How to Make Up a Prayer

Use the Bible to guide your prayers.

When the soul ascends above the material world to divine heights in prayer, the pray-er seeks, above all, solace. Making up a prayer can yield spiritual rewards and is as accessible as your thoughts, fears and hopes. Create prayers resonating from your soul and reflecting your desire to come to God in openness, humility and love. Use the opportunity to make up prayers to grow in spiritual awareness and in deepening relationship with the Divine. Follow a pattern to guide your prayer or make it up extemporaneously. God listens either way.

Things You'll Need

• Bible

Instructions

1. Express adoration and love for God. Speak, aloud or silently, words of praise. Use the Psalms in the Bible as appropriate and poetic examples of praises to God. (See References 1) Say, for example, "Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord!" (Psalm 105:4)

2. Prepare to present your petition by admitting your errors. Confess times of selfishness, unkindness and other spiritual failings, suggests the website Rejesus. (See References 2)

3. Speak God's name or a word that symbolizes God to you. Repeat gently, for instance, "Jesus" or "Abba" -- Aramaic for "Daddy." Sit in silent communion with God letting your word guide you.

4. Express your prayer intention. Ask God for what you need for yourself or others. Display humility and trust by adding, "If it is your will."

5. Finish with gratitude. Thank God for his love and for his presence in your life and in the lives of others.

Tips & Warnings

• Make up prayer at any point in your day. Converse with God as you would a loving parent or dear and trusted friend. "Thank you, God," is a powerful prayer.

References

• United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: New American Bible: Psalms Chapter 105
• Rejesus: How to Pray

Resources

• Make a Prayer: Make a Prayer
• Rejesus: How to Pray