Hi Meg, when you pray just use the same voice you use with us. He hears you and He really does care.

When I first started this walk with Christ I went to my pastors wife and asked her this very same question. I didn't know how to pray. Many in the church will pray out loud and they always sound so eloquent in their words.

When I tried to do that it wasn't me talking. I was saying what I thought they wanted to hear not what I wanted God to hear from me. I have even turned down a request to pray at the beginnning of our bible study and felt no guilt or remorse for that. I am just not comfortable praying out loud in front of people. Maybe that will come someday...maybe not and I am OK with that.

So now my prayers sound like I am having a conversation with an old friend who I know I can say anything to without feeling stupid. I talk about my day, thanking Him for the good and the bad, ask Him to watch over whoever is on my mind at the time.

Usually I will sit down with a specific thought in mind to pray about then it ends up being all about something else. I believe that is God helping to lead my prayers.

I am so proud of you Meg, you are a strong confident woman and with God on your side you can't lose. ...Sue

Hey, Meg,

There is really just no "wrong" way to pray, here's a little proof :

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.ph...a27a0c99bff671

I will some times pray quick little prayers at any time.

Sometimes I pray longer prayers. I start by asking Gods forgiveness for my sins,and I forgive those who have done wrong to me,then I say my prayer. At the end of my prayer,I say in Jesus Name. BF

Thank you!!! I absolutely love the video. I so have to show my son, he will love it too lol.

I pray in all sorts of ways! Always trying to be mindful of God and who I am and what experience I'm having, I am quick to say, "Thank You" whether it's for the open handicap parking place or for not letting me change lanes when there was a car flying by, or for allowing me to find one more can of favorite soup hidden in the panty!

But I do have a routine of praying too, and I follow what others have shared also. First I do pray to God the Father, through the Holy Spirit, in the Name of the Son. (Hope it's okay to say all that.)
Adoration of His mercy and wonderfulness, and for being There for me always. And then I ask Him to keep safe and to bless the people I love, the people they love, and then also the people those people love. (I feel that will help keep the ones I know and love safe and happy.) And I add in the main concerns of my life, and those who had shared with me their concerns to pray about.

I thank Him for what He has given me, and ask for contentment, to change my "want to" to coincide with His wanting me to... And I thank Him for my service dog and ask that He help him learn faster and better.

I normally just chatter away out loud. I say thank you a lot too, out loud.

As a child, I was told to get on my knees, put my hands together in a little steeple gesture and always told to say the "now I lay me down to sleep" routine, and bless tons of people in my family. Haven't done that since (not like that).

Yes, normally just chatter unless it's something really really big/bad, I sometimes fall to my knees and ask for help.

LOL Doody, you reminded me of something I noticed when we were chattering in person that one day. I didn't tell you then, but it made my heart smile and I wanted to hug you. Hadn't seen anyone do that in YEARS.

((Meg)) - When I was young, I didn't know how to pray either. Seemed like there were so many ways, and everyone seemed to believe only their way was the right way. So, I gave it a shot at just being myself. I used to sit cross-legged in my back yard, picking at the grass and chattering away at God about everything that was on my mind. I didn't hesitate to show whatever emotion was controlling my thoughts at the time, even when I was angry and in pain. I figured God was strong enough to handle a bratty child throwing a hissy fit, or an illiterate child looking for some direction in life.

I hope you'll be able to find your connection - be it in a building or out in a field of grass somewhere.

So on top of talking outloud (in the car, the shower, wherever) I have created my own nightly routine I call the 10-5-3-1 lol

The 10: 10 People/Groups I want to pray for
I want to pray for ____________.
I pray for their heath, happiness and safety.
I pray that ______________.

The 5: 5 things I am Thankful for.
I am thankful for _____________.

The 3: 3 Things I pray for myself.
I pray for/that _____________.

The 1: The Lord's Prayer.
I end it up with a more formal, tying it all together prayer.

I do the sign of the cross, and kiss my hand and send it on up (like Italians do when something is perfecto lol)


After reading all of your posts, I figured out what worked for me, I'm slowly adding and working on it, but I think what I have now is pretty good.