Prayer
We invite you to explore a variety of resources. We have categorized them by activity, and they represent a variety of approaches to living a Christian life. This menu is not designed as a “to-do” list, but rather as an offering for individuals to sample and find the activities that bring them closer to God in this particular practice.
In prayer, we engage in conversation with God. We talk, and we listen, although prayer is both spoken and unspoken. We share joys in thanksgiving and sorrows in lament. We ask for help, guidance, and healing for ourselves and for others. We ask for, and receive, forgiveness. In prayer we engage with and respond to God.
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”
Watch
ROOTS prayer: A short from a series of animations that simply explore and explain themes from the Bible and rituals of the church. (2 minutes)
Cynthia Eriksson, associate professor of psychology at Fuller Seminary, reflects on praying during her morning walks and the experience of God’s loving gaze. (2.5 min)
From the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, we invite you to explore new ways to hallow your home, embracing the hopeful possibilities of the domestic church. (20 minutes)
Do
Mad Lib Prayers
Sometimes we know our prayer needs, but need a bit of prompting to get going. This simple Mad Lib Prayer prompt from the Grits and Gravy blog can be used in all situations!
Oh God who . . . (fill in the blank)
We ask that you . . . (fill in the blank)
So that we may . . . (fill in the blank)
In Christ’s name, Amen.
Praying in Color
Praying in Color, a resource from Sybil MacBeth, is for people of all ages. Perhaps you prefer visual prayer, or need help focusing. Or perhaps you are looking for a more creative way to engage with God! Check out the many prayer templates—those labeled for Advent and Lent can really be used at any time, but there are ideas (and examples) from all seasons.
24-7 Prayer International
24-7 Prayer International offers a wealth of prayer resources, from simple prayer to prayers for mission and justice in the world. Start with Help Me Pray if you’re looking for new ideas or to get started in building a prayer habit or discipline. Their Lectio 365 Prayer App is excellent—it offers a daily prayer practice based on Lectio Divina (a method of meditating on Scripture) right on your phone!
The Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer is a resource used in Anglican churches, including the Episcopal Church, around the world. Since its first editions from the 1500s, the BCP has offered consistent and comprehensive access to prayers for all occasions. It is a rich and beloved prayer companion for many Christians. You can purchase a hard copy version through the church office or online, or access the fully online version. We also have two Treasure Hunts to help you get better acquainted with the BCP. Try them out with family or friends!
“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.”
Read
Prayer: When, How, and Why by Raymond Capo
This article from Grow Christians asks us to think about why we talk to God.
How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Normal People by Pete Greig
How to Pray is written to evoke a passion for prayer in everyone―the committed follower of Jesus as well as the skeptic and the scared. The enormous blessing of How to Pray is that it is accessible, full of surprising stories of answered prayer, and tremendously engaging.
Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home by Richard Foster
This is a warm, compelling, and sensitive primer on prayer, helping us to understand, experience, and practice it in its many forms-from the simple prayer of beginning again to unceasing prayer. Richard Foster clarifies the prayer process, answers common misconceptions, and shows the way into prayers of contemplation, healing, blessing, forgiveness, and rest.
Praying with Children
Prayer is a wonderful way to engage children in relationship with God. Just as they are reassured by a parent’s or caregiver’s loving presence, children can share their joys and concerns with God, and are in turn assured of his love for them. Simple prayer habits can be started (or restarted) at any time. Here are a few ideas to try with the children in your life:
Guiding our Kids to Pray >>
Start here for some guidance about introducing a prayer practice to your family.LEGO (or Duplo) Prayers >>
We’ve used this prayer model at LIFE 2.1, Funday School and Wiggle and Worship many times through the years. It’s great for children (and adults) who prefer a more tactile way to pray.Prayer Sticks >>
This article offers instructions and suggestions for making prayer sticks that help practice different kinds of prayer (adoration/praise, petition/asking, intercession/for others, and thanksgiving).Prayer Cubes >>
Mealtimes and bedtimes are great opportunities for daily prayer in households with younger children. Prayer cubes can be used as a fun and tactile way to introduce different prayers. We also have printable cubes that we give to our baptismal families and that can be assembled at home (pro tip: print on heavier paper, and tape works better than glue!)
Three Ideas to Try
Prayer of Examen
The Prayer of Examen is a spiritual practice of reviewing the day to retune ourselves to the sacred in ordinary life. Usually lasting 15–20 minutes and done in the evening, the prayer prompts us to remember God’s presence, express gratitude, reflect on the day, and prepare for the day to come. This film, from Fuller Studio, uses contemplative imagery captured from daily life to show how the prayer’s application is both organic and accessible. We encourage you to watch slowly and prayerfully, using this video and prompts below as an opportunity to practice this ancient prayer in your own life. (18 minutes)
Anglican Prayer Beads
Praying with beads is a way to enter a deeper, more meditative prayer space. The feel of the beads combined with the repetitive nature of the prayers help focus the mind and invite the Spirit in. The Diocese of New Jersey has produced three short videos to teach us about this prayer habit. (5-10 minutes each)
Thy Kingdom Come
Each year, we participate in Thy Kingdom Come, a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray for more people to come to know Jesus. The program runs between Ascension and Pentecost (May 13-23, 2021), but the prayer resources, including videos, prayer journals, and novena devotionals, can be accessed and used at any time.
