Prayer

Recently in F2G, we have been discussing the importance of prayer. We all know that sometimes it can be difficult to pray, as life is so busy and rushed that this vital element can often be missed out altogether.

 It was also recognised how prayer is used as a last resort, after we’ve tried everything else, even though really it should be our first option. How easy it is to pray we when want something, or when something has gone terribly wrong, compared with when life is going well, and prayer doesn’t seen to be needed.

 This topic brought up many issues within our group that people were worried about, or struggling with.

What should we say when we pray? How should we word it? Are there certain things that we need to mention? What kind of language should we use? These were just some of the things we were thinking about. After talking about it, we decided that everyone prays differently, and that it is very personal.

How you pray reflects your character, so for some people, this may mean using more complex vocabulary, or certain structures that they are comfortable with. However, for others it can mean informally chatting with God. Really, it doesn’t matter, because God knows what you mean, and He knows the motives of your heart. As long as we use prayer to thank, respect and worship Him, and not just list off our demands, then God will be pleased.

Additionally, we thought of how important it is to participate in group prayer. This could mean when we pray together as a congregation in church, or just meeting up with a friend to pray for each other. Sometimes praying with others can be really encouraging, especially when you are finding it hard to pray, or even just to find the words to say.