Using prayer to talk?

[mphill85]

I have my morning prayers (emails I get from the Catholic Company website), saying grace at meals, and my confessional/contrition prayers. My question however is that while praying is good (if not essential), is there a correct way, and is it even appropriate to simply “talk” to God or Jesus or Mary or to any of the saints?

I kind of feel like my prayers, while they get the intention across, end up sounding somewhat cut and dry. I’ve been entertaining the idea of simply talking like if I was at a counseling or therapy session. I feel like this would help since I can say want I want from the heart instead of simply reciting a prayer I’ve learned. Obviously, there would be a time and place between reciting a prayer and simply talking (pray during Mass, talk at home).

 

[RoseScented]

is there a correct way

I’d say there’s no “correct” way as long as you aren’t blaspheming or mocking in your actions or words. I’m not saying you’re planning to, just pointing out that you can find what works for you.

is it even appropriate to simply “talk” to God or Jesus or Mary or to any of the saints

Absolutely! I talk to the Lord and any saints I’ve asked for prayers all the time. The Lord has a sense of humor with a lot of the ways he acts in my life, so I always laugh with him. If I’ve asked St. Anthony to help me find something I’ll say thanks after finding it and also just talk to him about what I was looking for. If I feel tempted to sin I’ll talk to my guardian angel through it and then thank them if I resist or apologize if I don’t. I just start asking questions and rambling at the persons of the Trinity, Mary, and confirmation saint sometimes if I just have something I want to share or articulate.

pray during Mass, talk at home

I talk to the Lord during mass also. If something in the readings, music, or homily speaks towards something I’m thinking about I’ll talk to the Lord about how he’s speaking to me. During the consecration I’ll sometimes be overwhelmed by what he did for me that I’ll talk about my sins if I’m feeling particularly contrite or praising him if I’m in awe.

I also say written prayers, and there definitely is a time and place for how much you focus on either type of prayer, but you’ll figure out what works for you as you go. I definitely had to work at the “talk” though. I wasn’t used to articulating my own emotions and desires as “my own”.

 

[brown_bear]

Talking face to face with God is a wonderful thing that changes our lives.

We can talk to God about ourselves, our problems, our joys, our loved ones, the whole world and, of course, about Him.

Obviously this does not replace vocal prayer, the sacraments, the Holy Mass, but you already know this.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

We’re supposed to call God “Abba” per the Bible — some have said this almost translates as “Daddy”. I’ve heard multiple devout, pious, orthodox priests say they pray to Mary as “Mama”. Anything that furthers your relationship is good. The cliche-like phrase from some of our Protestant friends does carry weight: we should be having a personal relationship with our Lord (and his entire family of people, Saints included).

 

[Tis_Bearself]

It’s perfectly fine to talk to God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Mother Mary, angels, saints in your own words, any time. I do it all day.

There is no particular way one is required to do it, other than being respectful. I treat them all the same as I would treat kind relatives and friends.

There are many examples of saints who frequently talked with God, Mary, deceased saints in heaven, angels etc in this conversational way.