How do I learn to pray?
Prayer was a very important part of Jesus' life, according to the gospels, and following his example it is an essential part of being a Christian. Prayer is something we become better at by practise. The clergy will be happy to talk to you about prayer, or suggest someone who might act as a regular spiritual director (this need not be a priest ).
Jesus taught us a simple and well known prayer, and it is the best possible guide to 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.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
This prayer includes praise and thanksgiving (Hallowed be thy name), prayer for the needs of the world and our own needs (Thy will be done..., Give us this day...), and prayer for forgiveness (Forgive us our trespasses...). These are the four key elements of Christian prayer, and are often summarised by the mnemonic ACTS - Adoration, Contrition/Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.
If you are not used to praying, you may find the following suggestion for a simple pattern of daily prayer useful.
1. Find a place where you can be quiet and alone for a few minutes.
2. Make the sign of the cross saying 'In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit'. This is a simple but profound action - the sign of the cross calls to mind Jesus' saving death on the cross, whilst the words summarise the great truth of the Christian faith, that the one God is three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit - the Holy Trinity.
3. Reflect on the past day, calling to mind everything that has happened, asking for forgiveness for times when you have done wrong, and giving thanks for everything that is good.
4. Call to mind people you have met in the past day, people close to you, and anyone you know to be in need.
5. Try and remain quiet for a few minutes more, then say the Lord's Prayer to finish.
The prayer of the Church
The Christian life is not one lived in isolation but as part of a community that stretches across time and space, and also between heaven and earth. Personal prayer is only one part of the spiritual life of the Christian, and participation in the worship and prayer of the church is also essential. The most important way of sharing in the life of the Church is through the Sacraments - initiation into the church by Baptism and Confirmation, and regular nourishment and union with Christ through the Mass or Eucharist. Other sacraments have been given by Christ to his Church to sustain us in our journey. For those in need of healing, we offer the Sacrament of Anointing at our monthly healing Mass on a Saturday morning, and when visiting the sick at home or hospital. The Sacrament of Reconciliation or Confession provides a way of acknowledging our sinfulness and separation from God, and receiving in a personal way the grace and assurance of God's forgiveness - this sacrament is available by appointment or before or after mass at St Thomas'.
In addition to the sacraments, each day throughout the world there is a constant cycle of daily prayer offered by the Church. This is known as the daily 'office', and each service or 'hour' of the office (Morning and Evening Prayer being the most important) consists of psalms, canticles (songs from scripture), one or more readings from scripture, and some concluding prayers.
At St Thomas' the clergy meet together at 9am each morning to say Morning Prayer from the Divine Office, and the other offices are said privately. Anyone can join us in church for this, or join us spiritually by saying the office or a simpler form of prayer by themselves in the morning and/or evening.