12 Tips to Writing Your Own Prayers
Over the course of the last couple of years and probably even longer than that, much negativity has been made of the idea of prayer. Especially in the face of leadership inaction over some of the horrible tragedies that instigated the hollow, empty and sometimes angry feeling felt when the words “thoughts and prayers” were spoken as if just “words” would be enough.
I am a firm believer that everything we think, say and do are prayers. We are praying now as I write and as you read. We are always in connection with the Divine for there is no where that the Divine is not. So it is essential we reclaim our power from those who would dispel it by making us believe it has no value.
In that light, prayer can be an incredibly powerful tool. It has been known to bring peace, comfort and even healing in the midst of life’s ups and downs.
Prayer can bring us closer to and help us develop a deeper relationship and even a deeper sense of connectedness with the God of our understanding. It can also help us to become more mindful and present in the moment, and to focus our attention on what really matters for us in the moment.
Prayer can also help us find needed strength and courage in difficult times, and to have the kind of faith in the face of adversity that allows us to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Prayer can bring us closer to each other, as well, by helping us to understand and respect each other's beliefs, faiths and worldviews. To recognize and embrace the diversity of ways to pray that exist in communities all around us only enriches our own practices that can sometimes grow stale.
Ultimately, prayer is about cultivating a connection with the divine, and can be a powerful source of inspiration and guidance.
I have heard that “prayer is talking to God” and Meditation is “listening”. While they can be the same I believe they are different prayer processes that have value and function on their own and together. Talking can be a beautiful way to sit with the Divine and give voice to the things on ones heart.
Sometimes we use prayers that others have written, ones from memory or our spiritual communities. Another meaningful and equally powerful way is to write a prayer of one’s own.
Here are some tips to help with writing your own prayers.
Set aside a time and place where you can pray without distractions.
- the space you regularly use becomes charged with spiritual energy and the mind and body become accustomed to get into “prayer mode” as a result of this practice. There is no hard and fast rule - sometimes where you are is where you need to start your prayer.
Read and meditate on a Bible, Quran, Torah, Vedic or other spiritual passage or verse that speaks to you. It does not have to be “religious” - but it can be.
Free write for a bit to get “warmed” up.
Acknowledge your need for Divine/God's help.
Add prayers for others who are in need and who are not.
Ask for guidance and wisdom in any situation you are facing.
-now your are getting a bit more specific about the “help” in step #4.
Write. Actually write.
Confess any “sins” you have committed and ask for forgiveness.
- this does not have to be a christian endeavor, but it can be, it is just a suggestion that whatever “wrong” or uncomfortable thing is sitting on your heart give voice to it and take ownership of your part so that there is no “negative” energy blocking your connection the the Divine. Because whatever is connected will manifest.
Make a list of requests that are on your heart.
Speak words of praise and Gratitude.
Make your prayer personal by telling God how you feel or asking for what you want.
End your prayer by taking a few moments in silence, to sit with all you have said and turned over. Then add some words of thanks for answered prayers.
-here the gratitude is to put us in a posture of answered prayer. If I remember correctly Jesus said that when we pray we should pray as if we already had what we wanted.
That’s it. You do not have to follow every point. The ideas are just to help get your prayer juices flowing. It may take practice before you feel like you have something that works. But that is ok. Take what ever time you need. This is about your relationship with the God of your understanding.
I hope this has been helpful. Please pass it on and continue to be blessed to be a blessing!