Christians believe that Christ—also commonly referred to as Jesus and Jesus Christ throughout the following paragraphs—is the Messiah. But the peace that Christ bestows is not a political or economic peace; it is a personal peace.

Jesus’ Life

Jesus was born to a humble Jewish family in Nazareth. According to Christian belief, God placed His divine essence in the body of a young virgin, Mary—also called the Blessed Mother. Christians proclaim that Christ was conceived by a miracle of the Holy Spirit, not by natural human means. His ministry didn’t start until He was about thirty years of age, yet according to accounts, Jesus was a prodigious teacher of sacred text and law even as a young boy.

Jesus was a carpenter by profession, but a dynamic social and religious reformer as well. He encouraged people to love God above all things, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, promoting two principles that were already established in Jewish Scriptures. Jesus extended the covenants made between God and the Jewish people to place greater emphasis on these principles. He was highly concerned with placing the spirit of compassion and social justice over blind obedience to the law. But He also claimed to hold the way to God’s kingdom, and many fellow Jews, in addition to political leaders, were infuriated by this declaration. They feared that the allegiance Jesus asked for was a transgression against the Jewish God.

To His critics, Jesus was irreverent and too liberal. His comrades were often the poor, the sick, and the outcast. Because He talked in metaphor, many people found His words threatening. He was not without His share of enemies. Yet to the people who were mesmerized by Jesus, this God-Man possessed miraculous gifts and enlightened knowledge. Jesus gained a reputation for being a performer of miracles—a healer—and as a result, great crowds followed and gathered around Him. He became known as a compassionate, learned, and just man.

At thirty-three years of age, under the reign of the Roman ruler Pontius Pilate, Jesus Christ suffered capital punishment. Before He was sentenced to death, He endured a number of tortures. He died by crucifixion—that is, He was nailed to a cross while still conscious. The death was extremely painful and humiliating. Christians look to the fact that God offered Himself, in the person of Jesus Christ, in such a humble way. This proves His selfless love to them, and also makes Christians confident that in the afterlife, a person will not be judged by secular status or wealth, but by spiritual integrity.

Three days after Jesus Christ’s death, Christians believe that He rose from the dead. Friends and family going to annoint His body found Jesus’ tomb empty. He apparently visited with His circle of friends, explaining how they should continue the new way of life in which He had instructed them. He asked them to tell all the world about Him—about how He had conquered death, and would now bring forgiveness and eternal life to all who believed in Him.

Christian history also teaches that Jesus ascended into the afterlife, body and soul. But during His final visit before His ascension, Jesus endowed the apostles—His twelve chosen followers—with the Holy Spirit, the third person of God, to grant them the knowledge, courage, and inspiration necessary to do the work of Jesus Christ on earth.

The Spread of Christianity

The religion that developed as a result of Jesus’ life and teaching is called Christianity. Upon the request of Jesus, and in zealous love for Him, Jesus’ closest followers spread out into the surrounding regions and began teaching Christ’s message of love and salvation. After several hundred years of persecution—but nonetheless, successful evangelization—Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, and began to spread throughout the world. And under Roman rule, the calendar was recreated to begin modern time with the birth of Christ. Therefore, what we refer to as the Common Era begins at the approximate date when Jesus Christ was born.

Over two millennia, Christianity developed and grew. Dogma and doctrine were established, a patriarchy was put into effect, and many writings on Jesus’ life were collected and compiled. During this history, the Christian Church, originally called the Catholic Church, split into denominations. First, in 1054, came a great break between the Roman Church and the Eastern (Byzantine) Church. Eastern Orthodoxy developed in Eastern Europe, while Western Europe remained Roman Catholic. Then, in the sixteenth century, the Christian Church went through a Reformation during which various Protestant sects formed due to disagreements with some of the policies of the Roman Catholic Church. A German clergyman, Martin Luther, is noted as the man who started the Protestant movement.

Christianity Today

Today, there are numerous Christian denominations. Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Methodist, and Baptist are just a few of the Christian churches. Despite disagreements regarding certain doctrines, all Christians share the same basic understanding of God, and also center their faith on Jesus Christ—His coming, His life, and the salvation offered to those who follow Him. They believe that complete union with God is enjoyed in the afterlife if a person lives in accordance with Jesus’ teachings. And they are confident that their God is always with them, lovingly guiding them back to righteousness if they are receptive to His call.

Many of today’s Christian leaders take part in ecumenism. This is a movement that works to unite Christians by fostering respect for and understanding of fellow denominations. It endeavors to reestablish the sense of community among all Christians that was enjoyed in the early Church, thus healing divisions.

THE CONCEPT OF GOD

The Christian God is considered one supreme power, but that power manifests itself in three expressions: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Obviously, Christianity promotes a familial understanding of God in the first two persons of this Holy Trinity. God the Father is the authoritative, all-powerful, creator side of God. God the Son, who is Jesus Christ—also called the Sacred Heart and the Lord—is the brother and the savior of humanity. Finally, the Holy Spirit is the energy of inspiration and knowledge that is God; it is God’s continual presence in the world and in every human’s consciousness.

Many Christians find the notion of a three-part God rather helpful. Because different people are drawn to different concepts of God, it is advantageous to have several images from which to choose. By considering images of God as father, brother, and inspirational spirit, the Christian is bound to find one visualization of God that is personally productive.

