When was the last time you took a moment out of your day to pray? The verb “to pray” no doubt affects different people in much different ways. To the strongly religious, it is a particularly important part of life, and is not to be taken lightly. To the casual believers, it was a part of our childhood but something we grew out of, something left for older people to do. And for the non – denominational, it sounds like an old wives tale or a waste of time.

Regardless of what religious category you fall in, we can happily say that prayer can be used largely in a non-denominational sense, and everyone can do it. Pray, and don’t be ashamed. Praying does not have to be a byproduct of religious beliefs or organization – it is a personal journey of health and prosperity.

1. Meditation

I like to look at prayer not as a petition to a higher body, but as a chance to meditate. Using the same principles of meditation, use your inner voice to take a few minutes and restore calm to your being. Perhaps you are under unusual amounts of stress, from family, work or otherwise. You owe it to yourself to close your eyes a moment and listen to your voice inside.

2. Learn from your ideas

Once you have come into a state of prayer, you have an opportunity to listen to your thoughts without the pressures of external influence. The need to pray does not have to come from a negative source, it can be an expression of optimism as well. Use prayer time as a way to channel positive energy and listen to and grow new ideas and concepts.

3. Change your routine

Meditation and prayer allows us to have some time alone – something valuable that a lot of us might not be able to get otherwise, especially if you are busy with work, kids, family, and other responsibilities. Allotting some time to prayer each day will give you an excuse to turn off the phone and relax in your room or sanctioned area and just close your eyes and think. It’s a healthy routine that so few of us actually put to practice.

4. Rediscover God

Most of us are from a religious family; perhaps our families were immigrants or from an older generation when religion was a staple of household culture. Although our values may have changed through time and the pace of socialism in our modern culture, there is a certain nostalgia to recollecting parts of our childhood – and there is no shame in reconsidering our opinion on the religious backdrops of our youth. Thinking about God and the omnipresence of of a deity gives billions of people even today hope for the future. Religion is ever present in the world, in all different forms. Without subscribing to any particular beliefs, it is a comforting idea to be able to construct your own opinion of God in the leisure of your home, at your own pace, without any organizing institutions. Just you, God, and your thoughts.

5. Count your blessings

There’s no better time than in a moment of meditation to give back to the universe what it has given you. Now you have a chance to reflect on all the things you are grateful for, which is a great way to get yourself out of any dark place. Say thanks for all the wonderful things in your life and all the great memories you are lucky enough to have. When was the last time you considered how lucky you were to be able to take that Caribbean island vacation a few years ago, or for that new smartphone you managed to get yourself? Use your newly allotted prayer time to examine the things in your life you are most fortunate about. Write them down; come back to them. It’s worth it. You’re worth it.

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