How do you pray?

[RobNY]

From the personal profiles…I see that some of the posters are rather youthful:thumbsup:

So here is the answer…
Prayer is the** lifting up** of the heart, mind, and soul to God.

Simple answer!
God is simplicity itself…uncomplicated in His Love for us!

Is this inspired by what St. Therese the Little Flower calls prayer?

-Rob

 

[LilyM]

Prinscilla Ann, you never finished your sentence:

“He has the authority to forgive” which He gave to his Apostles as exercised by the Church.



John 20:22-23

More than that - why do you think he gave the authority to them if he never expected them to use it??? Or indeed if it was unnecessary? He never said an unnecessary thing in all His teaching, He only had three years so it was all important!

And where in the Bible does He tell the Apostles, having given them this extraordinary power, that it need never be used? Imagine Him telling them to ‘go and baptise all nations’ and preach to the ends of the earth, and them saying ‘well, he didn’t say in so many words that we HAD to, so we won’t bother’ :bigyikes:

 

[catechumen08]

Also you cannot receive communion (which I’m supposing is part of the “Thanksgiving” one.

I think one thing you could do is ask the priest for a blessing instead. It depends on the parish, and I guess it would only work if it’s the priest who’s actually doing it, instead of members from the congregation.

 

[Catholig]

Ok, I just said one. I went into my closet (quiet there) and folded my hands like one poster told me to and just said it. It didn’t take very long, but right now I’m being pretty specific on what I’m praying for. Geez, it was hard to keep it positive… I tried to stick with my situation, instead of asking that He “get” the people that are hurting us! I came close a couple of times, but refrained. Figured I’m not in a good position to be asking Him to “smote” anyone. I’ll be doing this a few tmes a day probably, and if it works, I’ll let you guys know. I sure hope He listens… I’m more than a bit out of my league here.

I’m not sure if who is “hurting you” but you’re right that you shouldn’t be praying that got “smote” anyone. If you want to talk about your situation though - you can always post it here (y’know just to complain & get advice) or PM me.

Also since you don’t have a rosary yet you can always just repeat the Hail Mary (Angelic Salutation) and the Our Father. In case you don’t know them I will type them out for you.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven hallowed be thy 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 trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

You may also want to pray the Fatima Prayer, which reads as follows.
*
Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercy.*

And the Memorare -
*
Remember, Oh most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it know that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence we fly unto thee, Oh virgin of virgins, our Mother. To thee do we come, before thee we kneel, sinful and sorrowful. Oh Mother of the Word Incarnate despise not our petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer them. Amen.*

Catholig

 

[Jaguar]

Lot’s of great prayer advise here. I would only add … don’t forget to listen, too! — I guess that would be a whole new thread, huh?

 

[Zooey]

Lily is right: www.rosaryarmy.com

And can a non-Catholic pray the rosary? You bet! I’m Methodist, and I make rosaries!! If I can knot them, you can pray!!
The prayers are on the site, you are welcome to print them out & pray on your fingers if necessary, until the rosary gets there.

I sure hope He listens… I’m more than a bit out of my league here.

He always listens.
And we are all out of our league. He knows that. Stay with it.
praying for you…God bless.

 

[RobNY]

I’m not sure if who is “hurting you” but you’re right that you shouldn’t be praying that got “smote” anyone. If you want to talk about your situation though - you can always post it here (y’know just to complain & get advice) or PM me.

You know, I tend to agree with you, ya know, bless those that curse you, pray for your enemies, etc. It can be a bit of a stumbling block if one prays for such things in a way that contravenes those laws.

However, the psalms often do pray that their enemies be brought low and thereby that that Lord be exalted. Perhaps if we want to pray for victory over our enemies we should just borrow the Psalms to be safe.

Rescue me from my enemies, my God; lift me out of reach of my foes. Deliver me from evildoers; from the bloodthirsty save me. They have set an ambush for my life; the powerful conspire against me. For no offense or misdeed of mine, LORD, for no fault they hurry to take up arms. Come near and see my plight! You, LORD of hosts, are the God of Israel! Awake! Punish all the nations. Have no mercy on these worthless traitors. Each evening they return, growling like dogs, prowling the city. Their mouths pour out insult; sharp words are on their lips. They say: “Who is there to hear?” You, LORD, laugh at them; you deride all the nations. My strength, for you I watch; you, God, are my fortress, my loving God. May God go before me, and show me my fallen foes. Slay them, God, lest they deceive my people. Shake them by your power; Lord, our shield, bring them down. For the sinful words of their mouths and lips let them be caught in their pride. For the lies they have told under oath destroy them in anger, destroy till they are no more. Then people will know God rules over Jacob, yes, even to the ends of the earth. Each evening they return, growling like dogs, prowling the city. They roam about as scavengers; if they are not filled, they howl. But I shall sing of your strength, extol your love at dawn, For you are my fortress, my refuge in time of trouble. My strength, your praise I will sing; you, God, are my fortress, my loving God (Psalm 59).

