Praying versus Saying Prayers

[pablope]

That’s great!

I should have set up a poll. I wonder if you do both because you were taught as a Protestant to pray spontaneously.

Here is a question to those who did not come from the Protestant church.

If a friend came to you and said “I need prayer. I’m going to a horrible situation. Would you pray with me?” Is there anyone who would feel comfortable praying in a way that wasn’t memorized or read?

I think this is what happens when a form prayer (like the Our Father or Hail Mary) versus spontaneous prayer is said:

In a spontaneous prayer, the focus is thinking of what to say, put into words what you want to pray for.

In the form prayer, the focus is on God already, no need to think what to say, and immediately, you take to heart the prayer.

This is just MHO.

As for your question, for a catholic, the intention would be recited first, then the prayer would be said. I bet the most likely prayer would be the Rosary.

Have your tried the Divine Mercy Chaplet? You should give it a try. Then offer each bead for every sinner you know.

 

[Lujack]

Look, I’ve never learned anything wrong with praying spontaneously. I’d never want to get up and speak a prayer spontaneously, I don’t feel comfortable with that, but if I’m sitting in a church by myself or just thinking of someone, I don’t feel even the slightest bit of discomfort at quietly saying “Oh God, please help so-and-so” or “Please help me this through this tough time” or something along those lines. But I also would probably say a Hail Mary or an Our Father.

I don’t like to call people out, but the “I wonder if you can do this because you were raised as a Protestant…” has the tone of “unlike those poor benighted people held under the thumb of Rome all their lives” being unspoken after it.

 

[Chatter163]

The way I phrased the original question may have been offensive to some, but don’t be too quick to be brusque.

My journey began a week before Ash Wednesday and since that time, I have been blessed and have learned so much.

My questioning is my way of seeking answers for the difficult parts for me.

It’s a journey.

I understand that, but as a visitor here, it is incumbent upon you to be courteous and respectful in your questions, and to avoid a complaining tone. It is the respectful thing to do for your hosts.

 

[StTommyMore]

Do not forget a very important benefit to memorized prayers: when publicly praying as a group all can join in actively, and not simply listen to the leader (whether it be a pastor, bible study leader, or whatever) as he/she prays spontaneously. That being said, we, as Catholics, do pray extemporaneously, and it is not limited to converts! Many Cradle Catholics privately pray spontaneously as well.

 

[TrueLight]

I understand that, but as a visitor here, it is incumbent upon you to be courteous and respectful in your questions, and to avoid a complaining tone. It is the respectful thing to do for your hosts.

I don’t see myself as a visitor. For the 2-3 weeks, I have been coming here, I have been fairly active. I would say I am new in the faith and I have lots of questions and years of indoctrination.

And sometimes, I will be frustrated and sometimes I will complain.

 

[TrueLight]

I don’t like to call people out, but the “I wonder if you can do this because you were raised as a Protestant…” has the tone of “unlike those poor benighted people held under the thumb of Rome all their lives” being unspoken after it.

By all means, call me out if it is warranted.

Correction is good.

I only meant that for certain protestant denominations, praying spontaneously and even sometimes out loud is the norm, so he has both sets of experiences.

 

[The_Old_Medic]

True, Catholic use both prepared prayers, and spontaneous prayers.

I come from an evangelical protestant background, and we used a prepared prayer frequently. The Lord’s Prayer is repeated, over and over again in virtually all Christian churches. After all, Jesus himself taught us that this is THE prayer to offer to the Father.

I can’t speak for others, because i don’t know how they pray. But I pray a lot of the time by just talking to God. I talk to him as if he were a friend, standing in the room with me. i discuss how my day has gone, ask for advice, complain about things, thank him for some things, etc., etc.

I don’t know where you got the idea that Catholics only “say prayers”. My pastor encourages all of us to pray “from the heart”.

By the way, do YOU realize what you are really telling God when you pray the Lord’s prayer? That you are telling him to forgive YOU exactly the same way that you forgive those that offend you? That’s a pretty powerful prescription, and one that I am afraid that all too many people really don’t mean.

Yet, every time we recite that prayer, we are telling God to judge US exactly as we forgive others. You might want to think about that, before you begin questioning what others do.

Now, would you like to argue about using that prayer, over and over again? Because Jesus himself taught us to use it, and he certainly didn’t tell us to only use it once in our lifetimes.

 

[TrueLight]

True, Catholic use both prepared prayers, and spontaneous prayers.

I come from an evangelical protestant background, and we used a prepared prayer frequently. The Lord’s Prayer is repeated, over and over again in virtually all Christian churches. After all, Jesus himself taught us that this is THE prayer to offer to the Father.

