Prayer

[Penumbra]

-How do you pray?

-When you pray, do you get any signs or feelings that it was heard? What feelings do you get when you pray?

I asked this in another part of the forum, but nobody seems to want to talk about prayer there, despite it being a religious board.

I used to pray, and tried all sorts of different strategies, but it never seems to "work" for me. I also tried meditation. I do not get any sort of feeling at all, and it just feels like I'm talking to myself, and that's what I am becoming to think is happening when I pray. Because of how useless it feels, it has become almost impossible for me to say any genuine prayer.

Any tips or suggestions?

 

[fishin4christ]

I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I pray very sincerely and I feel like God was definitely listening, but other times it's like I'm just wasting my breath. This might sound weird, but I started to pray that God will help me be sincere in my praying and it works. It also helps to pray with the least amount of distractions as possible. I hope this helps.

 

[Penumbra]

I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes I pray very sincerely and I feel like God was definitely listening, but other times it's like I'm just wasting my breath. This might sound weird, but I started to pray that God will help me be sincere in my praying and it works. It also helps to pray with the least amount of distractions as possible. I hope this helps.

Thanks. It does help to hear other people know what I mean.

I do not think it is weird that you pray for help to be more sincere in praying, because I have done the same thing. I can't say that it worked for me, though.

I also try to limit distractions; that is surely good advice. I try to pray in the dark and alone. Praying in a group doesn't seem to work- I just feel awkward and keep waiting until it is over.

 

[Marycita]

I pray in different ways..sometimes I just think my prayers, sometimes I say them outloud, sometimes I write them, sometimes words escape me so I just cry or pull a "God, please" and that's it. Other times I sing.

I don't always get a feeling when i pray...but there are times I do. Sometimes I feel peace after I pray..

but a connection with God isn't based on a feeling...as nice as it is to have those feeligns that He is really there hearing you...it's not based on that.

I think a lot of times the feeling with prayer comes when you realize it has been answered, whether in the way you hoped it to be or not..

 

[Kol]

I'm with you on the praying in groups thing. I just can't do it, it feels false and shallow. I can never think clearly when I have to pray in groups, so I always have to think about things before hand. Don't really like it.

Prayer is the most important thing ever. No, really...EVER. Christ actually made the statement that we would accomplish more than he ever did (John 14:12) through prayer, once he sent the Father's spirit to us.

I've found there are different ways to pray - praying in the classical sense isn't the only right way. Prayer can become stronger or weaker based on how close you are to God to begin with. In that sense, I guess its like everything else, the more heartfelt and the more often you do it, the easier it becomes. Also, the more heartfelt the prayer, the more sincere, the more effective it seems to be.

The first thing I do is to take myself out of "my" world, and place myself outside of His. This is where the meditation comes in, because if I haven't been practicing my meditation, my mind will race and I'll never get beyond this part. After this, I'll always concentrate on Christ, remembering that he's the "gate" I have to go through to get to God. After that is settled in my own spirit, I will look for that piece of me that I know isn't me, the Holy Spirit, in my heart. That can take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour. I will try to cover myself in this, and then approach God in prayer.

I know that sounds complicated, but really all I'm doing is cutting out distractions and focusing on my prayer. I know I have to depend on the Spirit for the strength to my prayers, and for the guidance as well. A lot of times, it'll lead me to pray for something I didn't set out to pray for, but which I actually needed to pray for. About 90% of the time, this is for other people I've forgotten about.

Well, this is kinda how I pray, so...

 

[Echetus]

Say the Lord's prayer before you pray. Jesus said to say it. It goes like this 'Dear heavenly Father, hallowed be your name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for yours is the power and glory of the kingdom of heaven.'

I always say that before I say anything to God. You are hallowing your prayer by saying the pray that Jesus said to say. To me it opens a connection with God.

 

[Penumbra]

I think a lot of times the feeling with prayer comes when you realize it has been answered, whether in the way you hoped it to be or not..

What kind of signs do you get that it has been answered?

 

[Penumbra]

Thanks to everyone who spent time to answer.

I've noticed that some of the advice consists of things I've already tried, but that's my fault because I didn't really give any information about what kind of prayer strategies I have unsuccessfully tried. So, I'll provide some background so people might be able to offer more specific advice.

For a long time I believed in the existence of God, but never was really raised with any specific beliefs so I was kind of an “open theist”. I spent a lot of time learning about the major world religions and reading some of their scriptures. Being an American, I was most familiar with Christianity so I started there.

