A Pattern for Prayer

If you don't feel like praying, prepare your mind by reading a favourite passage of scripture or even a favourite hymn. When desire rises, think first on

ADORATION. Everything depends upon God at the last. Adore Him. He is like Jesus. He is infinitely loving, infinitely wise. Every breath we draw, we draw by His permission. He lends the atheist breath to deny Him. Think how awful it would be if there were no God - or a devil was Lord. Think of God as revealed by Jesus, and just adore Him in your heart..

THANKSGIVING. What a lot you have to be thankful for! Go over your blessings in your mind. Health? (Some health at least.) Love? Home? No great money worries (you make ends meet, don't you?). Children? Grandchildren? Good books? Flowers? Friends. ..?

Heap them together. Most days bring something extra too. Note it for thanksgiving.

DEDICATION. Solemnly give yourself afresh to God every day.

GUIDANCE. Go through your whole day (so far as you can foresee it) slowly with God. (This, that. This, that...)

Meet each foreseeable experience with God before you meet it in reality. You may (with passing time) get little warnings or 'alerts'. Increase your own sensitivity to God's will for you. You do it by exposing yourself more and more to His presence.

INTERCESSION. Don't leave them to the casual recollection of the moment. Have lists. What better use for the back pages of your diary?

PETITION. Is there something you want for yourself? Here is the place for it. Last and least.

W E Sangster The Pattern of Prayer, pp 100-1