Living Your Best: Prayer – Part 2
The PAL Method
In the first part of our new series, we explored how prayer doesn’t need to be complicated. It can simply become a pause button in a world that rarely seems to stop.
Today, I’d like to explore a simple way of praying that has helped me, particularly during those times when my prayers have felt a little dry or I haven’t quite known what to say.
It is called the PAL method:
P – Praise
A – Ask
L – Listen
It is not a formula or a set of rules. Rather, it is a simple starting point — a way of helping us slow down, focus our thoughts and make space for God.
P – Praise
Begin by recognising God for who He is and for what He means in your life.
Praise is about gratitude and acknowledgement. It is taking a moment to notice the goodness around us and recognising that our lives contain far more than our problems.
We can praise God for the beauty of creation, for another day, for the people we love, for the opportunities we have been given, for strength during difficult times, or simply for His presence in our lives.
Sometimes we become so focused on what is missing that we forget to notice what is already there.
Perhaps prayer can begin with two simple words:
Thank you.
Thank you for this day.
Thank you for the people in my life.
Thank you for another opportunity to begin again.
A – Ask
Of course, we can ask God for what we need.
But perhaps our prayers don't always need to centre around material things or everything we would like to have.
After all, we arrive in this world with nothing, and eventually we leave with nothing.
So, what is truly valuable?
Perhaps it is love.
Perhaps it is the people we share our lives with.
Perhaps it is meaningful connections.
Perhaps it is wisdom to make good decisions.
Strength to face difficult circumstances.
Courage to change what needs changing.
Patience when people test us.
Forgiveness when we have been hurt.
Compassion when others are struggling.
Hope when life feels uncertain.
We can ask for guidance. We can ask for strength. We can ask for peace.
And sometimes we can simply say:
“God, I don't know what to do. Please guide me.”
That, too, is prayer.
L – Listen
This may be the part we find most difficult.
We are very good at talking.
We are good at explaining, asking, complaining, worrying and planning.
But are we equally good at listening?
Prayer is not meant to be a one-way conversation.
After we have spoken, perhaps we need to become quiet.
No demands.
No list of requests.
No rushing to the next thing.
Just stillness.
Listening does not necessarily mean expecting to hear a loud, unmistakable voice. Sometimes the answer may come as a thought, a feeling, a sense of peace, a new perspective or a quiet knowing deep within us.
Perhaps we simply need to create enough silence to recognise it.
A little challenge for this week
Try the PAL method for five quiet minutes each day.
Put your phone aside. Stop what you are doing. Take a few slow breaths and allow yourself to become still.
Then:
P – Praise: What can I thank God for today?
A – Ask: What do I need — not necessarily materially, but emotionally, spiritually or in the circumstances I am facing?
L – Listen: What happens when I stop talking and simply become still?
You don't have to get it “right”.
There is no perfect prayer.
Just begin.
Looking beyond the words
The PAL method is simply a starting point. It is something that has helped me during those times when I have gone through a ‘dry’ period in my prayer life — when the words haven't come easily or prayer has felt more like a routine than a connection.
Sometimes having a simple framework is enough to help us begin again.
Over the next few weeks, I will continue to explore prayer in a more meaningful way.
We will look at gratitude, guidance, hope, surrender, connection, stillness and compassion — and discover how each can become a form of prayer in our everyday lives.
Perhaps prayer is not about finding the perfect words.
Perhaps it is about creating space to recognise what is already there.
A space to be grateful.
A space to listen.
A space to surrender what we cannot control.
A space to reconnect with God — and perhaps, in doing so, reconnect with ourselves.
And sometimes, that can make all the difference.