About prayering

[Slayer]

If one were to do multiple prayers, say, just 5 Our Fathers or 5 Our Fathers and 3 Hail Marys for penance or other, does one need to say “Amen” after each one or should the person finish all the prayers and then say the one “amen” after?

And does saying the “amen” after each one or not invalidate the prayer?

 

[BeeSweet]

Not saying “amen” does not invalidate your prayers. You can say one big amen at the end of a several prayer sequence, or you can say an amen after each and every prayer. I usually say an amen after each prayer. When I recite the rosary at church I’ve noticed people tend to observe the amen in their own way. It does not invalidate the prayer to leave it out.

This little instruction on how to pray, which was written for children in 1891, may be of some help to you to know what is most important when we pray.

God bless you for your ardent desire to please the Lord!

 

[Slayer]

Thanks. And I suppose it does not matter either if one says any penance prayer or any prayer for that matter silently in the mind rather than out loud?

By the way, does it matter if one crosses himself before and after a prayer? Because I have been wanting to pray before my meals but I do not want to draw attention to myself while in public or at work.

 

[Hijikata]

Thanks. And I suppose it does not matter either if one says any penance prayer or any prayer for that matter silently in the mind rather than out loud?

By the way, does it matter if one crosses himself before and after a prayer? Because I have been wanting to pray before my meals but I do not want to draw attention to myself while in public or at work.

I cross myself whenever I am about to say a prayer even if it is in front on my co-workers when we are at lunch. I can understand why you don’t want to draw attention to yourself but I think it is a wonderful way to show your love to Christ.

 

[BeeSweet]

Thanks. And I suppose it does not matter either if one says any penance prayer or any prayer for that matter silently in the mind rather than out loud?

By the way, does it matter if one crosses himself before and after a prayer? Because I have been wanting to pray before my meals but I do not want to draw attention to myself while in public or at work.

It doesn’t matter at all if you pray silently or aloud. Unless of course you are part of a public prayer like the rosary, or at Mass. The leader of the prayer likes to know that people are paying attention and following along.

When in public, or with people who are not of the faith, I make a small cross with my thumb on my forehead, then silently say my thanksgiving prayer before eating. This is a very subtle way of making the sign of the cross which will not draw attention. Now, if I’m with someone of the faith, we make the full sign of the cross, and pray aloud, even in public!

 

[Slayer]

Thanks guys!

I have one more question…

As you are about to pray and cross yourself, after you say in the name of the Father and of the Son and of Holy Spirit. Do you say “amen” after that and then pray or do you only say amen after saying in the name of the Father and of he Son and of the Holy Spirit the second time when you are done praying?

And does it matter?

 

[That_one_guy]

In my humble opinion God will honor the sincere honest humble prayer regardless of the fashion in which you choose to present it.
I also believe that saying AMEN is, in itself, a prayer.Making a statement to the effect of ‘This is true’;i,e,.Some translations of the Bible have Jesus saying “verily,verily” and some, in the same scripture, translate this as “Amen,amen,…”

 

[Monica4316]

I do not think it matters very much God hears every sincere prayer. I usually say Amen after each prayer and cross myself at the very beginning, and at the very end of praying.