I'm afraid to pray

[scapularkid8]

I don’t know why, but I’m afraid to pray for specific things. I shy away from that at all costs in prayer. How can I pray with “results”. I know that sounds so selfish but I’m really not understanding what prayer is I guess.

 

[bcuster]

If you should pray for specific things what do you expect might happen?

Are you afraid that God will not grant these requests?

Are you afraid that you might be asking for something that is not God’s will?

I too am afraid of the answers to my questions. I have asked for the healing of my mother and brother from cancer and they both died. What they did receive to my delight is conversion and a happy death at home with loved ones near. So I pray for specific things but I ask that I be granted only what is God’s will for in my heart of hearts I can not pray against God’s will.

Another help is to give my prayers to the Blessed Mother. She will make my requests to the Lord according to God’s will.

 

[thistle]

I don’t know why, but I’m afraid to pray for specific things. I shy away from that at all costs in prayer. How can I pray with “results”. I know that sounds so selfish but I’m really not understanding what prayer is I guess.

Peter Kreeft has written two great books about prayer that are easy to read and understand:

Prayer For Beginners
Prayer: The Great Conversation

 

[LilyM]

I don’t know why, but I’m afraid to pray for specific things. I shy away from that at all costs in prayer. How can I pray with “results”. I know that sounds so selfish but I’m really not understanding what prayer is I guess.

One thing I try to do, if I dont’ feel like praying for something specific for myself, is to imagine all the other people out there who must be experiencing the same thing as me or need the same thing as me (and there’s bound to be someone out there somewhere) and then pray for ALL of us who are in the same boat.

 

[Eilish_Maura]

I don’t know why, but I’m afraid to pray for specific things. I shy away from that at all costs in prayer. How can I pray with “results”. I know that sounds so selfish but I’m really not understanding what prayer is I guess.

Just pray - results are always guaranteed but no certainty how that guarantee plays out. Accepting that part of the process is what is vital.

Be not afraid.

 

[kell0618]

I don’t know why, but I’m afraid to pray for specific things. I shy away from that at all costs in prayer. How can I pray with “results”. I know that sounds so selfish but I’m really not understanding what prayer is I guess.

Hello

Prayer is a two-way conversation between you and God. He always answers our prayers, but in His time and the answer is not always what we want.

Just as communication is vital to the survival of any relationship, we must keep the lines of communication with God open as well.

Here is a link to a good site which will help you to nourish your prayer life. Whether you are a cradle Catholic or new to the Faith, you will find good information on Learning How to Pray: A Catholic Guide to the Interior Life.

May God continue to bless you on your faith journey.

Kelly

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Edit: Also see this page on the same site I presented above: Daily Catholic Prayer for a Strong Spiritual Life