Thinking about praying but not sure where to start?
The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray and has been used by Christians throughout history.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
The following guide to private prayer has been reproduced from churchofengland.org.
Sometimes we need to offer ‘arrow prayers’, asking for God’s immediate help in a particular situation. But thankfully we don’t live all our lives in moments of extreme crisis. What about day-to-day praying?
We often wish to pray by ourselves as we try to share in Christ’s prayer to his Father. Whether you are a child, young person or an adult, prayer is easier than you might imagine! Millions of people of every age pray every day.
Remember that God hears every prayer—but not all prayers are answered in the way we might expect or desire: we don’t always pray for his will to be done! Prayer is a discipline – it can be difficult at times, just like keeping fit, being on a diet, or keeping weeds down in the garden. Little and often is best, but don’t give up! No prayer, however inadequate you may feel it to be, is ever wasted or of no value.
Use your hand as a model
Your fingers can be used to bring to mind different things to pray for.
- Thumb
This is the strongest digit on your hand. Give thanks for all the strong things in your life, like home and family, relationships that support and sustain you. - Index finger
This is the pointing finger. Pray for all those people and things in your life who guide and help you. Friends, teachers, doctors, nurses, emergency services and so on. - Middle finger
This is the tallest finger. Pray for all the important people who have power in the world, like world leaders and their governments, members of parliament and local councillors, the Royal Family, other world leaders and their governments. - Ring finger
This is the weakest finger on your hand. It can’t do much by itself. Remember the poor, the weak, the helpless, the hungry, the sick, the ill and the bereaved. - Little finger
This is the smallest and the last finger on your hand. Pray for yourself.
When should I pray?
Traditionally, prayer times have been morning and evening, but you can choose a time which is best for you. It helps to be somewhere quiet, where you can have some time for yourself.
What do I need?
You might like to set up a special place in which you pray regularly. You might also place an open Bible, a cross, a candle, an icon or another picture, to give the time and space special significance.
You don’t have to know any prayers if you want to pray – in fact, words can often get in the way. But you may wish to write down or memorise some prayers that speak to you, especially the Lord’s Prayer. You could build up a collection of favourite prayers and sayings and keep a scrapbook. Or you could use a collection of prayers such as The Book of Common Prayer.
Join your prayers with the prayers of others with The Church of England Prayer of the Day.
Local resources for you to download or pick up a copy when you visit.
Use the church as a prompt to prayer with An Architecture of Prayer.
Prayers for the children, youth and young families of the parish.
