i hold my experience of this prayer time in my memory for a moment or two. this helps me to recall the gift of god's presence within me throughout the day.
often, after this practice, i feel a desire to pray for others, especially the sick who have asked for our prayers. i have a string of beads that i finger while praying whatever words or prayers come to me.
i begin with a grateful heart for god's presence in my life. then i extend my prayer to include friends, neighbors, church, and the city. finally, i include our country, the world and its needs, and even extend my prayer out to 