, we must talk to him as well as read His word.

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7

So many people feel they don’t know how to pray, or feel their prayers are not adequate because they can’t quote scripture, or their prayers aren’t long enough or they haven’t been born again long enough to pray properly. When praying for yourself or others, do not worry about how your prayer is phrased, how long you pray or where you pray. There is no right or wrong way to pray and do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Prayer is a different experience for everyone. God wants us to talk with Him and it should be as you would talk to your friends or family. Pray for others whenever you think of them (at work, home, doing chores, in the car). Soon, praying for others will become a part of your daily life and your will see your personal prayer time with God lead you to a deeper and more intimate level with Him. If you are using a prayer list take a moment to read each request. You can pray for each person individually for their specific need, or you can say a corporate prayer asking God to meet each persons need.

The following is taken from the unityonline website…

Prayer is connecting with God. In prayer, you create a sacred space in which you commune with God. Use the following 5-Step Prayer Process to deepen your connection with God, to heighten your awareness of God within you. Experience the power of prayer.

Relax
Set aside time each day for prayer. Begin your quiet time by relaxing your body and opening your mind to an awareness of God. Breathe deeply, knowing that you are in the presence of God and the presence of God is within you. Let go of your concerns and know that all is well.

Concentrate
As you close your eyes and release any thought of the world around you, begin to think about God … about God’s presence in your life. Focus your mind on a single thought or idea or scripture that resonates with you. Repeat this idea over and over, either silently or aloud until it becomes your only thought.

Meditate
Allow this focused state of mind to move you into a deeper awareness of God. “Be still … and know that I am God.” Be still as you connect with this divine presence within you.

Realize
From the depth of your being, know that you are one with God. This knowing, this realization as you experience God’s holy presence is “silent soul communion.” In this receptive state of mind and heart, listen for the inspiration of God, the answers to your prayers.

Give Thanks
Let gratitude be your heart’s joyous response to this experience of communion with God and with God’s infinite goodness. Give thanks for blessings to come.