Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: When, Where, and Why
• Method 2 of 2: The act of prayer
• Tips
• Warnings

In its broadest sense, to pray is to ask for something in a humble way. The term prayer nowadays more often refers to religious prayers: communication with the spirit or deity in which you believe. Although the rituals and customs of prayer can vary widely, they still mean the same thing - renewing your spiritual connection with a force outside of you.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: When, Where, and Why

1. 1 Take time to pray. No matter how you pray and who you pray to, it can be difficult to find time to pray in a busy schedule. One way to deal with this is to make prayer a part of your daily routine, such as praying as soon as you wake up, before bed, or before every meal. There is no wrong time for prayer.
   • Many people pray when experiencing intense emotions, such as when they are sad, scared, or happy. You can pray at any time of the day, and for as long or short as is enough for your spiritual life. The goal of some people is to constantly maintain a state of prayer by being aware of their spiritual connection throughout the day.
   • Jews who observe the ritual pray 3 times a day (Shaharit, Mincha and Arvit), and Muslims pray 5 times a day. Adherents of other religions pray completely spontaneously when the mood arises or a certain occasion arises (for parents, before meals, and so on). In short, do what you think is right.
2. 2 Find a good place to pray. You will see that you can pray anytime, anywhere, and in any way. Staying in a place where the focus is on the spiritual (such as a church or temple), or where the setting reminds you of a spiritual connection (for example, in nature or a place with a beautiful panorama) can help. You can pray in front of others or alone.
   • In some religions, such as Buddhism, meditation is the standard form of prayer (or sometimes prayer is the standard form of meditation). Finding a place where you can calm yourself and feel spiritually connected is an equally respectful form of prayer. Whether it's an open field or a Zen worship meeting, find a “place of worship”.
3. 3 Know your purpose. Often the prayer accompanies the ritual by determining the purpose of the prayer. It could be a lengthy ceremony of burning sacrifices at the stake to ensure good luck in the coming season, or it could be a simple, empathetic expression of gratitude for the food. It should not express a request, entreaty, question, or gratitude. All you have to do is be grateful.
   • Prayer can be a conversation, but it doesn't have to be. Some religions enjoy prayer as an opportunity for intellectual contemplation. In addition, the person praying should not do anything with himself. Roman Catholic traditions include special prayers and worship as an “act of reparation,” or atonement for someone else's sins.
   • When you know why you are praying, is there anyone in particular with whom you would like to speak? If you want a dialogue, with whom?
4. 4 Understand that prayer does not require specially crafted, thoughtful silence. It can be almost anything. Songs and dances have long been part of the prayer of many religions. Even some Christians and Muslims pray in the form of yoga!
   • Anything that brings you closer to your spirituality, your God, can be considered an act of prayer. If running fast helps you, great. If you wrap yourself in sheets and everything works out, great. You can scream at the top of your lungs or rush into the mountains if that makes you grateful, miraculous, or grateful.

Method 2 of 2: The act of prayer

1. 1 Stand in your prayer position. It depends on your faith, if you have one. Sometimes expressing your thoughts physically can make the experience more complete. People take different poses during prayer: sitting, kneeling, lying on the floor, folded, crossed, raised their arms high, holding hands with other people, with their heads down, dancing, prostrating themselves, circling, swaying, and so on.
   • Every believer has beliefs that are close to him. What is right for you? In addition to thinking about your body posture, think about the position of your body in space. In some religions, when praying, they turn in a certain direction (for example, towards Mecca).If there is any spiritual place in your life, consider its position in relation to you.
2. 2 Prepare for prayer. Depending on your faith, you may have a preparation ritual for prayer. He can set you up for the right thinking. Prepare as convenient or necessary for you.
   • All over the world, people wash, anoint with oil, ring bells, burn incense or paper, light candles, turn in a certain direction, cross themselves, or fast. Sometimes the preparation is directed by someone else, such as a spiritual friend, prayer leader, or mentor. You can prepare yourself in a few minutes (for example, wash or cross yourself) or in a few days, or even weeks (in the case of fasting).
   • In many religions, appearance is taken into account. Certain clothing is deemed necessary or unacceptable for a prayer meeting. If for some reason you find your outfit unsuitable, choose clothes that are more reminiscent of you and your spirituality.
3. 3 Begin prayer. You can pray out loud, mentally, singing, and so on. Some prayers are recited from memory, some are read from a book, and some are more like conversation. Your eyes can be open or closed. You can begin your prayer by invoking the God (s) or the Deity you are praying to and asking for help (or whatever your intentions are).
   • It cannot be done wrong. If a memorized prayer or chant conveys the essence of your message, there is no need to search for words. But if you have a specific thought, question, or concern in mind, any informal dialogue will be just as successful.
4. 4 Make a request, ask a question, let your voice be heard. You can ask for an answer, seek power, send good wishes to others, and thank. Perhaps the most common form of prayer is asking for help in becoming a good (or better) person, and asking your God to direct your prayers.
   • There is no specific length of time required for prayer. After all, the big guy (or girl) upstairs will surely appreciate even “Eh, thanks!”.
   • Clearing the mind and becoming quiet can be a helpful part of prayer. Don't feel the need to constantly think, speak, or listen to messages. You may find it easier to find answers when your mind is calm and in contemplative silence.
5. 5 Finish the prayer. Some people end or close the prayer with a special word, phrase or gesture, the usual silence for a minute or two, or by saying "Amen."
   • You will know when the prayer is complete. Change position or position and continue your day a little more spiritually than before.

Tips

• Some people end or close the prayer with the word “Amen” or “Dua”, and some cry out to the name of the deity, for example, many Christians say: “… in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen".
• Have you heard that you should “pray all the time” or “pray unceasingly”? The only way to do this is to glorify your deity with your work, your being, your life, and constantly be grateful and blessing to others.
• Always be grateful for the result of your prayer. After all, prayer is based on faith that someone will hear you, so be grateful to higher powers.
• For Christians: Pray with agreement and faith. For example, if you want to relieve something, say thank you to God by thanking Him for providing you with a miracle: "Lord, I thank You for healing my soul (mind, leg, heart wound, or whatever)."
• The key to prayer is the belief that a higher power created and controls the universe. This is often called faith.

Warnings

• If you have nightmares, try praying for others and blessing for peace.
• There is no right way to pray, and you should never force yourself to pray when you feel uncomfortable.
• Don't blaspheme, you don't have to pray, and then do something that is not consistent with your spirituality, expecting that prayer will compensate everything (prayer is not punishment or atonement for bad deeds).
• Prayer does not guarantee a quick solution. Sometimes people get the result through prayer, but repeated, the result of prayer is gradual.