Explanations
Why Pray?
Where to Pray?
Who Can Pray?
When to Pray?
Which Prayers?
How to Pray?

Prayer is as individual as you are. My mother-in-law was great for the little novena booklets of umpteen prayers and my mother still has her novenas by her bedside and fireside chair. My Dad was a Rosary man and said several Rosaries a day. As Catholics it is only in recent years that we have gained a respect and love of the Scriptures and Bible Readings.

For Christians the greatest form of prayer is at the Eucharist and it is during the Consecration when Jesus is truly present that many healings take place. Jesus left us this gift at the Last Supper.

"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." Luke 22. 19 RSV

Many Catholic churches around the world have a little chapel of Adoration where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed on the altar in Perpetual Adoration or for certain periods of the day. The door is always open to anyone and the peaceful time spent there just praying or listening brings great graces.

The peace and quiet of a church, temple, mosque or synagogue is a great way to start. If the church is a Catholic one then we believe that the Lord is ever present in the Tabernacle or Blessed Sacrament. He waits for us to pop in and just say 'Hello Lord, it's jus' me come for a quick chat'. A lovely habit in prayer is to have a natter with Him as if He were a really good friend that we have loads to tell.

God is not distant and 'up there'. He lives within each and every one of us, it's just that our lives are so busy and noisy we forget He's there. God is a loving and generous Father who loves His children to eternity. We just need to believe and acknowledge His presence in our lives to experience that love in a real personal way and see the wondrous things He has in store for us all.

Our Prayers Page offers a selection of simple prayers, morning prayers and night prayers. We also explain the Rosary or Bead Praying.

Some people find quiet meditative prayer to be helpful, others like the support of group prayer. Some people like to whisper little invocations throughout the day, others like to praise and thank God quietly in all they do.

The word God is slipping from our vernacular. Here in Ireland it is heartening to still hear people say on entering a house, God Bless the Work, or God Bless All Here, and to part with the words God Bless. Bringing God into our everyday speech brings Him closer to us in a very personal and familiar way.

For those who pray a lot from books, perhaps a nice way to focus on the Lord is to be still and peaceful in Him, allowing His words to seep into the soul. For those who find it difficult to pray, perhaps a good way is to read some of the great writings of folk like CS Lewis, Max Lucado and many, many others.

Last year a friend gave me a little book of daily reflections and I love them. They are based on the Word of God but brought into modern day context. They form the pages of this year's Lenten Reflections and you can sign up online to receive a free copy (P & P for those living outside of the British Isles) at their website - United Christian Broadcasters

The Bible is the true Word of God and is a great source of inspiration. Children's Bible stories are invaluable to instill a love of Scriptures in a child. The Bible Gateway is a great website for those who don't have a bible, it has numerous versions and in many languages. You can find a great Bible search facility on our Bible page.

Non-christians have their own sources of reading - the Koran, the Torah etc. All Praise and Glory to God.