Most people believe that you must have religious training or attend a church regularly in order to pray. The truth is anyone can pray. You can pray anywhere you like. No one needs to hear you pray except GOD or Jesus, if you believe in them.

Prayer is the best meditation there is. Simply chanting or breathing a certain way might calm you outwardly, but inner peace comes through prayer meditation.

So many people think all praying is like what they have heard. Children saying bless mother, grandmother, etc. Others who say lengthy prayers that seem to be formatted in some special way.

GOD doesn’t listen more to prayers that are said in some sort of format invented by holy men than he does to simple prayers issued by people who are sinners. As a matter of fact, He listens to the prayers of the sinner even more and the angels in heaven rejoice whenever a sinner asks Jesus into his heart.

Jesus didn’t come to earth to gather the righteous, he came to save the sinners. We all sin. None of us are perfect. You do not need to be perfect to use prayer and meditate with GOD. He listens to everyone.

There is always a lot of focus on things to pray for and whether or not GOD will answer your prayers. GOD knows what is in your heart and knows what you need more than you do. Praying for a Ferrari and not getting one does not mean GOD isn’t listening to you or answering your prayers.

Ask for things that will help you achieve the purpose that GOD has for you. Ask GOD to guide you and let you know what that purpose is. Ask GOD for wisdom. Ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit so that you will know the things to ask for.

You do not need to go to a special location to use prayer meditation. You simply need to make time for GOD in your life. Even those of you who go to church need to do this. Not only on Sunday morning, either. Who are you to say how much time you are willing to give GOD, who gave you the time you now have in the first place?

Going to church is a good thing, but setting time aside to pray and meditate alone with GOD is even more important. You can do it at home or anywhere you choose. You can choose a special place that helps you be calm and in a meditative mood.

I like to turn off all the lights and play worship music for awhile. As I listen to the music, I focus on ridding my mind of all things worldly. I attempt to not think about my work, things I need to do, things that bother me, people who irritate me, or anything else that might distract me during meditation.

Once I have achieved that calmness, (you will know), then I begin to pray. I ask GOD to fill me with the Holy Spirit, reaffirm my love and belief in GOD and Jesus Christ, and ask GOD to reveal to me the things I should pray for.

This works. Ask and ye shall receive does not mean you get the Ferrari. It means you can gain the wisdom to know your true purpose on this earth, something that most people, even Christians, do not know.

When you know what GOD wants you to do, then pray and meditate for the things you need to achieve those goals, you will see your prayers answered quickly. You cannot just believe in GOD, you have to believe GOD will provide those things you need.

Believe those prayers will be answered. Meditate and envision those things being given to you, those doors opening for you, that life you want being given to you.

Getting your prayers answered through prayer meditation is the easy part. It is what you do after you receive your gifts from GOD that is difficult. You must openly and proudly give GOD all the glory for the things He has helped you to accomplish.

Give credit where credit is due. We all like to proclaim how smart we are or how good we are and we like people to think that is why we prosper. We want them to think we are special. It is much better for you to let them know that all that you have and all that you achieve is because GOD gave it to you for believing in Him.

However you choose to meditate before GOD, I advise you to start soon. The sooner you start, the sooner you will learn how to talk with GOD and the sooner He can give you all the things He wants you to have.

Remember to do this alone. Remember to rid your mind of all things that are of this world and focus on GOD. Remember that he listens to everyone who will set this time aside in His Name. You will find also that the more glory you give to GOD for all He has done for you, the more He will continue to do for you.

This article is not intended to offend anyone’s chosen religious preferences. I wrote the truth as I know the truth to be. I hope you will come to know the same truth or at the very least some parts of this article reach you and teach you how to pray.

About the Author
Robin Darch, has a website, http://www.meditation-tips.com/ to help you find all the information you need about meditation and related topics.

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Prayer Meditation

Meditation refers to a state where your body and mind are consciously relaxed and focused. Practitioners of this art report increased awareness, focus, and concentration, as well as a more positive outlook in life.

Meditation is most commonly associated with monks, mystics and other spiritual disciplines. However, you donít have to be a monk or mystic to enjoy its benefits. And you donít even have to be in a special place to practice it. You could even try it in your own living room!

Although there are many different approaches to meditation, the fundamental principles remain the same. The most important among these principles is that of removing obstructive, negative, and wandering thoughts and fantasies, and calming the mind with a deep sense of focus. This clears the mind of debris and prepares it for a higher quality of activity.

The negative thoughts you have ñ those of noisy neighbors, bossy officemates, that parking ticket you got, and unwanted spamñ are said to contribute to the ëpollutingí of the mind, and shutting them out is allows for the ëcleansingí of the mind so that it may focus on deeper, more meaningful thoughts.

Some practitioners even shut out all sensory input ñ no sights, no sounds, and nothing to touch ñ and try to detach themselves from the commotion around them. You may now focus on a deep, profound thought if this is your goal. It may seem deafening at first, since we are all too accustomed to constantly hearing and seeing things, but as you continue this exercise you will find yourself becoming more aware of everything around you.

If you find the meditating positions you see on television threatening ñ those with impossibly arched backs, and painful-looking contortions ñ you need not worry. The principle here is to be in a comfortable position conducive to concentration. This may be while sitting cross-legged, standing, lying down, and even walking.

If the position allows you to relax and focus, then that would be a good starting point. While sitting or standing, the back should be straight, but not tense or tight. In other positions, the only no-no is slouching and falling asleep.

Loose, comfortable clothes help a lot in the process since tight fitting clothes have a tendency to choke you up and make you feel tense.

The place you perform meditation should have a soothing atmosphere. It may be in your living room, or bedroom, or any place that you feel comfortable in. You might want an exercise mat if you plan to take on the more challenging positions (if you feel more focused doing so, and if the contortionist in you is screaming for release). You may want to have the place arranged so that it is soothing to your senses.

Silence helps most people relax and meditate, so you may want a quiet, isolated area far from the ringing of the phone or the humming of the washing machine. Pleasing scents also help in that regard, so stocking up on aromatic candles isnít such a bad idea either.

The monks you see on television making those monotonous sounds are actually performing their mantra. This, in simple terms, is a short creed, a simple sound which, for these practitioners, holds a mystic value.

You do not need to perform such; however, it would pay to note that focusing on repeated actions such as breathing, and humming help the practitioner enter a higher state of consciousness.

The principle here is focus. You could also try focusing on a certain object or thought, or even, while keeping your eyes open, focus on a single sight.

One sample routine would be to ñ while in a meditative state ñ silently name every part of you body and focusing your consciousness on that part. While doing this you should be aware of any tension on any part of your body. Mentally visualize releasing this tension. It works wonders.

In all, meditation is a relatively risk-free practice and its benefits are well worth the effort (or non-effort ñ remember weíre relaxing).

Studies have shown that meditation does bring about beneficial physiologic effects to the body. And there has been a growing consensus in the medical community to further study the effects of such. So in the near future, who knows, that mystical, esoteric thing we call meditation might become a science itself!