How to pray

[silentdeb]

Hello everyone,

I’d love to hear your thoughts about a couple of things that are bothering me a bit about my nightly prayers. By ‘nightly prayers’ I mean the ‘Lord, please …’ (heal my sick friend, make a horrible situation at work resolve itself somehow, make my cat stop piddling on my bed… help me to stop losing my temper/swearing/etc. etc. etc.!) variety.

1. Do you think there’s … a ‘too much detail’ or ‘too little detail’ definition? I recall someone telling me, years ago, that if you’re going to take up God’s time by asking for something, you should ask for EXACTLY what you’re hoping for. Somehow, this leaves me feeling like I’m both delegating responsibility and … well… nagging. ‘Don’t forget THIS bit’, you know? But at the same time, being very brief leaves me feeling a bit odd as well, as if I’m just being dismissive - ‘Take care of it ALL, God, wouldya?’

I seem to have trouble asking for help.

1. I’m also in the habit of asking nightly to be forgiven for the sins of a lifetime - separate from my nightly examination of conscience. Now, does this seem sensible, to keep doing so? Am I allowing myself a luxury of wallowing in the wrong I’ve done in the past, rather than just apologizing to God and moving ahead to do good… or should we continue to feel remorse for the wrongs we have done? (I’m not yet Catholic and have therefore never been to confession, if that affects your answer)

Thank you - sorry for rambling, and bless you for reading this far!

 

[Jeanette_L]

Hello everyone,

I’d love to hear your thoughts about a couple of things that are bothering me a bit about my nightly prayers. By ‘nightly prayers’ I mean the ‘Lord, please …’ (heal my sick friend, make a horrible situation at work resolve itself somehow, make my cat stop piddling on my bed… help me to stop losing my temper/swearing/etc. etc. etc.!) variety.

1. Do you think there’s … a ‘too much detail’ or ‘too little detail’ definition? I recall someone telling me, years ago, that if you’re going to take up God’s time by asking for something, you should ask for EXACTLY what you’re hoping for. Somehow, this leaves me feeling like I’m both delegating responsibility and … well… nagging. ‘Don’t forget THIS bit’, you know? But at the same time, being very brief leaves me feeling a bit odd as well, as if I’m just being dismissive - ‘Take care of it ALL, God, wouldya?’

I seem to have trouble asking for help.

Christ gave many examples through parables concerning a person asking for what his/her needs. Bottom line, prayers of petition are encouraged, so don’t feel somehow guilty for your prayers, it really is pleasing to God. And don’t get hung up on whether you should be giving details or not. Do what is on your heart at the time. But make sure you understand that your attitude in prayer should always end with wanting God’s will in each and every situation, regardless.

1. I’m also in the habit of asking nightly to be forgiven for the sins of a lifetime - separate from my nightly examination of conscience. Now, does this seem sensible, to keep doing so? Am I allowing myself a luxury of wallowing in the wrong I’ve done in the past, rather than just apologizing to God and moving ahead to do good… or should we continue to feel remorse for the wrongs we have done? (I’m not yet Catholic and have therefore never been to confession, if that affects your answer)

Thank you - sorry for rambling, and bless you for reading this far!

I think it’s fairly common to keep going over your sins, but I can tell you as a convert to the Catholic Church, once you make your first confession and receive that absolution, there’s just a different mindset that happens, you really can finally let it all go!

I will say that if you are examining your conscience and repenting of your sins (turning from them), you should not be forever returning to them in your mind, it’s almost a lack of faith; in other words, not believing in the forgiveness of God and in His mercy. But I can also understand, having been where you are, that without hearing the words, there’s this feeling of it not being resolved. It’s why the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Church is such a blessing to us, God knows we simply need to hear it.

God Bless

 

[silentdeb]

Bless you for that thoughtful and compassionate response, Jeanette - that is a huge comfort.

Thank you! :hug1:

 

[blessedtoo]

Great post Jeanette. I would only add that God knows your heart. He knows your prayer before you ask. He knows everything you and your family and friends need. I personally don’t fret too much about the “way” I pray. Sometimes, I just ask Him to give me all He’s got! He is perfectly capable of sorting through the details!

 

[Jeanette_L]

Bless you for that thoughtful and compassionate response, Jeanette - that is a huge comfort.

Thank you! :hug1:

:console:

You’re welcome. And I second blessedtoo’s post, relax in your prayer, God knows ahead all your circumstances, the details are not lost on him.

