Praying in your mind

[zoo5379]

Hello,

This might be a bit of an odd question and quite hard to explain but... I say a couple of prayers before I go to sleep (I read them from a website and I add in my own words in some places - I hope it's ok to do that. Is it ok to pray the same prayer again and again?) but once I do that, I get ready to sleep and then I lie down and pray again.

This time I pray in my mind (usually I whisper), and say (think) to God that I hope it's ok to pray to him with my thoughts. I then pray in words in my mind but also with pictures and feelings in my thoughts, if that makes sense. It's like I'm communicating without words, like He is there in my thoughts and can understand the pictures and feelings in my head. The problem is, I often fall asleep doing this, without ending the prayer and I'm wondering if that is really bad of me? I know I should be really respectful of God and it's not very respectful to go ahead and fall asleep in the middle of talking to Him.

But the thing is, when I do this, I feel a great calmness float over me and it feels like I'm spending time with Him, falling asleep with Him watching over me. I don't know. I don't know if I'm right about that or if what I'm doing is ok.

Also, sometimes I find it calming to begin to pray, to say "Dear God..." and then just to lie there, thinking about Him, thinking about things. It just feels like I can connect to Him a little if I do that. Is it wrong?

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!!

 

[GodsHandiwork]

My thoughts are that it sounds lovely and my advice is to keep it up!

 

[Boidae]

Hello,

This might be a bit of an odd question and quite hard to explain but... I say a couple of prayers before I go to sleep (I read them from a website and I add in my own words in some places - I hope it's ok to do that. Is it ok to pray the same prayer again and again?) but once I do that, I get ready to sleep and then I lie down and pray again.

This time I pray in my mind (usually I whisper), and say (think) to God that I hope it's ok to pray to him with my thoughts. I then pray in words in my mind but also with pictures and feelings in my thoughts, if that makes sense. It's like I'm communicating without words, like He is there in my thoughts and can understand the pictures and feelings in my head. The problem is, I often fall asleep doing this, without ending the prayer and I'm wondering if that is really bad of me? I know I should be really respectful of God and it's not very respectful to go ahead and fall asleep in the middle of talking to Him.

But the thing is, when I do this, I feel a great calmness float over me and it feels like I'm spending time with Him, falling asleep with Him watching over me. I don't know. I don't know if I'm right about that or if what I'm doing is ok.

Also, sometimes I find it calming to begin to pray, to say "Dear God..." and then just to lie there, thinking about Him, thinking about things. It just feels like I can connect to Him a little if I do that. Is it wrong?

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated!!

I always pray in my mind and never out loud unless my wife specifically asks me to.

 

[cedward1]

I do both. At night, I usually pray in my mind while laying in bed. During the day I often just talk if nobody is around. I don't think it matters, since God knows our prayer before we even say it. I even wrote a letter to God the other day. Whatever you are comfortable with.

 

[miss-a]

I think you are doing great and you are a blessing to your Father in heaven. He loves us to talk to Him, and thinking and feeling for Him count! Well done, good and faithful servant!

 

[insurchoftruth]

Praying in your mind only, is not Biblically based. It is important, that we confess with our mouth, because the confession or speaking with our mouth, is like a confirmation, of what we intend, think, and want to do.
The confessing or speaking part, is like a signature of a cheque or a document. It does not matter what is written on the document. Unless there is a signature to confirm it, it is not valid.

Confessing or speaking is like a confirmation of a decision on our part. It shows what we have finally decided to do, by confessing our thoughts.

Even our salvation depends on us confessing with our mouth, and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, by confessing with our mouth - Romans 10:10.

 

[tturt]

zoo5379, Scripture says "to pray without ceasing." So yes praying in your mind is fine. Also, not "officially" ending your prayer and drifting off to sleep thinking about Him is fine, too. I think it's an awesome way to end your day.

 

[cedward1]

Dga, I don't think our salvation or prayers depend on our speaking vocally. If so, mute people could never be saved.

 

[ezeric]

Praying in your mind only, is not Biblically based.

Huh?

You are free in JESUS
And we know that HE who formed the 'ear' can hear as well!
Psalm 94:9

Paul said that he prayed with his mind, (and spirit) so why can't we?

So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 1 Corinthians 14:15

Relax when you pray.

Your GOD is so HUGE, that nothing goes beyond his care. Matthew 6:26
HE knows and hears everything - the moment you ask...

-eric

The Exchanged Life

 

[parsley]

Scripture says "to pray without ceasing." So yes praying in your mind is fine

That conjures up some awkward scenarios.

So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. 1 Corinthians 14:15

So apropos.

 

[Vimi]

My take on this is that praying aloud and to yourself, in your mind, work together. The more you think about God and meditate on His words, in your mind, the more realized they become when they are spoken with your mouth. The bible also teaches us to think on things that are lovely, just, pure, etc.

Also, to have the mind of Christ means to flood your thoughts with His, leaving no room for filth and garbage the enemy tries to send your way. Another thing I wanted to mention is that setting your affections on things above -thinking about God and His kingdom is what the bible teaches. So along with spoken prayers, peaceful meditation is scriptural.

Now, I am going to do just that before I sleep tonight.