How to Pray

Loneliness - Christ prayed alone, leaving behind even his nearest three. Jesus also taught that "when you pray you are to pray in secret so that the Father who seeth in secret shall reward you openly". Family prayers, prayers in Church and in prayer meetings are also essential in worship; but these are collective prayers and meant for a congregation. But when it comes to private prayer, when you want a personal communication with God, praying all alone is the most effective way.

Humbleness - According to Luke, the physician and one of the Gospel writers; Jesus "knelt" when He prayed on the Mount of Olives. And according to Mathew, Jesus "fell on His face" and prayed. Everywhere you find that people knelt down in prayer. Gideon's three hundred men, Solomon at his prayer of dedication, the faith of the Canaanite woman are just a few instances. Humility before God is an absolute necessity.

Filial - When praying Jesus called out saying "Abba" meaning "Father". The relationship between a father and a child is sacrosanct . The eldest son, the first born gets the birth right. The prodigal son returns home, a destitute; the father welcomes him home with open arms. As a subject, you have limited rights. But as a child you have all the rights to ask anything of the father. Ask of him and you will receive.

Perseverance - You are asked to pray three times a day. Daniel did. You are to pray at the third, the sixth and the ninth hours of the day. In our timings at Nine, Twelve and Three o'clock. More than what Christians are asked to do, Muslims pray five times a day; in the morning, at noon, in the afternoon, in the evening and at night. This goes to show that perseverance in prayer is one of the basic requirements.

Resignation - Even though with filial attachment you can ask God for almost anything, you should have the attitude to accept what he gives. Jesus knew that His time was come. Yet when he prayed he said "Not what I will, but what thou wilt". Resign your self to the will of God.

Other than this when we pray to God we should:

• First THANK him for all that he has done for you. Thanksgiving is the most important part of a prayer. You have been blessed with a lot of things, some you asked for and some you did not. But God gave them to you and you should be thankful. To go a step further, you should thank God for what you want though you still haven't got it. This is something like thanking a relative, a friend or an acquaintance for something that he/she hasn't given to you as yet. It makes him/her stop and wonder whether he/she has to give you something. God, of course, is not going to be fooled as easily as that, but He will definitely appreciate the gesture and if He deems it fit that you should get what you asked for, He will give it to u. Most often He does.

• Next PRAISE Him. Praise is an essential part of prayer. Praise and prayer are inseparably conjoined in the Scriptures. In the days of the Old Testament sacrifice was an express of praise to God for his goodness. By praising God, you celebrate his protection and deliverance of you.

• Finally comes WORSHIP. When you worship God you adore him and you glorify him. Worship comes in many forms. In the olden days God was worshiped with song and dance. We now restrict ourselves to singing.

Following the precepts outlined above we can effectively communicate with God.

Oliver S. Daniel is a Freelance Writer of a variety of articles and can be reached at jayasingh.daniel@yahoo.co.in

Passover and Easter's Common Theme - Courage Comes From Faith

Spring brings with it not only flowers, sunshine and warmer weather but two important religious holidays: Easter and Passover. While Passover commemorates the Israelites freedom from slavery in Egypt, Easter commemorates Jesus' resurrection and ascension. These seem like positive holidays, but the climax of the Biblical stories are preceded by some fairly heavy topics that include such dark topics as betrayal, crucifixion, slavery and plagues.

Embedded within the tale of Jesus' life and death and the tale of the Israelite's fight for freedom and escape from the Egyptians at the shore of the Red Sea lies the common theme of faith and courage. I think this is most clearly seen by looking first at the account of the parting of the Red Sea. For just as Jesus lost faith in the Garden of Gethsemane and briefly on the cross, the Israelites lost faith as they stood on the shore of that huge body of water and watched the Egyptian's approach. In both cases, however, faith in God coupled with courage to move forward with inspired action brought forth the miracles we now celebrate each spring during Easter and Passover.

The Old Testament, or Five Books of Moses, says Moses parted the sea with his staff, but the midrash, or a story that fills in a gap in story, says that the sea didn't actually part until a man named Nachshon actually walked into the water. So, Moses raised his staff, but the sea did not part. The Israelites stood on the shore of the Red Sea with the Egyptian army approaching and no where to go but into the sea. Afraid, they began to cry out to God, and in their lack of faith, they cry out to Moses. Moses, however, simply tells them to have both courage and faith.

And what does God say? Of all things, God says, "Why are you crying to me? Tell the Children of Israel to travel." In other words, while Moses reminds them to of the importance of both faith in God and courage, God says, "Stop looking to me for the answers. Get moving! Take action!" That's an odd response to the Chosen People's pleas for help, especially when they appear stuck between a huge sea and an army.