Two of the three images of God offered in traditional Christianity are, obviously, male. Since it is believed that God did express Himself to humanity as a man in Jesus Christ, it is easy to understand why the perception of God as male is commonly accepted among Christians. Plus, Jesus Christ, Himself, instructed followers to pray to God as Abba, or father. So Christianity began as a patriarchal religion. The Church fathers were always male; only men were allowed to be clergy. Today, several Christian denominations accept female ministers, but the images of God are still largely male. Yet Christians fundamentally accept the fact that God is larger than gender—that our human images are simply aids to communication with God.

To understand the Christian concept of God, it is necessary to understand the Christian concept of sin. For Christians, sin is a harmful activity that causes the human soul to move away from God, rather than toward God. Human beings, it is believed, have sinful tendencies—that is, tendencies to do things that cause hurt, division, and anxiety—and therefore remove themselves from the total love and peace found in God. God came to earth in the form of Jesus Christ to offer forgiveness for the destruction caused by these tendencies. He gave Himself in sacrifice, allowing Himself to be put to death, so that He could take on all the sins that ever were and ever will be committed, suffer punishment for them, and therefore cleanse the human race by proxy.

As long as humanity observes the lifestyle that Jesus taught, humans can be assured of happiness in the afterlife with God. In the Gospel of John, we read, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone who believes in Him may not die, but have eternal life. For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world may be saved through Him” (John 3:16–17). Because Jesus is of God, Christians believe that He wasn’t made, but always has been in existence. Christ is coeternal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

People who convert to Christianity often say that they were drawn to the religion’s concept of a loving God who has tenderness for the weak and sinful. While God is considered Supreme Judge, His personification in Jesus Christ brought Him into the people’s daily lives. Jesus was known for His ministry to the poor, sick, sinful, and outcast. He welcomed them into His community with open arms, defying the social and religious prohibitions of His times to do so.

While Christianity focuses on love of God and fellowship among humanity, it also teaches the belief that there are dark forces—demonic, evil, or destructive elements—at work within the world. God is the Supreme Creator, yet He grants His beings free will. This means that “bad” things continue to happen in a “good” world. That’s exactly what happened with Satan.

Some Christians accept that a personified evil force, called the Devil or Satan, traverses the universe. According to the story, Satan was at one time a very powerful angel. Out of greed, pride, and malevolence, he and his companions battled God for power. And they lost. Because God allows free will, He did not obliterate Satan for his actions. Satan therefore continues his underworld reign, and human beings, as God’s most cherished creations, are his main target for revenge. In a constant battle to uproot God’s good presence in the universe and to plant malice and harm in its place, Satan and his followers maintain a never-ending mission to lead God’s people into sin.

In modernity, some Christians think of Satan as a concept created by humans to explain why bad things happen in the world, and why people are weak and malicious at times. They understand Satan as a symbolic personification of the bad side in all of us. Whether a Christian literally or figuratively believes in the demonic, Christianity asserts that God is more powerful than all other forces and can overcome evil on any level. Prayer is a means to increase God’s activity in our lives, and fight off harm. That leads into our discussion of the concept of prayer in the Christian tradition.

THE CONCEPT OF PRAYER

Christian prayer aims at developing and intensifying a personal relationship with the Trinity. Contrary to some mistaken views of Christianity, a clergy member is not necessary in order to “access” God. It is believed, in some Christian denominations, that clergy hold a special privilege to consecrate the Eucharist, which means to mystically bring Jesus’ presence into bread and wine, which the community then shares. And clergy members are often revered for their long-term study of sacred Scriptures and doctrines. But the individual is thought to have her own power to communicate with God.

The Christian is encouraged to take part in both group and private prayer. Prayer is a gift and a privilege. It is for the world at large and for each person. And as Christ came to spread a message of personal salvation, emphasis is placed on the Christian’s daily and private relationship with God. Private communication with God is capable of being enjoyed at any time, anywhere.

Where Did the Prayer Tradition Begin?

Just as the Christian religion has its roots in Judaism, so does Christian prayer share the same roots as Jewish prayer. However, the traditions that are uniquely Christian began, of course, as a result of Jesus’ instructions on prayer.

Jesus offered His followers detailed guidance on the subject of prayer. He recited a specific prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, discussed later in this article. He taught His believers to address God as Father. Furthermore, Jesus warned people against the profuse use of words in prayer, as well as hypocritical public displays of prayer. Jesus actually instructed His believers not to heap word upon word, as though the right number of words would convince God to respond accordingly. Therefore, Christianity places more emphasis on the heart during prayer, and less on the words. That being said, there is a large tradition of fixed prayer, within liturgy and outside of liturgy, in Christianity. And Jesus encouraged His followers to speak with God privately, removed from rush and noise, as well as to gather in His name and to share Holy Communion.

How Important Is Prayer in the Christian Tradition?

Prayer is central to Christian life. Like Judaism, Christianity promotes both the transcendence and the nearness of God. And prayer is the Christian’s bridge to this God, in all His unfathomable glory and all His natural presence in our souls.

