How do you pray?

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How do you pray? Anonymous 10/16/15 (Fri) 00:09:27 969b28 No.74

I've just seen this board and would like to help out, as well as have you help me out.

I'd like to ask anons (/hope/rs? what?) what their personal experiences are with prayer. How do you pray, and how often do you do it? What kind of reaction have you experienced when praying, and how do you deal with the disappointment of unanswered prayer?

Do you use some kind of prayer aid, what position do you take in preparation?

Any tips and stories would be greatly appreciated, and I hope to see this board take off.

Anonymous 10/16/15 (Fri) 01:38:30 6161a8 No.75

File: 1444959510919.jpg (369.98 KB, 850x1607, 850:1607, 1435540320571.jpg)

>>74

Thanks for visiting /hope/, anon.

I'll try to help as best I can, though I am a very recent convert to Christianity and my advice might only be applicable for Catholics since that's what I am.

I only recently started praying, and I do so in a formulaic fashion, as there a lot of recorded Catholic prayers and a lot of approved formulas and positions collected over the centuries.

The two times you should definitely pray are upon waking up and before going to bed. If you forget or are too busy at any other time, I'm sure God understands, but if you can't set aside five minutes at the beginning and end of the day to thank Him for it, you probably need to work on your relationship with Him. I know I do, I am always really paranoid in the morning and don't feel like doing anything out of the ordinary, so I skipped praying this morning. It's a habit you'll have to build like any other.

>What kind of reaction have you experienced when praying, and how do you deal with the disappointment of unanswered prayer?

I believe that God always answers my prayers, as I believe that whatever happens to me is God's will, Q.E.D. Though I understand what you are really asking, and yes, I have felt a sense that someone was listening to me and that things that happened that day or the next were small bits of His mercy. It's not as if He'll speak to you with words, though. He hasn't done that to anyone in a long time, as far as I know.

>Do you use some kind of prayer aid, what position do you take in preparation?

I'm going to buy a rosary soon, and I simply adopt a kneeling position with hands clasped. The simplest way is best, especially for a beginner. I also whisper my prayers because I have always had trouble speaking aloud when by myself. I'm worried someone will overhear, but don't want to be disrespectful by not speaking aloud at all. I'm sure God understands. In any case, remember that He knows what you want before you ask. You ask in order to focus on God and remind yourself of your relationship with Him.

Hope that helps. If you are Catholic, fisheaters.com is a great resource for learning prayers and how to pray.

Anonymous 10/16/15 (Fri) 01:50:05 52f550 No.76

>>74

Not sure what your religious background is, but as a Christian I can tell you about my experiences/beliefs with regards to prayer.

Before bed every night I always read at least a few verses in the Bible and pray. Other than that, I don't really have a set time for prayer, but just do it as I'm going through my day and feel that I need/want to talk with God.

In my evening prayer I try to follow this 4-part formula: Praise/adoration of God, repenting (confessing specific sins I know I committed that day, and praying for forgiveness for all my sins, known and unknown to me), praying for others, and finally praying for myself. As far as prayers during other times in the day, they're usually short and specific.

When praying, it's important to be completely honest and open with God, and just say what's on your heart and mind. He knows you better than you know yourself. Like >>75 said, simplest is often the best.

Also I don't believe that any prayers go unanswered. They just aren't always answered as quickly as you would like, or in the way that you would like. Remember also that prayer is more about transforming yourself, and not about "getting things from God".

I don't personally use any prayer aids like a rosary or prayer rope, but there's nothing wrong with these things. I don't know if you'd call this a prayer aid, but I read and meditate on the Psalms sometimes as part of my prayers.

I hope you got something out of my post, and I look forward to seeing you around on /hope/!

Anonymous 10/16/15 (Fri) 03:56:19 a72f46 No.78

I just start talking. Used to have a spiel that I'd say that I was taught from childhood, but I've dropped that for the most part and just start thanking Him for any good fortune that has come my way (or for my friends/family) no matter how small, pray for the quick resolution of or very least, strength to get through any recent hardship that has or will imminently befall me, and sometimes express regret and apologize for any misdeed I may have done.

