Simple prayer

Many people tell us, a little embarrassed: “I do not know how to pray.” Some think they need special language, a solemn tone of voice or a neatly ordered list of topics. Others keep memories of prayers memorised in childhood and no longer know what they mean. This reflection is an invitation to start another way: simply, and without fear of getting it wrong.

Prayer is speaking to someone who already hears us

Prayer is not a technique for getting God’s attention. We already have it. To pray is to answer the One who sought us first. That is why Jesus told his disciples they did not need to multiply words as if trying to convince someone: the Father knows what we need before we ask.

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. (Matthew 6:6)

This frees us from a pressure nobody should carry: that of “praying well”. A crooked, short, honest prayer is worth more than a beautiful, distant one. The Psalms are full of complaints, doubts and weariness, and God kept them in the Bible as a model.

A simple way, in four steps

If you have never prayed regularly, you can start with five minutes a day, always at the same time. A simple way to organise that time is to follow four steps, which many people in our church use:

• Pause: take a deep breath and remember you are in God’s presence. You can simply say “I am here”.
• Give thanks: name three things you are grateful for today, however small.
• Ask: talk about what worries you, who worries you and what you need. No beating around the bush.
• Listen: stay a minute in silence, asking for nothing. Often this is where peace arrives.

When the words do not come

Some days we cannot find words. On those days you can slowly read a psalm and make it your prayer, or repeat a short sentence such as “Lord, have mercy on me” or “Jesus, I trust in you”. The Bible says the Spirit intercedes for us when we do not know what to say. You are not failing: you are learning.

Mistakes that are not mistakes

People starting to pray are often worried about certain “failures”: the mind wandering to the shopping list, sleep arriving halfway through, the feeling of talking to the ceiling. These are not mistakes; they are the experience of everyone. When the mind wanders, return without getting cross. When sleep comes, pray kneeling or walking.

The quality of prayer is not measured by the emotion we feel but by the faithfulness of the One who hears it. There are weeks when we feel little, and prayer is still real. What counts is coming back, day after day, to the same conversation.

Praying with others

Praying alone is important, but praying with others multiplies courage. On Sundays at 9:45 am, before the celebration, we gather to pray. One evening a month we also hold a Night of Prayer, open to everyone, where nobody is obliged to speak. If you wish, you can leave your request on WhatsApp and our team will pray for you, discreetly. Start today, with one sentence.