Is there a wrong way to pray?

Ronald · Apr 7, 2019

Natsumi Lam said:
Hi Family,

In another thread a poster said to pray like the Lord's prayer but to not repeat it. Do you agree or is it religiosity creeping in?

He said he doesnt pray during Church prayer time.

What about public tongues?

Is there a wrong way to approach the Father? Or is that religiosity?

What about when we are sad, happy, weeping or mad?

What about praying like David...a man after God's own heart?

What about prayers of praise?

~Natsumi Lam~

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words." Matt. 6:5-7

The Lord's prayer is a wonderful prayer, complete, addressing our Father, Who is Holy, a prayer for His kingdom and will, thanking Him for His provisions and allowing us to forgive others as He's done us. Deliver us from evil.
It's a template for all prayers. Repeating it over and over in "vain repetition" is not necessary. God already knows what you need and what is in your heart.
Sometimes others pray with elaborate and long drawn out wordy prayers as if to impress or send their own message to you or somehow instruct God how to deal with your certain situation. Make it simple, get to the point, God knows what you are going to pray before you pray. The point is, prayer is talking to God. He wants to hear from us. If you have faith and a relationship with Him, you'll talk to Him often and never leave Him out of your everyday life activities, thoughts and decisions. "Your will be done", follows my prayers, because sometimes I might not be praying for the right things, so I'll leave it His will be done. And basically, that is the best way to go since we often err in our decisions and actions.
So, in essence, finding a prayer that covers all of your needs and your families as well is good to repeat that often. I have a standard prayer and it is much like the Lord's prayer, but I don't repeat it in one sitting as if God takes it more seriously the more times you say it. That said, if Catholics choose that and they feel their prayers are answered and they have a relationship with God, let them. I speak to God, very often in a plain conversation, giving thanks first and praise, then I just talk. That's prayer, talking to God.

Ronald · Apr 7, 2019

Natsumi Lam said:
Hi Family,

In another thread a poster said to pray like the Lord's prayer but to not repeat it. Do you agree or is it religiosity creeping in?

He said he doesnt pray during Church prayer time.

What about public tongues?

Is there a wrong way to approach the Father? Or is that religiosity?

What about when we are sad, happy, weeping or mad?

What about praying like David...a man after God's own heart?

What about prayers of praise?

~Natsumi Lam~

“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words." Matt. 6:5-7

The Lord's prayer is a wonderful prayer, complete, addressing our Father, Who is Holy, a prayer for His kingdom and will, thanking Him for His provisions and allowing us to forgive others as He's done us. Deliver us from evil.
It's a template for all prayers. Repeating it over and over in "vain repetition" is not necessary. God already knows what you need and what is in your heart.
Sometimes others pray with elaborate and long drawn out wordy prayers as if to impress or send their own message to you or somehow instruct God how to deal with your certain situation. Make it simple, get to the point, God knows what you are going to pray before you pray. The point is, prayer is talking to God. He wants to hear from us. If you have faith and a relationship with Him, you'll talk to Him often and never leave Him out of your everyday life activities, thoughts and decisions. "Your will be done", follows my prayers, because sometimes I might not be praying for the right things, so I'll leave it His will be done. And basically, that is the best way to go since we often err in our decisions and actions.
So, in essence, finding a prayer that covers all of your needs and your families as well is good to repeat that often. I have a standard prayer and it is much like the Lord's prayer, but I don't repeat it in one sitting as if God takes it more seriously the more times you say it. That said, if Catholics choose that and they feel their prayers are answered and they have a relationship with God, let them. I speak to God, very often in a plain conversation, giving thanks first and praise, then I just talk. That's prayer, talking to God.

salt-n-light · Apr 7, 2019

Natsumi Lam said:
Hi Family,

In another thread a poster said to pray like the Lord's prayer but to not repeat it. Do you agree or is it religiosity creeping in?

He said he doesnt pray during Church prayer time.

What about public tongues?

Is there a wrong way to approach the Father? Or is that religiosity?

What about when we are sad, happy, weeping or mad?

What about praying like David...a man after God's own heart?

What about prayers of praise?

~Natsumi Lam~

The only wrong way to pray is one who prays against the will of God.

2PhiloVoid · Apr 7, 2019

Natsumi Lam said:
Hi Family,

In another thread a poster said to pray like the Lord's prayer but to not repeat it. Do you agree or is it religiosity creeping in?

