Practising Prayer

Prayer is a “practice” – something we do within a tradition and shaped by the learning and reflections of those who have prayed before us.
And it is also something we learn, and need “practice” in. Praying does not come naturally to most of us, and we are all beginners, strugglers and novices. On this page, we explore some ideas and insights available in the Christian tradition.

For November, we are going to “listen to the voices of the saints”. At this time of remembrance, we call to mind the saints who have gone before us. In calling then to mind, we share their prayers.

Strengthen us, O God, to relieve the oppressed, to hear the groans of poor prisoners, to reform the abuses of all professions; that many be made not poor to make a few rich, for Jesus Christ’s sake.

Oliver Cromwell.

This feels like a surprisingly modern prayer, words that we might associate with prayers encouraged by Christian Aid for example. In joining in this prayer, we not only ask God to bring the Kingdom, we offer ourselves for the coming. This is not a prayer to be offered half-heartedly. It is a prayer in which we give ourselves to God’s work in the world.

Comments welcomed

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