Q: Simply put: to grow your relationship with God, you need to pray. Whether you're a devoted believer, or are looking to make a change in your life, taking time out of your busy schedule to sit and speak with the god you believe in is the single most important way to get closer and focus on your faith.  Prayer doesn't need to be an hours-long commitment, unless you want it to be. Take a five minute break at work to pray. Pray before a meal. Pray while you're stuck in traffic. If you struggle to find the time, or to remember to pray, set a phone alarm, or find some other way to remind yourself to pray at a consistent time. Make it a routine, part of your daily schedule. Many people will distract themselves with busyness, filling up with other seemingly "necessary" activities to avoid prayer or devotion. Sometimes, praying and focusing on your relationship with God can be emotionally draining, or difficult, as much as it can be uplifting and joyous. Make the time for it more regularly, to make it less of a chore. God doesn't expect everyone to be a saint. Nobody's perfect, and just acknowledging that you're not is one of the easiest ways to grow your relationship with faith and your belief in the god you come to. If you're not sure what you're supposed to say, or how you're supposed to act, that's fine. Talking to God doesn't require you to become someone you're not, at least at first. If you've never prayed before, or weren't raised with any kind of understanding of a god, check out this article to get started with some of the basics. Some people pray by fully prostrating themselves on the ground, and bowing. Some people pray by closing their eyes, clasping their hands, and bowing their heads. Some people chant. Some people just sit quietly and introspectively. There's no one, correct way to pray.  Try to find a quiet space, somewhere you'll be able to really focus on your faith and what you're trying to say. Close the door, take a few deep breaths, light a candle, and sit quietly for a few minutes. It's not "better" to pray loudly, or to adopt practices you see others engaging in. That doesn't mean someone is closer to God than you are. It's important to develop a personal relationship, not one based on observations of others. What do you say to God? Largely, that will depend on your unique condition and circumstance. What do you want to say to God? What needs to be heard? Sometimes it can be hard to know exactly how to get started, but focusing on open-ended questions, both about concerns and devotional joys, is common way of praying. Ask questions that focus on:  Your struggles, personally and spiritually Your joys, personally and spiritually Your family, their trials and their successes Injustice and suffering in the world at large One of the most common things to do in a prayer session is to confess your sins and your guilt, helping to alleviate the burden. Being up front about your failures and your shortcomings helps you to become a better person, and to bring yourself closer with God. Be honest and forthright with your assessment of yourself.  What do you feel guilty for doing in the past week? What do you want to change about yourself? How can you lead a better life? Prayer is a funny thing. The way that God chooses to answer prayers varies from person to person, from theologian to theologian. Whatever you believe, though, and however you choose to pray, part of getting closer to God is in learning how to listen, and what to listen to.  Look for signs to interpret. Pay attention to things that seem heavy with meaning. Many people believe "chance" encounters are anything but. Did you get a phone call from an unexpected source? Take "random" things as a sign. Listen to your intuition. What your gut tells you is important. Many people believe that voice inside yourself isn't necessarily your's in the first place, but is influenced by the god in whom you trust. What do you instincts tell you? Trust them as you trust God. Be willing to work for an answer. Answers to prayers won't come as shouts, they'll come as whispers. Five minutes after praying about unemployment, it's unlikely that a knock will come at the door offering you a new job. Hit the bricks, scan the classifieds, and do the work of finding your answer. Prayer isn't about calling up to the heavens and asking that it rain cash money. If you go into prayer expecting the clouds to part and a briefcase full of tens to come down on a lightning bolt, you'll be disappointed. That's not how prayer works, and whether or not you're close to God will have nothing to do with it. Think of prayer as a conversation with a trusted friend and advisor, someone who cares for you like nobody else, and who has your best interest at heart. There may be no answer to your queries, but there's an ear that's always there.
A: Make time for daily prayer. Just bring yourself. Pray in a way that feels most natural to you. Open up to God. Confess sins and ask for forgiveness. Listen as you speak. Have a conversation, don't make demands.

Article: Count from the end of the rickrack until you get to 12 loops on the top edge of the rickrack. Then, cut the rickrack through the next loop.  Wide rickrack works best for making a brooch. Choose rickrack that is about the width of your thumb. Use a pair of sharp fabric scissors to cut the rickrack. You can thread a needle and sew through the openings in the brooch pin, or use hot glue to attach the brooch pin to the felt base. Press the flower onto the felt circle and hold it there for about 15 seconds if you are using hot glue.  Place the pin near the top of the circle. Sewing it in the middle will cause the brooch to sag when you are wearing it. Be careful not to get hot glue on your skin as it will burn you.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Cut your desired length of rickrack. Sew or glue the felt circle onto a brooch pin.

Q: for 30 minutes to release your worries. Meditation helps you center yourself and release your stress, so it’s great for cleansing your spirit. For a simple meditation, sit in a comfortable position. Then, close your eyes and focus on your breath. Take slow, deep breaths as you relax. When your mind wanders, bring it back to your breath.  If you like, you can repeat a mantra to yourself as you meditate. You might say, “I am free of negativity” or “I release my worry.” You might enjoy lighting incense or candles as you meditate. If you want a guided meditation, try a free app like Calm, Headspace, or Insight Timer. Alternatively, look online for a video meditation. Mantras help you set your intention and remind you of what you’re trying to achieve. Choose a mantra that reflects your intention to release negative energy from your spirit. Then, repeat it when you’re feeling burdened. You might say, “My spirit is unburdened,” “May my spirit be clean,” or “With loving kindness, I release what holds me back.” if you’re a religious person. Pray according to your personal convictions to help cleanse your spirit. Ask your god or goddess for guidance and to be unburdened by what’s bothering you. Then, thank them for their help in cleansing your spirit. You could say, “God, I pray to you today to take this burden from my spirit. I’ve been feeling very negative and blocked lately, and I need to let that go. Please help me find relief from my worries so that I can be free. Thank you for your blessings. Amen.”
A:
Meditate Repeat a mantra to help you let go of negative energy. Say a prayer