Christianity has been defined as a lifestyle as much as a religion. When practiced faithfully, that lifestyle necessarily involves prayer. Prayer is the time given specifically to awareness of God, and that awareness is at the foundation of what it means to be a Christian.

Also, for some of the longer-established Christian denominations, like Roman Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy, prayer is so necessary to the individual’s spiritual health that weekly and holiday services—or Masses—are obligatory. It is considered a transgression against God not to take part in this form of communal prayer. Therefore, the degree of significance that is placed on prayer is quite clear.

How Is Prayer Practiced?

Christianity teaches that private prayer is necessary for the soul’s strength and virtue. Christians use a variety of prayer techniques, including fixed prayers, spontaneous prayers, meditation methods, and contemplation methods. But before we delve into a further discussion of these practices, let’s take a brief look at prayer services offered in community, as group prayer services are also a mode of worship for the Christian.

For certain Christian denominations, such as Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox communities, the Mass is the highest form of prayer and is obligatory, once a week, to fulfill Christian obligation. And for those who choose, the liturgy of the Mass is also available every day. For these communities, the Mass is the opportunity to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Jesus actually offers Himself in sacrifice, mystically, once again, and performs the changing of the bread and wine into the substances of His flesh and blood through the priest. This ritual is called the Liturgy of the Eucharist, or Holy Communion.

Protestant worship tends to be more liberal. Obligations to attend prayer services are not as strict, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist—the sharing of bread and wine (or, often today, juice)—is understood largely as a commemorative act. Most Christian denominations offer daily and weekly prayer services for those who choose to attend. However, while some also provide daily or weekly communion services, others share communion only once a month—or even once every three months. Due to the many differences in services between denominations, it is impossible to present a standard ritual of observance. Some involve a good deal of singing and a long sermon; others involve three Scripture readings and a shorter sermon, as well as a communion service. Whatever the circumstance, communal prayer is viewed as personally enhancing and as world enhancing. It is Christ-centered, and it inspires the individual so that she will perform more prayerful, Christ-like acts in her private life. Now, let’s consider the importance of personal prayer.

Christian prayer can be voiced, or it can be silent and mental. It can involve words, images, or simple dwelling with God. In vocal prayer—which can be said aloud or in the mind, but in either case is reliant on language—the words are much less important than the intention behind them. But words do help the person who prays to channel intentions. According to The Basic Book of Catholic Prayer: How to Pray and Why, by John Lovasik, certain word prayers have the power to stimulate devotions and changes in a person because they so aptly explain and confirm beliefs. That is the benefit of fixed prayer. A Christian fixed prayer may be addressed to any of the three members of the Holy Trinity, and for some denominations, to saints and angels who will aid the prayer practitioner with intercession.

Although fixed prayer is an important part of Christian worship, Jesus made it clear that His teachings apply to more than formal prayer time. This means that prayer should permeate the whole day, and conversation with God should occur as frequently as possible. After all, the Christian God is an ever-present and personal God who is continually accessible. So spontaneous prayer is encouraged in the practice of Christianity. From short adorations like the Jesus Prayer to simple everyday conversation, the Christian makes herself further aware of God's presence in her life by performing unplanned prayers. These could be as simple as a “Thank you!” upon seeing a beautiful tree, or a “Please help me!” during a tense family disagreement. Whatever the situation, nothing is too small for God.

In nonvocal prayer, the activity is not based on using language skills to articulate communication with God. Instead, there is a great focus on silent dwelling either on God or in God. Nonvocal prayer is involved in certain meditation practices and all contemplation.

As alluded to, Christian meditation can be vocal or nonvocal. Because meditation is intended to bring the practitioner into deep focus on God through quiet concentration skills, it is essential that this type of prayer be individual. Techniques range from dwelling on the personal pertinence of Scriptural passages to concentration on breathing. Several aspects of Christian meditation are explored later.

Finally, there’s contemplation, which is always individually and silently performed. Many Christian teachers confirm that the more prayer is geared toward sheer enjoyment and praise of God, and the less it is geared toward self, the more intimate one’s prayer life becomes. That’s what contemplation entails—just dwelling with God.

What Are the General Intentions of Prayer?

Christ told His followers, “Ask and it shall be given you” (Luke 11: 9). Thus, Christians often turn to God for help. Prayers of petition or supplication are a large part of Christian prayer. But it should also be clear that Christian prayer blooms far beyond that. It is an act of praise, an expression of contrition for sin, and a way to thank God for His generosity. Therefore, the general intentions of Christian prayer are identical to those of Jewish prayer: praise, thanksgiving, petition, and confession. Importantly, confession prayers are meant to help cleanse the Christian from the sins that now mar her spirit. She prays not only with the intention of realizing the weight of her wrongs and thus remedying or avoiding them in the future, but also with the intention of healing her relationship with God, who has been offended by her acts.

Moreover, Christianity places a large emphasis on ministry or service to humanity. Jesus Christ made this aspect of Christianity clear through His own concern for the sick, the poor, and the outcast. Thus, there are many prayers that demonstrate a concern for others and for the environment. (For an example of this type of prayer, see “Prayer for the Poor and Neglected,” below.)