No special position or anything, I do it once I'm in bed with the lights off. Even though it's dark, I keep my eyes closed until I'm finished.

Always end it with an Amen and "goodnight."

Anonymous 10/16/15 (Fri) 03:58:36 a72f46 No.79

>>78

I should also mention that I utter a quick one before every major trip that I take; I lay a hand on the roof of my car, arm rest of my airplane seat, etc, and thank Him for a safe journey.

Anonymous 10/16/15 (Fri) 14:28:30 6184f8 No.81

>>75

Thanks for this. I have a hard time praying in the morning, and so I usually just utter a wrote prayer that, frankly, I am only half aware of sine I wake and have to get ready for school immediately after that. It takes me close to an hour to be fully awake, which is why I much more prefer to pray at night. My church has recommended at least three daily prayers; in the morning, mid-day and under the moon, but I have a hard time making even this work.

> It's not as if He'll speak to you with words, though. He hasn't done that to anyone in a long time, as far as I know.

I'm not really expecting that, personally, though it would be nice. Its just other people I know seem to have more "concrete" experiences when praying, when by en large I still feel like I'm just talking alone and see no correlation between those words and my normal life. I fluctuate between periods of praying every day and binges of not praying at all after becoming disillusioned. When I do pray, most of the time its out of a sense of guilt and obligation, which works in the short term but never in the long term.

>I'm going to buy a rosary soon

I've got one as well, and a cilice even. Both of these helped for a time but I think either my lack of consistency or doubts got the best of me and I haven't used them in a while. These aren't at all common prayer aids for a Mormon but I'm pretty open minded at this point, which is to say I'll try anything with the promise of a more tangible spiritual experience.

>>76

I also try and read from the scriptures before bed, as I think it helps the mind get in touch with God and disconnect a while from the cares of the world. I do have a hard time just praying during the day, to be honest, and this is an issue. I person I know has told me she tries to make it so that "God is never far from her mind", and so she does this and prays pretty regularly but free-form. Just driving and talking to God like he were a man next to her, for example. I've a hard time with this.

I like the 4 part formula that you have, I will try this and see how it works.

>>78

There's something about the darkness and quiet that really helps concentrate and feel a connection, though, right? The few times I feel "moved" when praying, it has been in the middle of the night, in complete darkness save for the moonlight, just by myself praying.

I think it might be shyness too. I have a hard time praying in pubic if I'm by myself, even to say a blessing for the food or what have you.

Thank you all for your advice. Feel free to advertise on >>>/christ/ if you like. We have limited traffic but for a new board every bit of exposure helps!

Anonymous 10/18/15 (Sun) 06:07:14 bfdf7f No.126

I ask for forgiveness for my sins, ask for him to help me to repent, ask for him to lead me to the path he wants me to go on, i try to thank him for what i have but i often forget this, i ask for things i want or need, i just talk to Him whatever is on my mind

Matthew 6 talks a bit about how to pray

Anonymous ## Board Volunteer 10/19/15 (Mon) 03:39:27 f7cca1 No.144

>>81

One of the things that helps me feel more connected is making sure that you confess your sins. It's important to keep an open and honest relationship with God, the same way healthy relationships in real life are open and honest.

As for how I pray, I'll say little prayers throughout the day when I feel nudged. Recently, whenever I sit down to work on something for a long period of time, I'll say a quick prayer before starting that God will help me focus and accomplish what I need to do. At night, I always read the Bible and say a longer prayer. When it comes to reading, sometimes I'll read an entire chapter, and sometimes it's just a couple verses that I feel really drawn to. It all depends on where I feel the Holy Spirit lead me (and, admittedly, sometimes how tired I am).

The prayer itself usually reaches out to sick family and friends, relationships, my country, and the world in general. I'm trying to get on a "4-part plan" of my own, but have so far been unsuccessful in consistently implementing it for whatever reason. It is: Adoration of God, Confession of sins, Thanksgiving, and Supplication (prayer for needs of others and myself). Handily enough, it spells out the word Acts, which is the kind of Christian the world needs right now. A Christian like those from the book of Acts.