What will happen if I start praying regularly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will have the same effect as meditating daily, which is good.

All prayers is a form of meditation.

Many Christians would dispute this. A very old definition of prayer is this, from the Westminster Divines: "Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with the confession of our sins, and thankful for acknowledgment of his mercies."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if you'd like to meditate daily? It is supposedly very relaxing and centering.

OP. I’ve gone through phases of regular breath work meditation (Ten Percent Happier type stuff, mostly). I have found it incredibly helpful, mostly to notice and by extension detach from my own thoughts. It made me much less reactive, and I felt more present/relaxed in my own life.( I am out of the habit right now, and typing this I realize I should get back into it.)

But meditation never made me feel connected to something bigger. It wax always kind of all about me — my breath, my thoughts, my observing, my returning. That sense of “oneness” that people sometimes describe… I just never felt it. I’d like to. I’d like to feel like there’s something more, and that there’s some way of tapping into it.

I wondered if prayer was a way in, or if the fact that I don’t really “believe” (in what? In the bearded guy in white robes, I guess) means by definition it wouldn’t be prayer. Maybe I just have to try and keep at it and see for myself.

That’s because meditation is not about God. It’s about you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not religious. I mostly feel like this is all a happy accident, though it's also simultaneously/paradoxically proof that there IS something bigger than me. I mean, what is all this <looks around, waves hands> if not something more than me?
I also know there is good, and evil, and a whole lot in between.

Sometimes I think about praying, as a way to tap into that something larger than myself.
I've even done a few days, and then I stop. Mostly that's because I forget...but I think I forget because nothing happened the first couple of times.
If I were to start praying daily regularly, would I begin to feel something?
I guess the question is, does the belief have to come first? Or does the prayer itself unleash something?

Not sure if my question is making sense.

Just because you feel there's something more than you, doesn't mean that there's a God or that your prayers will be answered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will have the same effect as meditating daily, which is good.

All prayers is a form of meditation.

Many Christians would dispute this. A very old definition of prayer is this, from the Westminster Divines: "Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with the confession of our sins, and thankful for acknowledgment of his mercies."

It doesn’t matter what they think or what they are told. Who cares what the Westminster devines say they are human and full of errors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if you'd like to meditate daily? It is supposedly very relaxing and centering.

OP. I’ve gone through phases of regular breath work meditation (Ten Percent Happier type stuff, mostly). I have found it incredibly helpful, mostly to notice and by extension detach from my own thoughts. It made me much less reactive, and I felt more present/relaxed in my own life.( I am out of the habit right now, and typing this I realize I should get back into it.)

But meditation never made me feel connected to something bigger. It wax always kind of all about me — my breath, my thoughts, my observing, my returning. That sense of “oneness” that people sometimes describe… I just never felt it. I’d like to. I’d like to feel like there’s something more, and that there’s some way of tapping into it.

I wondered if prayer was a way in, or if the fact that I don’t really “believe” (in what? In the bearded guy in white robes, I guess) means by definition it wouldn’t be prayer. Maybe I just have to try and keep at it and see for myself.

That’s because meditation is not about God. It’s about you.

It’s not supposed to be

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not religious. I mostly feel like this is all a happy accident, though it's also simultaneously/paradoxically proof that there IS something bigger than me. I mean, what is all this <looks around, waves hands> if not something more than me?
I also know there is good, and evil, and a whole lot in between.

Sometimes I think about praying, as a way to tap into that something larger than myself.
I've even done a few days, and then I stop. Mostly that's because I forget...but I think I forget because nothing happened the first couple of times.
If I were to start praying daily regularly, would I begin to feel something?
I guess the question is, does the belief have to come first? Or does the prayer itself unleash something?

Not sure if my question is making sense.

OP thank you posting this. It’s an interesting question to ponder.

As an evangelical Christian my response to you is that praying to our God and Creator is not about “tapping into something larger than yourself.” It’s about finding a true relationship with God. Like any relationship it becomes a two way street.

I suggest that you start perhaps along with reading the Bible. Start with the book of Matthew or John and read about Jesus’s life and ministry. Pray that God will reveal Himself to you.

Op does not need a middleman between them and God.

If you meditate or pray, it will eventually come through straight to you not through some man

[Anonymous]

I once read a study -this was along time ago, maybe 20+ years but it's stuck with me - where the researchers studied brain activity in people who did breath work/meditation and people who prayed. I think there were several types of thigs studied - I definitely remember praying the rosary was one of them. The takeaway was that people praying the rosary have the same brain patterns as people meditating - calming, ritual.

I think if you want a connection to something higher, the previous work you've done with meditation and breath work will hlep you deepen the benefits you received from the meditation.