In the Christian viewpoint, are prayers of request intended to change God’s will? Can humans convince God to change the flow of things? Christians, in general, believe that by showing faith in and commitment to God, an individual can receive certain favors from Him. That doesn’t necessarily mean physical favors; it often refers to spiritual graces. God may decide to manifest Himself more clearly because of a person’s devotion and attention. So the intention of prayer is not to change God’s will, but to invite God to reveal Himself in the individual’s life and work, helping her create a more desirable, beautiful, or tolerable situation.

Christians do believe in free will, as well as a shared responsibility that God gives humanity to take part in further creating the world with Him. That means that humanity holds the God-given right to make conscious decisions, and thus take part in the great plan of creation and existence. Prayer may be viewed as an avenue of involvement in this process. When a person prays to become pregnant, or prays for healing, for instance, she is asking to take part in designing the unfolding plan. God makes room for this, leaving certain things open for possibility.

Usually, the intention of petition is to gain in understanding or to contribute to forming a better situation in the future, not to skew the natural course of things. But when God does alter what seemed like a set course of events as a result of prayer—or out of sheer compassion—such an event is called a “miracle.” A miracle is a change that God effects supernaturally rather than through another human being. Miracles are how Christians explain things like spontaneous remissions, sudden changes in natural weather crises, and the like.

Does Christian Prayer Involve Angels and Saints?

From its early days, the Christian Church held fast to a belief that some of God’s angels—His supernatural helpers—tend to humanity, while others offer continual praise and service to God Himself. In this belief system, certain angels who tend to humanity serve as messengers, delivering God’s words to those whom He chooses as prophets. Others serve as guardians, and bring comfort and healing to humans.

Some Christians believe that by praying to angels, they can obtain further guidance and protection. Alongside this understanding is the concept that angels can also be asked to intercede for humans—to ask God to respond to people’s needs and desires, possibly with better results than might be achieved by human entreaty alone. Thus, among some Christians, you will find the recitation of prayers such as, “Saint Michael, the Archangel, protect us.”

Traditionally, some forms of Christianity, such as Roman Catholicism and Greek Orthodoxy, also practice prayer to saints—particularly pious people who have passed away, and have since been canonized by the Church. These souls, who now reside in union with God, can intercede on an individual’s behalf, asking God to grant her prayers. So some Christians pray to saints hoping that, through their intercession, God might look favorably upon their requests. Miracles and conversions have been attributed to the action of saints in peoples’ lives.

Specific types of prayer are linked with communication with saints. For instance, when praying to saints, it is not uncommon for Roman Catholics to say novenas, which are fixed prayers said for a certain number of days, with specific intentions in mind. Nor is it uncommon for Roman Catholics to meditate upon depictions of saints. Special devotion is given to the Blessed Mother, or Virgin Mary, who was Jesus’ earthly mother. Numerous prayers are composed for this significant figure, including the most recognized “Hail Mary.”

It is important to note that most Protestant denominations do not believe in the veneration of saints, including the Blessed Mother. Members of these communities fear that such worship shifts the focus of praise from God, and places it on the memory of a human being. Such Christians argue that the focus of prayer should be Christ-centered, and that anything else is too close to idol worship. Quite differently, Christians who do observe prayer practices that involve saints and angels believe that they are simply praying within a larger communion of souls, with one helping the other in times of need.

PRAYER TECHNIQUES

Christianity is so varied in its denominations, and therefore in its specific practices, that it is impossible to come up with a list of prayer techniques that applies to all members of this religion. But today, several forms of Christian prayer do commonly play roles in various Christian lives. Some of the techniques discussed below cover general practices, such as Scripture readings and meditation. Others refer to specific prayers that were composed hundreds of years ago, and have proven helpful in the lives of countless individuals. Perhaps you will find one or two to which you are personally drawn.

Sacred Reading

The Jewish faith makes no real distinction between the study of sacred writings and prayer itself. After all, reading Scriptures is listening to God. Similarly, Christianity views the Scriptures as the revealed words of God, and the reading of them as communication with Him. Furthermore, even writings that are not Scriptures, but are spiritual in nature, can be avenues of prayer. In the Christian approach, reading becomes prayer when a person no longer reads a passage to analyze the writer or the culture in which the text originated, but instead, simply listens to what God is saying to her at that particular moment.

The reading of spiritual texts has long been a part of Christian worship. For example, Catholic monastic life has always made lectio divina—spiritual reading—a large part of the day. When looking at monastic life—and monks are best known for their lives of constant prayer—we find that Saint Benedict, who founded an order of monks that is still active today, recommended a via media, a middle road, that involved three forms of prayer: formal prayer sessions, spiritual reading, and physical labor. Spiritual reading was considered a prayerful act in and of itself.

As mentioned above, the Christian does not have to read from the Bible in order to pray with text, but the Bible is probably the most common literature used for spiritual reading. It is important to note that the Christian tradition looks to the Jewish tradition as a living part of its heritage, for it is the same God the Father that Christians and Jews worship. So the Jewish Bible is included in the body of Christian Scriptures, only it is referred to as the Old Testament. The books and stories written after Christ’s death and concerned with His ministry and church are collectively referred to as the New Testament. The following discussions focus on the two areas of the Christian Bible from which many of the sacred readings are drawn—the four Gospels and the Books of Psalms.

