Whether we call it prayer or not, I think most of us sometimes go to that quiet place within, where we shut out the clamour of the world and find a peace that restores us. This is a place where we can open our thought to new ideas or simply appreciate the good we already have. Humble prayer is a willingness to be receptive to a force greater than ourselves. For me, this ‘force’ is God, who is divine infinite Mind, the Creator, the Principle of the universe.

Prayer is a very individual thing. It can take many forms.

The prayer of gratitude is a good place to start. Gratitude for the good in our lives focusses our attention on the blessings already received. It shifts our thought away from the problems we seem to be facing and creates an enlarged appreciation for all that is good. Gratitude helps us to be more aware of the good in others, of the joy of friendship, of needs met, and even of the small things like warmth of the sun and the beauty of the sky.

In essence, gratitude is an affirmation of the good we already have. Affirmations can also be a reminder of spiritual truths. For example, reminding ourselves that God is our loving Father-Mother, who can and will meet our human needs, brings comfort. Reminding ourselves that nothing is impossible to God is reassuring.

The prayer of listening, for me, is one of the most important prayers. When a problem seems large, I go to that quiet place within and ask: What do I need to know here? Or I simply ask for help and then I put personal sense and my own wishes aside and listen. I can honestly say that the ideas that have followed this period of quiet listening have been life changing.

If you are looking for a greater sense of peace in your life, I can wholeheartedly recommend prayer.

This article was contributed by Deborah Packer, who is a member of the Christian Science community in Canberra. To find out more about prayer or Christian Science in Canberra, visit christiansciencecanberra.com.