Download ArticleNo matter your faith, being intentional about how you pray can make the experience more meaningful
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This article was written by Olivia Woodford and by How.com.vn staff writer, Dev Murphy, MA. Olivia Woodford is the Founder of Bible Women Speak. Olivia has been teaching biblical stories of women through theater since 1992. She is a member of Biblical Storytellers International and has performed at and hosted learning retreats with churches, schools, and women's groups of all denominations throughout the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Olivia has a BFA in Theater Arts from Boston University.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 1,482,889 times.
To pray means to commune with a spirit or deity that you believe in. While the rituals and conventions of prayer may vary widely, the intention is the same: to renew one's spiritual connection with a power outside themselves.[1] Keep reading for things to consider when praying, whether you’ve been practicing your religion for decades or are a beginner.
This article is based on an interview with Olivia Woodford, founder of Bible Women Speak. Check out the full interview here.
Things You Should Know
- Dedicate regular time to pray. It doesn’t matter where you pray, but it may help to find a peaceful spot that moves you spiritually, like a church or a meadow.
- Pray with intentionality: what are you praying for? Knowing why and to whom you are praying will make the experience more meaningful.
- Beyond that, there’s no “right” way to pray: just say what’s on your heart and let the peace of the spirit or energy you believe in flow through you.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
Preparing to Pray
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Dedicate time to pray. No matter how you pray or whom you pray to, it can be difficult to find time for prayer during busy times. One way to deal with this is to make prayer part of your daily routine, such as praying as soon as you wake up in the morning, right before you go to sleep, or before every meal.[2] There is no wrong time to pray.[3]- Many people pray during emotional times, like when they feel sad, scared, or happy. Some people make it their goal to maintain a state of prayer all the time by remaining conscious of their spiritual connection throughout the day.
- Observant Jews pray 3 times a day (Shacharit, Minchah, and Maariv/Arvith) and Muslims pray 5 times a day. Still others pray completely spontaneously, when the mood calls or when certain occasions arise (for one's parents, before a meal, etc.). In short, do what you feel compelled to do.
Try to find a spot to pray that moves you spiritually. You can pray anytime, anywhere, anyhow.[4] However, if you have the option, it may help to be in a place where the focus is on spirituality (such as a church or temple) or where the environment reminds you of your spiritual bond (like a natural setting, or a spot with a nice view). You can choose to pray in the presence of others, or you can pray privately.[5]- For some religions, like Buddhism, meditation is a standard form of prayer (or, sometimes, prayer is a standard form of meditation).
- Finding a place where you can quiet yourself and feel connected to your spirituality is an equally respectable form of prayer. Whether an open field or a bowing congregation zens you, find your "place of worship."
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Figure out why you're praying. Often, prayer accompanies a ritual, giving purpose to the prayer. It can be a lengthy fire-burning ceremony offering sacrifices to ensure good luck the coming season or it can be a simple, thoughtful utterance in thanks for a meal. It does not have to ask, plead, question, or thank; all it must do is appreciate.- Prayer can be a conversation, but it certainly doesn't have to be. Some religions relish prayer as an opportunity for intellectual contemplation.
- In addition, prayer does not have to have anything to do with you. Roman Catholic tradition includes specific prayers and devotions as "acts of reparation," or amending others' sins.
- Once you know why you're praying, you may consider who or what you’re praying to. Is there a particular deity, spirit, or energy you’re directing your prayers toward?
Explore different forms of prayer. Prayer does not have to involve crafted, reflective silence. It can be virtually anything. Song and dance have long been parts of many religions' repertoires of prayer. Even some Christians pray while exercising their body![6]- Whatever gets you closer to your spirituality, your God, can be a prayer. If a runner's high gets you there, fantastic. If being curled up in your sheets does, great. You can scream at the top of your lungs if it makes you appreciative, full of wonder, or thankful.
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Section 2 of 3:
Performing the Act of Praying
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Get into your prayer position. What position to assume may depend on the belief you have, if any. Sometimes expressing your thoughts physically can make the experience more meaningful, but there’s no one “right” position to take: consider sitting, kneeling, lying down on the floor, folding your hands, clasping them, or raising them high, holding hands with other people, bowing your head, dancing, prostrating, whirling, swaying, and so on. Some people even pray with their eyes open, and some closed.- In addition to thinking about the position of your body, consider the position of your body in space. Some religions believe in facing a certain direction during the act of prayer (toward Mecca, for example). If there's a spiritual place in your life, consider its place relative to you.
Perform pre-prayer rituals, if you want. Depending upon your belief, you may have a ritual way to prepare for praying that it gets you in the right mindset. Prepare in whichever way you feel is comfortable or appropriate.- All around the world, people are washing, anointing with oil, ringing bells, burning incense or paper, lighting candles, facing specific directions, making the sign of the cross, or fasting in preparation for prayer.
- Many religions take your appearance into account. Certain clothes are deemed appropriate or inappropriate for prayerful gatherings. If for some reason you find your current dress distracting, opt for a presentation that is more reminiscent of you and your spirituality.
