Sometimes even people who don’t believe in God too often resort to prayer. Usually this happens in a situation where a person has nothing to hope for. But even sincerely believing people sometimes do not know how to pray, with what words one should turn to God.
Instruction manual
1
Prayer is a person’s conversation with God. The conversation is very personal, so it is better to pray alone when no one sees you. This does not exclude prayers in other places, you can pray (to yourself, in your mind) even in public transport or walking along a crowded street. However, for the most intimate prayer, silence and solitude are needed.
2
Well, if you have an icon, but this is not a prerequisite. The conversation between man and God goes through the heart, so there is nothing that could interfere with this communication - as well as that which could significantly help. When praying in front of the icon, remember that you do not pray to her, but to the one whose image is imprinted on her.
3
To start the prayer, it is best to choose a late evening. You are alone in the room, the light is dim. You can turn it off and light a candle. Remember the main point: in a conversation with God, it is not words that are important, but feelings. God understands you without words, so don't give them too much meaning. Just tell Him what bothers you.
4
Should I read well-known prayers or is it better to use my words? There is no single answer, you can use both options. The main thing is that your prayer should not be mechanical - try to feel every word, realize it, comprehend it.
5
In your conversation with God, be sincere. No falsehood is permissible, for God already knows everything about you. Do not try to artificially arouse in yourself some sublime prayer feelings, this is wrong. If you feel that your prayer is dry and empty, ask God to help you learn how to pray, this is the best option.
6
Do not chase verbosity. The simplest words spoken with a heartfelt feeling will bring you closer to God more than the most extensive but mechanically read prayer. Try to come to God more often in complete inner silence, these are the most valuable moments - many people cannot feel His presence precisely because of their own verbosity. It is no accident that on the way of a person’s prayerful ascent to God, the highest is silent prayer - when a person silently appears to Him with his whole being.
7
How to pray aloud or to yourself? Both options are appropriate. Feel the need to turn to God aloud, do so. Want to pray to yourself, so be it. It should be noted that the monks practicing Jesus prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner (sinner), ” at first they repeat it out loud, later to themselves. Therefore, just listen to yourself and pray as you like best.
8
Where is it better to pray, in the church or outside its walls? And here, too, there is no single answer. The church helps a person with its very atmosphere, the salinity of the place. At the same time, many people in the church are shy, and it is impossible for themselves to openly express feelings in the presence of other believers. In this case, the most sincere prayer will be performed in solitude.
9
How to understand that a prayer is heard? Talking with God, a person usually tries to tell Him about his troubles and sorrows. At the same time, it is very difficult for the soul. However, at some point, the worshiper suddenly feels an amazing feeling - it becomes much easier for him, as if a stone were falling from his soul. A person can feel peace, joy, there is an understanding that he is heard.
10
It is far from immediately possible to achieve some high states in prayer. Moreover, the pursuit of unusual sensations is a big mistake. There are many traps along the way of prayer, those who could not get rid of pride, in whom there is no humility, fall into them. To understand possible mistakes, read the books of the Holy Fathers. For example, "Ascetic Experiments" by Ignatius Brianchaninov, "My Life in Christ" by John of Kronstadt, "Words of Asceticism" by Isaac the Syrian.
