Prayer For Dummies (You & Me!)

I was “educated” at a Christian university, Christian theological seminary, and Christian doctoral program (at another Christian university/seminary). One would think that in all the classes I took there would have been at least one class that taught students how to pray. Good grief! Prayer is seen all through the scriptures – Old & New. All the greats of Scripture talked and communed with God. There is not one ancient saint, godly Christian historical figure or missionary who wasn’t known as a person of prayer. It must be that in academic settings, even Christian ones, prayer has a hard time fitting in.

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Of course, its not like prayer was totally ignored. Classes usually began with prayer of some sort. There was often prayer before events like concerts, recitals, sports, and dramatic plays. Some schools dedicated a day to prayer. I guess it was assumed that by being a Christian you knew how to pray.

In contrast, the classic, historical Church was a place of prayer, her liturgy filled with prayer after prayer. These prayers spilled over into the everyday life of the Christian. They were essential to one’s life as a Christian. In reality, the Church taught you how to pray.

But, as churches moved to pulpit-centered services, prayer lost its rightful place. Jesus said that His house was to be a house of prayer. Yet you can observe most contemporary services today with their focus on songs and sermon and never once hear God addressed by all in prayer. No wonder then that most Christians do not really know how to pray.

As an evangelical church leader, I had to learn how to pray on the fly – trial and error. I read substantial and fluffy books on prayer. There were starts and failures along with group experiences and solitary experiments. All the time I struggled with knowing how to pray. I was a “dummie” as far as prayer was concerned. 

That is until I began to be taught how to pray by the Church. I now know, by personal experience, that Psalms, silence, liturgical prayers, prayers of repentance, icons, sacred places, set times, and physical actions are essential components to vibrant prayer. A prayer rule includes these elements.

Here are some prayers you can include in your prayer rule:

Opening Prayers

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to You our God, Glory to You.

Prayer to Holy Spirit 
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, Treasury of Goodness and Giver of life: come and abide in us. Cleanse us from every stain of sin and save our souls, O Gracious Lord.

Trisagion Prayer

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us. (3x) 

Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen

All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for the glory of Your Name. 

Lord, have mercy. (3x) 

Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen 

Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. 
For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I realize my iniquity, and my sin is before me continually. (Pause and remember your sinfulness) Against Thee only have I sinned I and done evil in Thy sight, that Thou mayest be justified in Thy words and win when Thou art judged. For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother desire me. For, lo, Thou lovest truth; the unknown and secret things of Thy wisdom Thou hast made known to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been humbled will rejoice. Turn Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy face, I and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and confirm me with a princely spirit. I shall teach Thy ways to the lawless and the godless will return to Thee. Deliver me from blood, O God – O God of my salvation – and my tongue shall extol Thy justice. O Lord, Thou wilt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would have given it; but burnt offerings do not please Thee. The sacrifice for God is a contrite spirit; a contrite and humble heart God will not despise. Gladden Zion, O Lord, with Thy good will; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then Thou wilt be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, the oblation and burnt offerings; then they will offer calves on Thine altar. 

Doxology

Glory to God, who has shown us the Light!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men!

We praise You! We bless You! We worship You!

We glorify You and give thanks to You for Your great glory!

O Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty!

O Lord, the Only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit!

O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us!

You, Who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer!

You, Who sit on the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us!

For You alone are holy, and You alone are Lord. You alone, O Lord Jesus Christ, are most high in the glory of God the Father! Amen!

I will give thanks to You every day and praise Your Name for ever and ever.

Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation! I said, “Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You!”

Lord, I flee to You, Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. For with You is the fountain of Life, and in Your light shall we see light.

Continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin.

Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name for ever. Amen.

Let Your mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on You.

Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.

Blessed are You, O Master; make me to understand Your commandments.

Blessed are You, O Holy One; enlighten me with your precepts.

Your mercy endures forever, O Lord! Do not despise the works of your hands!

To You belongs worship, to You belongs praise, to You belongs glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Jesus Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 

Dismissal Prayer

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. 

I encourage you to print these prayers and use them every morning. Use the Jesus Prayer throughout the day. The “Opening Prayers” are marvelous to use for your evening prayers, also. 

At some level, you may always feel “dumb” about prayer (probably a good thing). Yet, a prayer rule will give you the confidence to move forward anyway. 

Re-read my previous posts on structuring a prayer rule and begin establishing this time-tested way of praying by using the prayers in this post.

Share below how it goes for you. 

Dr. K