Q. What is prayer?
A. Prayer is making connection with God.
Q. When can I pray to God?
A. Any time. Many people turn to God in prayer when they are in need, in times of sickness or crisis. But it is also appropriate to ask for forgiveness, to say thank, to express love and intimacy.
Q: Will God grant my request?
A. We can be sure that God does hear our prayers, and that they will be answered in the way that is best for us. This may not always be in the way we think or imagine. If we take time to note how God is answering our prayers, we will begin to see new ways of being faithful and responding to God.
Q: Is there is a special way that I should pray?
A: There is no formula about how we should pray. We can pray with beautiful set prayers, or we can speak to God in our everyday language. We can even pray in silence ( look further down).
We can pray for ourselves and we can pray for others. We can pray on our own, or it is helpful to pray with others.
If you would like our Cooperating Parishes to pray for you
Contact us at sisincar@chariot.net.au
RESOURCES FOR PRAYER
Prayers for Faith
Holy God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
I trust you,
I believe in you,
I love you.
Lord, I believe, help my unbelief.
In darkness and in light,
In trouble and in joy,
Help us, O God, to trust your love,
To seek your purpose,
And to praise your name;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer of love and commitment.
O Holy Jesus, most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may I know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly, day by day. Amen.
Prayers for Healing.
Almighty God, giver of life and health, hear our prayers for............... that by your blessing on him/her and those who minister to him/her, he/ she may be restored to health of body and mind, according to your will, and give thanks to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lord Jesus, you took children in you arms and blessed them: bless ............... your child, and hold him/her in your love. Make him/her well and fill him/her with your peace; for your name’s sake. Amen.
Prayers in grief.
Gracious God, surround us and all who mourn with your continuing compassion. Do not let grief overwhelm your children, or be unending, or turn them against you. May we travel more peacefully and come at last, in the fellowship of all your people to the haven where we long to be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Merciful God, we pray for those in grief.
When we cannot understand the things that happen, and are weighed down by grief and loneliness, uphold us in your love. Give us the assurance of your constant care, that we may have courage for the days ahead, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Now and at the hour of our death
Support us, O Lord, all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONTEMPLATION AND MEDITATION
Being still in the presence of God
If you wish to spend time with God in quiet and silence, find a time when you can be alert and uninterrupted for at least 10- 15 minutes.
Find a place where you can be at home and comfortable….. a comfortable chair, (but not one where you will go to sleep!).
Sit still. Put a clock where you can see, so you are not tempted to move to see how long you have been still. (or set a timer).
Recall that you are coming into the presence of God. Express your longing to come close to God, and ask for his care and protection as you come near to him.
God is with you, closer than breathing, nearer to you than hands and feet.
Begin by observing your breathing, in and out, being aware of the coolness of the breath as you breathe in and the warmth as you breath out. Try not to miss a single breath as you observe your breathing. As you monitor your breathing, your mind is focussed and less like to be scatty.
Choose a WORD that you are going to use in this prayer. Maybe JESUS, LOVE, PEACE, BE STILL. Decide on a word and use the same one for at least a few weeks. As you breath in and out, saying your word, slowly, gently. Continue to repeat your word as you breath. Do not try to think about the meaning of the word: merely use it as something for the mind to focus on so it is not distracted by other thoughts.
It is normal to be distracted. Don’t be disillusioned. When you observe that your mind has wandered, return gently and say your Word once more.
When you have done this for ten minutes or so, then end the prayer with thanks for what God has done in you in the silence or in the distractedness.
Begin to come out of the silence, moving slowly before you get up.
If you find this style of prayer helpful and need more assistance please email me