NEW TO THIS

[SKY420HLJ2]

I AM A NEW CHRISTIAN AND I AM HAVING A HARD TIME JUST PRAYING. SOME COMING OUT WITH A SIMPLE PRAYER. MYMOM SAYS IT TAKES TIME TO LEARN HOW TO DO IT. ANY IDEAS?

[Canuckster1127]

I AM A NEW CHRISTIAN AND I AM HAVING A HARD TIME JUST PRAYING. SOME COMING OUT WITH A SIMPLE PRAYER. MYMOM SAYS IT TAKES TIME TO LEARN HOW TO DO IT. ANY IDEAS?

Jesus gave us a model when his disciples asked him how to pray.

Matthew 6:9—13 (KJV)

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

That's an excellent model to follow. But more important, prayer is as simple as talking to God, just like you would talk to another person. Respect and reverence are important, but I think we make it too complicated. The more you do it, the more comfortable and natural it will become.

[JesusSmiles]

But more important, prayer is as simple as talking to God, just like you would talk to another person. Respect and reverence are important, but I think we make it too complicated. The more you do it, the more comfortable and natural it will become.

I don't think anyone could get any better advice.

When I was a new Christian, I used to put a coffee cup across the breakfast table from me and talk to Jesus like He was sitting in the chair as my morning guest. Sometimes I would talk and sometimes I would read my Bible and just ask Him questions. This time probably served to teach me how to have a relationship with Jesus, without worrying about a bunch of religion and doctrine, than anything else in my whole Christian walk.

[zoegirl]

I love praying to God when I am walking, such as walking my dog....there is something about the pace and peace that allows me to focus....

It's such a habit now that I start praying even if I am walking around the mall.

[Cross.eyed]

I like to pray while I'm driving alone, a habit aquired when I was saved and driving longer distance to different meetings/church.

Today my favorite time is at bedtime when everything is quiet and I can reflect on the days events and count my blessings.

Both these prayer times are also good for doing personal inventory-thus the blessings-and thinking about the things of GOD along with my failings and misgivings for the day and historically. To put it plainly, these prayers can be veeery looong !

EDIT: I also use the model of prayer in Mat. 6-19. I can think of no better way to begin.

[zoegirl]

I AM A NEW CHRISTIAN AND I AM HAVING A HARD TIME JUST PRAYING. SOME COMING OUT WITH A SIMPLE PRAYER. MYMOM SAYS IT TAKES TIME TO LEARN HOW TO DO IT. ANY IDEAS?

Not that it needs to be a formula....but I remember learning about the acronym ACTS...for

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication

I still use this if my thoughts are disordered and I need to focus. Somtimes my prayers can immediately begin with the supplication and remain there. But if I start with the others, I find the focus on myself decreases and the focus on God increases....

One of the favorite books on prayers? "The Valley of Vision" which have some of the most incredible puritan prayers...they are stunning

But often I find that I can take anytime to speak to God...Quick one sentence prayers are just as welcome to Him.

[BavarianWheels]

I love praying to God when I am walking, such as walking my dog....there is something about the pace and peace that allows me to focus...

It must be nice to walk a calm dog. Walking my dog seems to be more of a necessary "evil" since he's a bit much to handle at times. I can't see myself praying to God at that time other than asking for Him to "calm this stupid dog!"...

I find myself praying at VERY odd times and in odd places. I find myself apologizing to God for praying while on the toilet...I don't know it seems a bit irreverent (sp?)...but it is a quiet time and in a personal space. I also "forget" to kneel to pray at night a lot and ask for forgiveness in praying while laying down. I suppose it's just that parental voice of my mother reminding me to kneel and pray before going to bed at night.

What do you all think?
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[Canuckster1127]

I love praying to God when I am walking, such as walking my dog....there is something about the pace and peace that allows me to focus...

It must be nice to walk a calm dog. Walking my dog seems to be more of a necessary "evil" since he's a bit much to handle at times. I can't see myself praying to God at that time other than asking for Him to "calm this stupid dog!"...

I find myself praying at VERY odd times and in odd places. I find myself apologizing to God for praying while on the toilet...I don't know it seems a bit irreverent (sp?)...but it is a quiet time and in a personal space. I also "forget" to kneel to pray at night a lot and ask for forgiveness in praying while laying down. I suppose it's just that parental voice of my mother reminding me to kneel and pray before going to bed at night.

What do you all think?
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Prayer to me is simply a constant conversation with God throughout the day. There are times I pause and am more formal and I think kneeling is valuable at times as it puts us in a physical posture that reminds us of God's person and holiness. I find I have to be careful in my daily dialogue to not become so casual in it that I fail to give God the reverance He deserves.

I don't feel the need to make it a formula though or to make it necessary to do all the time. It's a matter of heart attitude and not a score card.

[zoegirl]

absolutely...

but I remember as a young Christian needing to practice the focus

[Cross.eyed]

I find myself praying at VERY odd times and in odd places. I find myself apologizing to God for praying while on the toilet...I don't know it seems a bit irreverent (sp?)...but it is a quiet time and in a personal space. I also "forget" to kneel to pray at night a lot and ask for forgiveness in praying while laying down. I suppose it's just that parental voice of my mother reminding me to kneel and pray before going to bed at night.

What do you all think?

HeHe I thought I was the only person who prays while on the toilet and prays an apology for it -thanks B.W.
Prayer for me comes at any time of day or night and when those thoughts come,(prayer thoughts-not the above situation)- it never occurs to me to stand up, sit down, kneel, lay flat on the floor, or anything else. I simply take position congruent to wherever I happen to be.

[zoegirl]

[

Pray without ceasing....If we think on this, I think this is a reflecvtion of the "intimacy" we have with God that our minds are constantly able to switch to prayer and that "switching" (for lack of a better word) really simply refects the amount of time we spend with Him (whether on the toilet). I have prayed in the car, during class (while I am teaching!! "Dear God, give me words today!! ), on the toilet, walking, in the shower, brushing my teeth, eating, exercising.....

We often forget that He is the designer of our bodies. It may seem irreverent but we sometimes unknowingly impart a shame to our body. Imagine the God who thought of our bodies, all of the ridiculous parts and silly noises we make, He has a sense of humor....I don't think we must ask forgiveness for praying during those ridiculous times. after all, He indwells in us at all times.

[BavarianWheels]

We often forget that He is the designer of our bodies. It may seem irreverent but we sometimes unknowingly impart a shame to our body. Imagine the God who thought of our bodies, all of the ridiculous parts and silly noises we make, He has a sense of humor....I don't think we must ask forgiveness for praying during those ridiculous times. after all, He indwells in us at all times.

These are nice words of encouragement. Thx.
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[Cross.eyed]

We often forget that He is the designer of our bodies. It may seem irreverent but we sometimes unknowingly impart a shame to our body. Imagine the God who thought of our bodies, all of the ridiculous parts and silly noises we make, He has a sense of humor....I don't think we must ask forgiveness for praying during those ridiculous times. after all, He indwells in us at all times.

These are nice words of encouragement. Thx.
.
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Yes thank you, I needed that.