Also please note that Christian teachers recommend slow, open-minded reading of spiritual texts in order to attain effective prayer. They suggest taking a small passage, reading it patiently, and dwelling on it for a while. The reader can then apply the words of the passage to her specific situation.

The Gospels

We can consider the four Gospels biographies of Jesus Christ. Because these first four books of the New Testament are so Christ-centered and so informative, quoting Christ and detailing His actions, they are a wonderful source of spiritual readings. The Gospels tell the stories of Jesus’ lineage, His teachings, His love, His social action, His religious ideals, His death, His resurrection, and His promise to be with His followers always. The Gospels are also blueprints for the Christian life. Each one is unique in presentation and emphasis.

The first Gospel is the Gospel of Matthew. The author is thought by many scholars to have been an original disciple of Christ—one of the twelve men to whom Jesus initially passed on His ministry. This Gospel was written in Hebrew, the language of the Jewish people, and is heavily influenced by the Jewish tradition. It highlights how Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies.

The Gospel of Mark appears to have been written for Romans of the early centuries of the Common Era. Mark seems to have traveled with Paul, an early evangelist who started converting Romans to Christianity very soon after Christ’s death. He also is believed to have written down the teachings of Peter, the apostle whom Jesus specifically asked to head His community. In his Gospel, Mark concentrates on communicating the power of Christ as a savior for all, in order to reach non-Jews who had little knowledge of Jesus’ culture and traditions.

Luke’s Gospel is the third book of the New Testament. Luke was a physician, and his scientific background is evident in his detailed account of the stories he gathered on Christ’s life. His telling of Jesus’ life is beautiful and thorough, involving a wealth of information on the real-life people involved in the Christ experience, such as shepherds, townspeople, and friends. This, too, was written with a non-Jewish audience predominantly in mind.

Finally, the Gospel of John is the most radical account of Christ’s ministry and future purpose. The source is believed to have been another of Jesus’ original and carefully chosen followers, and is the self-proclaimed “beloved” apostle of Christ. Historically, John is thought to have had an especially close relationship with Jesus, having been taken under Jesus’ wing as though he were a little brother. John the Apostle was the youngest of the original group of twelve ministers with whom Christ worked, and the only one who wasn’t killed for his faith and ministry. Many scholars suggest that the tract we know as John’s Gospel today is actually John’s words recorded by faithful followers late in the first century. So it is not necessarily the actual written account of John himself. Nonetheless, it holds mystical and complex understandings of Jesus not only as a divine man, but also as the source and future of humanity. Symbolism and metaphor enrich this Gospel account. Poets and writers find this one especially moving!

The Psalms

Just as it is often used as a medium for prayer in the Jewish tradition, the Book of Psalms is a popular avenue of prayer for the Christian. The 150 Psalms cover everything from despair to rejoicing, and from poverty to prosperity. Many Christians claim that they have found a direct response to their needs in the Psalms, and turn to them regularly in prayer life.

Jesus quoted the Book of Psalms quite often in His ministry. In fact, many of His last words were actually rooted in lines from the Psalms. Since Jesus Christ found satisfaction in praying the Psalms, His followers are guided to this portion of the Bible for both help and celebration.

Traditional Prayer

Clearly, among Christian sects, there is much variety in liturgical and personal prayer practices. This makes it impossible to provide a common ritual of observance when it comes to traditional Christian prayer. However, the focus on salvation through Jesus; the belief in the three-part God; and the mission to uphold Jesus’ love and teachings is shared by all Christians. And these elements can be found in the several fixed prayers studied below. The following prayers are not exclusive to any group, but are shared by Christians of all denominations.

The Lord’s Prayer

The Lord’s Prayer, also known as the Our Father, is said both in community and individually. This prayer was given to Christians by Jesus Christ Himself, in response to the question, “How should we pray?” Thus, by analyzing the words of the Lord’s Prayer, we can learn a great deal about Christian belief, prayer, and practice.

First, Jesus tells His followers to address God as “our Father.” Note the recognition that all people share the same God through the use of the plural pronoun “our.” Also note the familial tone that Jesus encourages. The word used in Jesus’ own Aramaic dialect was Abba, which is an endearing term for a father who protects and cares for his children. It was a title that was used with reverence, respect, and admiration, but also with great warmth.

In the Lord’s Prayer, praise is given to God. In addition, God is asked to bring His kingdom—which is a life of peace and love in union with His spirit—to us here on earth. This prayer also confirms that the Christian’s first intention is to observe the will of God, and to serve that will. Therefore, the prayer does not ask God to alter the natural course of things or to observe the Christian’s personal desires, but only that His will be done. The prayer practitioner also asks that simple, daily needs be attended to by God, including sustenance and forgiveness for transgressions, so that she may remain a healthy and effective individual. Again, note the plural nature of this request, which asks that the entire community, not just the individual, be granted basic needs.

The concept of evil—destructive forces or events—is also addressed in the Lord’s Prayer. The individual asks God to protect her from bad things and from personal temptations that may lead her into harmful living. The last phrase of the prayer concludes with praise, once again, of the sublime nature of God and His creative force. The Christian recites this prayer with confidence that God hears the individual’s voice, and with certainty that this way of prayer is pleasing to God because Jesus Christ composed it.