When I was young, I just said the prayers I knew. As I got older, I pretty much did more “open” prayer where I just kind of talked to God. I told him my problems, asked him what things I could work on, asked what advice I need, prayed for other people, and my desires (non-matieral things).

Eventually, though, prayer got harder and harder to do and my belief in a god’s existence was declining. I was very depressed and this was making it worse.

Some Christians told me that God hasn’t heard any of my prayers because I didn’t say them “in the name of Jesus”, so I tried that and my belief still kept declining.

Then they told me that the problem is that I didn’t truly believe in the divinity of Jesus, so even if I say them in the name of Jesus, it won’t help because I don’t actually believe in Christianity specifically. They also said to make sure I pray for forgiveness of sins before I pray.

So, I spent time talking to God and asking him what the correct religion was and asked him to guide me towards the truth. I also started prays by asking for forgiveness for mistakes. I brought up Bible passages like the one about knocking and having the door answered and asked him if he would open the door.

Then I reconsidered the Bible passage where Jesus says not to babble like pagans and say so many words, so I figured maybe God didn’t answer my prayers because he didn’t want me to say so much. So, I just said the Lord’s Prayer and nothing else for a while. Still nothing.

Then I considered that maybe God was communicating and I wasn’t listening. I went back to a more “open” style of prayer where I just try to tell God things, but I kept them short and would just sit in silence for a while trying to pay attention to any thoughts that came to me and nothing seemed to happen.

A went and talked to a Catholic priest and he told me that because I genuinely want to talk to God, it will happen. But, over a few months, I my belief in a god’s existence decreased more and more until my belief was basically nonexistent.

I still tried some prayers, so I asked to be given more faith but my faith was still non-existent. A non-religious person I know sarcastically referenced the biblical passage about how only God can draw people to himself, and said that I probably am just not a member of the elect like Calvinists teach. I never really believed it but it bothered me for some time.

A Buddhist group on my campus gave me basics for meditation, and I researched things on it, but I couldn’t get that to be beneficial at all either.

Some Christians said I might not have been humble enough. I also overheard a Muslim pointing out that people should pray in a prostate position. So, I tried praying on my knees or like some Muslims do by putting their head to the ground.

I gave up for a long time because I literally couldn’t say a prayer. I was always getting the realization that I’m not talking to anyone but my self. Every now and then I would try but it wouldn’t work. Some Christians say that God comes to people, not the other way around. So I assumed that maybe over time, God would come to me. That hasn't happened, though, as far as I can tell.

That was longer than I intended, but that’s what I tried. Maybe now that I've said what I've already tried, people can target things I've done incorrectly or something.

 

[Penumbra]

A summary for those who don't want to read through that long, poorly structured post.

1. I tried talking to God directly.
2. I tried saying only the Lord's prayer and nothing else.
3. I tried saying my prayers in the name of Jesus.
4. I prayed for more faith, because mine was lacking.
5. I prayed to be put on the path towards the truth about God and the correct religion.
6. I tried praying short prayers and then sitting in silence trying to open myself up as much as possible for communication.
7. I tried makings sure I always asked for forgiveness of mistakes before I pray.
8. I tried various combinations of the above.
9. I tried making sure I was humble before I pray and that I pray in a very humble position.
10. I tried Buddhist meditation.
11. I tried not praying, and waiting for God to unexpectedly enter my life.

 

[Marycita]

What kind of signs do you get that it has been answered?

Depends on the situation...

sometimes it's just something like one time I was seriously struggling money wise..and I prayed about it. (Not in the God, give me money way, but in the God, please help this work out somehow no matter what way)...and then a mentor of sorts of mine (from CF actually..she's fantastic ) offered to help me.

Other times, it's only in hindsight that I see the prayers were answered... Like, when I was in high school..I was mostly agnostic/atheist with a hint of God-if-you're-there-help-ist when things were tough...and my brother Erik was having a rough time of it (there's a LOT to that story so I won't go there ..but suffice it to say, it was brutally ugly)...and I remember my dad asking me what God would have to do to prove Himself to me. And I said, He needs to do a miracle, he needs to help Erik....well, my brother ending up killing himself...and months later, when I became a Christian, I realized God had did just that...what more of a miracle could God do for my brother than to greet him in heaven where he wouldn't be in pain anymore?

There are many more examples...but I won't post them all here

Then I considered that maybe God was communicating and I wasn’t listening.

Perhaps this is a good answer...Not saying that you are a bad listener..it's just sometimes recognizing God's answers is not the easiest thing to do.

