Welcome to Immanuel United Methodist Church’s virtual prayer room!
We are so glad you are here.
Prayer is our way to enter into holy conversation with God. God, who is constantly seeking us and inviting us into relationship, cherishes any and all time that we spend with God.
How to Pray
You may wonder what to say or how to say it. While there is no “set” way to pray, there are some ways that might help you get started. You might start by getting into a comfortable position where you won’t be interrupted for some amount of time. Some people find that soft music playing or pictures of places that are relaxing or bring good feelings or perhaps a lighted candle can help you focus. Others prefer silence. Try to be in a setting that will not distract you while you pray. For some, it is helpful to take some deep breaths and focus the mind on God.
Thinking of what to say can be intimidating. Thankfully God cares more about you spending time with God than how you say your prayers. You might try a Scripture or poem or some short devotion to begin. Jesus gives us guidelines to help us form our prayers beginning with four principles before we pray.
Jesus' Four Prayer Principles
Jesus' Pattern for Prayer
We have provided some further resources for your use. You can find them by entering our Virtual Prayer Room.
We are praying for you that you will be blessed by your time with God. Please feel free submit your prayer requests or contact us if we can be of further help.
May the God whose love surpasses all understanding bless you now and forever. Amen.
We are so glad you are here.
Prayer is our way to enter into holy conversation with God. God, who is constantly seeking us and inviting us into relationship, cherishes any and all time that we spend with God.
How to Pray
You may wonder what to say or how to say it. While there is no “set” way to pray, there are some ways that might help you get started. You might start by getting into a comfortable position where you won’t be interrupted for some amount of time. Some people find that soft music playing or pictures of places that are relaxing or bring good feelings or perhaps a lighted candle can help you focus. Others prefer silence. Try to be in a setting that will not distract you while you pray. For some, it is helpful to take some deep breaths and focus the mind on God.
Thinking of what to say can be intimidating. Thankfully God cares more about you spending time with God than how you say your prayers. You might try a Scripture or poem or some short devotion to begin. Jesus gives us guidelines to help us form our prayers beginning with four principles before we pray.
Jesus' Four Prayer Principles
- PRAY REGULARLY – make a regular time for prayer. Put it in your calendar if you need to. Set an alarm on your phone to help you remember. There is no “perfect” amount of time to spend, one minute to one hour, whatever works best for you!
- PRAY PRIVATELY - Jesus warns us to pray in private so as not to boast or brag about our time spent with God in prayer. God wants our undivided attention in prayer.
- PRAY SINCERELY - the most satisfying prayer is the prayer that comes from your heart. While God knows what is in our heart, it is good for us to share the intimate details of our hearts with God. Be as honest as you can.
- PRAY SPECIFICALLY – St. Ignatius tells us to ask God for our deepest desires. The more specific we can be the better.
Jesus' Pattern for Prayer
- ADORATION - Give God praise and honor for who he is as Lord over all.
- CONFESSION - Honestly deal with the sin in your prayer life.
- THANKSGIVING - Verbalize what you're grateful for in your life and in the world around you.
- SUPPLICATION - Pray for the needs of others and yourself.
We have provided some further resources for your use. You can find them by entering our Virtual Prayer Room.
We are praying for you that you will be blessed by your time with God. Please feel free submit your prayer requests or contact us if we can be of further help.
May the God whose love surpasses all understanding bless you now and forever. Amen.
* A Special Prayer and Liturgy for these challenging times
Keeping Ukraine in Our Prayers
During worship on Sunday, February 27, Pastor Jack led the congregation in a prayer for the Ukraine. He also lit a candle on the altar that will be lit each week until there is peace for the Ukrainian people. He invited us to pause each day and pray the prayer below.
St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, the capitol of Ukraine
A Prayer for Ukraine
God of peace and justice,
We pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
That your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion
to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace,
Amen.
Archbishop Justin Welby
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell
God of peace and justice,
We pray for the people of Ukraine today.
We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons.
We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow,
That your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them.
We pray for those with power over war or peace,
for wisdom, discernment and compassion
to guide their decisions.
Above all, we pray for your precious children, at risk and in fear,
that you would hold and protect them.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace,
Amen.
Archbishop Justin Welby
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Praying
It doesn't have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don't try
to make them elaborate, this isn't
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.
~Mary Oliver, Thirst: Poems by Mary Oliver
