I remember asking my sister "Teach me to pray." I'd never done it before and needed to know the steps. At first she told me to just talk to God like I would anyone. To start by giving thanks and allow my heart to lead the rest. Seeing me still struggle she started speaking the Lord's Prayer and encouraged me to join her. She later showed me the Psalms in the Bible and suggested I use them as prayers until I felt able to speak my own thoughts.

I remember asking my spiritual elder "Teach me to pray." I'd never been in a sweat lodge before and needed to know the protocols. At first she told me to just close my eyes and listen to the drum. To listen to the prayers of the others. Sensing my nervousness in the darkness of the lodge I felt her hand on my arm encouraging me to join the singing. To open my eyes and witness. She later taught me special songs and rituals through which I can offer special prayers.

I remember asking God "Teach me to prayer." I'd never prayed on my own before and didn't want to make a mistake. At first I waited and nervously wondered if I was allowed to ask. Regreting having said it the way that I did. After a while I started to feel a calm and a warmth move through my body. I remember shivering from the sensation of peace and security replacing my fear and doubt. I remember sitting with my eyes closed, a big grin on my face as tears of joy began to flow down my cheeks. I had no thoughts in my head. I was totally captured by the sensation of love, of being loved, of being in the presence of God and wraped in God's love.

I studied the Bible and learned more about the act of prayer. I practiced ceremonies from my culture and learned more about the rituals of prayer. In enjoyed communion with God and learned about the daily living of prayer, the being a prayer and walking a prayerful life.

In addition to my routine prayer times I speak prayers all day long. If a hear a police, fire, ambulance siren I immediately start to pray for the people involved. I get in my truck or go for a walk or engage in an activity I pray. I hear someone angry or sad... I pray before speaking. I pray before I open the Bible and I pray after I close it again. I pray for help when I'm anquished by my illness and I prayer thanks givings when I'm spared its hurt for an hour or a day.

Prayer is how I say to my creator.... thanks for being by my side and in my head and in my heart and with me through it all. Thanks for being my strength, my hope my reason for joy. Prayer changes things.

Don't just weather the storm.... learn to dance in the rain. Prayer is like dancing in the rain. Nothing can dampen its magic.