Perfect Prayers?

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FCS

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When praying prayers like the Our Father, do we have to say the prayer perfectly?

ex-If I were saying 10 Our Fathers (because I promised God I would) would I have to be perfectly focused on everything I was saying in the Our Fathers (as in not loose concentration or not just want to get the prayers over with) in order for each Our Father to count?

Also, Is rushing prayers or being nervous while praying (because you are rushed) bad? And what if you loose concentration while praying?
 
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To count for what? It is the heart and intent the Lord hears not always just the words.
 
At the end of the day, prayers are words, we give them meaning through contemplation and meditation. We can’t be perfect because humans aren’t perfect. Do not worry.

Jesus actually says in the Bible that those who just recite prayers so rigidly like it’s required are committing hypocrisy. Prayers aren’t a chore that must be done to appease God. They are done to love Him!
 
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Perfection in prayer is a matter of intent, concentration, single-mindedness, whole-heartedness, etc. It is not a test that you pass depending on whether you get the prayer right to the letter.

Having said that, in some languages certain prayers are composed with a certain rhythm and aural quality to them. If you are praying such prayers in such a language it’d be strange to deviate from the way the prayer was written – but you’d probably sense that.
 
FCS said:
do we have to say the prayer perfectly?
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God knows we are weak, so He makes it so the Holy Spirit within us can pray through us.

“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words”.(Romans 8:26)
 
We can’t pray perfectly.

God looks at the intentions of the heart when a person engages in prayer or does anything else.

It is still beneficial and prudent to take steps to assist yourself, if possible. For example, wanting to concentrate on prayer and yet sitting in front of the television while it’s on. Clearly, you would be setting yourself up for problems here.
 
My opinion and from what I have read, you do have to mind your prayers. You are talking with God. Avoid distractions. Its good to have sacramentals such as a crucifix or a statue, to keep you focused and reminded that God is always present. I must practice my own advice in conjunction with others. It helps to be reminded of ones flaws.
 
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I would say that God appreciates an honest prayer more than anything, even if that is screaming at Him and giving Him all the reasons for why you can not be Catholic. Listen to His reply.
 
It’s basically impossible for us here on earth to pray perfectly very single time we pray. Just try your best.

The main thing is to have the intention to focus well on your prayer.
 
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