How do you pray?

[LastWhiteSoxFanStanding]

As a person who has not prayed at all (or much) in his life, I am curious.

Is it simply thinking positive thoughts or is there a particular passage from something that moves you?

Has the way you prayed changed over the years?

And anything else that you think would be meaningful to the discussion.

I am not looking into getting into an argument about the value of prayer or religion. AT ALL. That has no interest to me. But I am genuinely interested in how people pray.

[GrantDawg]

Prayer, to me, has always been a personal conversation with God. No memorized hymns or verses (though, as a Christian, I recognize prayer through Christ). I don't think there is a right way or a wrong way. It is a soul reaching out to the greater, for thanks, praise, and supplication.

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I try not to pray for things other than safety & that my kid learns what she needs to. Like, I'd feel odd saying "Please let my kid graduate on time." If she wouldn't learn what she needs & happened to graduate on time, it wouldn't do any good.

I don't know that prayer really does anything other than pacify myself... but figure it can't hurt!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Certainly a fair enough question, I'll try to supply an answer although it may be a bit meandering as I compose on the fly. Most of this applies to the daily/nightly/regular routine, otherwise I'll specify. Any reference to scripture is intended entirely to highlight my reasoning/basis, not as an effort to proselytize*.

- Like GDawg, I am of the conversational approach. Likewise regarding the "through Christ" manner.

- Typically silent, acknowledging the instruction of Matthew 6:6 (about going to your room & shutting the door)

- Not intentionally nor particularly formal, although I recognize that I'm prone to falling into phrasing habits that become almost ritualistic. That's something I'm a little sensitive to & I work on making sure that it remains conscious rather than automatic, if that makes sense. In other words, asking for what I intend, not just asking out of the habit of asking. (Matthew 6:7 cautions specifically against "vain repetitions")

- I'm of the belief that He knows your heart & hears it, and that He accepts any memory or vocabulary shortcomings (part of the basis for my lack of concern for formality). That said, it's not all that uncommon for me to feel the need to add what amounts to a p.s. if I realize that I've overlooked some need or concern. In the end, I've come to the point where I believe if I feel like I should pray with regard to someone/something, then I ought to be willing to make the effort to include that topic. If I don't, even if I realize it later, then it seems fair to question it's importance to me/the sincerity of my desire about it. (Romans 8:26, as I read it, supports the notion of the Spirit interceding on our behalf when we fail to articulate our desires as well as we might like)

- As for change, yes, I'd say form, content, and "style" have definitely changed through the years. Hopefully that's a sign of maturing as a Christian (as G-Dawg alluded to, that's the basis of my beliefs so that's the perspective I can offer). The nightly routine version certainly gets longer the older I get, that's for sure.

- I'm not the least bit bashful about making "multiple calls" in a day. Yeah, I've got my nightly routine but if something weighs on me enough that I feel the need, I'll drop what I'm doing & address that. Whether that's for assistance for myself, someone else, whatever, my God multi-tasks & still answers His own phones ;) (1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray without ceasing)

- As a bit of minutiae, but something that I've come to feel incredibly strongly about over the years (to the point that I have to call it an epiphany), I'm exceptionally cautious about the use of phrases like "I'll pray for you" or "I'll be praying for you". To the extent that if you see me respond to something like a prayer request thread here with that kind of thing, you can be assured that I've already offered that prayer. It's almost quirky of me I think, but at least for me, saying it but not doing it is a major no-no, one of those things that leads to God casting at least a furrowed brow in your direction. Better to pray & say nothing about it than to claim to have done so & fail to deliver (the similarity to this & what Jesus criticized the Pharisees for in Matthew 6:5 weighs heavily with me on this)


That's fairly off the top of my head, I'll reserve the possibility of adding other points & would certainly be glad to attempt to clarify as needed.

*If I ever find myself compelled to proselytize at some point, I wouldn't avoid it by any means but that's neither what you asked for nor what I feel any specific burden to do at this time. I believe the scripture references fell within the scope of your question, so I included some as I felt was appropriate/relevant to my answer. At this point in my life, various scriptures have guided a lot of things, included a lot of my approach to prayer but I'm the first to admit that the only way I could give you accurate citations is to look them up, their impact is significant but not in a "I'm thinking of Book Chapter:Verse act as I do X,Y,or Z" kind of way

[Sun Tzu]

Must. Fight. Urge. To. Post. Hammer. Lyrics.

[ISiddiqui]

I'd have to echo the conversation aspect of prayer. Though instead of silent, I at least speak at a low whisper (not that it necessarily matters to God), or if I'm praying with someone, obviously I'll raise my voice and pray over both of us.

I also do engage in formal prayers at times, whether it be The Lord's Prayer (Our Father...) or The Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner) or in reading out loud Fixed Hour Prayers (of whatever sort - I like "The Divine Hours" and the Catholic "Litugry of Hours"). I find formal and liturgical prayers to not only be beautifully transcendent, but also a collection of traditional manner of prayer that links me to believers throughout the past in worship and prayer of God.

[Warhammer]

My prayers boil down into three parts, forgiveness, petitions (for me and others, mostly wisdom, will to resist temptations, etc.), and often a more formal prayer (Our Father, etc.).

[Arles]

I haven't been to church in 3 years, but I pray every night. I begin with the Lord's prayer and then ask him to be with my friends and family. Finally, I may ask for strength or wisdom for something that a friend or myself is going through.

[MizzouRah]

I haven't been to church in 3 years, but I pray every night. I begin with the Lord's prayer and then ask him to be with my friends and family. Finally, I may ask for strength or wisdom for something that a friend or myself is going through.

I pray every night as well and in a very similar way that you do.

[Dodgerchick]

I don't pray to God or Jesus Christ, it's more of a thinking positive thoughts or sending good vibes/love and light to whoever, or whatever situation needs it. I make sure to be mindful of every single word I say... not to say words just to say them but to put intention in everything I say.