how do you use a prayer candle?

[dreamasamemory2002]

i was just wondering because i thought about using them

 

[Albion]

How did you intend to use them?

 

[Bluerose31]

i was just wondering because i thought about using them

I like to pray with a candle lit sometimes.

 

[dreamasamemory2002]

How did you intend to use them?

just light the wick and start praying then blow it out when im done, is it how its supposed to be used?

 

[2PhiloVoid]

just light the wick and start praying then blow it out when im done, is it how its supposed to be used?

...I suppose you could light it. That would be a good start, dreamasamemory. And then say your prayer. However, just keep in mind that the candle is there to give you focus on the light; it's not going to 'add' to the value of your prayers as they go up before God. Your prayers will go up before God with, or without, a candle. But, candle light sure is pretty, isn't it?

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

 

[Albion]

just light the wick and start praying then blow it out when im done, is it how its supposed to be used?

Traditionally, the use of prayer candles is done in churches, and it represents the prayer you said being continued after you stop praying or leave the premises.

It's a nice symbol of the person's seriousness or commitment. Children are sometimes told that angels will repeat the prayer until the candle burns out, although that's not a doctrine. If you want to follow this practice at home, I'd assume that you would let the candle burn until it goes out, and I'd recommend using votive candles--those colored glass things that look like a juice glass, rather than a tall candle which would be much more dangerous if left untended. But you don't have to keep them lit until they burn out.

You can buy bags of them (the candles, that is, not the glass) at a small price. Votive candles, being colored, evoke emotions, too, like stained glass windows do.

 

[Albion]

Hey, now that I realize it, 2PhiloVoid's avatar is a votive candle just like I was describing!.

 

[dreamasamemory2002]

...I suppose you could light it. That would be a good start, dreamasamemory. And then say your prayer. However, just keep in mind that the candle is there to give you focus on the light; it's not going to 'add' to the value of your prayers as they go up before God. Your prayers will go up before God with, or without, a candle. But, candle light sure is pretty, isn't it?

Peace,
2PhiloVoid

Yes ^^

 

[Sketcher]

I don't use prayer candles. I just pray. I don't know what benefit having a prayer candle in my home would bring.

 

[JCFantasy23]

I don't use prayer candles. I just pray. I don't know what benefit having a prayer candle in my home would bring.

I could be wrong, but I think it's an aid to help focus during deeper prayer.

 

[Sketcher]

I could be wrong, but I think it's an aid to help focus during deeper prayer.

That may help some people, but if my eyes are closed and my head is bowed, then I don't know what the benefit would be.

 

[JCFantasy23]

That may help some people, but if my eyes are closed and my head is bowed, then I don't know what the benefit would be.

Google says:

A votive candle or prayer candle is a small candle, typically white or beeswax yellow, intended to be burnt as a votive offering in an act of Christian prayer, especially within the Anglican and Roman Catholic Christian denominations, among others.​

So I suppose there is more to it than concentration.

 

[Kit Sigmon]

i was just wondering because i thought about using them

Candles can be used to help focus, to represent peace/shalom; or God's Word, to remember scripture and or represent the relationship between you and the Lord you and your husband(wedding vows)...just some examples that come to mind at this time.

Psalm 119:105
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."

John 3:20
"Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for
fear that his deeds will be exposed."

Psalm 43:3
"O send out Thy light and Thy truth; let them lead me; Let them bring me unto
Thy holy mountain, and to Thy dwelling-places."

 

[Albion]

That may help some people, but if my eyes are closed and my head is bowed, then I don't know what the benefit would be.

So what benefit do you realize from closing your eyes?

 

[seashale76]

The use of candles and incense is scriptural (found both in the Old and the New Testament). Generally, I'll say a prayer and then light a candle. The candle is allowed to burn until it's gone.

Somewhat related- during Pascha (what you call Easter) the priest will come out with one candle in the darkened church and then everyone else's candle will be lit from that one. We'll sing, "Come receive the light from the Light- that is never overtaken by night. And come glorify Christ, Who is risen from the dead."

 

[Sketcher]

So what benefit do you realize from closing your eyes?

Better focus sometimes.

 

[Albion]

Better focus sometimes.

Very well, but by the same token lighting a candle might do the same thing for the next person, right?

 

[Sketcher]

Very well, but by the same token lighting a candle might do the same thing for the next person, right?

It may. I just don't see how it would necessarily help me in my prayer life. Sounds kind of like the random objects that are given as faith reminders in some Protestant circles.

 

[Albion]

It may. I just don't see how it would necessarily help me in my prayer life. Sounds kind of like the random objects that are given as faith reminders in some Protestant circles.

You do have a point, but there's nothing questionable about a candle, such as we might think if it were a statue or some other things. And there is symbolism involved. Since Jesus Christ is the light of the world, candle light has long put people in mind of that which, I would assume would be appropriate when a person is praying.

 

[Sketcher]

You do have a point, but there's nothing questionable about a candle, such as we might think if it were a statue or some other things. And there is symbolism involved. Since Jesus Christ is the light of the world, candle light has long put people in mind of that which, I would assume would be appropriate when a person is praying.

Right, I don't consider its legitimacy questionable. Just its utility to me.