How to pray

Understanding Prayer

  • Analogy of Prayer

    • Compares prayer to a one-sided phone call where one person only talks about themselves.

    • Prayer is described as a mutual pouring out of hearts until they become one.

    • Highlights the intimacy of the relationship with God, who is one of the hearts in this exchange.

Starting Prayer with Reflection

  • Opening Invocation

    • Begin with "Dear Lord, I'm sorry for..."

    • Acknowledge being on sacred ground; reflect on personal shortcomings and dark spots.

    • Identify what blocks the relationship with God and seek His guidance to reveal these obstacles.

Understanding God's Nature

  • God's Love

    • Emphasizes God as a loving father, not an angry figure. Compares Him to the father in the parable of the prodigal son who welcomes us back.

    • Encourages the removal of the belief that God is disappointed; instead, recognize His desire to connect with us.

Intercessory Prayer

  • Praying for Others

    • Recognize collective suffering; pray for the sick, dying, and those without hope.

    • Encourage a broad perspective on prayer, invoking intercessions for all who need healing and support.

Personal Supplications

  • Communicating Needs and Fears

    • Jesus's call for simplicity in expressing fears and needs. Share joys and sorrows openly.

    • Understand that God loves us unfathomably and sees even the smallest aspects of our lives.

Perspective on Needs vs. Wants

  • Spiritual vs. Material Welfare

    • Recognize Jesus's emphasis on seeking spiritual guidance over material needs.

    • After presenting personal wants, express surrender to God's understanding of needs, saying, "Lord, you know what I need better than I do."

    • Pray for desires to align with God's will, and ask Him to remove desires that do not serve our spiritual well-being.

The Importance of Gratitude

  • Thankfulness

    • Conclude prayers with simple, heartfelt gratitude.

    • No need for elaborate language; sincerity is key in expressing thanks to God.

Trust in God's Power

  • Closing Affirmation

    • Conclude with the affirmation of God's omnipotence.

    • Trust that through consistent prayer, one can build a deeper, loving relationship with God, evolving from prayer as a monologue into a genuine dialogue with Him.