Open the prayer by speaking aloud, singing, or thinking. There are many ways to pray. Some prayers are recited from memory or read from a book, while other prayers are more like conversations.[7][8] You may open the prayer by calling on the god or deity you are praying to, and asking for help (or whatever your intention).- There is no wrong way to go about it. If a memorized prayer or chant delivers the point of your intended message, there is no need to go about searching for words. But if you have a specific thought, question, or concern in mind, any informal dialogue counts just as much.
Make the request, ask the question, or just make your voice heard. You can ask for answers, seek strength, send good wishes to others, or give thanks.[9] Perhaps the most basic forms of prayer are requests for help in becoming a good (or better) person, and requests that your deity directs your prayer.[10]- There is no length of time necessary for a prayer. Your prayer may consist of a lengthy plea for aid, or you may send a simple "Hey, thanks!" in gratitude for a recent blessing.
- Clearing your mind and becoming silent can be a useful part of prayer. Don't feel the need to be constantly thinking, talking, or listening for messages. You may find a clearer mind that has the answers in contemplative silence.
Close with a word or gesture, or simply by sitting in silence. Some people end the prayer with a special word, phrase, or gesture, while others simply sit in silence for a minute or two. Remove yourself, still reflectively, from your position or location and go about your day, a little more spiritually than before.- Some people end or close the prayer with one word like "Amen" or "Du'a," and some may invoke the name of an authority; e.g., many Christians say: "...in the name of Jesus, Amen."
- You'll know when your prayer is complete. You may have expressed all you needed to express, or you may simply feel the spirit move through you.
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Community Q&A
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- QuestionHow many hours a day should I pray?
Community AnswerThe amount of time usually isn't as important as the quality of time. Pray first thing, if you can, because it's always ]good to connect with God before you begin your day. And pray as long as you are able to. Remember, prayer is spending time with God, not a competition or a performance. - QuestionHow can talk to God about my family problems?Community AnswerJust pray. Stay relaxed. Sit in a meditation position, then take a deep breath to relax, then you pray. Tell God what happened with your family, pray to God for smoothness in your life, but don't forget to be thankful and grateful always. Then just breathe, let go of what it was, and accept what happened.
- QuestionWhat words should I use to pray to God?
Community AnswerTalk to God with your regular vocabulary, as you would to a family member or friend. If you're looking for specific prayers to recite, the Lord's Prayer is a good one. You could also pray many of the psalms.
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Tips
- While prayer can be healing or beneficial when we want something or are in trouble, also pray for your own spiritual and personal well-being. It can have positive effects on your mental and emotional health.[11]Thanks
- The key to prayer is having faith that a higher power created and oversees the universe.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about being faithful , check out our in-depth interview with Olivia Woodford.
References
- ↑ Zachary Rainey. Ordained Minister. Expert Interview. 19 May 2019.
- ↑ Zachary Rainey. Ordained Minister. Expert Interview. 19 May 2019.
- ↑ Olivia Woodford. Founder of Bible Women Speak. Expert Interview. 2 May 2023.
- ↑ Zachary Rainey. Ordained Minister. Expert Interview. 19 May 2019.
- ↑ Olivia Woodford. Founder of Bible Women Speak. Expert Interview. 2 May 2023.
- ↑ http://www.jtsa.edu/miriams-song-and-the-role-of-music-in-prayer
- ↑ Zachary Rainey. Ordained Minister. Expert Interview. 19 May 2019.
- ↑ Olivia Woodford. Founder of Bible Women Speak. Expert Interview. 2 May 2023.
- ↑ Zachary Rainey. Ordained Minister. Expert Interview. 19 May 2019.
- ↑ Olivia Woodford. Founder of Bible Women Speak. Expert Interview. 2 May 2023.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9713100/
About This Article
Founder of Bible Women Speak
This article was written by Olivia Woodford and by How.com.vn staff writer, Dev Murphy, MA. Olivia Woodford is the Founder of Bible Women Speak. Olivia has been teaching biblical stories of women through theater since 1992. She is a member of Biblical Storytellers International and has performed at and hosted learning retreats with churches, schools, and women's groups of all denominations throughout the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Olivia has a BFA in Theater Arts from Boston University. This article has been viewed 1,482,889 times.
Co-authors: 140
Updated: March 18, 2024
Views: 1,482,889
Article SummaryX
To pray, get into whatever prayer position feels most natural to you. Try sitting, kneeling, or lying down, with your hands clasped or held up. Then, start to pray in whatever way feels right to you: by speaking out loud, thinking, singing, dancing, reading, or calling on the god(s) you’re praying to. You can ask for answers or strength, send good thoughts to others, give thanks, or even have a simple conversation. When you’re ready, end the prayer with a word, phrase, or gesture. Let the spirituality and peace you feel carry you through the rest of your day. If you want to learn specific prayers based on what religion you believe, continue reading the article!
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Reader Success Stories
"Even though this article was not written specifically for a certain religion, I still found the tips in this article helpful. Tonight after I was studying and then reading the Word, I felt like I needed a reminder about how to pray; I felt as if my prayers were left unheard. However, I know now that it is not the case; He hears, but chooses to respond according to His time and according to His will. All I can do is be thankful and keep praying."..." more
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