Thoughts on Prayer
By Pose123
@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
April 16, 2009 4:32pm CST
There are almost as many definitions of prayer as there are people who pray.There have always been and still are today, many who believe that people must kneel or bow down to pray. There are those who believe only in silent prayers and those who believe in making a joyful noise and doing so in a loud voice.Some people prefer to pray in secret and others with a crowd. Some believe in praying in an unknown tongue, while others feel such people are being led away by the foolishness of there own mind. For centuries most prayers were written down and even today many prefer to read prayers. Roman Catholics often pray to the virgin mother of Jesus and others saints, asking them to intervene on their behalf, while many Christians belief that we must pray only to God. I could continue in this vein but I think that most people get the picture. I would like to know your definition of prayer and why you pray as you do. I will start by stating my own beliefs on the subject. To me prayer is a way of life and our every thought is a prayer, an intention that we announce to the universe, the creator, the infinite mind, God or what term you want to use. I believe that our thoughts need to be positive and that worry is like praying for something that we don't want to happen as our thoughts help to create the very outcome that we hold in our mind. Let's have a good discussion showing respect to everyone.
2 people like this
16 responses
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
16 Apr 09
I too believe that prayer is way of life. Our every task is a prayer lifted to our maker because He gave us the ability to do whatever it is that we do. I also believe in conventional prayer. Not so much because I believe that Hashem will intercede, but because it is a comfort tool.
I believe that once Hashem finished giving the Israelites the Bible and the promised land He went on about whatever business He does. I do not believe that He intercedes with us here on earth any more. Nor will He until it is time for the final Judgement.
So prayer is just a comfort tool. A way to remind ourselves of our Covenant with Hashem and of His Covenant with us. And that He will return at a time of His choosing and that we had better be ready for Him at all times.
Shalom~Adoniah
1 person likes this
@Adoniah (7513)
• United States
19 Apr 09
Hashem means "The Name". It is a Jewish way of writing the name of G'd. Jews try to only write the name of the Creator in Holy Books such as the Bible and the Siddur (daily prayer book). That way they know that the Creator's name will never be desecrated or tossed in the trash. However, there are always times when we have to refer to the Creator in writing so we use the term Hashem or "The Name". We, and now many other people know what we are saying and the Creator's name can never be tossed in the trash even if it is printed out on the computer.
Shalom
1 person likes this
@bing28 (3795)
• Philippines
27 Apr 09
I learned in school that the definition of prayer is taliking to God with love. We pray to God for blessings, to provide us ,to guide, protect and take care of us, to heal us, to spare us from negative things to happen. We pray to thanks God for his blessings. We pray to praise and worship him. We pray everywhere, at home at churches at prayer meetings and wherever we are or when the situation of praying is needed to. We pray for the souls of our friends and loved ones. We pray for our country, we pray for the world. When we're alone praying we can feel the sanctity or the solemnity that we feel prayers reaches God in heaven but we pray with others too as been believed that when two or more people pray to God, their voices can be heard by God and their requests are truly answered.
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@Mirita (2668)
• United States
17 Apr 09
I believe in giving thanks to the Lord for all the blessings
that we have ,and to pray for guidance ,so that we can always
maintain a positive mind. I really believe that we have the
power to create prosperity and happiness within ourselves.
@jillhill (37354)
• United States
18 Apr 09
I like your theory.....my belief is that when you are a Christian.....you live it everyday of your life....like you believe your thoughts are prayers....I don't think going to church makes someone a christain....yes...you should go to practice and maintain your beliefs but I know some people that go and when they come out think that one day a week in church will do it.....not for me. I hope that I treat others in a respectful manner....represent a positive lifestyle...and do God's work in whatever I do.
1 person likes this
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
20 Apr 09
I like your line," To me Prayer is a way of life, and our every thought is a prayer." When our every thought becomes a prayer, we have no need to make a Great Pretense of Righteousness (in a Restaurant, or on a Parade Ground.)And Yes I agree, that worry is just the opposite. To put it another way- Worry is a prayer for Failure, or Mishap. Thanks for the Enlightenment!
1 person likes this
@jellymonty (2352)
•
17 Apr 09
I would define prayer as an intimate time between you and God. It's fellowshiping with him and being in constant communication with him at all times. I believe that God created us to have intimacy, relationship, fellowship with him. It is the main communication between you and God. It is also a way of life, called prayer life in which God is always constantly on your mind just as you are constantly on his mind. Praise, worship, supplication, dedication all come under the banner of prayer. In simple terms prayer is just basically a conversation between you and God where no strings attached, no bars hold, unlimited access meaning there is no specific place fo you to pray. You can pray anytime, anywhere whenever there is a need for prayer. Actually prayer is needed every second of our lives.....
1 person likes this
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
17 Apr 09
Prayer is a time between me and god. I perfer to do it alone in my room, to praise him and to glorify his name.I ask that he keep us safe and that he watch over my children and grand children and keep them safe. I thank him for just letting me wake up in the morning and getting to spend another day here on earth. What I ask him the most is to just let me live to see my grand daughter graduate next year that is all I want. Course I will gladly take any more years that he sees fit to give me. I know i am not the best christian in the world and I have my moments, I do try to say at the end of the day to please forgive me for the sins that I might have committed that day. Some times I think that my prayers are falling on deaf ears, then there are times when I know that he has heard me. I dont' think get to gether with a bunch and pray, prayer has always been between me and my god. His word tells me that what I ask for in his name shall be done and I take him at his word. I am not perfect and sometimes he needs to kick me to show me which way to go, I know he is there he is real and that he looks over me and keeps me safe.
