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Jafar
Guest
I have to always pray for others as well If I pray for myself only I feel guilty
Are you guys like me? I feel selfish
Are you guys like me? I feel selfish
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InNomineDomini
Guest
Ah! But if you only pray for others because you feel selfish, that is not good either. 
So yes, it would be good to purify your intentions; to pray for others because you love God, not because you feel good when you do.
So yes, it would be good to purify your intentions; to pray for others because you love God, not because you feel good when you do.
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pensmama87
Guest
One thing you can do is try to write down the prayer intentions of others (or look through the Prayer Intentions forum here). I know a problem I sometimes have is that it’s relatively easy to remember all the stuff I want to pray for; what’s hard is remembering what other people have going on. 
The fact that you are feeling some guilt over this may be a prompting of the Spirit to change your practices a little bit. Sure, it may start out selfishly as a motivator simply to ease your guilt, but IMO deliberately setting aside that time and praying for others will open you up to the graces needed to do so less selfishly. And your prayer is not “worthless” simply because it’s not done in a perfect manner of selflessness. If that was the case, most of our prayer would be pretty bad, I think. But God recognizes real effort. He knows where we are coming from.
The fact that you are feeling some guilt over this may be a prompting of the Spirit to change your practices a little bit. Sure, it may start out selfishly as a motivator simply to ease your guilt, but IMO deliberately setting aside that time and praying for others will open you up to the graces needed to do so less selfishly. And your prayer is not “worthless” simply because it’s not done in a perfect manner of selflessness. If that was the case, most of our prayer would be pretty bad, I think. But God recognizes real effort. He knows where we are coming from.
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Mary_Estelle
Guest
It depends on what you pray for when you pray for yourself. If you pray for a new Jag or to win the lottery, the power over others or a mansion-that could be selfish. However, if you are in need for good transportation, decent housing, enough money to pay bills, maintain your home and hearth and be able to assist others, that would not be selfish. Did Jesus not say. “Ask and you shall receive?” Peace.
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InNomineDomini
Guest
I think that makes a lot of sense, and the more we do things for others, the easier it will be.
V
Virga
Guest
What do you pray for? Like Mary Estelle said, not everything we pray for is selfish. As a matter of fact, we should often pray for ourselves. God wants us to pray to Him when we truly need something, which includes material goods such as shelter and food.
It’s good to constantly pray for faith and courage. I pray all the time for God to help me in my weakness and for improvement with my mental health.
If you have the habit of thinking you must go into detail about everyone’s problems and exactly what they need during prayer [which I have and I feel guilty when I don’t], try praying one Our Father for yourself and for others.
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.
Have faith that God hears your intentions even when you don’t recall all the details at the time. God knows exactly what everyone needs and who needs it.
I second the idea of writing down a list of others’ needs that you can use during prayer. Having it in front of you makes it easier.
It’s good to constantly pray for faith and courage. I pray all the time for God to help me in my weakness and for improvement with my mental health.
If you have the habit of thinking you must go into detail about everyone’s problems and exactly what they need during prayer [which I have and I feel guilty when I don’t], try praying one Our Father for yourself and for others.
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.
Have faith that God hears your intentions even when you don’t recall all the details at the time. God knows exactly what everyone needs and who needs it.
I second the idea of writing down a list of others’ needs that you can use during prayer. Having it in front of you makes it easier.
B
BlueKnight
Guest
No! It is very important to pray for yourself.
I take care of a lot of people and work with people who can cause me stress and I often used to not pray for myself but for everyone else.
I found that was a big mistake. You have to love yourself and pray for yourself often.
The better you are the more of a blessing you are to others.
Bk
I take care of a lot of people and work with people who can cause me stress and I often used to not pray for myself but for everyone else.
I found that was a big mistake. You have to love yourself and pray for yourself often.
The better you are the more of a blessing you are to others.
Bk
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mh2007
Guest
It might be good to write down your prayer intentions on cards, as you think of them. And go over the deck each day, choosing the ones you want to focus on that particular day, evening, or as you pray the Rosary, etc.
This helps to stay organized, and as a nice reminder.
This helps to stay organized, and as a nice reminder.
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