Pray with the three S’s – with sincerity, be honest, come to God as we are, no pretence; specifically and with simplicity, plain language, not seeking to impress with big words. Jesus says:- ‘Don’t keep on babbling like pagans, because they think they will be heard for their many words.’

Some words from a poem written by a member of the Lee Abbey Community:-

   Don’t need any words you can’t define,

   Don’t need a special voice you keep reserved just for me,

   Don’t even have to close you eyes

   Just talk to me.

   Don’t worry that you don’t love me enough,

   Don’t need to do anything special,

   Don’t pretend you’re someone or something you are not

   Just talk to me.

   Don’t worry about what I might say or think about you,

   Don’t be concerned if you lose your train of thought,

   Don’t be surprised if I talk back

   Just talk to me.

There are different forms of prayer and different postures. There is no right way and no wrong way, as long as we are trying to get in touch with God. He can reach us and bless us wherever we are. The important thing is to pray believing God is with us, his Spirit within us, hearing and ready to answer

The Proper Way.

The proper way for us to pray said Mr Leonard Keyes

The only proper way to pray is down upon your knees.

No, I should say the way to pray, said the Rev. Wise

Is standing straight with arms outstretched and upturned eyes.

Oh no! no! no! said Mr. Snow, I don’t like the sound

We all should pray with eyes shut tight and head bowed to the ground.

It seems to me our hands should be, clasped in the front

With fingers pointing upwards, said the Rev. Dr. Blunt.

Last year I fell in Hodgkin’s well head first said Cyril Brown,

With both my feet a-sticking up, my head a-pointing down,

And how I prayed, right then and there, best prayer I ever said,

The bestest prayer I ever said, a-standing on my head.