✞ Karakia | Prayer
To pray is to make our hearts ready to experience the love of God in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Praying regularly will help us to develop a spiritual rhythm. A discipline of prayer changes the way that we think about our lives, because it creates new habits of heart and mind. Prayer opens us more deeply to the transforming grace of God. We enter into God’s presence, allowing the Holy Spirit to pray in us.
Services like Morning and Evening Prayer, Prayer during the Day, and Night Prayer are designed so that they can be said by individuals or in a group.
But we may often wish to pray by ourselves as we try to share in Christ's prayer to his Father. Whether you are a child, young person or an adult, prayer is easier than you might imagine! Millions of people of every age pray every day.
Remember that God hears every prayer—but not all prayers are answered in the way we might expect or desire: we don't always pray for his will to be done! Prayer is a discipline - it can be difficult at times, just like keeping fit, being on a diet, or keeping weeds down in the garden. Little and often is best, but don't give up! No prayer, however inadequate you may feel it to be, is ever wasted or of no value.
"Kia hari i ngā wā katoa. Kei whakamutua te īnoi. I ngā mea katoa me whakawhetai atu; ko tā te Atua hoki tēnei i pai ai i roto i a Karaiti Īhu hei mahi mā koutou".
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you".
First Thessalonians 5:16–18
Download eInoi prayer (Māori and English) as a smartphone app below:
The above video is a good introduction to prayer by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
To watch the full series, go to the link below:
Do you want to find out more about karakia?
Come along to one of our church services or contact one of our minita.
Nau mai, haere mai...