In Simple Prayer, John Dalrymple challenges the reader to perform a specific prayer exercise with the Our Father. Although a person can recite this prayer within a few seconds, Dalrymple suggests prolonging the reading for fifteen minutes. Digest every word; dwell on every concept; and note the various beliefs confirmed through recitation of this prayer.

The Nicene Creed

The majority of denominations that consider themselves Christian accept certain fixed creeds that present the basic tenets of the faith. One such prayer is the Nicene Creed, composed during the early years of the Christian Church and still recited today, individually and communally. As you read the text of the Nicene Creed, note how it lists the fundamental concepts of Christianity, including the use of the plural “we” to emphasize community among Christians.

The Jesus Prayer

The Jesus Prayer is a very short, yet truly meaningful prayer that, centuries ago, was born from and popularized by the Eastern Orthodox Church—or, more specifically, the Russian Orthodox Church. It can be found in several versions. Three popular ones are: “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me”; the more simple “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me”; and finally “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Repeated recitation of this prayer throughout the day, as the Christian goes about her regular activities, is a realistic way to remind herself of God’s constant presence. In addition to its rather spontaneous recitation, the Christian may also count repetitions on traditional prayer beads.

Holy Communion

For many Christians, Holy Communion is a significant part of prayer life. In fact, the central activity of many Christian religious services is the Liturgy of the Eucharist, or Holy Communion. During this liturgy, Jesus’ last Passover supper is reenacted. Jesus lifted bread, blessed it, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26: 26). He did the same with wine, thanking God and saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26: 27–28). Some Christian groups believe that when a priest or minister resides over bread and wine—or bread and juice—and repeats the words that Jesus said, Christ mystically enters the substances, and they literally become the presence of Christ. Other Christians view Holy Communion as a symbolic act, a memorial.

As discussed previously in this article, if they wish, members of such denominations as Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy can attend a daily Mass, which contains the Liturgy of the Eucharist and sacred Scripture readings, among other prayers. Protestant denominations vary in their practices. The Liturgy of Holy Communion may occur weekly, biweekly, or monthly. In any case, the Christian can make efforts to ingest the Body and Blood of Jesus and meditate upon union with Jesus during that act. Holy Communion is a practice that brings the Christian closer to God.

For those who believe that Jesus’ presence literally enters into the Eucharist, visitation of the blessed bread is considered another form of prayer. For example, a Roman Catholic Church will always have blessed communion bread—which is, for Roman Catholics, the actual Body and Blood of Christ—locked in a tabernacle on the altar of the church. Roman Catholics can enter the church during open hours and sit in meditation or other prayer before what they call the “Blessed Sacrament.” According to Sister Briege McKenna, a Catholic nun and healer, the Blessed Sacrament offers a focal point for the prayer practitioner, enhancing concentration and inspiring reverence.

Meditation

There are quite a few techniques that fall under the heading of Christian meditation. Some include reading about and dwelling on God—or, in the case of certain Catholic churches, dwelling on one of the righteous souls whom God offers as an example. Meditation may also involve fixating on an image or word that draws us closer to God. Or meditation may take the form of breathing exercises performed either alone or as an accompaniment to spoken prayer.

Meditation was a spiritual practice even during the earliest years of the Christian Church. According to Barbara Gawle in How to Pray, this early form of prayer centered on a number of steps, forming “a rhythmic process of prayer”: receive the Word, ponder the Word, respond to the Word, unite oneself with the Word. In this process, the “Word” refers to Jesus as revealed in the universe, through the Scriptures, and in one’s daily life. Several meditation approaches are discussed below.

Scripture Meditation

The goal of Scriptural passage meditation is to find personal revelations in the Holy Scripture. It is important to note that in Scripture meditation, the Christian does not “study” the text, analyzing it for historical content or literary skill. Instead, she reads Scriptures to hear the words of God, and discover how a particular prayer or passage applies to her at that very moment. Beyond reading the words, there are periods of silent dwelling upon the message received.

Word Meditation

The rhythm developed in word meditation, which is a form of chanting, is a very effective means of prayer. The prayer practitioner can meditate upon one word, such as “Lord,” “Father,” or
“Love”; or can meditate on a phrase, such as “Come, Holy Spirit” or “You are my God.” Regardless of the chosen word or phrase, or whether the recitation is vocal or silent, the rhythmic repetition encourages continued focus on God, diminishes distractions, and enhances awareness in the moment, as well as providing solace in the sound of the chant.

Breathing Exercises

Various exercises are available to the Christian who is interested in breathing meditation. One technique involves breathing in a paced manner while mentally reciting spiritual phrases. Take, for example, the Jesus Prayer, discussed earlier: “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” On the inhale, the prayer practitioner would mentally and slowly recite, “Jesus.” On the exhale, “Son of God” would be mentally articulated. On the following inhale, “have mercy on me” would be the concentration. Finally, “a sinner” would close the prayer and coincide with the ensuing exhale. In this technique, body, mind, and spirit work in union to pray. The intention behind the words becomes more significant as the practitioner slowly paces herself and dwells upon each phrase. And the act of breathing—something so simple and innate to us—becomes holy service.

