The Structure of Prayer

[Whynigma]

I've neglected prayer for quite a while, and I've recently been trying to pray and edify my faith again. However, I find that my prayers are very impromptu and go several directions at once.

I know God understands me, because he is omnipotent and knows what I need before I ask for it, but when you are making a request and confessing your sins to the highest of all powers, I am heavily inclined to incorporate some kind of structure.

Also, when I pray I feel I should be on one or both knees because I am before God. Do other Christians feel this way?

How do my fellow Christians pray?

 

[steve_bakr]

I've neglected prayer for quite a while, and I've recently been trying to pray and edify my faith again. However, I find that my prayers are very impromptu and go several directions at once.

I know God understands me, because he is omnipotent and knows what I need before I ask for it, but when you are making a request and confessing your sins to the highest of all powers, I am heavily inclined to incorporate some kind of structure.

Also, when I pray I feel I should be on one or both knees because I am before God. Do other Christians feel this way?

How do my fellow Christians pray?

If you want structured prayer, I suggest that you purchase the Catholic book of prayer called, Christian Prayer. It is also known as the Liturgy of the Hours. It is the prayer book used by priests and religious.

It is confusing at first, but basically it consists of a cycle of four weeks, which are then repeated. Christian Prayer is made up largely with the Psalms from the beautiful Grail Translation. It also has readings from the OT and NT, Psalm Prayers, and Responsory Prayers. If you can put up with the Catholicity of it, I highly recommend it. BTW, it has Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and prayers for during the day, even.

Peace

"The heavens declare the glory of the Lord" (Psalms 19:2a)

 

[Fierce Badger]

I've neglected prayer for quite a while, and I've recently been trying to pray and edify my faith again. However, I find that my prayers are very impromptu and go several directions at once.

I know God understands me, because he is omnipotent and knows what I need before I ask for it, but when you are making a request and confessing your sins to the highest of all powers, I am heavily inclined to incorporate some kind of structure.

Also, when I pray I feel I should be on one or both knees because I am before God. Do other Christians feel this way?

How do my fellow Christians pray?

I have two suggestions:

1. The Jesus prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." There's nothing wrong with repetition as long as you mean it every single time.
2. There's a popular prayer book from the Antiochian Orthodox Church that I highly recommend: http://www.amazon.com/Pocket-Prayer-Orthodox-Christians-paper/dp/B000FFYC72

 

[BrianN]

Do keep in mind that prayers do not need to have any certain type of structure. Perhaps you could keep certain things in mind, write down items that you want to pray for, and so forth. Speak to God honestly and openly; hopefully in time you'll feel more comfortable about praying. On one or both knees, lying in bed at night, or in the car on the way to work - do what works for you and your relationship with God.

 

[Autumnleaf]

I ask for big things first and then I work my way down to smaller big things that I really want.