Praying the rosary is not rote repitition - you are supposed to reflect and set intentions at various points and as you progress through the rosary (ie, there is an intention for each set of ten beads, I'm trying to put this in common language - there are specific prayers at specfic points on your journey into and around the rosary).

I've been so anxious lately. This is making me think that maybe developing a rosary practice might be a way to be still in prayer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not religious. I mostly feel like this is all a happy accident, though it's also simultaneously/paradoxically proof that there IS something bigger than me. I mean, what is all this <looks around, waves hands> if not something more than me?
I also know there is good, and evil, and a whole lot in between.

Sometimes I think about praying, as a way to tap into that something larger than myself.
I've even done a few days, and then I stop. Mostly that's because I forget...but I think I forget because nothing happened the first couple of times.
If I were to start praying daily regularly, would I begin to feel something?
I guess the question is, does the belief have to come first? Or does the prayer itself unleash something?

Not sure if my question is making sense.

OP thank you posting this. It’s an interesting question to ponder.

As an evangelical Christian my response to you is that praying to our God and Creator is not about “tapping into something larger than yourself.” It’s about finding a true relationship with God. Like any relationship it becomes a two way street.

I suggest that you start perhaps along with reading the Bible. Start with the book of Matthew or John and read about Jesus’s life and ministry. Pray that God will reveal Himself to you.

Op does not need a middleman between them and God.

If you meditate or pray, it will eventually come through straight to you not through some man

But people have to make money! That's what clergy are for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I will have the same effect as meditating daily, which is good.

All prayers is a form of meditation.

Many Christians would dispute this. A very old definition of prayer is this, from the Westminster Divines: "Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with the confession of our sins, and thankful for acknowledgment of his mercies."

It doesn’t matter what they think or what they are told. Who cares what the Westminster devines say they are human and full of errors.

DP Theological traditions are useful because they're typically tested by time and debate throughout history. The Westminster Divines, like, much of the rest of the people who came up with Protestant theological traditions, were smart people who knew Scripture deeply. The Westminster Confession is a masterful document, as are the catechisms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not religious. I mostly feel like this is all a happy accident, though it's also simultaneously/paradoxically proof that there IS something bigger than me. I mean, what is all this <looks around, waves hands> if not something more than me?
I also know there is good, and evil, and a whole lot in between.

Sometimes I think about praying, as a way to tap into that something larger than myself.
I've even done a few days, and then I stop. Mostly that's because I forget...but I think I forget because nothing happened the first couple of times.
If I were to start praying daily regularly, would I begin to feel something?
I guess the question is, does the belief have to come first? Or does the prayer itself unleash something?

Not sure if my question is making sense.

OP thank you posting this. It’s an interesting question to ponder.

As an evangelical Christian my response to you is that praying to our God and Creator is not about “tapping into something larger than yourself.” It’s about finding a true relationship with God. Like any relationship it becomes a two way street.

I suggest that you start perhaps along with reading the Bible. Start with the book of Matthew or John and read about Jesus’s life and ministry. Pray that God will reveal Himself to you.

Op does not need a middleman between them and God.

If you meditate or pray, it will eventually come through straight to you not through some man

By what authority do you say OP doesn't need a mediator?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not religious. I mostly feel like this is all a happy accident, though it's also simultaneously/paradoxically proof that there IS something bigger than me. I mean, what is all this <looks around, waves hands> if not something more than me?
I also know there is good, and evil, and a whole lot in between.

Sometimes I think about praying, as a way to tap into that something larger than myself.
I've even done a few days, and then I stop. Mostly that's because I forget...but I think I forget because nothing happened the first couple of times.
If I were to start praying daily regularly, would I begin to feel something?
I guess the question is, does the belief have to come first? Or does the prayer itself unleash something?

Not sure if my question is making sense.

OP thank you posting this. It’s an interesting question to ponder.

As an evangelical Christian my response to you is that praying to our God and Creator is not about “tapping into something larger than yourself.” It’s about finding a true relationship with God. Like any relationship it becomes a two way street.

I suggest that you start perhaps along with reading the Bible. Start with the book of Matthew or John and read about Jesus’s life and ministry. Pray that God will reveal Himself to you.

Op does not need a middleman between them and God.

If you meditate or pray, it will eventually come through straight to you not through some man

By what authority do you say OP doesn't need a mediator?

Jesus the person is the middleman by which we are reconciled to God.

[Anonymous]

I am Catholic and started praying the rosary on a regular basis during the pandemic. Now, I just do it whenever and it helps with my anxiety, mostly anxiety about the national political situation. It is also a helpful tool to pass the time when I'm waiting somewhere, like sitting in the dentist's chair.

