Silently praying while at work

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I work on a salesfloor, usually with freight and around customers and one or two coworkers. To counter the negative state of mind I’m often in, I’ll pray to myself the Hail Mary and Lord’s Prayer now and then without slowing down or stopping my work.

It doesn’t hurt to think of prayers while working, I know, but do they actually count? It’s not like I’m on my knees making the sign of the cross while praying.
 
Of course they do. Monks at Mt.Athos pray while working all the time. And in many monasteries nuns and monks do the same. I read it is very advocated to do so.
I covet your power of concentration. I cannot pray while working except for cooking.
 
Prayer is prayer. Why wouldn’t it “count?” You’re lifting your mind to God. That’s a good thing.

-Fr ACEGC
 
Thank you. I just felt like I should have been praying as I would in a church. I’ve only recently become engaged with the Church again after many years away from it
 
I pray while I’m driving around making visits to the sick. I pray on long trips to the car. I pray while watching football games on Saturday nights. St Paul says “pray without ceasing.” This means we make our whole life a prayer, that we’re constantly aware of God, no matter where we’re at. Work is a great place to pray, even if it doesn’t look like how we pray in church. God became man in Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ was a working man for most of his life, so that work becomes consecrated by his presence within it. God himself was a worker, so when we work and pray while we work, we are mindful of how he came among us.

-Fr ACEGC
 
Why would you need to be on your knees to pray? You can pray on the treadmill, in the shower, on a road trip, etc.
 
I’m going to pray while I work a lot more often. Thank you very much. It motivates me to pray more often.
 
Are you only able to talk to your mom or your friend when you’re sitting down, eyes glued on each other, something hot to drink close by, undivided attention?

Or are you also able to talk to your mom or friend while you work together, while you’re standing in line together, while you’re juggling other obligations, etc?

Yes, the best kind of relationships come with undivided attention, for sure. But if we wait until we can do things perfectly— it will never happen, because we’re never perfect. 🙂 (And anyone who has kids would just expect to put their prayer life on hold for the next 20 years, because undivided attention becomes a rare thing in certain states of life!)

So lifting your mind to God while your body is otherwise occupied in performing your obligations is a good thing, and God will let good come from it. 💙
 
It is definitely alright. That would be cool if you kept the practice up!
 
@Mark303 what a wonderful way to do so sure it counts Jesus sees the heart and the intention. Jesus rewards a person for giving a glass of cold water how much more he will reward you! John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
 
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My father-in-law was a mechanic and he did the rosary at work. He moved 10 ball bearings back and forth between dishes to keep count.

We as lay people are meant to sanctify our work places. There is much merit in that, for ourselves and for others.

Do you do a morning offering? Before you leave the house, offer all your joys, sorrows, and sufferings for the conversion of sinners and peace in this world as our Blessed Mother asked us to do at Fatima in 1917. Your efforts matter and when plugged into God, you are a force for good in this world! Welcome home!
 
I’ve never thought of morning offering. I usually just pray a few decades of HM and a few of the Lord’s Prayer when I get home. although I’m starting to work on my rosary now.
 
It sounds like you are doing an amazing job of bringing prayer into your work. I envy you a little, as I get so caught up in the doing of my job, all the needs and responsibilities, that I will often not even think of God or prayer throughout the day. I offer Him my work, but I’d like to be more mindful of Him throughout the day, you know?

Keep up the good work! And remember that prayer can just be conversation with God. It doesn’t always have to be formal prayers.

God bless you!
 
Thank you, ontheway1. I didn’t expect as much feedback as I’ve received. It almost seems like a laughable question to me now.
 
Mark303 said:
do they actually count? It’s not like I’m on my knees making the sign of the cross while praying.
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You don’t have to be. 🙂 Prayer is prayer whether you’re kneeling, standing, walking, lying in bed or typing a post to a message board. 😃

Pray on and may God bless you for every prayer. ✝️
 
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thes. 5:16-18)

This directive would be impossible if praying only “counts” when you’re on your knees or unoccupied with any other activity at the same time.
 
Have you heard of Brother Lawrence’s book, “The Practice of the Presence of God”? It sounds like it might be right up your alley.
 
Mark303 said:
Thank you, ontheway1. I didn’t expect as much feedback as I’ve received. It almost seems like a laughable question to me now.
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Not at all 🙂 A lot of the time I pray during the day,but I get distracted,loose track but I’m trying and reading here it does count.Its very good to know.
 
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