Nonlanguage breathing mediations involve simply concentrating on the breath and its relation to God. The Christian might choose to view the breath as divine, creative energy, and attain a state of union with God by becoming aware of its ebb and flow inside her own body. Each respiration is an opportunity to study how God maintains our earthly lives.

Visualizing God

Another form of meditation involves dwelling on an image of God, or on a saint or angel who draws the Christian closer to God. Some Christian denominations are opposed to using physical representations, such as statues and icons, to aid this process. They feel that this practice borders on idol worship. But for many Christians, a statue, cross, crucifix, or other visual aid proves very helpful.

Whether you use an actual physical item to enhance your imaging, or you form an image in your mind without the use of an aid, there are a number of popular images for dwelling upon the Christian God. First is a triangle with an eye inside. This represents the three-sided nature of God, as well as His ever-watchful presence. The second is the image of Christ on the cross. Someone who isn’t used to this practice may find it upsetting to meditate on such a sad image. However, the Christian who studies this depiction of her God is reminded of Christ’s selfless love and His shared suffering with humanity. Another commonly used image is that of the dove of peace that gently floats in the air, reminding the Christian of the soft inspiration of the Holy Spirit. These are only a few of many effective images on which the Christian can meditate.

Contemplation

Quite different from Christian meditation, which involves dwelling on a specific image or phrase, Christian contemplation does not involve thinking about anything. It simply consists of basking in God’s presence. Perhaps an effective way to describe contemplation is that it is not a dwelling on, but a dwelling in.

It can take some time to get used to the practice of contemplation. It is not intellectual; it is intuitive. Those who have accomplished it say that at first, the relinquishing of mental control that is necessary can be a bit frightening or uncomfortable. The person has to rely totally on faith as she enters this state. But the enjoyment of this form of prayer is immeasurable. Those who have effectively contemplated, even for several seconds or minutes, say that it is a very fulfilling form of prayer. No thought processes or selfish motives mar the experience, and the union that is achieved with God feels like a return home.

ENHANCING THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER

Over time, Christian teachers and prayer practitioners have developed a number of approaches that can help the Christian conduct more effective prayer. For example, putting oneself in a Christ-like state of mind can help, as can the use of certain postures and prayer aids. Whether or not you subscribe to Christianity, the following ideas may assist you in making your own prayer time more fulfilling.

Adopting the Right State of Mind

The following are suggestions for developing a calm and reverent state of mind during prayer. These approaches can help you focus on the love and peace of God, making prayer time more fulfilling.

Pray in Christ’s Example

The Christian generally prays with the example of Christ in mind. Christ not only articulated certain ways to pray, as discussed throughout this article, but also taught by the example of His daily life how we should live in God. Therefore, the Christian who wants to enhance her prayer life might continually hold herself up against Christ’s example. She might remember to be peaceful at heart, to release anxieties, to pray with great trust, and to dwell on love above all things.

To place herself in a more enhanced state of prayer, one Christian explains that she recites the following prayer to Jesus: “Jesus, please teach me to see with your eyes, to hear with your ears, to speak with your voice, to touch with your hands, to know with your knowledge, and to love with your love.” This simple prayer reminds her to use Christ as her guide and example during her prayer sessions and throughout her daily life.

Enjoy God

In his book Enjoy the Lord: A Path to Contemplation, author and priest John Catoir teaches that at the bottom of every Christian prayer should be the enjoyment of God. Catoir writes, “Just knowing that you are made to enjoy God can change the direction of your thinking. You will want to live in the presence of God and enjoy all aspects of the life he gives you: walking, resting, working, playing—all of life becomes infused with his loving care.” By delighting in God, we come to understand that the goodness of God will overcome all pain and harm. It brings peace and happiness in prayer.

Practice the Presence of God

When praying, and when going about daily life, it is helpful to constantly call attention back to God by using short, one-line prayers. Examples are the Jesus or simple statements such as, “I love you, Lord,” “Thank you, Lord,” or “Be with me, Lord.” Even if the Christian is reciting fixed prayers or practicing image meditation, these short exclamations can enliven and impassion prayer. The goal is to make prayer feel vibrant by directly addressing God in the moment.

Prayer Postures

It is not believed that God demands any specific bodily posture in prayer. And in today’s practice of Christianity, simple sitting in a chair seems to be the posture of choice. With the back straight and pressure distributed healthfully throughout the body, the Christian can attain a comfortable and productive position for prayer. However, liturgical prayer does have prescribed protocols for standing, sitting, and kneeling. In addition, during personal prayer, some Christians choose body postures and hand positions that inspire further reverence and respect in their own minds.

It is a well-known Christian practice to kneel while praying, whether in church or at home. This posture was derived from the custom of kneeling before a king. But for the Christian, more than an attitude of submission is involved. By getting down on her knees, a person automatically feels humble. Humility is constructive in prayer, as it calls us to let go of our notions of ego and to submit to a greater Source. Similarly, kneeling makes the person feel slightly vulnerable. This less-stalwart position, again, fights off egocentrism. And kneeling brings the person physically into closer contact with the organic earth, through which God breathes life into all of His creations. So yes, it does traditionally stem from a culture that would kneel before political and economic rulers as an act of submission, but kneeling during prayer can encourage so much more than that limited understanding.

