Prayer

Through prayer, the Holy Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. As Romans 8:26 reminds us, “Likewise the Spirit helps us with our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.”
At First Church, we believe in the power of prayer and are committed to supporting you on your spiritual journey. We offer resources to help you deepen your prayer life, and our congregation is united in interceding on behalf of one another.

Do you have a prayer request? We invite you to share your concerns with us. Your request will be lifted up in prayer by our pastor, staff, and prayer team. If you would like to be contacted, please include your contact information.
SUbmit a Prayer Request

What does it mean to pray? How do I pray?

Prayer is how we communicate with God. In prayer, we share our hearts. We also pause to listen for wisdom and guidance. As John Wesley wrote, "All that a Christian does, even in eating and sleeping, is prayer, when it is done in simplicity, according to the order of God." There is no one right way to pray. Below are some prayers you can use and some spiritual practices to try. And if you still don’t know what to pray, remember Romans 8:26 and just ask the Holy Spirit to be with you as you pray.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father,
who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (Prayer for Peace)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

The Prayer of Jabez
(1 Chronicles 4:10)

“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.”

Prayer From John 3:16

O God, you so loved the world as to give your only begotten Son,
that whosoever believes in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.
Grant to us the precious gift of faith,
that we may know that the Son of God is come,
and may have power to overcome the world
and gain a blessed immortality;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
(THE BOOK OF WORSHIP 1965, ALT.)

Prayer for Generosity
St. Ignatius of Loyola

Eternal Word, only begotten Son of God,
Teach me true generosity.
Teach me to serve you as you deserve.
To give without counting the cost,
To fight heedless of wounds,
To labor without seeking rest,
To sacrifice myself without thought of any reward
Save the knowledge that I have done your will.
Amen.

Breath Prayer

Breathe in. Breathe out. Something as simple as breathing draws us closer to God.
The ancient practice of breath prayer ties a short, rhythmic prayer to our breathing. It's simple, and a meaningful way to practice mindfulness.
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