Should prayer help all

[johnnyjones]

A concern of mine is the workings of prayer. It can seem as though our own prayers are selfish. Praying for a new care, a new job etc pales in comparison to a child sitting in a hut somewhere starving and diseased. The thought could be why would God help me with these frivolous things when someone in dire need is not getting it? Where is the equal importance, if any?

I remain hopeful God will help me in my times of need but possibly more should be included in prayer. There is a scripture verse about prayer that says we ask amiss at times. Pray the Holy Spirit will tell you what to pray for. I’m paraphrasing because I forget the chapter and verse.

 

[ebonykawai]

I always pray for the following every day:

Bless and protect all beings, especially my loved ones.
Healing to all those that need it, either body, mind, spirit, emotions, etc.
Bless all families with children, may they protect and love one another.
Bless all religious in all traditions, may they be true to God, themselves, and those they minister to.
And finally, I thank God for my life, including all trials and tribulations, and I ask that all troubles make me stronger, more loving, more compassionate, more patient, and more tolerant.

In between there, I throw in any major needs for myself or my family.

 

[Trishie]

Personal prayer and the word of God

“If you have hope this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying.” [Romans 12:12]

“If any one of you is in trouble, he should pray; if anyone is feeling happy, he should sing a psalm.” [James 5:13]

“There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 4:6-7]

“Commend what you do to God, and your plans will find achievement.” [Proverbs 16:3]

“The man who with his whole heart serves God will be accepted, his petitions carry to the clouds. The humble man’s prayer pierces the clouds, until it arrives he is inconsolable, nor will he desist until the Most High takes notice of him, acquits the virtuous and delivers judgement. And the Lord will not…be dilatory on their behalf (and will) make them rejoice in His mercy. Mercy is welcome in time of trouble, like rain clouds in time of drought.” [Ecclesiasticus 35:16-19, 23-24]

 

[Trishie]

When praying for ourselves, for our worries, for work etc, we can extend our prayer to others who are suffering similarly. 'for me, and for all those suffering the same kind of troubles.

As St Paul said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father and the God who gives every possible encouragement;
** he supports us in every hardship, so that we are able to come to the support of others**, in every hardship of theirs because of the encouragement that we ourselves receive from God.”
2 Corinthians 2:3-4

 

[underacloud]

A concern of mine is the workings of prayer. It can seem as though our own prayers are selfish. Praying for a new care, a new job etc pales in comparison to a child sitting in a hut somewhere starving and diseased. The thought could be why would God help me with these frivolous things when someone in dire need is not getting it? Where is the equal importance, if any?

Since Jesus directly taught us how to pray, I suggest that there is much to be gained in deeply examining the Lord’s prayer, and trying to understand the words that we too often recite with little thought (myself included).

Jesus taught us to pray for “our daily bread”, which is to say ask God to provide for us (eg job, sufficient income to support ourselves and family, new car if it’s needed, etc). There is nothing wrong with personal prayer requests.

He also taught us to pray “thy kingdom com, thy will be done…”, which calls on us to live God’s commandments, including obviously the commandment to love one another. And He implored that we should “forgive those who sin against us”, so our attitudes to our neighbours are very important. But He didn’t really teach us to pray for others…which isn’t to say that we shouldn’t, but perhaps prayers that focussed on conforming our hearts and minds with the will of God are more important?

 

[GratefulFred]

Prayer is lifting our minds and hearts toward God. Prayer may be formal - the Lord’s Prayer, the Rosary, etc or it can be informal - something we develop ourselves. Or it can be quiet mediation allowing God to speak to us. We should pray daily and more often if we can.

I think there are 5 types of prayer that include 1) Praise, 2) Petition, 3) Thanksgiving. Hopefully, someone can expand for me.

It is certainly a good thing to pray for the needs of others. Both for their spiritual and physical needs.

There is hunger and poverty everywhere and we should pray for whatever group happens to be foremost in our minds. If we can, we should back up our constant prayer with a regular recurring donation to a charity that services the poor and hungry. I have a particular fondness for “Catholic Relief Services” and “Food For The Poor.” There are many other worthwhile charities that work overseas.

 

[nkbeth]

If you are troubled about something you can always pray about it. You can ask for a change in things, but of course you should also ask for more acceptance of God’s will. God wants to help you, He is just waiting for your prayer. I pray when my car won’t start. True I don’t pray enough about far more important things. That is something I should do, but it doesn’t mean giving up praying about the little things that are troubling me because of my weakness.

I understand prayer is traditionally divided into 4 types: 1) adoration (which I think would include praise), 2) thanksgiving, 3) expiation (which would include contrition), and 4) petition. But adoration is sometimes divided into adoration of submission and adoration of love; so sometimes 5) love is considered a 5th type. Prayer types aren’t mutually exclusive: e.g. praise, thanksgiving, and love could often come together.

I was speaking of the prayer of petition. That’s the prayer that we do so often because we are weak and needy, and selfish too (a selfishness that God understands) - but also out of love for others. During the day you can also fit in prayers of thanksgiving (at many times), prayer of expiation (when you sin or even when others do), prayer of adoration and love (at any time; offering up troubles is a good prayer of love and of expiation).

 

[Dan_Grelinger]

AThe thought could be why would God help me with these frivolous things when someone in dire need is not getting it?

Because God is infinite. God has no limitations, he does not have ‘only so much help to go around’. He is capable of answering all prayers at all times. And because He is infinite, this task, seemingly incomprehensible to our own minds, requires an infinitesimal amount (that’s like zero) of His love and His power. If God was only human, He would act in the manner that you suggest. But we know better.