OK, this is my deal with prayer:

To me it represents showing my intention to ally myself with God's will. It is a force in my life that allows me to demonstrate to Him that I am seeking to get off of the wrong paths that I choose sometimes and give my time and energy, to Him to use. Without that daily time spent with Him I am soon rationalizing behaviors that I know are not for me. It is how I tell Him that I want to be used by Him, learn from Him, be corrected. It is how I show Him that I make the choice to submit my mistakes to Him, and my worries and fears. Every time I have ever 100% submitted something to Him, He has time and time again replaced it with an understanding of how grace can be applied to my life in that area. If I only listen to Him.

Prayer is how I show commitment to His ways and not my own or the world's. Prayer is how I exchange my stress for joy. It is how I communicate to Him that I wish to be with Him, actively seeking His will rather than trying to override it or negating it.

When I spend time regularly seeking His will and committing all of my life to Him, I experience a change of perspective in all areas of my life. This shift in perspective allows me to not place so much importance on the outcome of some situations, but rather the things I learn about people, about grace when I notice it. When I pray more, I see more grace around me to learn from, than when I don't pray consistently.

This is why over the last few years I have learned the joy of giving myself to Him. What He has to teach is abundant and infinite; what I will make of things just based on my intellect and understanding is often sufficient to get through, but choosing between being blessed beyond my own understanding and just getting through is no real contest.

Alright, I went! Will someone who prays tell about how, why, and to whom they pray? And what is the nature of their prayer, what is the outcome or desired outcome, etc...

This has been a question on my mind for a long time now. Thanks.

Prayer is such an intimate thing, no? It would be hard for me to try and describe exactly how I pray because I find myself so enthralled that I am usually quaking all over from the emotion I put into prayer. Which speaking of, I got a little over 20 minutes before it's time for the first prayer of the day.

I pray for a lot of reasons. As much a contestant answer as it sounds, I pray more about others lives before myself. I pray for some sort of divine intervention for many people and places in the world. So in that sense, prayer is very important to me because if I can not physically help those I pray for, it is the least I can do for them.

Pray, for myself is communication unto God, it is a scarfice, it is a devotion, it is the key. Pray is a time of worship of exhortation of praise a cry a plea atime of humbling ..it is my strenght it is my help it keeps me on track without it Id be in back to the ways of Ol'..ask it shall be given seek it shall be found knock it shall be opened only way for these to come about is through pray....there has been no pray God has not answered for me...Which increases my faith..anywhere any time God is there He always listens ..pray can take strife and turn it into love, pray can take pain and turn it into joy, pray can take pride and turn it into weeping, Pray can lead one to the victory.pray gives me strenght to overcome and to concor.pray makes the Spirit strong.pray is a time to seperate the spirit from the flesh. Jesus is name of My God.

Communication by shifting brain wave pattern.

i pray to God through Jesus...this is my lifeline to receive strength, guidance, and help with problems i face everyday...power beyond limits for myself and others...

randomhit10

Interesting Texas.

I can't say that my prayer is much different from yours, or Empress' ...

Except... I've found if I have a topic in mind, my prayer is much more difficult and often ellusive. So more often than not, I tend to go to my devotions and meditations with a clear mind ready to hear whatever needs to be heard. I find I struggle when I try to pray for something specifically, and when I go into it with no expectations, no sense of urgency or goals, the revealed Word comes to me in complete perfect context, but not always in the ways I expected. This is not typical of all people of my faith, we even have weekly 3rd day meetings that are based on Queries (a group question to God) and Affirmations (a group affirmation of God's Word) ... I have always struggled with these meetings, they never seem to get easier for me, but I continue to attend these meetings.

I completely concur with Empress' description of quaking... This happens to me all the time... but then again, I'm a Quaker Friends believe that when you are filled with the Light and Holy Spirit, there is a physical side effect of quaking. (although techincally we are called "Friends", Quaker is actually a derogatory term assigned to Friends in the 1600's by an Anglican judge, but since it's not untrue, we don't mind being called Quakers)

Well first of all I drink a beer, and then I take all my clothes off and sit on the floor like a baby. Then I imagine a big ball of love surrounding me. I let that love enter every part of my body, and then I imagine sending my love to the greatest LOVE source of all. I don't ask for anything, I just sit there receiving and sending love. I don't do it every day, just whenever I need to.

