General question regarding Prayer

Subject: General question regarding Prayer Wed 09 Jan 2008, 9:57 am

In general when praying for people do you say formalized prayers, like The Lord's Prayer, or do you converse with God or is it a combination? How do you stay focused when praying? As an RC I was brought up to pray using formalized prayer, however, as I "mature" I find myself combining this type of praying with somewhat formal conversations with God. To focus better I try to limit outside distractions and use prayer pamphlets and New Testament verse. I feel I'm progressing but sense there is much more work to be done. What works for you ladies?
Thanks,
Teri
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Dear Lord, help me remember how lucky I am on both the good and the bad days!

Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Wed 09 Jan 2008, 10:33 am

I do not think there is a right or wrong way to pray, but I do view prayer as talking from my heart to our Lord and listening with my heart for an answer.
My personal favorite way to pray are silent, short prayers (or out loud if I am at home) through the day as I go about my tasks. I have a rather short attention span sometimes, LOL, and am easily distracted, so I find that this helps me to stay more focused. I pray for those who need prayer and I also spend time praising God and thanking Him for the blessings of the day. ***For example if a friend is at a Dr's appt., I pray that the Lord will calm their fears and that the Dr. will be compassionate and wise. Praying like this has really helped me to feel more at peace, and also has helped me realize that God is a constant , strengthening presence in my life.
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MARY

Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Wed 09 Jan 2008, 11:46 am

I also don't think there is a right way. When I taught CCD, the definition in the book we used said prayer is 'talking and listening to God.' That being said, I usually start with formal prayer (Our Father, Hail Mary, etc), then I thank and praise God, then I usually ask my special intentions (sometimes very general, ie. world peace, homeless, sick) and again a prayer of thanks.
My dh was taught to never address God personally in prayer(or otherwise) so I am sure many people will give you a different answer.
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Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Wed 09 Jan 2008, 12:16 pm

Unless it's a novena, I'd just converse even though it seems one-sided at the time. I don't think it matters how, where or when, just as long as you do it.
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~ LESS IS MORE ~

Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Wed 09 Jan 2008, 12:32 pm

I pray the rosary every night and with the rosary, I say my intentions for everyone. My pastor told me I don't have to go into specifics on each person because God knows what's going on in their lives, so He will take care of their needs. I include people that I'm not particularly fond of because I found it's difficult to dislike someone that I am praying for. This has helped me in difficult relationships.

I, also, pray twice a day to St. Pelegrine, who is the patron saint of cancer patients. I have people on that prayer list.

Other than, that, I just either hold a normal conversation with God as if I was talking to any one in the room with me. I thank God first for everything that the day brought. I read scripture every night. At other times, I just sit quietly, listen and when I can, enjoy nature because that's where I find God the most.

Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Wed 09 Jan 2008, 12:42 pm

Like everyone else has said I don't think there is a wrong or right way to pray. I do however talk to God as if I were having a conversation. I say prayers at night before bed(everyone else is in bed) asking for forgiveness of the sins that I have comitted that day(naming them all), thanking him for everything and everyone (trying to name them all), asking him to watch over and bless all my friends as I name them and then speaking of any requests that I have or others may have. I also pray throught the day for different things and/or people. Sometimes I will pray so long that eventually I just fall asleep. If I awake during the night I start praying again til I once again fall asleep. I spill my heart and soul in my prayers as if I were talking to my best friend. Actually more so!
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Vicki

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Moderator Age : 28 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 2055

First of all...are you saved? For the Lord to hear our supplications we must get saved...if you have any questions about this PLEASE feel free to PM me Smile

But...God is our Heavenly Father and should be treated as such...we would go to our own father in a "regular" way...I just am always in awe of who and what God is...The Bible says we are to be in a constant state of prayer...this doesn't mean we must pray all day, but we are free to go to God anytime...anywhere...anyway! He is always there and knows our needs before we even do! The most important thing to remeber is to ask for forgiveness for sins and know God knows your heart...better than you even do...so, he knows your thoughts, your emotions, your situation, even every hair on your head! He will know when you need Him...just fel at ease and talk.

Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Wed 09 Jan 2008, 6:43 pm

I think Pray is personal some are formal some are conversational .
I pray to the Lord ever mindful of Praise and Prayer
I tell the Lord the need, mention who or what I am praying for. I give thanks for the many blessing and I ask for him forgive any sin I committed ..
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Gayla

"They take great pride in making their dinner cost much; I take my pride in making my dinner cost so little."

---Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862)

Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Wed 09 Jan 2008, 10:13 pm

I started reading the Bible January 1, 2008 with the hopes of reading the entire thing in a year. Part of tonights reading was Psalms 5 and these versus jumped out at me

Psalm 5 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
[NIV at IBS] [International Bible Society] [NIV at Zondervan] [Zondervan]

Psalm 5
For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David.
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD,
consider my sighing.

2 Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.

3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation

then the study notes in my bible say this....

The secret of a close realtionship with God is to pray to him earnestly each morning. In the morning, our minds are more free from problems and then we can commit the whole day to God. Regular communication helps any friendship and is certainly necessary for a strong relationship with God. We need to communicate with him daily. Do you have a regular time to pray and read God's word?

Just thought I'd share!
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Vicki

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Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Thu 10 Jan 2008, 9:09 am

I love the Psalms. Psalm 37 is my favorite. It has a special meaning for me.

I wake up in the morning and tell God what I'm grateful for. I've I'm in a better mood to start my day.

Another thing I've done for years is pray the Hail Mary before I drive in my car. Even if I'm a passenger, I pray it. It makes me more mindful of my driving and I believe it has helped me to avoid accidents.

Does any one ever go to lectures? Our area has Come and See lectures. The first Thursday of every month a different priest talks on a subject. This month was about dealing with difficult people. It was a very good lecture. Afterward, there is refreshments and table talk. It's all for free.

Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Thu 10 Jan 2008, 9:28 am

Thank you for sharing the Psalm Vicki. I love that book of the Bible....so emotional and beautiful!
Sissy, those lectures sound great, and I wish that we had something like that in my town. Learning how to deal with difficult people would be quite a valuable skill.

I was thinking of my maternal Grandparents last night. I never saw a couple more in love then those two. Even after 50 yrs. of marriage they still sat very close on the couch at night holding hands. Especially when the Lawerence Welk show was on tv! LOL After my Grandpa died, my Grandmother was completely broken-hearted. They had always gone to a Methodist church that had formal services which included congregational responsive readings and formal prayers. The Lord's prayer was always said each Sunday. I believe that saying those prayers brought her a great deal of comfort. It brought some peace to a sweet, but sorrowful lady.
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MARY

Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Thu 10 Jan 2008, 10:29 am

I was very lucky to have my paternal Grandparants as wonderful role models. They were a very devoted couple and prayed together every day. When I was young the Rosary was on the radio everyday at 3:00PM and they always stopped each day and said the Rosary with the radio.

Generally I pray in the afternoon, however, I'm going to start saying a prayer before I get out of bed to start the day off right. I always say a thank you prayer at night and will pray if I have problems falling asleep. A couple of years ago when I was traveling alot I started saying prayers every time I saw an accident marker beside the road, praying for the person that died and their family that lives on.

Sinc eJan's illness and now with Russell so ill and waiting to hear on Michael I've been keeping them in my prayers and also asking St Peregrine, the patron Saint of cancer victims, to pray for them as well.

Thank you all for your thoughts on praying, I'm sure my prayer routines will benefit from your very honest posts. This group continues to grow in importance in my life.
Teri
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Dear Lord, help me remember how lucky I am on both the good and the bad days!

Moderator Age : 28 Joined : 12 Oct 2006 Posts : 2055

Teri I'm glad that you felt comfortable enough to ask your question! You are also very important to all of us Smile

Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Thu 10 Jan 2008, 12:27 pm

Teri I too am very glad and Thankful that you felt comfortable enough asking this questions. I feel very blessed to have you all in my life and very fortunate to have a website that we can not only share our frugal ideas and such but our religious beliefs and concerns as well. Thank you all for being such an important part of my life!
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Vicki

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Subject: Re: General question regarding Prayer Thu 10 Jan 2008, 12:40 pm