Stupid Question Re: Prayer

[Christopher Pineau]

I feel awkward and a bit ashamed asking this one, but...how often does God want us to talk to Him?

At the moment, I only pray when I have something serious to say to Him or something on my mind that I need to air out to the One who will truly listen without human judgment getting in the way. Because He knows I don't trust humans enough most of the time to really talk to them about any given thoughts I'm having at any given time. As such, I tend to sometimes have a running commentary throughout my day where I will pause to give thanks for any given good thing He has brought my way, for example.

Another example: all yesterday at my job, I was stationed at our salad wall (bagged & boxed salads and the like), and we were in a really awkward position where a large portion of that part of the delivery had been shorted in a big way. But I had plenty of other items to continually stock things up and keep that station looking good, exceptionally busy & hectic as yesterday was. It brought to mind 2 Kings 4:1-7, the story of the widow with the olive oil jar, and I made it a point to acknowledge to Him throughout the day how blessed I was to be able to provide for our customers even if we didn't have exactly the items they wanted or needed. It could have been worse by far; I was told that the three other stores in our chain that we have in the immediate area were far, far worse off than we were and barely had anything, and had to shut down that display early on. We were in a better position for it across the board and I was most thankful that He came through for us. (Or we could be a communist country the way the Left and our current administration wants us to be in America, and that would be a nightmare in and of itself)

But when it comes down to it? How often is so-called "formal" prayer required to commune with Him? As in getting on your knees, etc.? I don't mean to seem disrespectful in the way I couch that question. I reach out to Him when I need to, on grounds that I don't want to burden Him with every single little detail of my life--He already knows all that anyway, does He not? I'd much rather reach out to Him in a heartfelt manner as opposed to having it be by rote or without sincerity, for want of a better way to say it. Just bowing my head every day and reciting prayers I may or may not mean from the heart doesn't cut it for me. I want Him to know that when I reach out to Him, I mean it. Which is why when I do pray, more often than not it's just me telling Him "Thank You for all the good things You've done for me in the past whether I knew they were or not. Thank You for all the good things You do for me in the now, and thank You for any good things you may send my way in the future, Lord." Best believe I mean that.

But what do y'all think? Curious as to what some of you out there may have to offer, here.

 

[Paul4JC]

(Don't get me going here. I'll try to keep it short and not to bombard you with verses.)

Prayer is the greatest thing we have on earth, to connect with the living God. This is the greatest privilege we have. He is always waiting and watching for our prayers. Contrary to people, he never tires of our prayer but tells us to persist. Not praying is a boring life. Now pray and see what God's going to do. It's not so much the quality of our prayer, but that he loves to respond.

How would you like it if someone came to you only when you needed something? Now, this is the part of prayer that some miss, giving thanks. If you have nothing to pray about then give thanks for all the blessings you have. There is always something to thank God for. When you're doing this you'll probably remember a prayer request or two. This is closely linked to praising God. Always praise God and bless his holy name.

Laundry list prayers are okay, but that's not real prayer. That's pop prayer. So is liturgical prayer. Connect with the creator, and let him know your feeling and needs, and of others. Show him that you are involved and not just reading some list or book.

Have you ever seen something happening before your eyes? An accident, someone needy or stranded. Pray right away. Situations and circumstances we are in or see, pray. Prayer is now.

Jesus name is not magic, but it is key to understand that all our prayers are accepted through Christ Jesus our Lord. His work on the cross makes this all possible. We pray on his merit not ours.

Keep it real. There are times when I'm not so prayerful, and other times you can't stop me from praying. God understands our limits. Don't fake it.

One of the biggest regrets for Christians will be they didn't pray enough. blessings are always there but we just don't claim them. There's nothing too big and nothing too small to pray about. There's always something to pray for. Pray! In Jesus name! Amen.

 

[Chesster]

Formal prayer as in getting on your knees can be done whenever you get a chance but prayer doesn’t have to be with words. You can offer your work to God as a prayer. You can offer your grocery shopping, lawn mowing, laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. to God as prayers to Him. Whatever you do, make it a prayer to God.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

I feel awkward and a bit ashamed asking this one, but...how often does God want us to talk to Him?

At the moment, I only pray when I have something serious to say to Him or something on my mind that I need to air out to the One who will truly listen without human judgment getting in the way. Because He knows I don't trust humans enough most of the time to really talk to them about any given thoughts I'm having at any given time. As such, I tend to sometimes have a running commentary throughout my day where I will pause to give thanks for any given good thing He has brought my way, for example.

Another example: all yesterday at my job, I was stationed at our salad wall (bagged & boxed salads and the like), and we were in a really awkward position where a large portion of that part of the delivery had been shorted in a big way. But I had plenty of other items to continually stock things up and keep that station looking good, exceptionally busy & hectic as yesterday was. It brought to mind 2 Kings 4:1-7, the story of the widow with the olive oil jar, and I made it a point to acknowledge to Him throughout the day how blessed I was to be able to provide for our customers even if we didn't have exactly the items they wanted or needed. It could have been worse by far; I was told that the three other stores in our chain that we have in the immediate area were far, far worse off than we were and barely had anything, and had to shut down that display early on. We were in a better position for it across the board and I was most thankful that He came through for us. (Or we could be a communist country the way the Left and our current administration wants us to be in America, and that would be a nightmare in and of itself)

But when it comes down to it? How often is so-called "formal" prayer required to commune with Him? As in getting on your knees, etc.? I don't mean to seem disrespectful in the way I couch that question. I reach out to Him when I need to, on grounds that I don't want to burden Him with every single little detail of my life--He already knows all that anyway, does He not? I'd much rather reach out to Him in a heartfelt manner as opposed to having it be by rote or without sincerity, for want of a better way to say it. Just bowing my head every day and reciting prayers I may or may not mean from the heart doesn't cut it for me. I want Him to know that when I reach out to Him, I mean it. Which is why when I do pray, more often than not it's just me telling Him "Thank You for all the good things You've done for me in the past whether I knew they were or not. Thank You for all the good things You do for me in the now, and thank You for any good things you may send my way in the future, Lord." Best believe I mean that.

But what do y'all think? Curious as to what some of you out there may have to offer, here.

The Psalms are full of people's prayers, and there is a mixed bag, some praising God for his goodness, some expressing the heart of grief in suffering. The fact is these prayers express real emotions. So your kind of praying is good, you are expressing to God where you are in life. The only advice that I would add is that it is good to set aside time to pray about the needs of others and to seek God's will daily for your life. I kind of do this as a ritual, try not to miss it, even if I don't feel motivated. This kind of prayer is a personal strengthening prayer, that keeps us Spiritually alert, and open to God.

Mark 14:38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

 

[Pavel Mosko]

I feel awkward and a bit ashamed asking this one, but...how often does God want us to talk to Him?

That actually is a good question. I think God is happy to have as much prayer as you want to throw his way. Actually knowing most people and their habits, probably a lot more than what your average person does.

A few centuries ago there was a book written called "Practicing the Presence of God" where a man wrote down his correspondence with some kind of Catholic mystic named "Brother Lawrence". The guy prayed throughout the day, as he did his various chores etc. as just a habit.

I think that kind of thing is good, and is what is meant when saint Paul or was it James speaks of "prayer without ceasing" idiomatically speaking that is.