Praying
Even people who don't yet class themselves as Christians, sometimes, for various reasons in their life, feel that they want to pray.
Even new Christians sometimes get confused about what and how to pray.
None of the above is nothing to be afraid or ashamed of.
Many so called "mainstream" Churches have prayer books for their congregation to consult which tells them how and what to pray. Nothing, in our opinion could be more wrong!
Prayer time is an individuals time, alone with God.
Your prayers should come from your heart. The words of your prayers should come from your heart, and they will if you just be honest with yourself and say what you really want to say. As some of you may know, the Bible tells us that God knows what you want to say, even before you actually say it! - That should be no surprise to any of us, after all He created us!
We all go through life wanting that something extra little bit in our life. We don't know what it is, or why we want it, but its there. That desire for something extra, whatever that extra bit may be. When you start to pray on a regular basis you will begin to realise that you have at long last found that extra bit that you have been looking for! - You have found that you now have a relationship with God!
Talk to God - Ask Him what you want - Thank Him for things - You will be suprised at the fact that soon you will start to realise that you actually have a relationship with Him - Prayer can give this to you!
What more could you want for than this?
Now can you see how important prayer actually is?
Even if you chose to come to one of our Church services and our Pastor leads all that are present in prayer then you are still talking to God on an individual basis. Your heart will know what to do, as it will be guided by one of the greatest gifts God has given to each and every one of us, the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The more you pray, the more you will find that you feel yourself being drawn ever closer to God. Trust us - its true! - Try it for yourself and gradually you will REALLY know what we mean!
Prayers don't have to be long drawn out affairs. You don't have to pray for hours upon end, you don't have to pray at set times of the day. You pray when you feel you want or need to pray.
Jesus tells us: "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do. For they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." Matthew 6:7 (King James Bible).
Jesus also taught us what has become known today as the "Lords Prayer". This prayer He taught to the disciples when they asked Him how to pray. It is known also as the model prayer, due to the fact it gives us guidelines, as it were, about what format our prayers should take. As you read The Lords Prayer (below) you will see what we mean when we say "format". It consists (amongst many other things) of praise, worship and thanks to God, our Father, as well as the persons request who is praying, together with asking for forgiveness for sin.
The Lords Prayer: Matthew 6: 9 - 13 (King James Bible)
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen.
One final bit of advice............
However you chose to pray, remember, JUST DO IT! - JUST PRAY!
Ask God what you want help with, thank Him for what he does for you, (after all, you are praying so that means you are alive! - Thank Him for that!) - There are many people out there who may be far less fortunate than you are.
If you have any doubts that you have thanked God enough in your prayers, then after you have said your own personal prayer, then say the above Lords Prayer! - Many people adopt this format.
As time goes on you will get to the stage in prayer where you will find yourself thanking God for answering some of your prayers.
Please, please, do not hesitate to contact us if you would like any advice or help in relation to praying, or would just like to ask us a question about anything you have read here on this page. We would be honoured to help you with this!
We pray that you will pray .....................
In Faith .......................................
The power of prayer is indeed a fact of life!
If you would like for us to pray for you, or for someone that you know who has a need then please complete the contact us form with details of who/what you would like us to pray for. Your prayer will be carried out by our minister.
