Can’t find a time-out from your hectic schedule? You don’t need a perfectly serene meditation room to pray effectively, though it helps some of us to be centered and calm. But you can pray anywhere, anytime, in any kind of environment. A quick prayer in the middle of a hectic work shift? Make it happen. A shout of praise after you score a touchdown? Good call. Driving down the highway during rush-hour? Just as long as you drive safely.
If it helps to speak out loud, go ahead and do it. If you’d rather keep your prayers to yourself, that’s perfectly fine too. It helps some practitioners to bow their heads and close their eyes during prayer, but it’s also perfectly fine to leave your eyes open. Speak normally. Prayer doesn’t need to involve a lot of “thou” “thee” or “thines. " The all-knowing, all-feeling being that you worship is smart enough to understand your language, whatever that language is.
Before meals Before sleep After waking During idle time During stressful moments
You don’t need to make excuses for your actions or try to explain yourself. Just confront the things that you’ve done that you’re feeling guilty about. What would you like to change about yourself? What would you like to change about your life? Ask for forgiveness. [4] X Research source Giving up some of yourself to a higher power can be a big challenge, and an emotional experience for many people. It can be humbling to ask for forgiveness, or to admit that you need help, but it’s also one of the most important parts of prayer.
If it helps, come up with a list and keep it by your bedside, or on your table to reference when you pray. List the things you’re thankful for.
Try to stay focused on your feelings and your emotions, not on the specific details. You’re not praying to ask god to strike down your boss, who works you too hard. You’re praying for protection, for strength, and for guidance. Your asking for help.
Learn the traditions of your religion when you pray during formal worship services. Again, there’s no one way, but it helps the flow of the service if you understand basically when it’s time to participate in a call and response, when it’s time to kneel, and other ritualized prayer activities.
Be humbled. Again, prayer isn’t like writing to an advice column, or making withdrawals from a bank. Remember who you’re talking to, and who you’re opening yourself up to. Be respectful and speak with humility. Don’t try to feel god doing anything while you pray, and don’t try to have an “experience. " The loudest in the room is not the strongest, and by no means is the quietest the most wise. If you feel emotional, that’s fine, but you don’t need to be taken in by dramatic displays of “devotion. "
Even if you’re a devout believer, you’re still the one with the free will to choose your own path. You’re the one who’s in charge of your own life, and it’ll be your job to make the right decision. If you asked for a job, go look for one. If you asked for your children to behave better, teach them to do so. Prayer is an effective tool for many people, but it’s also not an excuse for avoiding making plans. You still have to live your life. Not writing a will when you’re sick because “God will provide” is being irresponsible. Not finding work to feed your family because you’re “praying for food” is a misunderstanding of prayer.
It’s also common to make “prayer requests” in some churches, when some people are going through rough patches. If a loved one is sick, you might reach out to others to pray together. Find others through your church or in your area who pray regularly.
If you haven’t prayed for a while, don’t be afraid to start again. It’s like riding a bike–you may feel a little shaky at first, but you’ve still got it in there. Try again.
