Much of the prayer of the CofE is corporate, that is to say we do it together and this is reflected in much of what you will say when you recite Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer. Yet there is another side to our prayer life, our own individual prayers.

Whether you are a child, young person or an adult, it's easier than you might imagine! Millions of people of every age pray every day.
You don't have to know any prayers if you want to pray - in fact, words can often get in the way. Say what is in your heart, what you feel.

Remember!
God hears every prayer - but not all prayers are answered in the way we might expect or desire!

'Arrow' Prayers can be offered to God anywhere, at any time.

But thankfully we don't live our all lives in moments of extreme crisis. What about day-to-day praying? We need to come closer to God, to experience His love for us and to try to make sense of where we are in the world. Prayer is the way we do this.

How to start?

Use your hand.
Your fingers can be used
to bring your mind
different things
to pray for.



thumb    this is the strongest digit on your hand. Give thanks for all the strong things in your life, like home and family, relationships that support and sustain you.

index finger   this is the pointing finger. Pray for all those people and things in your life who guide and help you. Friends, teachers, doctors, nurses, emergency services and so on.

middle finger    this is the tallest finger. Pray all the important people who have power in the world, like world leaders and their governments, members of parliament and local councillors, the Royal Family, other world leaders and their governments.

ring finger   this is the weakest finger on your hand. It can not do much by itself. Remember the poor, the weak, the helpless, the hungry, the sick, the ill and the bereaved.

little finger   this is the smallest and the last finger on your hand. Pray for yourself.


When should I pray?
Traditionally, prayer times have been morning and evening, but you can choose a time which is best for you. It helps to be somewhere quiet, where you can have some time for yourself.

Do I have to kneel?
Kneeling is the traditional praying posture, but you don't have to. Prayer can happen anywhere - walking, standing, sitting, whatever feels comfortable.

What else do I need to know?
Be creative - use music, a stone, a feather, a flower, or a candle to help you focus - if you are a little, or elderly, be careful with candles!

Prayer activity is a discipline - it can be difficult at times, just like keeping fit, being on a diet, or keeping weeds down in the garden! Little and often is best, but don't give up! No prayer, however inadequate you may feel it to be, is ever wasted or of no value.

What next?
Build up a collection favourite prayers and sayings - anything that speaks to you. You can find them in greeting cards, cuttings in the press or bookmarks and prayer cards. You could make a scrapbook for them.

Visit your local church bookshop and have browse. Most cathedrals have shops with good resources.

Here are some books you might find helpful. The first two are designed for children, young people and families, but they contain very powerful material which is ideal for adults who are new to praying.

Helping Children to Pray - Ruth Cardwell, pub Grail 1981,
Prayer for Children - Christopher Herbert, pub NS/CHP 1993,
Power Lines - David Adam, pub Triangle 1997 (reprint),
When You Pray - Gilling/Evans, pub Darton Longman &Todd; (1995)
Still with God - Simon Bailey, pub NS/CHP 'Pocket' Series,
Prayers from the Edge - C Von Ruhland, pub Triangle Darton Longman&Todd;,
Praying through Life - Stephen Cottrell, pub NS/CHP 1998,

Extract from Children and Holy Communion - Diana Murrie and Steve Pearce, pub NS/CHP 1997 is copyright © Diana Murrie and Steve Pearce and is reproduced by permission Church House Publishing.