Prayer

Prayer is more than a chance for us to speak to God. It is an active way of seeking God's presence, bringing our lives before him and being open to his will for us and for the world.

There are many different ways of praying, and there is no 'wrong' or 'right' way.

You can pray

with words or without;
out loud or in silence;
using images or actions;
at home, in church or even in the bath!

"Pray as you can; don't try to pray as you can't."

It is not we who pray, but the Holy Spirit who prays through us.

Prayer is not just something we do privately, but a way of building up our life together as a Christian community. During the Mass, an important part of our spiritual life, we participate in several different types of prayer:

Praise
Ask
Repent
Thank
Share

Try to set aside some time each day for prayer (even if it's just ten mins).
Think about:

Where? How? With Whom?

How could you pray better?

We ask the Saints to pray for us.

Why? Simply it is the right thing to do and God wants us to. After all, the Saints, meaning Holy one, have done special works of healing through God's will. If we pray to the Saints, then we are praying to God through them.

Our Church is dedicated to Saint John the Evangelist, one of the Apostles. We also have an altar dedicated to Saint Francis. Our Walsingham Cell is dedicated to Saint Sexburgha.

You can find out about these two saints and many others

Daily Saint from Catholic.org

Daily Saint from Saints.SQPN.com

Icons of Jesus and the Saints

We ask for Our Lady to pray for us.

Our Lady or Mary, Mother of Our Lord, is the most special of all the Saints. Asking for her to pray for us magnifies Christ's glory by honouring his Mother.

One prayer that we commonly use is the Hail Mary (see below).

Websites to visit:

Learn to Pray

How to pray with a Rosary

Rosary Tapes

Some ways of Praying

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the Saints according to the will of God.

Romans 8: 26 - 27

Using a Mantra

Choose a short phrase, such as a sentence of Scripture or a line from a hymn or poem. Repeat it quietly and meditatively.

Using Icons or Images

Making the Sign of the Cross

Lighting a Candle

Daily Prayer from ReJesus

Daily Prayer from Praying Each Day

Daily Worship from Church of England

The Jesus Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

Son of the Living God,

have mercy on me,

 a sinner.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art though amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen

The Cross in my Pocket

I carry a Cross in my pocket, a simple reminder to me of the fact that I am a Christian no matter where I may be.

This little Cross is not magic nor is it a good luck charm, it isn't meant to protect me from every physical harm.

It's not for identification for all the world to see, it's simply an understanding between my Saviour and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket to bring out a coin or a key, the Cross is there to remind me of the price he paid for me.

It reminds me too, to be thankful for my blessings day by day and to strive to serve Him better in all that I do and say.

It's also a daily reminder of the peace and comfort I share with all who know my master and give themselves to his care.

So, I carry a Cross in my pocket reminding no one but me that Jesus Christ is the Light of my Life if only I'll let him be.