How do you pray?

[mamaroo]

Although I have been a Christian for over 5 years now, I still don't feel comfortable with my prayers. I say many small prayers through out the day, but when it comes to evening prayers I'm always so overwhelmed with remebering who I should pray for, what I should be praying for, and so on. I often fall asleep or my mind just wonders on to other things as I am praying.

How much time do you spend praying? Is it different every night? Do you feel as if you are truly speaking with God?

[justmeNmine]

I don't know if I can be of much help, because I also have a hard time with structured prayers; the pastor at my old church spoke of having a prayerful spirit and that has helped me to pray- I don't sit in a certain position or clasp my hands to gether or anything like that. Sometimes I become absorbed in prayer so it takes on a meditative feel... I don't usually pray out loud... I'm interested in reading what others contribute to your question- I'll see if I can find the verse my pastor spoke of; there are many verses in the Bible that tell us how we should pray.

[meg]

I pray for different amounts of time each night. I usually start "Dear Heavenly Father" then sit quietly and just focus on God for a few minutes. Then I begin praying about whatever comes to me first. It usually flows from there.

If I feel my mind wandering (and yes, that does happen to me too ), I then pray "Lord, please help me to focus on You alone. Please help me to put all other things out of my mind and concentrate only on You." I find by acknowledging that my mind is wandering, and asking God for help, it brings my focus back onto Him, and helps me to concentrate.

Yes, I do really feel like I'm talking to God. I often stop while praying, and sit quietly, just focussing on God, giving Him time to reach me too, instead of monopolising the conversation

[imported_rachel]

I keep a list for the longer, more formal prayers naming family, friends, urgent but longstanding issues... and some of the general stuff like missions, leaders, churches, and also for the growth of dh and I.

To help me with fam/friends I use:
1.Keep them from evil
2.Sanctify them through Thy Truth
3.That God's love be in them
4.That they will know and glorify the one true God
5.That they gain knowledge of God/ Spir. Growth
6....for their faults, and for healing
3 John 1:2 ...mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

For dh and/or me, lines like:
That we understand what to do, and do such, with the blessings given to us
That we grow in wisdom always, and grow closer to the Lord and know Him better, always
That we resist temptation (spirit overcoming flesh always), and are rebuked for anything impure in our life
That we (mt 5:44) “Love our enemies, bless them that curse us, do good to them that hate us, and pray for them which despitefully use us, and persecute us.”
That we are perfected in forgiveness and mercy, trusting for and giving
That our mind is set on true treasures
That we watch
That we be content and not proud, and cast any worry/cares over to You


And just having it there in the open, I'll remember some of the "urgent" cases whenever I see it and that prompts more prayer.

For some things I remember (this is on my sheet too):
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Esp. online, sometimes you can't get the full story to give a detailed or accurate request, but if something seems amiss {but it's puzzling} all you can do is be fairly general, God already knows what they need.

Anyhow, ever since printing out the list I do pray a lot more!

[kassismom]

I do a lot of talking to God throughout the day- as the person or situation comes to mind. I catch my mind wandering and myself getting tired at night too.

What helps me is a prayer list or journal to keep up with requests. If you see some requests on c-moms, you can just open up a file under word or notepad....anything like that, and then just check them every time you turn your computer on. I have a section on e-sword that lets you make a prayer list, and that's what I like to use.

[kymommy]

I get out of bed and get on my knees. Because of my kids, my "formal" prayer time is pretty short, but I just feel like I can't face the day without praying for my family and praying for God's strength and guidance for the day.
To help me focus, I like to imagine Jesus kneeling beside me with His arms around me, listening as I talk to him.
kymommy

[4HisGlory]

I don't like having repetative prayers I like to go to God without a "game plan" most of the time. I also have a prayer list on esword. Most of my prayer life is spontanious though and through out the day. I pray outloud, which really helps keep me from wondering. I also pray for God to help me keep focus when my mind starts to wonder. I let God lead the prayer, and remind me of who I need to pray for. I always praise God for the work he is doing in my life and others. If I am finding it especially hard to concentrate I get on my Knees or in a bowing position.

[ChamomileFriend]

I talk to God several times a day, every day- I guess you could call them mini-prayers. At night when I usually pray for the bigger things - i.e. relatives who are in the hospital, it is harder to keep track of the other things people asked me to include in my nightly prayers that I said I would - I am going to try that e-sword software that was mentioned to see if it helps.

[Gods girl]

Hi

I also have mini prayers throughout the day and I also find that a prayer journal is a very good thing! I also keep a thanksgiving journal - if you write down everything that you're thankful for and give thanks for it, it helps.

I talk to God all through my day. If I awake at night I talk to Him then too. I no longer have a formal prayer time. Late at night I lie in bed and talk to God. Any situation that arises or request that comes to me in prayed about aloud or silently the moment it comes, otherwise I'll forget it within the hour...I also pray for a safe return each time my husband or child leaves without me...Usually I'll pray whenever I feel the Spirit leads me whether its a personal need, friend's need, or something I hear in the news..