I pray to God, Jesus Christ, and/or Holy Spirit. I "share" my thoughts to my dead relations, also. Prayer is not the same as sharing my thoughts because prayer, to me, has a divine connotation to it. I don't use this word lightly.

The day I stop praying is the day my mind is ready to completely follow the "Thy will be done." Think about it: How logical is it to say, "Thy will be done," while at the same time, you are praying for things and profitable situations and so on? And the way to find out about this God's will - the only way to make sure without any doubts - is to have this one-on-one conversation with God.

And my last prayer, if things go as planned, is really a prayer to my mind, like a confirmation, that I'm done with praying and ready for God to enter my life absolutely, no if, nor buts, no more bargaining, no more "thank you(s)" and salutations -- basically, "In your hands, I commend my spirit," or "Father, it is finished," kind of thing.

Prayer is so personal and intimate I don't think I can put it into words. It's my direct line to God. Like a friendship that's ages old, this is how my relationship has been established with my heavenly father, thru prayer. Everything I need is waiting for me there in prayer. If I go into my prayers feeling empty and lonely, when I'm done with my prayer, I'm always full filled in spirit. There is nothing like this time between me and Christ. There is no replacement. This is where my spirit receives its' counsel and I receive my strength in Christ. There is strength in prayer.

this is what prayer is to me.

Think of church as a school of brainwashing/mind conditioning/

prayer is just home work.

Prayer to me is something that can be done whether or not you believe in God. Its like

Brother can you spare some hope today?

Sometimes if I know someone is struggling I'll say "HERE" to the universe, and hand over my extra love and hope to send their way.

I never pray to talk to God or ask for things. It comes across as tacky to me to ask God for things. Don't know why


Don't think this means others are tacky so no one punch me ok.

I like that Bella. An interesting way to look at prayer.

Prayer is just a way of talking to my God or Goddess. Most of the time I am thanking them for something.

Punch me too! I am the same way, I feel selfish, so I don't.

(I sincerely feel that God knows what I need so there's no real need in asking, so..)

I talk to God throughout the day...almost chatting-like. I talk to dead relatives; sometimes Saints or my guardian angel. WOW do I sound crazy? Night prayers every night bless the SAME PEOPLE every night -lol even if a couple don't want me to anymore I still do -

No, you don't sound crazy. Do you believe the Saints you pray to have power? Like, power to change circumstances here on Earth, or power to guide you into making the best decision if they won't or don't change circumstances themselves? I think it's very nice that you bless people that may choose to be at some kind of odds with you. So you share the little stuff with God all day long? And you believe that God hears... and what else, do you believe God reacts/advises/consoles/encourages/takes action... thanks for answering.

I know everyone here knows what I believe, and before anyone gets all excited and starts throwing poo grenades at me, this particular thread was not intended for debate or contradiction (although I am sure it will find it's way there). My goal here is to get more specific information about prayer and it's purpose from anyone who wants to talk about it.

So, you listen and seek guidance, rather than feeling like you're dropping someting off for repair? Makes a kind of good sense. Would you feel like you're using God if you asked to access His power for a certain thing in a certain way? Or do you just assume since He already knows, there's not much point in going over it again, and you can relax knowing that He's already working on what to give you about it?

*Cracking up at your Quaker joke* you're such a nut.

Wow I love that! You believe that God will honor your prayers by touching those you ask to be touched? You are confident that God will direct His power as you ask Him to? That is really awesome.

I have one question for you: Do you believe that God has a preset will, and that you can alter it with your prayers; and if so, do you believe that everything is open to being altered by the request of the person praying, or are some things part of a divine plan and not subject to change? Or is there something about this aspect of the power of your prayer that I'm missing and didn't touch on? Thanks.

I have thousands of questions for everyone else but I'm going to bed now, I'll get to them next time. Can't... hold... eyes... open... any longer.....