Nachshon, however, understood God's response. He possessed both faith and courage. He trusted that if he took action that God would provided the needed miracle. He heard the words, "Let them travel." He also knew that God's response - "Why are you crying to me?" - didn't mean, "Figure it out yourself." It meant, "You have the answer. You know what to do. You have the tools." Nachshon knew what those tools were - the power of his thoughts and his vision. If he believed those waters would part, if he could see that miracle happening and feel it happening - and if he truly had faith that the waters would part- they would, indeed, part.

Remember, God also told Moses to raise his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea, and the sea would split, but the midrash says that the sea did not part initially. (Maybe Moses lacked faith at that moment...) It actually didn't split until Nachshon walked right into that ocean up to his ankles, up to his knees, up to his waist, up to his shoulders, up to his chin, up to his nose. And just when he thought he would drown, low and behold, the waters parted. And then all the Children of Israel were able to travel to safety. This one act ensured their liberation.

So, how does this story relate to Easter? Jesus' told his followers of the miracles he performed, "These things and more ye shall do." How could they also perform miracles? I believe in the same way Nachshon parted the red sea - with faith, surrender to God's will, knowing and trust that with true belief and with inspired action we can manifest what we want or what is right in the moment.

Jesus was, indeed, a Christ. I believe he was not the only Christed being but a being so spiritually enlightened that he knew how to connect thought and feeling and action and manifest at will. He showed us that when we know what we want and what we need, when we focus upon it, feel it, and have faith that it will indeed come to us, miracles happen. Manifestation occurs. And he told us that he was simply providing an example of human potential.

Nachshon's faith wasn't that dissimilar from the faith Jesus had on the cross or in the Garden of Gethsemane. Just like the Jews who had a moment of fear and lack of faith at the shore of the Red Sea, Jesus doubted his faith and the will of God, or the Divine plan, in the garden and again on the cross. In the garden he struggled with his will and God's will, asking which one "shall be done?" On the cross he asked, "Oh God, why has thou forsaken me?" In both cases, he regained his faith and gave himself over to God's will, to inspired action. On the cross, he surrendered not just his will but his soul to God. By so doing, he was able to achieve both his resurrection and ascension.

Both Nachshon and Jesus offer us beautiful examples of men who had great courage and faith and were able to take inspired action - action that was part of a Divine plan. They provide examples of men - both Jewish men - who knew how to focus thought, feeling and action to bring the Divine creative forces into motion, thus creating miracles in their lives and in the lives of those around them. And that's something that both Jews and Christians - in fact anyone from any religion or even from no religion - can celebrate this season.

Nina Amir, the author of From Empty Practice to Meaning-Full & Spirit-Full Prayers & Rituals...in 7 Simple Steps and The Kabbalah of Conscious Creation, is currently writing Setting a Place for God, A Woman's Guide to Creating Sacred Space & Inviting the Divine to Dwell Within It. For more information on her books and classes, go to http://www.purespiritcreations.com or e-mail her at namir@purespiritcreations.com

Thanksgiving Prayers -- Importance of Expressing Our Gratitude

Prayers are the most significant and the most important part of Thanksgiving. A thanksgiving prayer can be a beautiful expression, written or spoken, for an individual or a family’s heartfelt thanks to the Lord for all his blessings. Impregnated with warmth and meaning, Thanksgiving prayers are heavy in a sweet content and earnest thankfulness, that’s hard to pass up. ‘Thanksgiving Day’ is set aside every year to thank the Divine for all the magic it bestows on mankind, for all the good things that’s been kept in store for them throughout the year and to pray for another promising year ahead. Thanksgiving is a time for prayers, a day to express your gratitude and feel blessed for every little good thing that has happened or will happen in life.

Great ideas for a beautiful Thanksgiving prayer or Thanksgiving poems can be found throughout the Book of Psalms. Many of the poems found throughout the Psalms are declarations of who God is and how we can depend upon Him. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be moved, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swellings thereof. Selah." (Psalm 46:1-3) Clearly, the heart of this grateful poem or song is appreciation in God's sovereignty.

Thanksgiving is a time of prayers - a moment in the year when people collectively give credit to our shared Creator for all that is good in our lives. As we come together in family gatherings and our places of worship, we are called to express our gratitude for those whom we love, for our health, and for our future prosperity. Thanksgiving is a time for giving, as well as a time of gratitude.

