How to Create a Personalized Prayer

There are so many prayers in prayer books from all faiths that we often forget that these prayers originated in an individual’s intense spiritual experience. When you feel inspired to create your own prayer, you add to the positive vibes in the universe. The ones who listen will be inspired, too. Your prayer can be completely your own; it doesn’t have to match the ones in books.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Creative imagination
• Spiritual frame of mind

1. Reflect on the situation that inspires your prayer. It can be a need for healing, for gratitude, for help or for any other happening in life. Think about what you want most.
2. Let words related to your prayer just float up into your consciousness--names, questions, statements, even words from songs. You can write them down, but it’s not required.
3. One way to begin your prayer is with a statement about what’s happening and how you feel about it. You can also say a prayer on behalf of someone you care about. You can begin by saying what you observe. Say something like “Megan is really ill. She’s feeling so tired and discouraged. But the family sees that she’s determined to follow this treatment, so we’re determined to support her.”
4. Then list the things you want to mention. Say something like “We remember when Megan was a little girl. She was the one who played hardest and longest and never let the rest of us go home until she said the game was over. We are asking for healing for her now.”
5. It’s up to you if you want to mention a specific religious tradition. Those prayers can add to your personal prayer, but it’s your decision.
6. Add whatever is in your heart. Invite others who are with you to speak, too. Allow yourselves to cry or to laugh. This is a time for emotions to come out.
7. End your prayer with words of hope, thankfulness or inspiration. Another option is to conclude with a song.
8. Express thanks to others who have listened or shared in the prayer. This is a special time between people that makes life meaningful.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a personalized prayer wherever you are--in a beautiful setting or in the midst of activity.
• Use quotes from the Psalms, Scriptures or readings to enhance your prayer.
• Be sensitive to others’ view of prayer. Not everyone is comfortable with it. Some people may prefer a less spiritual approach, especially if it’s their situation.