I can’t speak for others, because i don’t know how they pray. But I pray a lot of the time by just talking to God. I talk to him as if he were a friend, standing in the room with me. i discuss how my day has gone, ask for advice, complain about things, thank him for some things, etc., etc.

I don’t know where you got the idea that Catholics only “say prayers”. My pastor encourages all of us to pray “from the heart”.

By the way, do YOU realize what you are really telling God when you pray the Lord’s prayer? That you are telling him to forgive YOU exactly the same way that you forgive those that offend you? That’s a pretty powerful prescription, and one that I am afraid that all too many people really don’t mean.

Yet, every time we recite that prayer, we are telling God to judge US exactly as we forgive others. You might want to think about that, before you begin questioning what others do.

Now, would you like to argue about using that prayer, over and over again? Because Jesus himself taught us to use it, and he certainly didn’t tell us to only use it once in our lifetimes.

No, I think you’re missing my point. Of course I say the Lord’s Prayer, although I have to admit it is only in church, so that may be something to think about.

I didn’t understand why, when someone asked for prayer for someone else, I saw a lot of people posted the Hail Mary and our Father, and I didn’t understand why the person was not prayed for specifically.

Everyone’s comments in this post has helped tremendously.

 

[Mumbles140]

No, I think you’re missing my point. Of course I say the Lord’s Prayer, although I have to admit it is only in church, so that may be something to think about.

I didn’t understand why, when someone asked for prayer for someone else, I saw a lot of people posted the Hail Mary and our Father, and I didn’t understand why the person was not prayed for specifically.

Everyone’s comments in this post has helped tremendously.

I just wanted to reinforce one point. When we say the Hail Mary or Our Father in response to someone’s prayer request, it is said for their intentions. I think you have learned this already, but just reading it, I wanted to make extra-sure that you knew that.

 

[maryjk]

I didn’t understand why, when someone asked for prayer for someone else, I saw a lot of people posted the Hail Mary and our Father, and I didn’t understand why the person was not prayed for specifically.

Everyone’s comments in this post has helped tremendously.

I would take what is posted on the Prayer Requests forum with a grain of salt. And yes, I am listed as a Prayer Warrior, but…

If you notice, many of those prayers are posted one right after another, many not a minute apart. I don’t know anyone that prays that fast, at least that prays that fast, with meaning.
Unless they can type out the Lord’s Prayer in under a minute, I am guessing that many have prayers saved, and simply copy and paste. Now they may pray later for that person, I don’t know.

But don’t look at how prayers are posted on this site and think that is how Catholics pray.

 

[5Loaves]

And if you look at the Hail Mary, it is largely composed of verses from the Bible (the angel’s address to Mary).

Regarding this, I love the Megalynarion of the Annunciation we sing in the Eastern and Orthodox service which word are:

With the voice of the archangel we cry aloud to Thee, O Pure One: Rejoice, Thou who art Full of Grace, the Lord is with Thee!

A beautiful version can be heard here. The priest chants first in Old Slavonic and then repeats in English.

We are indeed borrowing the words and joining with the voice of the archangel in this prayer!

 

[DJgang]

You know, I had someone mention something to me that made a lot of sense.

They had a son in a terrible car accident, after spending all day and part of the night in the hospital, no doubt praying for Divine help…they were exhausted, especially mentally. yet, they needed to get home, bathe and change clothes, get back to the hospital. in the car, they were absolutely worn out…what consoled them … Praying the rosary. They didn’t have to think of words to say in conversation with God, they simply found con fort in praying a rosary.

Sounds like a huge benefit for being Catholic and learning these devotional prayers.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Intention.

That is a good point.

Do you believe those prayers are words of power? Almost like conduits? I don’t mean to sound new agey, but isn’t it possible that by repeating words you know, instead of searching for words, prayers can be more focused and effective?

I can tell you that when I am praying the Rosary, I concentrate only on the prayers and my intentions; thus, my mind is very focused, and other thoughts really don’t intrude. Therefore, I think the Rosary is very meditative prayer. However, when praying it with a group, I sometimes dislike how fast some people say the “Hail Mary,” as if it’s a race to the finish line instead of greeting and beseeching Our Lady. I do not like any prayer that seems to be recited with a “let’s get this over and done with ASAP” attitude. Defeats the whole purpose for me.

I have heard many Protestant spontaneous prayers that were beautiful, and appropriate to the situation, but what I felt inside as I listened was something akin to envy, that my own words would not be as eloquent. I frequently feel like Moses, all tongue-tied, when I try to address God in my own words.

And I’ve also heard some “spontaneous” Protestant prayers that were anything but, and as rote and boring as any repetitive prayer said by an unaware Catholic.