What is Prayer

Reepham Benefice

Supporting Understanding of the Christian Faith
Prayer: Your Questions Answered

“We too are on a journey of discovering what prayer is,
and are more than happy to help you to
begin or further your own journey.”

One of the questions people often ask is , “What is prayer”? Many people learn to pray as children, with simple prayers asking God for something that they want or need in their lives, or saying, “thankyou”.

There are many books written on prayer, both talking about what prayer is and how to pray. Some books even include prayers that people have written to help us to engage with God in this way. Whilst many written prayers are very helpful, to really pray, we need to learn to be comfortable with God, to have some idea of what prayer is, and to use our own words because prayer is a very personal thing.

Prayer can come in various forms, but fits broadly into two categories. Firstly, there is what might be called corporate prayer, and secondly, personal prayer.

Corporate prayer is perhaps the starting point for most people. It is the sort of prayer that is experienced when we go to Church, and is often led by someone , who either reads set prayers from a book, or ones they have written. It can also be something spontaneous, but however the prayers are formed they are said publically, on behalf of all those who are gathered. Personal prayer is something quite different, although the same methods , i.e. using a book, can be used.

One of the biggest questions relating to prayer is that if God knows even our thoughts before we have formed them, as the Bible says, then why pray at all? The answer lies both in the example of Jesus, and in what it means to know God.

What is the Point of Prayer?

In this age of an ever shrinking world, some people have begun friendships on-line via email or chat rooms. They have begun a form of

communication, which is often shielded by not really knowing what each other is like. For instance, it is often said that it is not until we live with another person that we really know what they are like. Many couples when courting gain each others confidence, and get to know each other to a certain extent, but it is not until they begin to share their lives together, and in particular share their inner most thoughts that they really begin to find out what each other is really like. Similarly, we can learn a considerable amount about who God is , and how he relates to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit from other Christians and from the Bible itself, but it is not until we take the plunge and begin to have a relationship with Him in prayer that we begin to really know who is, and who we are too. For prayer is at its most fundamental level is about being ourselves with God, speaking to him in our own words and, most importantly learning to listen to Him. Prayer is so often misunderstood as a one-way street, we ask or tell God, and He delivers, or not as the case may be. Prayer is about being ourselves, and having the space to listen as well as speak.

How Can I Learn to Pray?

There are many books available to help in this area, and many Christians have learned from each other. The most important rule, is actually to be confident in being ourselves in prayer, and finding a way that works for us. This might be to begin with prayers that we already know, or to use one of the many prayer books that are available. A good start is to find a time that is good to be with God, without any distractions, and to try to stick to that time on a regular basis. Many people find that first thing in the morning, or just before going to bed is a good time. Once you find the best time for you, then really make that time a special one and ensure that it allows you both time to say what you want to say, and to listen to what God is saying to you.

How Do I Listen to God ?

Many people find this part of prayer a difficult one. Our minds are full of distractions and thoughts of our daily routines, worries and joys. Try to empty these thoughts by speaking to God about them, giving them to him as you pray, and then once these have been offered up, try to stop

and listen. Sometimes, it is in the offering up of these thoughts that we realise that God is speaking to us through them. One of the ways in which people begin to learn the art of listening in prayer is to use repetition. Rather like a ticking clock, a simple prayer, such as the Jesus prayer, “Lord have mercy on me a sinner” said over and over rhythmically can help us to settle into listening. Some people find that using a tool such as Rosary beads as a tool to help this repetition, using the traditional “Hail Mary” or any type or repetitive words helpful in bringing this rhythm into a time when we can listen more readily.

Does It Take a Long Time to Learn to Pray?

Learning to pray is easy, it is about learning to be with God, in our own thoughts and words, but it is a lifetimes journey, and the way in which we pray changes as we grow in our relationship with God. don’t be afraid to experiment and try out different forms of prayer, and don’t be afraid to let yourself go, it is about being the real you before God.

Sometimes When I Pray and Ask God For Something It Seems That He Doesn’t Answer.

God always listens and answers our prayer. Sometimes the answer might not be what we want, sometimes the answer may take many years, an sometimes when we ask for something we find that it is in the asking that we understand the answer.

I Want To Learn More About Prayer, What Should I Do?

The Reepham Benefice Ministry team are here to help you in any way that they can. None of us our experts, but between us we have considerable experience of different forms of prayer and know what it is to struggle in our prayer lives. We have opportunities almost every day of the year in the Benefice to meet for corporate prayer, and hold regular prayer mornings each month. We too are on a journey of discovering what prayer is, and are more than happy to help you to begin or further your own journey.