I went back to a more “open” style of prayer where I just try to tell God things, but I kept them short and would just sit in silence for a while trying to pay attention to any thoughts that came to me and nothing seemed to happen.

What exactly do you think you should be feeling when you pray?

I gave up for a long time because I literally couldn’t say a prayer. I was always getting the realization that I’m not talking to anyone but my self. Every now and then I would try but it wouldn’t work. Some Christians say that God comes to people, not the other way around.

The way I see it, it's both...

So I assumed that maybe over time, God would come to me. That hasn't happened, though, as far as I can tell.

No offense meant by this...but perhaps that's the problem ..like I said before...it can be hard to recognize God...

How do you expect/or imagine that God should come to you? Are you waiting for some huge miracle of sorts? Or would you accept more subtle things?

And, for the record...I'll be praying for you..I know it can be a difficult thing

 

[Penumbra]

Depends on the situation...

sometimes it's just something like one time I was seriously struggling money wise..and I prayed about it. (Not in the God, give me money way, but in the God, please help this work out somehow no matter what way)...and then a mentor of sorts of mine (from CF actually..she's fantastic ) offered to help me.

Other times, it's only in hindsight that I see the prayers were answered... Like, when I was in high school..I was mostly agnostic/atheist with a hint of God-if-you're-there-help-ist when things were tough...and my brother Erik was having a rough time of it (there's a LOT to that story so I won't go there ..but suffice it to say, it was brutally ugly)...and I remember my dad asking me what God would have to do to prove Himself to me. And I said, He needs to do a miracle, he needs to help Erik....well, my brother ending up killing himself...and months later, when I became a Christian, I realized God had did just that...what more of a miracle could God do for my brother than to greet him in heaven where he wouldn't be in pain anymore?

There are many more examples...but I won't post them all here

I'm really sorry about your brother...

Thanks for sharing the story, though. I don't know how long ago that was or if you're still really sad about it, but I'm sure it's difficult to talk about.

Perhaps this is a good answer...Not saying that you are a bad listener..it's just sometimes recognizing God's answers is not the easiest thing to do.

No offense meant by this...but perhaps that's the problem ..like I said before...it can be hard to recognize God..

I used to get stuck on that issue a lot and would think so much about it.

I would wonder:
How would I know if God is communicating or not?
If he's all-knowing, why would he communicate in a manner that he knows I wouldn't understand?

To try to solve it, some of my prayers were about asking to be helped in hearing his communication.

What exactly do you think you should be feeling when you pray?

Something more than nothing, I suppose. I've never felt anything so I'm not sure what I should look for specifically...

Some religions, including Christianity, say it is possible to have a personal relationship with God. So I assume I'm not doing it right, because all I get when I pray is the feeling that I'm talking to myself. It's not a relationship if I'm not sure whether the other party is listening or even existent.

Some people say they feel peace or joy, but I just feel more confusion and frustration.

If I pray for more faith, I just end up moving more towards atheism.

If I pray to be lead to the truth, I just find myself more unsure about anything.

How do you expect/or imagine that God should come to you? Are you waiting for some huge miracle of sorts? Or would you accept more subtle things?

Well, some people claim to have seen big miracles like healings and things of that nature. I've never seen anything like that so I don't really expect anything like that.

What kind of subtle things should I look for? I want to make sure I interpret things correctly- I don't want to get caught in a situation where I attribute anything to a god just because I want to believe he's there. That's a pitfall that a lot of people around the world probably fall into: believe what is convenient, easy, and local.

Usually when I comes to this, I assume that if God is all-knowing, then he would know exactly what kinds of things would lead me to accept his existence, that he is listening, and that he is loving. I mean, if he knows what kinds of thoughts I have, what my experiences have been, and what it would take to lead me to him, but then does something he knows won't work on me... that just doesn't make sense.

And, for the record...I'll be praying for you..I know it can be a difficult thing

Thanks.

 

[Marycita]

I'm really sorry about your brother...

Thanks for sharing the story, though. I don't know how long ago that was or if you're still really sad about it, but I'm sure it's difficult to talk about.

Thanks....

I used to get stuck on that issue a lot and would think so much about it.

I would wonder:
How would I know if God is communicating or not?

sometimes it's something you have to learn to be attune to..(is that the right spelling/word I'm looking for? )

If he's all-knowing, why would he communicate in a manner that he knows I wouldn't understand?

Yes...and I bet He does...perhaps there are some reasons why you haven't understood yet though.

