Katherine Harms Author
Christian Prayer
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Varieties of Christian Prayer
 
Christian prayer takes many forms and serves many purposes within the life of a growing Christian. As the relationship with our Lord matures, we learn that prayer is vital. In prayer, we speak to God, and we listen to God.
 
There is no particular merit in knowing the names of varieties of prayer, just as there is no special credit for using any particular prayer tool. However, most of us can benefit from the new understanding we gain when we examine what other Christians have learned about prayer.
Prayer takes many forms, just as conversations do. People of faith can mature in prayer just as a child can mature in behavior. I am happy to share here the things I learn as I grow and mature in prayer.
 
Christians use many different methods to help them focus on prayer. Creating a prayerful setting with candles or music may help someone to concentrate on prayer concerns. I was surprised last year on Ash Wednesday to be offered a set of prayer beads similar to a rosary. A few years ago, I discovered the way a labyrinth can be a prayer tool.  Journals and prayer lists also help many people. I am happy to share the things I discover as I grow in prayer.
 

Prayer Exercises

We all know that physical exercise is good for us. We like the outcome, but most of us resist the process. Physical exercise takes time, it is uncomfortable, and until we master it, we experience pain in muscles unaccustomed to the exercise.

Prayer exercises have similar issues. We all yearn to pray more effectively, we want to get closer to God in our prayers, we want the experience of two-way communication in prayer, but we resist the process of growth in prayer. Like physical fitness, prayer "fitness" takes time, it is often uncomfortable or seems unnatural, and it may result in pain when we see ourselves as we really are.

Below are some prayer exercises which may help you grow in the Christian faith practice of prayer. They are not replacements for spontaneous prayer. None of them has any intrinsic value. Any of them may have value to you if they help you to pray with greater depth, real honesty or better focus. Try the ones that appeal to you. Continue any that have value as long as they seem right. Discard or change any exercise as you feel led by the Holy Spirit. Create an exercise that isn't on the list. If you do that, please tell me about it so we can share it here on the web site.

Exercises for enriching your prayer time

  

·        Prayer in the form of a psalm

Read a psalm. Psalms address most of the topics any of us ever prays about. If you are struggling with something that scares you, find a Psalm which prays for rescue from a fearful situation. Observe the way the psalmist states the problem, talks to God about the problem, and then how he concludes the prayer.  Write your own psalm on the subject

 

·        Prayer in the form of a journal entry

This form looks like a diary page. You simply record your concerns, or the things you are thankful for, or whatever is on your mind. Imagine what God would say. Imagine what you would say. No rules. The objective is to set yourself free to speak to God about your deepest concerns and to hear him respond, perhaps as you continue to write.

 

·        Prayer as a litany

This exercise works well with prayers of thanksgiving or praise. It could also work well with a deep-seated need that defies expression in a few words.  Choose a refrain which captures your deepest thoughts.

 

·        Prayer as a haiku or other abstract poetic form

Prayer is communication between God and man. Any form is good. If you enjoy poetic forms, you may find that it is helpful to express your prayer concern in a haiku or in some other form of poetry

Her eyes the eyes of winter

Fear and longing touch me with worry

Look back, look forward, Mother.

 

·        Intercession list of events

Create a list of events which are prayer concerns. For example, you might pray about the election of local officials, or perhaps your church has scheduled a trip for the youth. Maybe an activist group in your community is planning a demonstration. Perhaps Congress is about to vote on an important issue. Any event may be the focus of your concern, and if it is a concern for thought, it could be a concern for prayer. Make the list as the concerns occur to you. When you pray, tell God your concerns about the events and ask for his guidance and perhaps his action in the outcome.

 

·        Intercession list of people

Just as you create a list of events, you might also keep a list of people for whom you pray. Add them to the list as you learn about them. Take your concerns to God during your prayer time.

 

·        Intercession for a list based on learning from a Bible text

When you are reading and studying the Bible, you always hope to learn something from it. Sometimes, that learning can be a guide to your intercession for others.

For example, if you were studying the text which read, “Treat other people the way you want to be treated,” learning how that text applies to you might lead you to recognize a need for that learning in people on your prayer list. Sick people, troubled people, frightened people, people who are angry or hurt may very well forget to think of others. Their own concerns overwhelm their love or even their willingness to love others. Pray for them, because when people in need antagonize people who want to help them, it may affect the help they receive. They may shut out the people most able to meet their huge, overwhelming needs. Pray that they will remember the teaching of Jesus to treat other people with respect, and that their needs will be met, and that they will be able to be grateful for the help they receive.

Using the things you learn from Bible study to inform the way you pray for people can make your prayers richer and more purposeful.

 

 

 

  

 

 

 
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