Some of the traditional prayers, which I found from some great sites, have been mentioned below:

The 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.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

O Lord my Savior and my Master, I, Thine unprofitable servant, with fear and trembling give thanks unto Thy loving goodness for all Thy benefits which Thou hast poured so abundantly upon me, Thy servant. I fall down in adoration before Thee and offer Thee, O god, my praises; with fervor I cry to Thee: O God, deliver me henceforth from all adversities and mercifully fulfill in me such of my desires as may be expedient for me. Hear me, I entreat Thee, and have mercy, for Thou art the Hope of all the ends of the earth, and unto Thee, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed glory, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

A few children’s prayer that I came across through the internet, are:

I Give Thanks

I give thanks for my family; Father, Mother,

And all the happy things we do together;

For understanding, laughter, and for love

Strong and warm in any kind of weather.

Thank thee, Lord

Thank thee, Lord

For all my many blessings,

thank thee, Lord.

I have bread,

thank thee, Lord.

for room and board.

thank thee, Lord.

for friends and family.

God takes such good care of me.

Amen

Thank You, God

Thank you God for all that grows,

Thank you for the sky's rainbows,

Thank you for the stars that shine,

Thank you for these friends of mine,

Thank you for the moon and sun,

Thank you God for all you've done!

Sean Carter writes on holidays, Thanksgiving and world events. He also writes on family, relationships, religion, love and friendship. He is a writer with special interest in ecard industry and writes for 123greetings.com. He also writes blogs on Thanksgiving Blogspot

Passover Holiday Meaning to the Jewish People Celebrating Freedom

The Passover is meant to celebrate the freedom of the Jewish people from the Egyptians nearly 3,300 years ago. Explained in the book of Exodus, God directed Moses and Hebrews to offer and consume roasted lamb to symbolize the Passover sacrifice. They were then instructed to spread the blood of the lamb on the doorposts and lintel to serve as a sign to pass over the home thus protecting them from the last plague - death of the first born son.

The offering of lambs in ritual today has mainly been substituted with the roasting of eggs and shankbone. This celebration has since been recognized as a feast day named Passover Seder. Declaring the importance of the Passover procedure, the Passover Haggadah gives a narration in Hebrew of the story as well as prayers and many other resources useful in celebrating the holiday.
The celebration lasts seven or eight days and begins at sundown on the 15th day of Nissan in the Hebrew calendar. Why the difference in days of celebration? It has to do with the conversion of calendar days. The Passover in Israel is celebrated for seven days based on scriptures but the Jewish calendar is a function of the lunar cycle and scholars added the extra day to make room for the differentiation in the moons location in the sky.

The importance of Passover today has a tiered level of significance. First, it is a historical and biblical event signifying the escape from Egyptian slavery of the book Exodus. Secondly, this celebration acts as an agricultural marker in that the celebration of spring brings new beginnings in a growing season. Lastly, the religious significance gives God the recognition of as being the redeemer of the Hebrew peoples. One could also argue that another important prospect of the Passover in Kabbalistic traditions notes that the play out of God's commandments in observation of the Passover fulfills the redemption process and highlights his mercy as justice.

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The Jewish Passover Feast Process Start To Finish

he Passover meal consists of several readings, prayers and stories which are linked to the exodus story. This collection makes up what is called the Haggadah (telling) whose contents dates back to the medieval period. All entries in the Haggadah are recited at certain stages of the Seder.

The Haggadah which has been translated into the vernacular can be understood by all who partake at the feast.An example is the opening prayer which is said by the oldest boy of the family. He prays,“this is the bread of poverty which our forefathers ate in the land of Egypt. Let all who are hungry enter and eat; let all who are needy come to our Passover feast. This year we are here; next year may we be in the Land of Israel. This year we are slaves; next year we may be free men".

When there was a temple, the priest had a very significant role to play at the temple during Passover, as it was the priests who ritually killed the animal for the sacrifice. When Passover festivities shifted from the temple to the home, members of the family would now take on responsibilities in the Seder. For example, the oldest boy in the family is the “master of the Seder”. It is his job (among other tasks) to sanctify the wine and open up the Seder through prayer. Through the Haggadah the whole family has an opportunity to participate in prayer and in song. The women also have a great responsibility in preparation of the special Passover meal.

The Seder begins with prayer and then sanctification and drinking of wine. Next, hands are washed and the vegetable (usually parsley) is eaten with the vinegared water. One Matzah is then broken some of which is used for Afikomen (desert) and other is left on the table. Next , comes the retelling of the exodus story followed by the blessing and drinking of wine, washing of the hands, blessing of grain product , blessing of Matzah and then eating of Matzah. Bitter herbs are then blessed and eaten followed by the paschal offering and dinner. After dinner is Afikomen (dessert), followed by a saying of grace, blessing and drinking of wine, praises to God (from psalms), another blessing and drinking of wine. The meal is then closed by a few words stating that it is completed, a wish of the messiah’s soon return, which is followed by hymns and stories which close the evening.

Learn more and more about Passover Gifts at Passovergifts