To try to solve it, some of my prayers were about asking to be helped in hearing his communication.

and I bet you He answers that prayer..or will...Just because He hasn't, or at least not in a way that you realize it, doesn't mean He won't

Something more than nothing, I suppose. I've never felt anything so I'm not sure what I should look for specifically...

Some religions, including Christianity, say it is possible to have a personal relationship with God. So I assume I'm not doing it right, because all I get when I pray is the feeling that I'm talking to myself. It's not a relationship if I'm not sure whether the other party is listening or even existent.

Well, there's more to that relationship than just praying...Do you happen to read the Bible as well? Devotionals? etc?

Some people say they feel peace or joy, but I just feel more confusion and frustration.

Oh, people do feel peace and joy...but I can promise you..most also feel confusion and frustration too...

What kind of subtle things should I look for? I want to make sure I interpret things correctly- I don't want to get caught in a situation where I attribute anything to a god just because I want to believe he's there. That's a pitfall that a lot of people around the world probably fall into: believe what is convenient, easy, and local.

Well..in a sense, you're right..I wouldn't believe just anything is God...
but there are things that people pass of as "coincidence" when that's just not the case...As much as people don't want to use these to believe in God, simply because they want to..I think people use "coincidences" as an excuse NOT to believe its God at times too..

For me personally..subtle things in my life I know are God is when something is going on, and He uses music to send a message to me. I'm huge on music, so it's no wonder...but like one time..on my birthday..I had the PERFECT birthday...it was like a week of just pure fun and games..and the minute I got home from the last like, party type thingy , I was alone and felt empty...and then I turn on my radio and the perfect song just happens to be on...and it reminds me that I hadn't spent any of that day with God...especially when he's the reason my birthday would matter at all..

Or, like when I was going to join the Methodist church....I was nervous about telling certain people about it...namely my dad, who was brokenhearted when I didn't want to make my confirmation into the catholic church..and one of my best guy friends, who is actually studying to become a priest. I was nervous about telling them..and I was nervous about joining this church in general - I'm the youngest of a big family, and I never really got to think for myself, and this was sort of one of the first times, and I was just nervous about it. But when I told my friend about it...he congratulated me and said he wanted to come (he didn't end up being able to,but hey)..and when I told my dad he said "You know? I have been thinking for a while that you were going to go that way"...And I had never talked to him about this kind of thing at all.....Stuff like that...I just can't see how they were coincidences.

There are a lot of times like that, when a LOT seems to line up in a way, and if they were all looked at individually, sure, they could be "coincidences" but for them to all be working together ...that's just not chance...

Also, God tends to use people a lot...at least in my life...there are a lot of times when I will be struggling with someone, and God gives someone in my life (usually one of the few i go to for everything) the words He wants me to hear.

Usually when I comes to this, I assume that if God is all-knowing, then he would know exactly what kinds of things would lead me to accept his existence, that he is listening, and that he is loving. I mean, if he knows what kinds of thoughts I have, what my experiences have been, and what it would take to lead me to him, but then does something he knows won't work on me... that just doesn't make sense.

No, it doesn't make sense..this is something I've thought about a lot...but the truth of it is, we have free will..and in today's world...for a lot of people, it seems that they want God to write it in the sky or something equally as obvious, because everything else can be "explained" away. I don't believe He would just do that, just because He knew that was the only way to reach some people...mostly because if He did something like that, there would be no denying Him, and He would in effect be forcing people to believe in Him, and He's not about to do that. He won't override our free will...our belief in Him has to be our choice, our love for Him has to be our choice..other wise it's not real, it's not true...

I hope that made sense

And...once again, just because He hasn't given you whatever it is you need to believe yet, doesn't mean He won't.. There is a very specific reason as to why, and it just couldn't be any other way. I have no doubt that He's doing something this very second for your path to Him...

...oh and sorry for all the stories ...I just don't know how else to explain somethings without examples

 

[Penumbra]

I thank you that you keep responding. Others haven't been posting anymore, so without you, this thread probably would have been forgotten already.

So what do you think I should try to do next? What should the next step be, in your opinion?

 

[WileyCoyote]

-How do you pray?

-When you pray, do you get any signs or feelings that it was heard? What feelings do you get when you pray?

I asked this in another part of the forum, but nobody seems to want to talk about prayer there, despite it being a religious board.