Ummmm... I don't know that it's even seeking guidence. Especially if I seek guidence and He and I both know I already know the answer and this is often met with silence in my prayers. I know the answer and I can't ask God to humor me and tell me the answer again.

I do belive that God is all knowing... I believe that his Will happens through us. and that he needs us as much as we need him.

I never have felt as if I was looking to God to repair me, it's kind of my job to repair myself and do it keeping my morals and faith in tact. I solely own that portion of my relationship with God.

I think I would be completely unable to access God's power for anything in particular. I've tried that with poor results, or the results I didn't expect and wasn't entirely happy with.

So to answer the third question,,, Yes, I believe God is working for us all and has it perfectly under control. it's my job, as the one who loves him to sit quietly to hear what he's chosen to say to me. It is always the right thing, even if I don't fully understand it. Sometimes he is loud and clear as a bell. Sometimes he is cryptic and difficult to understand, but without fail, he reveals the meaning of his message eventually when it's the right time.

this might get long.



prayer is more than asking God for things. it is the way for us to share our lives, our hopes, our dreams, our hurts and disappointments with Him. it is also the way for Him to hold us, give us strength, courage, and wisdom.

asking God for things is not selfish. we can ask, but that doesn't mean we will get them.
I have heard alot of people say something like "I don't believe in God 'cause i asked Him to (insert request here) and He didn't do it". There are many reasons for Him to say no. we as humans can see so very little, even those gifted with the ability to see future events can see only a small part. however God sees all, and sometimes he has to say no to a request, for the benefit of either the person making the request or for the benefit of someone else later. even if we do not see it in this lifetime, when He says no, there is always a good reason.
another reason would be if He knows that getting what we ask for would lead us to harm. even though we don't see it, He is protecting us by denying our request.

sometimes He says "not yet", we may want something right now, but He has something better for us a little later on. if he gives us what we ask for right away, we miss out on the better thing later.

and of course sometimes he says yes.
He does not always answer the same way to everyone, or even to the same person. you have to listen for the answers. if you expect Him to answer your prayer in one way, you will miss it when He does something else.
does He know what we want or need before we ask, does He know how we feel before we tell Him? yes. so why should we bother?
like a parent watching a small child exploring thier world, we see what they are doing(most of the time) so when she finds a treasure and comes running to tell you about it, you already know she found it, you already know she is happy about it, yet still you listen and look. and praise her for finding such a wonderful treasure. likewise when he falls down and skins his knee, and comes running to you, you already know he is hurting, you know why, yet you listen to him tell you, and you look at the wound, and hold him till his tears stop. and do what you can to ease his pain. that is why we should share our lives with our Father.

of course some people like to treat Him like a genie, ignore Him 'till they want Him to do something, then they pray, and get mad when He doesn't answer. why should He?
i better stop now.
matt

Something to do when your bored for laughs.

Here is a suggestion for you. Why not keep your smart-aleck replies in the childrens section. People here have been posting meaningful and respectful posts.

At the risk of starting a war, I have to agree with Moon. Being childish here has proven to be nothing but a quick way to get booted. If you don't care about getting booted, go away. We all enjoy a good laugh now and then, and I am the LAST person not to take a shot with a sarcastic slam when it presents itself, but the two posts above are just obnoxious, much like 4th grade bathroom humor, and have no place here.

On Topic: I can't answer that question. Though I do like the idea of describing it as meditation, and the ritual associated with it being an exercise of familiarity used to put one in the right frame of mind to meditate.

Thanks TGH .

Yes, I do believe saints I pray to have the power to help me; whatever the situation. St. Jude (saint for hopeless cases) I prayed to him A LOT during a rough 6 years of my marriage. It helped. When I say prayed to St. Jude; it was more like just talking though. I am still married; because I made a commitment and a vow. It was the hardest time of my life and things are not the "same" but we get along, plus we have children...I'd rather try to forgive (maybe not forget; but forgive) and move forward. I don't want my children thinking vow's aren't sacred and I do not believe in "disposable" marriages. But of course, to each their own.

St. Anothony, he's my favorite, he never fails me (he's the saint to pray to when you lose things). Man HE'S GOOD!!

