| | Through prayer, our thoughts and hopes are heard and understood. Oftentimes, prayer will result in feeling God's presence or feeling like one is touched by God. This feeling of a connection is cited by many theists as proof of God's existence. It is through prayer that man can understand God's will in his life and ask God for the courage and strength to carry his message to the world. Prayer is common throughout the [[Bible]] in both the [[Old Testament]] and the [[New Testament]], and is mentioned 316 times in the [[Bible]] ([[ESV]]). | | Through prayer, our thoughts and hopes are heard and understood. Oftentimes, prayer will result in feeling God's presence or feeling like one is touched by God. This feeling of a connection is cited by many theists as proof of God's existence. It is through prayer that man can understand God's will in his life and ask God for the courage and strength to carry his message to the world. Prayer is common throughout the [[Bible]] in both the [[Old Testament]] and the [[New Testament]], and is mentioned 316 times in the [[Bible]] ([[ESV]]). |
| − | Prayer also helps overcome [[anxiety]], and provides comfort in inevitable times of trouble. It is a way to reach out for [[forgiveness]], and develop the ability to forgive. It also is a way to request God's help or provision. Prayer is a powerful way to defeat anxiety. Prayer taps into the [[infinity|infinite]]—time, strength, joy, peace, or whatever—in ways that ordinary activities cannot. Prayer provides relaxation in a world of increasing stress. | + | Prayer also helps overcome [[anxiety]], and provides comfort in inevitable times of trouble. It is a way to reach out for [[forgiveness]], and develop the ability to forgive. It is also a way to request God's help or provision. Prayer is a powerful way to defeat anxiety. Prayer taps into the [[infinity|infinite]]—time, strength, joy, peace, or whatever—in ways that ordinary activities cannot. Prayer provides relaxation in a world of increasing stress. |
| − | In [[Christianity]], [[Jesus]] gives a guideline of how one should pray to God with The Lord's Prayer:<blockquote>"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever, [[Amen]]."<ref>Matt 6:9-13</ref><ref>[http://www.lifeofchrist.com/teachings/sermons/mount/lordsprayer.asp Instructions for praying]</ref></blockquote> | + | In [[Christianity]], [[Jesus]] gives a guideline of how one should pray to God with The Lord's Prayer:<blockquote>"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever, [[Amen]]."<ref>Matt 6:9-13</ref><ref>[http://www.lifeofchrist.com/teachings/sermons/mount/lordsprayer.asp Instructions for praying]</ref></blockquote> |