I used to pray, and tried all sorts of different strategies, but it never seems to "work" for me. I also tried meditation. I do not get any sort of feeling at all, and it just feels like I'm talking to myself, and that's what I am becoming to think is happening when I pray. Because of how useless it feels, it has become almost impossible for me to say any genuine prayer.

Any tips or suggestions?

How do you 'feel' when you talk to people? Do you get any 'feelings' that anybody heard what you said?

Simply put, prayer is just talking to God. THAT'S IT. I never feel anything when I pray. Although I do see the manifestations of many of the things I pray for. I see the results of my prayers, but I don't feel anything when I pray. Although, I did feel the presence of the Holy Spirit on a couple of occasions (but not during prayer).

 

[Marycita]

Anytime... it's somewhere I've been...and the type of person I am, I can't just not say anything when someone is going through similar things I have been through...HA...

Hmm..next?? Well, honestly, I'm not too entirely sure, becuase I don't actually know you, and it's different for everyone..

And honestly...part of me wants to tell you what you should do just in the context of Christianity, but I won't, because I know that for a lot of people, they have to search everything, or at least a lot..and in plus, I have faith that you will arrive at Christ's truth.....

But if what you want is to know the truth for yourself, I would suggest you do some studying, some searching, ask questions, read different books (scriptures and otherwise)...

If it would take proof such as historical evidence for you to know what is truth, then seek that out, if it's a scientific thing, then search that out (and believe it or not, Christianity and science can work together, call me weird, but I've always seen science as a way of God explaining some stuff )...If it's a heart thing, try reading the Bible (or whatever other scriptures you would), keep talking to God, talk to other people of the different faiths.

but anyway...as far as Christian contexts go...Read the Bible, maybe get a Bible study (whether it's a more general one or a specific one that you are interested in. whether it's on your own or with a group), go to some different churches and see what they are like. One of the most powerful things is seeing what God is doing in others' lives. And don't be afraid to let yourself believe that things can be from God. Even little things. You see a beautiful sunset one night? Don't be hesitant to acknowledge that God planned that just so you could see it and smile. Talk to people in the chuches, maybe ask them to share their testimonies with you. Keep talking to God, asking Him to show you, asking Him to guide you, or simply just talking to Him about your day. He's your friend, treat Him like one. Love people. Perform random acts of kindness. Lend and ear to someone. Just hang out with someone. Do some volunteer work...I know, sounds weird in this context..but honest to pete..helping others somehow allows you to see God. It's like you see God in the people you are helping, and you see God working through you. And you also come to an understanding that this is what God wants to do for us. He wants to love us.

I'm sure there are more things, but that's all that popped into my head ..

Sorry my posts are so long.

And if you ever need to talk about anything, feel free to pm me or im me (my info is in my profile)

I'll be praying for you. I would say something like good luck on your search, but I know you don't need it ...you got God..

and honestly, the fact that you have a desire for Him, how ever much it may have gone up and down, tells me that somewhere in your heart you are already know Him and have some sort of relationship. It's just a matter of figuring out how to make it work...but that happens with every relationship doesn't it?

 

[Penumbra]

How do you 'feel' when you talk to people? Do you get any 'feelings' that anybody heard what you said?

Depending on their reaction, I get the feeling that they are listening, understanding, and then they respond.

Simply put, prayer is just talking to God. THAT'S IT. I never feel anything when I pray.

Do you feel that you are heard?

Although I do see the manifestations of many of the things I pray for. I see the results of my prayers, but I don't feel anything when I pray. Although, I did feel the presence of the Holy Spirit on a couple of occasions (but not during prayer).

What kinds of manifestations of prayers do you get?

What does the Holy Spirit feel like? If it did not occur during prayer, when did it occur?

 

[Penumbra]

Thanks for the reply again.

And honestly...part of me wants to tell you what you should do just in the context of Christianity, but I won't, because I know that for a lot of people, they have to search everything, or at least a lot..and in plus, I have faith that you will arrive at Christ's truth.....

Well, I don't want to focus too much on any one path because I haven't really been drawn to any of them more than any of the others.

But if what you want is to know the truth for yourself, I would suggest you do some studying, some searching, ask questions, read different books (scriptures and otherwise)...

I agree! That's definitely what I try to do. I've read the Bible, the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita, and some of the Pali Canon.

Neither the Bible, the Koran, or the Pali Canon moved me at all. I had trouble relating with almost any of the characters. The Bhagavad Gita was easier to read partially because it was the shortest and partially because I felt a little drawn towards it, both towards its conception of God and the main character he talks to, Arjuna.

