How to pray
This is my 3rd blog on prayer inspired by a recent trip to Spring Harvest. This is a Christian Conference in the UK where thousands of Christians get together for worship, learning and fellowship.
This year, I went to Minehead week 1 which means I was treated to bible teaching from Pete Greig – “best-selling author, pastor and bewildered instigator of the 24-7 prayer movement which has reached more than half the nations on earth.” I hope he won’t mind I am basing this blog on some simple tips he gave us because I think they’re so brilliant I want more people to know!
Keep it simple
I often struggle when speaking to my Lord and Saviour, I worry I’m not using the right language, that what I’m saying or how I’m saying it is good enough. We all use different language in different circumstances, for example at home with the kids verses out with the lads, that’s normal and natural. But the truth is, God knows me better than I know myself, he knows what language I use an he’s cool with it. If using fancy words is your bag, go for it; but for most people, it’s helpful to be clear and simple about what you want to say. Say sorry, say thank you and ask honestly for your prayers to be answered.
Keep it real
God knows what you’re going to say before you say it. That’s not a reason not to pray but I’m just saying we can’t keep secrets from him. But if he knows everything before we pray, why pray? God knows when you’re angry, when you’re grieving and when you’re worried but it’s up to you to enter into relationship with him, through prayer. If you’re angry, shout and scream; if you’re grieving cry, rant confusion, say what you need to say; if you’re worried tell God about it. There’s no point in pretending everything’s fine if it’s not.
Of course, if you’re experiencing joy, sing about that too!
Keep it up
This has always been the hardest one for me but developing a regular prayer life can be just like any habit. My prayer life has tended to be fairly informal and this has worked for me. If someone I know has needed specific prayer I’ve set time aside to do that but otherwise I’ve tended to chat to God while I’m driving or in the shower. This is fine but I think my relationship with God will benefit from regular prayer. Steve (my husband) and I have promised to pray with each other before bed every night. We have been wanting to do this for a long time but have found reasons not to – now is the season.
If you’re struggling to find a form of prayer that suits you, perhaps check out 10 radical ways to pray.Even if one of these isn’t for you, this might spark some ideas for something you might like to do!
Comments
Thanks for this message. It has blessed me. Is it possible to get an undergraduate scholarship for a person suffering from mental health problem? She got admission to a university in London but very worried about applying for student loan. Kindly broadcast this in case there might be anyone with information for this person that is a mental health patient and a Christian in our ministry.
Thank you once again.
I’m not sure about scholarships but it is standard procedure to use a student loan, that way, it can be paid back if/when you’re earning enough post graduation.