 

[LindaS]

Maybe this will help:

A - adore God

C - express sorrow for sins (contrition)

T - Thanks to God for all He is, does, and gives us

S - Supplication - asking God for the things we need

Peace,
Linda

PS When I get home, I’ll post a nice prayer my DH & I pray nightly.

 

[silentdeb]

I would only add that God knows your heart. He knows your prayer before you ask. He knows everything you and your family and friends need. I personally don’t fret too much about the “way” I pray. Sometimes, I just ask Him to give me all He’s got! He is perfectly capable of sorting through the details!

I seem to have forgotten that bit - thank you so much, blessedtoo, that is a great help!

 

[blessedstar]

Hello everyone,

I’d love to hear your thoughts about a couple of things that are bothering me a bit about my nightly prayers. By ‘nightly prayers’ I mean the ‘Lord, please …’ (heal my sick friend, make a horrible situation at work resolve itself somehow, make my cat stop piddling on my bed… help me to stop losing my temper/swearing/etc. etc. etc.!) variety.

1. Do you think there’s … a ‘too much detail’ or ‘too little detail’ definition? I recall someone telling me, years ago, that if you’re going to take up God’s time by asking for something, you should ask for EXACTLY what you’re hoping for. Somehow, this leaves me feeling like I’m both delegating responsibility and … well… nagging. ‘Don’t forget THIS bit’, you know? But at the same time, being very brief leaves me feeling a bit odd as well, as if I’m just being dismissive - ‘Take care of it ALL, God, wouldya?’

I seem to have trouble asking for help.

1. I’m also in the habit of asking nightly to be forgiven for the sins of a lifetime - separate from my nightly examination of conscience. Now, does this seem sensible, to keep doing so? Am I allowing myself a luxury of wallowing in the wrong I’ve done in the past, rather than just apologizing to God and moving ahead to do good… or should we continue to feel remorse for the wrongs we have done? (I’m not yet Catholic and have therefore never been to confession, if that affects your answer)

Thank you - sorry for rambling, and bless you for reading this far!

You’re not rambling.

You are not yet a Catholic but I sense you will be.

Your prayer is good, continue to pray. Pray as you do, pray as you can and let yourself be led in prayer as the Holy Spirit leads you.

You may be told to pray the Rosary or other such devotions by people and if this is a way of prayer you find natural to you then you pray this way, but I will say that you must find the way of prayer that God is calling you to as no two people pray in the same way. If you find the Rosary is not for you don’t be down hearted about that, you pray as you can and this is as good as any form of prayer.

I will not tell you how to pray because each persons prayer is as individual as a blade of grass within a lawn. I will say that if you respond to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit within prayer, without being drawn to fancy nor being led by the ‘self’ thinking of the 'self ’ then you will not go astray.

Primarily prayer is how we are drawn close to God and therefore prayer musn’t simply be a series of requests. To make prayers of petition is good and a work of mercy, we all should make prayers such as these, but we must see our loving talks with God as the way by which He leads us to Himself and therefore conduct ourselves in prayer befitting to becoming intimate with our Beloved Lord.

Prayer will change each one of us, that is what is the goal of prayer until we are in Jesus united so closely to Him that we too are His Prayer before the Father, indeed a Living Prayer in Him.

Ask for God’s will in all things and He will always grant this.

Pray and persevere in prayer.

In the Living Prayer of my life.

 

[LindaS]

OK, I’m home, and here’s the prayer I promised.

Prayer of Daily Neglects

Eternal Father, I offer You the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its Sufferings, and all its Merits.

To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life-- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

To purify the good I have done in my poor way this day and during all my life – Glory be to the Father…

To make up for the good I ought to have done, and that I neglected this day and during all my life-- Glory be to the Father…

I hope you find this as helpful as we do.

Peace,
Linda

 

[Jeanette_L]

OK, I’m home, and here’s the prayer I promised.

Prayer of Daily Neglects

Eternal Father, I offer You the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its Sufferings, and all its Merits.

To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life-- Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

To purify the good I have done in my poor way this day and during all my life – Glory be to the Father…

To make up for the good I ought to have done, and that I neglected this day and during all my life-- Glory be to the Father…

I hope you find this as helpful as we do.

Peace,
Linda

What a nice prayer! I’m going to make a copy myself and use it. Thanks!

 

[silentdeb]

You’re not rambling.

You are not yet a Catholic but I sense you will be.

beaming Thank you very much!

Your advice was invaluable - thank you. I’m finding that different sorts of prayer fill different sorts of needs - to petition, to give thanks, or to just still the babble in my head and enjoy the time spent ‘visiting’ with God.

They’re all good.

Thank you for your help, dear blessedstar.