While considering respectful gestures, it is helpful to mention head-bowing as well. Some Christians practice slightly bowing the head when the name of Jesus is recited, audibly or mentally, during prayer, and even during discussion. This activity is a simple but significant reminder of the holiness of Christ.

Whether sitting, kneeling, or bowing the head, several traditional hand positions may be used during Christian prayer. The most common one involves bringing the palms together, and then folding the fingers down and between each other. In other words, the hands are clasped, with fingers interlocked. A similar hand position involves simply placing the hands palm-to-palm, allowing the fingers to remain upright so that the hands resemble triangles. Both of these hand positions symbolize unity—a coming together of God and the individual, of the spiritual and the earthly realms. They also demonstrate respect and humility.

Some Christians like to pray with their hands held out slightly to the sides, palms cupped and facing upwards. This position communicates receptivity—the opening of the self to God. Symbolically, the hands are open to receive the blessings that pour down from God. Both this hand position and the other positions and postures detailed in this section, enrich the practice of prayer by making the body an active part of the experience.

Prayer Accessories

Several common prayer aids can be used to further enhance the Christian’s prayer experience—or, actually, anyone’s prayer experience. From the visual stimulation provided by statues and paintings, to the tactile aid of prayer beads, to the calming and sacred scent of incense, the accessories discussed below offer help for the prayer practitioner.

Statues and Icons

As explained earlier in the article, many Protestant sects—especially those that have their roots in the Puritan Revolution of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries—do not believe in using representations of holy figures. They fear that veneration before such items leans toward idol worship, which is strictly prohibited in the Ten Commandments. Therefore, it must be clarified that certain prayer aids are used in only some Christian denominations. Within those traditions, however, they are an important part of prayer life.

First and foremost, the depiction of the cross is considered a prayer aid for many Christians. Whether in a church or in a private prayer space, it is common to see a simple cross hanging on the wall or sitting on a table, reminding the worshipper of Christ’s sacrificial death for humanity’s sins. Some Christians prefer a crucifix—a cross that bears a representation of the Christ figure.

Many Catholics find that statues and other religious art pieces, such as religious paintings, also aid concentration on God, the Blessed Mother Mary, and various saints. In prayer, a Catholic might sit down or kneel before a depiction of Jesus and focus on it. The prayer practitioner then has an object upon which to dwell—an object that leads her away from other distractions while feeding her with a concept of God that is understandable to the human being.

The Eastern Orthodox Church promotes the use of icons—two-dimensional representations of sacred people and events. Christ, the Blessed Mother, saints, and angels have all become popular subjects of icons. The point of the icon is not to convince the viewer that the person portrayed actually looked like that, nor are these pieces of artwork looked upon as simple paintings. Rather, through line and color, the icon is intended to put the viewer in touch with the transcendent and life-enhancing attributes of the subject. For instance, an icon of Christ would introduce an element of reverence and holiness through the colors and shapes used; through the depth of the eyes; and through the cultural coding—the placement of the hands, for instance—that literally tells a story.

Icons are necessarily two-dimensional. In fact, Eastern Orthodox Churches are opposed to the practice of using three-dimensional artwork—that is, statues—in prayer. These churches teach that statues concentrate too much on the physical recreation of the subject, while icons capture qualities that lead the viewer to a transcendent understanding of their faith. Icons are so valued that they are always present in traditional Eastern Orthodox households, where faithful observers kiss the icons and bow before them.

Prayer Beads

Certain fixed prayer techniques require a specific number of repetitions of prayers. The rosary, for instance, is a Catholic form of devotion that mainly involves repetitions of the Our Father and Hail Mary prayers. Prayer beads, also called rosary beads, are used to keep count of these repetitions.

The main loop of the prayer beads consists of fifty small beads, punctuated by a large bead at intervals of ten. An additional line of beads branches off this loop. At the end of the line is a small crucifix, and between the crucifix and the main loop are a large bead and three small beads, all of which are associated with the recitation of particular prayers. While the prayer beads were traditionally arranged to suit the recitation of the rosary centuries ago, some Christians like to use them for other prayer forms. Some recite the Jesus Prayer on every bead, and others use the beads to guide them on meditative recitations of personally composed prayers or phrases.

Incense

Incense was traditionally used during rituals in the early Church, and it is still used during such events as funerals and high holy days in certain Catholic Churches. The rising of smoke from an incense holder symbolizes the rising of prayers to God. Following this practice, some Christians choose to burn incense during their private prayer sessions. The pleasant fragrance helps to relax the prayer practitioner, putting her in a reverent state of mind. Although any scent can be used, heavy, spicy scents, like frankincense and myrrh, best mimic the incense used in traditional church ceremonies.

CONCLUSION

Prayer practices vary among the Christian Churches. But the one thing that is common to all Christians is that prayer is centered in a three-person understanding of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christians pray to a God who is an all-present creator, an all-loving brother, and an all-inspiring spirit. Prayer is always performed in the recognition that God loves humanity and wants them to turn always to an awareness of His presence. In this presence, the Christian finds peace, hope, and rest.




Copyright © 2001 by Helene Ciaravino

From How to Pray by Helene Ciaravino (Garden City Park, New York: Square One Publishers)