Pray continually.... 1 Thessalonians 5.17

The most characteristic mark of Christians is that we pray. In public and in private, we behave as if bringing the world's cares and joys to God actually makes a difference.

Sometimes, though, it's difficult to understand why. If God is almighty and all-knowing, what's the point of putting a person or situation before him? He knows what is going to happen anyway so why ask? And then, our understanding of a particular situation may well be limited. How do we know what to ask for?

Prayer is not a technique for changing God's mind, but it is a way of releasing God's power through our openness to his love and concern for his creation. Prayer is about joining in with what God's already doing in the world. He is the creator of all that we know, who sees his creation as good and who is still working to bring the creation to completion. How prayer 'works' is a mystery, but we feel the need to do it.

When we pray for other people, we gather them into our own experience of God, We share our common humanity's relationship with our Creator. As we call to mind people and situations that matter to us, we are slowly and imperceptibly co-operating with God, making the world a better place, more like he wants it to be. He's already creating a better world out of our wreckage of anger, bitterness, hurt, harm and cynicism. He's already at work wherever people come across truth, love, beauty, creativity, joy, peace or healing. He's already here; our job is to join in.

One very simple, yet powerful, way to pray for others is to imagine in your mind a visual image. Then hold that image as you take three – slow - deep - breaths. In your imagination, lift each situation or person into the presence of God. Don't try to deliberately think of what to pray for. Just see them become filled with his power and love. It only need take thirty seconds.