Liturgy - How? part 2.

Here are some 'don'ts' from the SpiritHome site:

• Don't worry about your doubts.
• Don't worry about how much time you spend at prayer.
• Don't worry about using the right words.
• Don't worry that you might think something really bad and God will get mad.
• Don't worry about whether you're 'ready' to pray.
• Don't worry about whether you have the right theology of prayer.
• Don't worry about thinking of something to say.
• Don't worry about how to pray.

"One should offer not what one has, but what one is." 

Paul Evdokimov, *The Sacrament Of Love*

start small and keep it simple.   that is how we should begin praying.  simple. heartfelt. even breath prayers are a way to begin.  you don't have to pray outloud. I don't like to pray outloud.  But I am learning to pray outloud to God - especially when I am alone in the sanctuary.  

People used to gather to pray the Psalms.  Here are benefits of praying in a group, with a set verse(s)

• they prayed when they didn't feel like praying;
• they prayed when they didn't want to pray;
• they prayed when they'd really rather do something else;
• they prayed when they had trouble concentrating on praying;
• they prayed when they weren't ready to do it;
• they prayed the Bible by basing their liturgies and readings on the Scriptures;
• they prayed for and with those they were in conflict with;
• they prayed about people and matters that they wouldn't have otherwise thought to pray for or would have forgotten to pray for.

Good things to remember even now.  I have been known to use the liturgy as a way to get me through the service.  Now I am seeing it as a way to really embed the scripture onto my heart.  I want God's words seared into my heart.