I've read some of the lost Gospels written by disciples, and read about 7-8 books on Christianity including early Christianity and modern Christianity.

I also tried to read some books to tackle the hard questions and to challenge me- books against the existence of God or books by religious people that tackle the hardest questions around.

I also took a few classes on religion that my school offers, and chatted with one of the professor a few times because he is somewhat famous for his authored books on Christianity.

If you have any good books in mind, let me know!

If it would take proof such as historical evidence for you to know what is truth, then seek that out, if it's a scientific thing, then search that out (and believe it or not, Christianity and science can work together, call me weird, but I've always seen science as a way of God explaining some stuff )...If it's a heart thing, try reading the Bible (or whatever other scriptures you would), keep talking to God, talk to other people of the different faiths.

Unfortunately for me, the more I find out about the historical facts, the more I am drawn towards atheism. Same with science to a lesser extent, but my major is strongly correlated with science so I take a lot of science classes.

Thanks for all your help! I won't take up any more of your time because you've already typed so much out to me. I'll keep searching, at least for now.

 

[WileyCoyote]

Do you feel that you are heard?

I try not to base anything from the Word of God on my feelings. Our feelings often mislead us. You just have to know it, whether you feel anything or not.

"And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." (1 John 5:15)

What kinds of manifestations of prayers do you get?

Just the answer to things I have prayed for. I've seen God give me favor at my jobs, provide for my needs and give me revelation of some tough to understand scriptures. But He'll do that for anybody who loves Him and asks Him.

What does the Holy Spirit feel like? If it did not occur during prayer, when did it occur?

The only thing I can describe it as is AWESOME. It was kind of like an embrace and I shivered, though it wasn't cold. I received this experience when I was your age, 20 years old.

 

[Penumbra]

I try not to base anything from the Word of God on my feelings. Our feelings often mislead us. You just have to know it, whether you feel anything or not.

"And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." (1 John 5:15)

If you don't feel it, what do you base the knowledge on? Is it because you've received answers?

Just the answer to things I have prayed for. I've seen God give me favor at my jobs, provide for my needs and give me revelation of some tough to understand scriptures. But He'll do that for anybody who loves Him and asks Him.
The only thing I can describe it as is AWESOME. It was kind of like an embrace and I shivered, though it wasn't cold. I received this experience when I was your age, 20 years old.

What did you do to receive the Spirit?

 

[Super Kal]

-How do you pray?

it truly does depend on what God is asking of me... sometimes, it's a simple audible prayer with words, and there are times where the Holy Spirit puts it on my heart to become as humble as I can be and lie face down on the floor and cry out to Him... that being said, every time I pray, no matter how it is, I always try to pray from the heart

-When you pray, do you get any signs or feelings that it was heard? What feelings do you get when you pray?

God doesn't always give feelings... I've said in another thread, feelings can lie, but there are times where God does answer through the Holy Spirit, and it can be perceived as a feeling... two instances I've seen personally in me is crying suddenly, for no apparent reason, or laughing silently and uncontrollably, for no apparent reason... these are not feelings, but manifestations of the Holy Spirit within the Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit talks differently to every single person on this planet... we all have our personal experiences with the Spirit.

I have never had the stereotypical "warm, fuzzy feelings" when I have prayed, and I don't expect it either. I pray, and I know God has heard it, because I have faith in Him, and I have faith that however He chooses to answer it, it will bring Him glory, and draw me closer to Him.

I used to pray, and tried all sorts of different strategies, but it never seems to "work" for me. I also tried meditation. I do not get any sort of feeling at all, and it just feels like I'm talking to myself, and that's what I am becoming to think is happening when I pray. Because of how useless it feels, it has become almost impossible for me to say any genuine prayer.

Any tips or suggestions?

penumbra, you don't have to do any special hand gestures, or take any drugs, or sit on the floor, cross your legs, and go "oooohhmmmmmm..." for 45 minutes. God doesn't look for that.

He wants us to be honest with Him, and pray from the heart... there are times where I'm pacing in my living room, while I'm opening myself up to Him over things that I had learned that day, and just telling Him everything that has been on my heart that day... and after, I have faith that He has heard me.

all in all, there is nothing special you have to do... pray from the heart, and have true faith that He has heard you.

WileyCoyote is right on with what he has been saying

What did you do to receive the Spirit?

the exact same thing I did, penumbra... humble ourselves before God, confess that we're lost without Him, and ask Him with every fiber of our being to forgive us and cleanse us, and accept Him into our heart as our Savior