Prayer is an important part of our faith as Anglicans/Episcopalians because it is communication with our God. We as Christians recognize our dependence on our Creator. We have many reasons to express gratitude for God's blessings. However, prayer is not only responding to God's grace brought to us by Jesus and the Scriptures; it is also requesting our needs and interceding for the needs of others.

There are so many ways to pray! You can kneel, fold your hands, lift your hands to God, use prayer beads, or light a candle! But before we pray, it very important tell God who he is and praise Him for what He is. This is called supplication. However, if you want to go with form, the formal, traditional pattern for prayer is this:

  First, address the God the Father, tell Him who He is, and praise him;

  Second, make your request or make your thanksgiving;

  Third, seal your prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ.

So your prayer would run like this-

Almighty God, the Father of all lights, we praise you.
Grant, we pray, that you would look down from Heaven and kindle in our hearts with fire of your love.
Through Jesus Christ your Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Some people pray using traditional set prayers. Others use use the Bible. I believe the most powerful prayer you can offer is praying freely in the power of the Spirit and using the Scriptures to back it up.

So be creative. Pray! If you don't know how to pray, make a "quiet time" or a "holy hour". Just sit there and wait on God. Read the Bible or focus your heart on God. God appreciates it because he wants to spend time with you. Our prayers are important. They certainly make a difference in the world!

 Kimiko says: "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous person avails much." -James 5.16 NKJV

Trina says: "Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40.31 NKJV

Suggested external links:

This is an awesome webiste to help you to pray and growth from Upper Room Ministries: Excellent Web!!!

http://www.methodx.org/

How to pray- A good site about simple prayer. Hosted by the Church of England. 
http://www.cofe.anglican.org/prayer/prayer.html 

The Book of Common Prayer- The ultimate guide to the Prayer Books of the Anglican Communion.
http://www.justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp