Pray as you can, not as you can’t
An age-old piece of advice is ‘Pray as you can and not as you can’t’. Different ways of praying suit different people. Prayer can be very simple and can be done at any time, in any place – even over a cup of tea! It generally helps if we try to become still, calm, and quiet as we step into prayer.
Prayer is really just being with God, with or without words. Here we can share our deepest joys, desires, and sorrows with God in complete honesty. Our prayer may be just a few simple words of thanks, or bringing to God all our needs and concerns. It can and does change us, and the world.
Simply wanting to pray is where we start. Here are some resources that may help you to pray.
This free prayer app offers a short daily audio-encounter with God, combining music, scripture and questions for reflection. You can also find longer meditations here.
A gentle opportunity to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day with a text from Scripture and something to think and pray about each week. There is also an accompanying book.
The Examen is a simple way of reviewing the events of the day to become aware of how God is active in your life. You can choose a different type of Examen to suit your mood, needs, and situation.
24-7 Prayer is an international, interdenominational movement: a non-stop prayer meeting that has continued for every minute of this century. It has lots of ideas to help you go deeper in your daily prayer life, with creative ideas to help connect with God.
A free daily devotional App (audio and written) that helps you pray, inspired by the ancient methos of Lectio Divina (‘holy reading’). Morning Prayer follows the rhythm P:ause to be still; R:ejoice with a Psalm; R:eflect on Scripture; A:sk for God’s help; Y:ield to His will in your life.
Aimed at those who are ‘not religious and don’t do church’. An in-depth 7-day journey.
Apps from the Church of England to help you follow the set prayer of the church (Morning, Evening and Night Prayer) each day, with an audio option. You can also find complementary reflections for Morning Prayer and on the Psalms.
A website created in response to the coronavirus pandemic which now exists as an archive resource for anyone who faces a period of isolation in their life. There are helpful short films on ‘Shaping the Day’ and reflections on living in isolation, including contributions from Sr Gemma Simmonds CJ, canon of St Asaph Cathedral.