Prayer - our conversation with God

When we pray, we open our hearts and minds to God. Sometimes we use prayers written by others, sometimes we use our own words and sometimes we simply pray in silence.

If you're not used to praying, it can be difficult to get started. You may like to read the articles in the section 'Prayer for beginners', which previously appeared in our church magazine.

If you'd like a more structured way to pray, there are some useful links in the section 'Daily Prayers'. More simply, you can find the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer here.

If you're in a hurry, then there's no better place to start than the prayer that Jesus taught us, the Lord's Prayer. It's a great prayer in itself, and also a wonderful structure for our own prayers.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.

Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread,
and forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.

For the Kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and forever.

Amen.