He said he doesnt pray during Church prayer time.

What about public tongues?

Is there a wrong way to approach the Father? Or is that religiosity?

What about when we are sad, happy, weeping or mad?

What about praying like David...a man after God's own heart?

What about prayers of praise?

~Natsumi Lam~

Hi Natsumi Lam

I'm not going to get into a long, drawn out discussion on this topic because it's one that I think my fellow Christians often take way too far in their own private expectations and out of the bounds from which the writers of the Bible actually state or imply that it should be.

So, I'll just say that on this topic, I go more or less with the teachings of W. Bingham Hunter in his book, "The God Who Hears," and of Gary R. Habermas in his book, "Why Is God Ignoring Me?" ---------but more with Hunter in this than with Habermas.

As for the rest of this, you can talk about it with others here for any additional insights, assuming they don't go charismatically overboard with it all.

2PhiloVoid

thecolorsblend · Apr 7, 2019

Natsumi Lam said:
religiosity

What do you mean by this?

Natsumi Lam · Apr 7, 2019

Neogaia777 said:
Serious...

God Bless!

Then yes ...i am talking about the OP.

Natsumi Lam · Apr 7, 2019

SkyWriting said:
We are now free of the law in ink or stone!

This does not answer the question.

Natsumi Lam · Apr 7, 2019

Ronald said:
“When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. 6 But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words." Matt. 6:5-7

The Lord's prayer is a wonderful prayer, complete, addressing our Father, Who is Holy, a prayer for His kingdom and will, thanking Him for His provisions and allowing us to forgive others as He's done us. Deliver us from evil.
It's a template for all prayers. Repeating it over and over in "vain repetition" is not necessary. God already knows what you need and what is in your heart.
Sometimes others pray with elaborate and long drawn out wordy prayers as if to impress or send their own message to you or somehow instruct God how to deal with your certain situation. Make it simple, get to the point, God knows what you are going to pray before you pray. The point is, prayer is talking to God. He wants to hear from us. If you have faith and a relationship with Him, you'll talk to Him often and never leave Him out of your everyday life activities, thoughts and decisions. "Your will be done", follows my prayers, because sometimes I might not be praying for the right things, so I'll leave it His will be done. And basically, that is the best way to go since we often err in our decisions and actions.
So, in essence, finding a prayer that covers all of your needs and your families as well is good to repeat that often. I have a standard prayer and it is much like the Lord's prayer, but I don't repeat it in one sitting as if God takes it more seriously the more times you say it. That said, if Catholics choose that and they feel their prayers are answered and they have a relationship with God, let them. I speak to God, very often in a plain conversation, giving thanks first and praise, then I just talk. That's prayer, talking to God.

What about when we are instructed to go to the elders to pray over our sickness. How many elders makes a crowd to you? Making it impermissible.

Neogaia777 · Apr 7, 2019

Natsumi Lam said:
Then yes ...i am talking about the OP.

There is a lot of questions and topics in there, Is there a few in particular you want to talk about, or could we concentrate on just a few right now...? Or is there a main question here...? I tried to answer the title question, which I thought might have been the main topic or issue or question maybe...

God Bless!

Jonaitis · Apr 7, 2019

Natsumi Lam said:
Hi Family,

In another thread a poster said to pray like the Lord's prayer but to not repeat it. Do you agree or is it religiosity creeping in?

He said he doesnt pray during Church prayer time.

What about public tongues?

Is there a wrong way to approach the Father? Or is that religiosity?

What about when we are sad, happy, weeping or mad?

What about praying like David...a man after God's own heart?

What about prayers of praise?

~Natsumi Lam~

The Lord's Prayer is a model as is the Psalms. There is nothing wrong with using the same format or word for word, it must come from the heart to God. I believe praying Scripture is one of the greatest ways to pray when you don't know how or what to pray for.

Halbhh · Apr 7, 2019

Natsumi Lam said:
Hi Family,

In another thread a poster said to pray like the Lord's prayer but to not repeat it. Do you agree or is it religiosity creeping in?

He said he doesnt pray during Church prayer time.

What about public tongues?

Is there a wrong way to approach the Father? Or is that religiosity?

What about when we are sad, happy, weeping or mad?

What about praying like David...a man after God's own heart?

What about prayers of praise?