[Anonymous]

OP here, and I really appreciate everyone's thoughts, experiences, recommendations, and insights. Already I've learned some things -- I'd never heard of collects or the Westminster Divines, nor has anyone ever talked to me about praying the rosary.

Re: meditation being about me. That doesn't feel quite true to the intention or effect, though the in-meditation experience does prove to me how difficult it is to *not* have something be about me. When I sit down to meditate, I focus on my breath, in, out, with the intention of quieting all that noisy mental chatter. And for a second or two, sometimes, I can even do it. (In, out). And then a thought bursts through, and I follow it without even realizing it. Then I notice I've forgotten about my breath, so I return to it. (In, out.) And then another thought, and another return, on and on, over and over. But the very act of noticing my thoughts takes them outside of myself (if I'm able to observe my thoughts and reactions, that means they're not "me."). So the net effect is that I'm a bit more detached from my thoughts, which makes them lighter to carry (and also they're a little less likely to control me).

When I finish meditation I feel peaceful. I always assumed that into that peace, *something* would enter. Some meditators do talk about feeling oneness, transcendence, something bigger-than-self. But I never felt that. The peace is the end of the line.

Anyway, I like the idea of praying to something/someone. Maybe the time to do it is right after meditation, when I'm starting in a peaceful place. I feel like at this point my prayers would have to be pretty generic, so I don't get pulled down by overthinking ("Do I actually believe that Jesus was literally raised from the dead, and that he was the literal son of God, and if so, what IS God, how does that work? And also why did he come then, and not before, and what about all those millennia of people who lived and died before him, what happened to their sins and souls? And also where are all the women, do I really believe that holiness is male-plus-one?" I can really get on an overthinking roll, which doesn't help). Maybe collects are my starting point, and I just kind of shift them to be a little less specific— so I can worry less about what I do/don't believe, and just...say what I have to say, and be open to whatever happens comes back.

Anyway, I do appreciate everyone's thoughts. Very much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will have the same effect as meditating daily, which is good.

All prayers is a form of meditation.

When I meditate, I think about myself and my life.

When I pray, I think about God and my life and His love and His Word.

I don’t see my prayers as an amazon order God is required to fill within 2 days like amazon prime shipping.

Some prayers won’t be answered. Nor should they be. Sometimes God says no to our prayers. Sometimes it’s not the right time for our prayers to be answered. No is an answer, it’s just not the answer we want to hear.

Sometimes God answers our prayers and we don’t even know or understand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, and I really appreciate everyone's thoughts, experiences, recommendations, and insights. Already I've learned some things -- I'd never heard of collects or the Westminster Divines, nor has anyone ever talked to me about praying the rosary.

Re: meditation being about me. That doesn't feel quite true to the intention or effect, though the in-meditation experience does prove to me how difficult it is to *not* have something be about me. When I sit down to meditate, I focus on my breath, in, out, with the intention of quieting all that noisy mental chatter. And for a second or two, sometimes, I can even do it. (In, out). And then a thought bursts through, and I follow it without even realizing it. Then I notice I've forgotten about my breath, so I return to it. (In, out.) And then another thought, and another return, on and on, over and over. But the very act of noticing my thoughts takes them outside of myself (if I'm able to observe my thoughts and reactions, that means they're not "me."). So the net effect is that I'm a bit more detached from my thoughts, which makes them lighter to carry (and also they're a little less likely to control me).

When I finish meditation I feel peaceful. I always assumed that into that peace, *something* would enter. Some meditators do talk about feeling oneness, transcendence, something bigger-than-self. But I never felt that. The peace is the end of the line.

Anyway, I like the idea of praying to something/someone. Maybe the time to do it is right after meditation, when I'm starting in a peaceful place. I feel like at this point my prayers would have to be pretty generic, so I don't get pulled down by overthinking ("Do I actually believe that Jesus was literally raised from the dead, and that he was the literal son of God, and if so, what IS God, how does that work? And also why did he come then, and not before, and what about all those millennia of people who lived and died before him, what happened to their sins and souls? And also where are all the women, do I really believe that holiness is male-plus-one?" I can really get on an overthinking roll, which doesn't help). Maybe collects are my starting point, and I just kind of shift them to be a little less specific— so I can worry less about what I do/don't believe, and just...say what I have to say, and be open to whatever happens comes back.

Anyway, I do appreciate everyone's thoughts. Very much.

All the things you mention overthinking about are the same things many people think on the way to non-belief., or by people who never believed in Christianity in the first place. I suggest that you don't try to force yourself to believe anything, and instead just enjoy the benefits of meditation.