meg, not a weird question at all. In fact, I think it's excellent.

I was not brought up very religiously. Although there was/is belief in God's existence and respect, I would call it more spiritual than religous. Although I don't regret not having been immersed in organized religion per se, I have felt on occasion that I've missed certain things by not having had that. This is one of those things -- kind of like missing a "How To" manual. I've thought many times about the question you posed in this thread.

Several years ago I actually bought a little book called "Fifty Ways to Talk to God". I think it's mostly about each of us finding our own way to feel we're communicating and it's not necessarily so easy to figure out. I am very glad you posted this and look forward to coming back to this thread and reading what you all have written when I have time to focus. One thing I do believe is true -- there's more than than fifty ways.

Whether our prayers are a couple of simple words, or a lengthy formal type ...the most important thing to remember is that HE knows what's in our hearts and what we're going to pray for even BEFORE we start to pray. All those Bible verses that have such words as "Come to me...", HE is always there waiting to hear our prayers.
I sometimes ramble, sometimes think more of the needs of others..but it always seems to be a thanks for God's beauty around us, asking our needs and thy will be done, all prayers are said "in the name of your Son", and close them with the AMEN...something that a pastor said to me yrs and yrs ago. Those seem to be the basics although the "innerds" sometime differ. LOL

Hi Meg! I love it when someone asks that question! I think it means that they want to get closer to God and that is truly wonderful!
I talk to God every day as if I was speaking to my friend. In the evening Saffire and I say our prayers...it starts out..."Dear Lord hear our prayer oh Heavenly Father".....then Saff says "Hi God!" We thank him for the day..for each other....we Bless our family and friends..remind him of our love for him and for each other and anything else we want to say..then I say Amen and Saffy who is 1 1/2 says AMEN!
Talk your heart out to him Meg...he hears you and it makes him so happy when you do!!!! God Bless you!

i liked abbie's reply fits in with how I approach prayer

I'm really glad this thread turned out like it did. I was afraid to post because I was expecting people to react like how could she ask such a personal question, but all of your answers have been wonderful and I thank you for all of your insight!

I love it here.

Hmm how do I pray? Well I talk to Him just as I would any earthling. My language is plain English not something King James flowery. Sometimes I'm quiet, sometimes not. My prayers can be as short as "Lord help!" or several minutes long. A prayer can be tears of humility streaming down my face or an angry fist shaking toward the heavens. I'll pray anytime or place I feel the need or desire. I went to a public school when prayer wasn't allowed. I still prayed in school.

Victor- What you gave as an example sounds like a beautiful church service to me. While I do attend church in a designated church building I also firmly believe church can be anywhere you make it, and with only one earthling and God in attendance. Thanks for the visual.

Here are some ways that I pray:

• Sometimes, I just talk to God, but, often I tend to find a structure to be helpful.
• I use the ACT prayer that AMN suggested:
  A – Adoration
  C – Confession
  T - Thanksgiving
  
• I use the 5 BLESSings prayer, either to pray for myself, or for others. I don't always use the whole thing at once -- just pick and choose:
  B – Body – health, protection, strength
  L – Labor – work, income, security
  E – Emotional – joy, peace, hope
  S – Social – love, marriage, family, friends
  S – Spiritual – salvation, faith, grace
• I use the 5-finger prayer:
  1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."
  2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.
  3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
  4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
  5. And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
• Sometimes, I read prayers online, and save them on computer, and go back to them.
• In addition to weekly worship services and Sunday School, I am part of a small group of 6 women who meet every other week for extended sharing and prayer time. Although the group has changed and evolved over time, I have been a part of that group, in one form or another, for 19 years.

Unfortunately, although I have what might be good ideas, I do not pray as often as I should.

~ Faith

Not enough and that makes me sad.

I say thank you when something good happens, everything from getting that parking spot by the front door when I am having a really heavy pain day. To my kids getting a good report from the doctor. A quick prayer for others who need it here and other places and those close to me from wherever I am.

But I tend to fluctuate in the daily type prayers, where I go from a month or two where I feel really close and am able to let go and let God, where I read my bible and my Joyce Meyer books, where I pray more, then to months and months where I am in chaos because I have to be in control and I live in fear and depression.

Like now, I am just now registering some possible bad news regarding my son that I got yesterday. So now I have to make the decision as to how I will handle it. Will I turn it over and pray or will I try to take control

Ah, that is the question!

Really I wish I did it more but tend to fall away.

ya know Christina the ups and downs in prayer life are like that for all of us I think.

today's daily bread devotional also reinforced something to me about prayer.....
HONESTY with God

I know when there seems a jam up in my prayer walk with God, it is usually cos of that ...whether it's something I need to 'fess up to Him or whatever I am feeling toward Him or others or even self, I need to be honest. He already knows.....But He wants to hear me talk about it, so in giving it to Him that way, He can work in and through it for my best.

anyways, here is that daily bread message for anyone interested. I have read most all Philip Yancy's books, and he was oh so spot on with today's message for me

http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-d.../devotion.aspx

praying for a very blessed day for all who have posted or are reading this thread.

Thank you Chemar, I use to get the Daily Bread booklets in outpatient and I surely miss them. I had found a link and as soon as I found it, it became no good.