How to Start Praying

How do I connect with God?

What is prayer? As you gaze on the sunset and whisper, "Oh God, that's beautiful!", that's prayer. When your about to make a speech at school and in your mind you plead, "God, help me", that's prayer. When you've lost your keys and inward you sigh, "God, I could use a little help here". He hears you . As St. Therese of Lisieux said, "...prayer is a simple look turned toward heaven."

How do I start praying? The bible says, "If I had been hiding sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened to me". "Sin" is do something wrong in the sight of God and so a prayer relationship with the Father must have an attitude of confession and repentance. You need to look within, acknowledge what is evil there and the wrong you have committed. Then look up, and say, "I'm sorry, I have messed up by my own fault, will you forgive me. I turn away from this and will go in the right direction. Help me". Jesus took our sins so seriously that He died on the cross, so that their might be access to God's presence through prayer. Our response to His sacrifice must be to acknowledge and believe that He is the Risen Lord. As you draw near to God, he will draw near to you.

God is listening. The very One who made you and formed you is waiting for your words. He loves you with such intensity. He has given you life and breath, and many of you haven't given Him a second thought. But He has thought about you. In His word, He says he has thought about you more times than can be numbered. He longs for you and desires a relationship with you. He wants to be your best friend.

"Heavenly Father, You were there watching my first breath, with plans for my future. You were gazing from above as I took my first step. You know me better than I know myself. And you've seen every time i've fallen away from your path. Oh God I've messed up so many times, please forgive me. You know what's best for me, Lord I give my life to you, thank you for dying to bring light to my darkness. Now I want to honour you by giving you my heart."