Prayer

Prayer, put simply, is how we talk with and listen to God. Out loud or silently, with others or alone, prayer is how we grow in our relationship with Jesus as we spend time in his presence.

“Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:12-13

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In order to help us orientate our day around the presence of Jesus, we have a simple daily rhythm of prayer we invite the whole church to join in with. We suggest praying in the morning in solitude, following Jesus’ example (Mark 1:35), using the PRAY acronym below.

MORNING: Use the PRAY steps

Praise God for who He is and what He’s done for you
Repent by confessing sin and turning to Jesus in areas of need
Ask God for his Kingdom to come in your life, in the lives of others and the world around us
Yield to Jesus by surrendering your day to Him and listen to what he might want to say to you

MIDDAY: Pray the Lord's Prayer

Wherever we are, in our workplaces, homes, or out and about, we join in praying the way Jesus taught us (Matthew 6:9–13):

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

EVENING: Pray the Examen

Before you go to bed, carve out 10 minutes to pray through the prayer of Examen — a prayerful reflection which enables you to review the day gone by and to look with anticipation and motivation towards the day to come.
Use these four simple steps to frame your time:

Replay the day in order to recognise your emotions and God's presence with you.

Rejoice in all the good things of the day and where you saw God at work.

Repent of the ways in which you did not follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

Reset in order to live for Jesus tomorrow.

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Kids and families

Family discipleship isn’t about perfection, but presence.

Kids and families are shaped most by the rhythms, habits, and conversations of everyday life. Formation often happens through repetition, warmth, and consistency more than intensity.

For each communal rhythm, you’ll find:

1. Conversations to have with your kids

2. Practical ways to live it out at home

Conversations to have with your kids about Prayer….

-What do you think prayer is?

-Why does God want to hear from us?

-What kinds of things can we pray about?

-How do we listen to God in prayer?

-Have you ever felt close to God while praying?

-What should we do when prayer feels difficult or quiet?

-Why is honesty important in prayer?

-How can we pray for people who hurt us?

Teach children that prayer is relational, not performative. Prayer is learning to live aware of God’s presence.

Practical ways to live this out at home…

-Pray together before school, meals, and bedtime.

-Practise short conversational prayers throughout the day.

-Keep a family prayer journal.

-Create a prayer wall or prayer basket.

-Allow silence during prayer.

-Teach children breath prayers such as:
“Jesus, give me peace.”
“God, help me trust You.”

-Invite children to pray in their own words.

-Pray blessings over your children before bed.

-Pause to pray when someone is struggling.

-Celebrate answered prayers together.

Teach children that prayer includes gratitude, confession, lament, listening, and intercession.

A Squeeze Blessing – Justin Whitmel Earley
During a really big, really tight hug at bedtime

Parent: Dear Lord, may this child feel your love wrapped around them, all of his/her days.
Child: Wriggles around and hopefully laughs
Parent: Amen