They say, “God has abandoned that one Pursue, seize the wretch! No one will come to the rescue!” God, do not stand far from me; my God, hasten to help me. Bring to a shameful end those who attack me; Cover with contempt and scorn those who seek my ruin. I will always hope in you and add to all your praise. My mouth shall proclaim your just deeds, day after day your acts of deliverance, though I cannot number them all. I will speak of the mighty works of the Lord; O GOD, I will tell of your singular justice (Psalm 71:11-16).

It’s much safer to borrow the words of the Psalmist and identify with them. Even Jesus did that (Mk 15:34, Mt 27:46).

-Rob

 

[sanctamaria17]

When I first realized I needed God, I knew I had to pray but I didn’t know what to do. So I started off small, simply by saying grace before meals (where I thanked Him for giving me nourishment and also prayed for those who didn’t have food) and praying right before going to bed. I just talked to God as I would a friend, which is what prayer is. I later got into prayers such as the Rosary (my fav), Divine Office, etc. But definitely start out small. As you grow deeper in your relationship with God, you’ll get into the different ways and methods of prayer.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

First and foremost, get a Bible and read the New Testament. Don’t just read it however, pray with it. Before you begin, ask God for help. Ask Him to reveal himself to you, in the Scriptures you are about to read. Then, begin reading and open your heart to God.

Let go and Let God

Jim

 

[Jacinta]

Ok, I know this sounds really stupid, but stick with me for a minute… are there rules to it? Certain things you’re supposed to say? Is there a right/wrong way to do it? I could use some guidence.

I haven’t been any kind of religion in years, so I really don’t know exactly what to do. But I’m in a situation, and thinking I need to start.

Thanks.

 

[Jacinta]

Hi! As someone said, “Prayer is raising the mind and heart to God.” Always the Gospels. The Rosary has been given, according to one of the seers of the Fatima apparitions, great power in these “end times” as she called them. Lucia also said that just holding the rosary in your hand is a prayer if you cannot even pray. If you are under attack from others…I always ask God first of all to convert my enemies to Him and not to punish them for any injury to me except the punishment of trying to injure me and being unable to do so. As David said in the Psalms several times, that he had placed his trust in the Lord and not in men and told God that since he had put his trust in Him, it is only just that God defend him. To put our trust in God and proclaim Him as our Protector to all is a call to God to honor His own Name. And David did this many times. I find that praying for ones enemies takes away the anger and replaces it with Peace, so it benefits not only our enemy, but also, in a very real way, it benefits us. After years of praying for my enemies I find that I seldom feel anger now, only pity, because most of my enemies are unbelievers, and unless they come to Jesus they are in great danger of losing their souls and their attacks have actually made me stronger and a better Christian. I have to laugh at myself. In all honesty, at one point in my life I imagined Hell full of people who sat around wishing they had been nicer to me!!!. Sorry, that makes me laugh. And I think now that God puts some very bad people in my life because He knows I pray more for my enemies than sometimes my friends and perhaps these people are in great need of prayer. In short, He dumps them on me!! Here!! They are your job!!! Pray!!! God does what He does. Praise Him. And believe me if you are sincerely searching for Him…HE WILL FIND YOU!!!

 

[puzzleannie]

Can a non Catholic non Christian say a Rosery? Where would I get one?

Would Anyone even listen to me at this point?

God listens to all prayer spoken and unspoken from anyone at any point. yes anyone who wishes can pray the rosary. Or you can simply speak to God saying what is in your heart.

 

[Mary_Henley]

Is this inspired by what St. Therese the Little Flower calls prayer?

-Rob

Do you mean the Baltimore Catechism?
If so…it came after “Mon Petit Fleur” (sp.? )

She is my confirmation patron, the first saint I can remember reading about at age nine…The Story of a Soul…
She is my best friend!

 

[nkelly]

Ok, I know this sounds really stupid, but stick with me for a minute… are there rules to it? Certain things you’re supposed to say? Is there a right/wrong way to do it? I could use some guidence.

I haven’t been any kind of religion in years, so I really don’t know exactly what to do. But I’m in a situation, and thinking I need to start.

Thanks.

Hello KingdomKey, I’d suggest reading Prayer Primer by Fr. Thomas Dubay as a good intoduction to prayer.

amazon.com/Prayer-Primer-Igniting-Fire-Within/dp/1569553394/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3/103-0468476-6095858?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1186661181&sr=1-3

Prayer is absolutely essential if you wish to live according to the Gospel. God bestows His grace upon us when we pray so we can increase in virtue and reduce sin.

God bless,
Noel.

 

[budget]

Good Morning and God Bless everyone! I’ve never posted anything before but thought i would stick my 2 cents in now. I’ve always seen prayer as just talking to God. Sometimes its formal like the rosary but most of the time for me its just informal talking. i do it all day. i thank Him for all that He’s blessed me with or i tell Him my troubles with my kids or i just sit quietly in awe of Him and of His love for us. Hope this helps. Remember He loves you and just wants the best for you.

 

[Teeliumtrozzle]

Theres no wrong way to do it-Just talk to God like you would a friend.Apologize for your sins, thank him for your blessings…just tell him everything!Prayer is just talking to God and you can tell him anything you like.Pray formal prayers(like the Our Father)and ones in your own words, too.A great way to pray is the Rosary.