It all to me is more of a guidance thing. I'll ask for signs and stuff and I get feedback. I've gotten feedback about Guardian Angels...yes I totally believe we all have them. I chat; say hey; it's all really quite informal.

Yes, I talk to God all day long pretty much; well maybe not ALL DAY but here and there. I never ask for certain things (like the joke: How do you make God laugh? ... Tell Him your plans) so if I ask it's like maybe once in a blue moon.

I guess I pray to all of the above for guidance, you know, like trying to figure out my purpose here in this world and am I on the right path? I always see results. Even in a smile from someone; or a frown; or just about anything that I can relate back to what my current situation is..am I making sense? I am VERY spiritual; technically maybe not religious per-se; but spiritual.

I do pray at night and ask for blessings on all my family, friends and any people I've been in contact with today (that includes you now too!!). I have friends that have entered my heart...once your in my heart as a friend it's hard to get out...yes, if we're at odds I still do pray for them; sometimes even more than usual...and especially if I feel like they don't understand me.

I also pray quite frequently to Mary. I as her to help me be the best mother I can be to my children and I chat with her sometimes.

Sometimes, especially during the hard times; I do this and it helps A LOT. When I'm not sure what to say and I want to express my true feelings (like to my husband, my mother -who has issues-, my children -so they can hear and understand- and even friends -who may be upset-); I ask God to speak through me. You see, many times I have thoughts racing around in my head. I don't want to just blurt stuff out. I want to be as tactful and sensitive towards another as possible. If I feel I cannot because all of my thoughts are jumbled and racing through my head, then I ask God to help me. Does that make sense?

Well, that's just me. Call me crazy (I talk to people in my head - lol). It's just me.

Take care hun, Jody

PS: I don't want any poo grenades either!

Yes! I also love St. Anthony--he's really on the ball! I don't now how many times I've found things directly after praying to St. Anthony. He is a great intercessor, too. Such a sweetie!



You know, when I ask assistance from Mary, I get the warmest feeling. Her presence is remarkable. Sometimes God seems a little distant to me, but she has this "motherly" feel to her that is so comforting. Of course, her primary mission is to lead people to Jesus--and that's what she did in my life in a very big way.

An no, you're not crazy! I also talk to my father, who died when I was 19. I miss him so much. I know he would have adored my sons--he always wanted boys but was stuck with 4 girls. (He loved us, anyway, heh.) I know he is very proud that I have such a wonderful husband and great kids. Hm...maybe we are both crazy?

I have several forms of prayer--I do the regular prayers, sometimes the rosary, sometimes I ask for help or assistance, other times I pray for someone else (which always makes ME feel better for some reason), and then I have my deep meditation prayers, which I find the most beneficial.

I start with my prayer language. When I do this, my mind shuts down and the prayer rises from my chest, or my heart, I think. My brain is just not functioning when I do this type of prayer--it completely silences my thought patterns. Then, after I worship using my prayer language, it usually drifts off into a silent, deep meditation. I remember once I spent the entire night in that state--not asleep, but not awake, either. I thought I would have been tired in the morning, but I wasn't. I don't do that often, though.

I didn't pray for a while (well, I did, but I just did the basics) because I got skittish after one particularly bad time in my life. I had asked God to do whatever was necessary to bring me closer to Him/Her. I found out that you have to be careful what you ask for, because then all hell broke loose in my life! I went through such extreme anguish that it almost broke me mentally. I know now that I learned a great deal from that experience, but it took me a while to heal from my wounds and to figure out the lessons God was trying to teach me.

Yes, prayer is a very, very personal thing. My brother-in-law says he prays best when he is just communing with nature. He feels God in a strong way during those times. I also feel the presence of God when I'm staring into the night sky--God's majesty is so apparent that it leaves me in wonder. I also adore prayer while listening to inspirational music. Music is such a beautiful, joyful way to experience the presence of God.

Many people don't realize that when we pray, and especially when we worship God, it isn't for God's benefit; it is for ours. It uplifts our soul and sets us free. (I know, that sounds a bit trite, but it's true.)

WOW. Beautiful. Thank You. Jody

Hmmm, I didn't see the children's section maybe you can give me a link? Wait never mind all pray for the link to come to me in a dream!