~Natsumi Lam~

What we know is not to pray for show, in order (for the motive of) to be seen by others.

But we also know that Christ said to pray with faith -- Mark chapter 11, and that He also said several other keys things about how to pray we need.

But, in a pinch, if your prayer is like mine was:

"HELP!"

(that's the entire prayer)

That's good enough, I found out. I did pray it with faith, belief He would respond.

Another very pronounced thing in the gospels we see many times is that Christ withdrew to be alone to pray.

If He chose to, then it's a very good guide for us.

Halbhh · Apr 7, 2019

Also consider how prayer is done He said:
7 "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

This reminds of the wonderful Romans chapter 8 portion on prayer:

26 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

It is not needed at all to use many words, nor to even have words, as we sometimes do not have the words.

Natsumi Lam · Apr 7, 2019

Neogaia777 said:
There is a lot of questions and topics in there, Is there a few in particular you want to talk about, or could we concentrate on just a few right now...? Or is there a main question here...? I tried to answer the title question, which I thought might have been the main topic or issue or question maybe...

God Bless!

No you did great. I know there are a lot. My concern is that Skywriting keeps evading.

Natsumi Lam · Apr 7, 2019

Halbhh said:
Also consider how prayer is done He said:
7 "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

This reminds of the wonderful Romans chapter 8 portion on prayer:

26 "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

It is not needed at all to use many words, nor to even have words, as we sometimes do not have the words.

What about going to the elders for healing and them praying as a group? How many is 1 too many elders?

Natsumi Lam · Apr 7, 2019

thecolorsblend said:
What do you mean by this?

Legalism

PoppyB · Apr 7, 2019

If you are able, praying in tongues is a good way to start if you're stuck. And I find singing in tongues to be both beautiful, uplifting and a good way to get into Spirit led prayer. I usually ask God what to pray about so that when I pray I know I am asking for things that are his will as it teaches us in
1 John 5:14
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."

thecolorsblend · Apr 7, 2019

Natsumi Lam said:
Legalism

Then why not just say that? Besides, religiosity means "strong religious feeling or belief" so they're not really interchangeable.

lsume · Apr 7, 2019

Natsumi Lam said:
Hi Family,

In another thread a poster said to pray like the Lord's prayer but to not repeat it. Do you agree or is it religiosity creeping in?

He said he doesnt pray during Church prayer time.

What about public tongues?

Is there a wrong way to approach the Father? Or is that religiosity?

What about when we are sad, happy, weeping or mad?

What about praying like David...a man after God's own heart?

What about prayers of praise?

~Natsumi Lam~

As of late, I’ve started to consider God The Father and His Power and my approach. I think the reference to repetitive prayer is from Scripture.

Matt.6

[7] But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

I pray in The Name of Christ. I have experienced The Fear of The Lord and it is a great Blessing. I have never known terror like The Terror of The Lord.

2Cor.5

[11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

The Fear referred to Above is very real.

Prov.1

[7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
[29] For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

Look at the world today and consider The Word Above.

Natsumi Lam · Apr 7, 2019

thecolorsblend said:
Then why not just say that? Besides, religiosity means "strong religious feeling or belief" so they're not really interchangeable.

I am using it to mean legalism. I know its meaning.

Neogaia777 · Apr 7, 2019

lsume said:
As of late, I’ve started to consider God The Father and His Power and my approach. I think the reference to repetitive prayer is from Scripture.

Matt.6

[7] But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

I pray in The Name of Christ. I have experienced The Fear of The Lord and it is a great Blessing. I have never known terror like The Terror of The Lord.

2Cor.5

[11] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

The Fear referred to Above is very real.

Prov.1

[7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

[29] For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

Look at the world today and consider The Word Above.

Yet we are told to approach Him boldly and with boldness in Christ, and to have and take courage, knowing what you already have in and with Christ, and God the Son, ect...

Does not mean the fear is not there and/or that you still don't feel it when you approach, but He even likes it when we approach with boldness based on what we know we have in Christ, His Son... (Otherwise He might not like it so much, maybe)...

It would be very wise to always be very aware and very mindful of who it is your actually approaching though, and dealing with here, and if it never causes any fear at all, IDK...? And, be absolutely sure your not walking in your own pride, if you can...

Many of the world do not even ever approach or try to approach though, as they have no real faith, or real belief in God, most of them anyway, so why would they fear Him...?

God Bless!

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