Just going to fire off as many questions I can come up with. They always pop in my head when I pray and I wanna get things straight so I can focus more. Do you always need to make the sign of the cross before you pray and after? Do you always have to hold your hands together or can you just have them at your side while praying? Does it make a difference of saying it in your head or speaking it out loud? Do you need to make the sign of the cross again before starting a new prayer? If you are saying a routine prayer like the Hail Mary, can you let your mind wander while you speak it? Do you need to put emotion into prayer or actively try and believe it will work…? (If any thing more comes to mind, I’ll post again.) Thanks!
Do you always need to make the sign of the cross before you pray and after?
No. We often times do but that is left up to individual choice. There is no obligation to do this even tho it is good to do.
Do you always have to hold your hands together or can you just have them at your side while praying?
This again is a matter of individual choice. In church, especially during Mass, some prefer to fold their hands about chest high to help keep their minds on praying. It is also shows a piety and respect for what the sacred event going on. At home, again it is up to the individual. Usually during table prayers or evening prayers at bedtime, this is done, but again it is up to the individual.
Does it make a difference of saying it in your head or speaking it out loud?
Again an individual preference, except when in church during the divine liturgy, then we should do as the liturgical rite calls for, that is, to sit, kneel, stand, speak, or be silent.
Do you need to make the sign of the cross again before starting a new prayer?
Not necessary, but nice. I suppose this would depend again on where a person is and what they prefer.
If you are saying a routine prayer like the Hail Mary, can you let your mind wander while you speak it?
No. We should try to pay full attention to what we are doing and saying. However being human, that isn’t always possible. And if our mind wonders it is ok as long as we don’t do it deliberately. And if our mind wonders, as soon as we become aware that it has, then we should bring our mind back to our prayers.
Do you need to put emotion into prayer?
Yes if you can. Some people, and on some occasions, this isn’t possible. But when we think about it, we love those things we are passionate about. And what should we be more passionate about than our dear Lord and his kingdom. This helps the spiritual realities to be more real. But there is a caveat. And that is, we cannot always help how we feel and there are times when this dosen’t happen. But we should still pray our prayers daily even so, for God looks at our effort not our success, and we can only give what we have, and he sees that. So what is lacking in feelings, we make up by our obedience and fidelity to his will.
or actively try and believe prayer will work…?
Yes, trust is a very important part of prayer.
If we don’t believe in Jesus’ words, namely, that he will supply us with our necessities, then prayer becomes dead. If we only ask just in case he might answer, just as “maybe” in hopes it might be answered, this is weakening our trust in him and indeed a very weak prayer. Praying for other things that are not necessary materially, then there is no promise made to us that he would give us those things, but rather, those things necessary and good for our spiritual being. The best true prayer is “thy will be done” and the request for grace to fulfill that. For that is the best thing for us spiritually knowing how much he suffered for us and only thinks of our good.
You might want to read this very good book on prayer; The Ordinary Path to Holiness, by R.T. Richard.
May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.