1 person likes this
@II2aTee (2559)
• United States
17 Apr 09
Good morning Pose!
I really like your thoughts on prayer. I am a firm beleiver that thoughts manifest into the physical, like rippes across a still lake.
Personally, when I pray, I like to "shift" my conciousness to my higher self. Meaning, I mentally assert that these thoughts, these prayers, at this specific time are meant specificly for God and the powers of light in the universe. I pick a quiet time, usually at night before bed, sometimes before meals, and dedicate a few moments to prayer, and speak to God, give thanks and ask for guidance.
I usually close with the Lords Prayer because even as a child I found comfort in those words.
One of the churches I have attended in my life insist that prayers should never be uttered while laying flat on your back. The reason being that they believe when you pray, your body becomes a beacon of light, eminatting from your crown chakra out of the top of your head. Sitting up, you open this channel to the power of God above. But laying down, you aim that channel across the land and leave yourself suseptible to negative thoughts and energies of other people.
I am not sure if I believe that exactly, but its an intersting concept to note :)
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
18 Apr 09
Hi Tee, Thank you for coming here and it always a pleasure to get you thoughts. I'm finding it very interesting that most people respond with such openness to something that many consider very private. I've found that when we are respectful, we can all learn from each other. I was especially interested in the church that you spoke of where they ask everyone to pray while laying flat on their back, as this is a completely new concept to me. I agree though that's an interesting thought, I wonder where it came from?. You mention the Lord's prayer and it's one of the few prayers that I ever use anymore, I also like to repeat the 91st psalm which I memorized, probably while I was still in my teens, a long time ago lol! Blessings friend.
@jer31558 (3683)
• United States
17 Apr 09
Though I have never really given thought as to the definition, I think many people just think of prayer as talking to God...to me though, prayer goes beyond talking to the point of communing with God. It is not just talking to God, it is talking with God. As to the form and method, I don't think that there is any way to put a harness on that. What may feel right to you in this moment, just may not in the next moment. I have prayed with my head bowed and my eyes closed and I have also prayed with my face lifted to heaven and my arms raised. I don't think you can put a harness on prayer any more than you could the wind.
@savypat (20216)
• United States
16 Apr 09
I was raised as a Catholic and their practices teach you good habits for a life of prayer. I pray but never for anything, just for the knowledge to cope with what ever comes along. I do believe in reinforcing positive energy flow and do visualization to focus my intentions. I also practice Reiki which is an energy
intention of positive thoughts.
@tolits_phils (96)
• Philippines
17 Apr 09
hello pose:-) my opinion is that everybody needs prayers. i don't care how others pray as long as they don't bother anyone. everyone is entitled to have their beliefs and i totally respect that.
@lawana_f (326)
• United States
17 Apr 09
Prayer for me is at time of praise of our Lord. I try to remember the concerns of this life are usually my selfish self and make my prayers for others and all I ask is the in my life God's will be done. I like to spend silent time in prayer. I do this sometimes while driving as I seem to do alot of driving it gives me the time to pray and then to be quiet and listen to my heart for the answers that I need. I have learned ovr the years that God answers prayers, but we have to be willing to find that quite place and listen with more than our ears to understand His will.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
18 Apr 09
Hi lawana, Thank you for responding and I enjoyed reading your comments. I agree with you about answered prayer because I too have experienced it. We may think a little differently but that's fine because everyone is different and we can all learn from each other. Blessings.
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
28 Jun 09
Growing up we were taught to pray and usually had bedtime prayers and before meals prayer. As I got older we were left to make our own decisions on what we believed or didn't believe.
I've never been comfortable in churches...all the ones I've been to seem to spend more time judging everyone else and talking about other ppl's lives then worshiping God. So, I do pray but I do it when I want to and where I want to. I believe that God can hear my prayers whether I'm laying in my bed, doing dishes or taking a shower. He and I have had a lot of discussions in my shower 
.
I've always believed that you should only pray for good things b/c if you pray for bad things to happen to others, it'll come back on you. I also learned a long time ago that you shouldn't pray for specifics but rather what's best for you. Like if you really want to get a job in say a hospital, instead of praying and saying "Please, God, let me get this hospital job" you should pray that He guides you along the right path and helps you to follow his plans for you. Sometimes He knows better what is best for you.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b]
.
I've always believed that you should only pray for good things b/c if you pray for bad things to happen to others, it'll come back on you. I also learned a long time ago that you shouldn't pray for specifics but rather what's best for you. Like if you really want to get a job in say a hospital, instead of praying and saying "Please, God, let me get this hospital job" you should pray that He guides you along the right path and helps you to follow his plans for you. Sometimes He knows better what is best for you.
[b]~~AT PEACE WITHIN~~
**STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS**[/b] @larish (2191)
• Philippines
2 May 09
Praying for me is a chance to teach us to be humble. I pray because I know I didn't own this life and at times I really need divine intervention on the daily challenges of life. Whenever I am happy or sad, I should ask god to guide and bless me to have a clear mind on how to deal with my strugles in life. My life won't be better, if I don't have god's unconditional love for me. Prayer makes me more positive if things are not working well for me.
