Ideas for praying and connecting with God

The Bible is very clear, when life is tough, it’s a call for us to turn to God and ask for His help.

 

God says “I may stop the sky from sending rain. I may command the locusts to destroy the land. I may send sicknesses to my people. Then my people, who are called by my name, will be sorry for what they have done. They will pray and obey me and stop their evil ways. If they do, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land.” 

2 Chronicles 7 v 13-14

So why not start a new habit of prayer and turning to God?  

 

Ultimately, of course, God just wants us to choose to spend time focussing on him, telling him how we’re feeling, what we’re thankful for or worried about and to wait in his presence. But here are some ideas to get you started.  If you find others please let us know via our Facebook pageor email.

 

 

We are currently using skype to join together with worship at 10am on Sunday mornings and 11am on Wednesdays.

We publish the link you need to click to join in the conversation on the front page of our website and our Facebook page.

In case you are unfamiliar with skype there are some simple instructions here.

During Holy Week and Easter weekend there will be extra resources for use at home available too.  Please watch our Facebook page and website for details.

 

 

There are some specific prayers you can pray with children on the Church of England’s website.

 

The podcasts from last year’s family prayer adventure are still available and provides 11 5-10 minute daily prayer activities, together with the journal that goes with them.

 

Prayer spaces in schools have provided 5 ideas for people of all ages to pray interactively.

 

There’s a great idea for praying through the colours of the rainbow:

 

 

 

The Church of England has provided various prayers you can pray at home in various different situations.  You’ll find them all here.

 

There are four services available each day – Morning Prayer, Prayer during the day, Evening Prayer and Night Prayer – including daily readings and prayers.  You can find them on the website here or download the app ‘Daily Prayer’ for free.

 

There is an extended prayer of self-examination and confession that we use on Ash Wednesday that you might find it helpful to pray through.

 

The Archbishop of Canterbury, or another church leader, is streaming a service each Sunday which you can watch (on Sunday or later in the week) here.  It is also being broadcast on local radio stations.  The BBC is also planning to broadcast a weekly Sunday morning service, as long as capacity allows.   

 

Many people are praying Psalm 91 every day.

 

A friend of mine found this litany about always being the church, which might encourage you.

 

The 24/7 Prayer movement have provided a 60 minute prayer guide which you can download.  

 

There’s also a 60 minutes guide to praying through the Lord’s Prayer

 

Pray as you go provides a daily 15 minute prayer and Bible reading podcast 

 

Youversion App is freely available from app stores and gives you access to lots of different Bible reading plans and Bible translations. 

 

Lectio365 is another free app which provides a daily Bible passage, reflection and prayers.

 

The Coping Calendar aims to help us keep calm, stay wise and be kind for 30 days:

 

Sally