Do you pray consistently?

[Anonymous]

I used to feel guilty about not focusing during my "quiet time"/prayer time, not doing it consistently, not praying long enough, etc. I have just started following some advice I heard. Yes, you can and should talk to God throughout the day, but in addition to that, set aside five minutes of dedicated, concentrated time every day. The key is that it is so short as to not be intimidating and something that you don't have an excuse not to do -- it could even be one minute. I used to think this would be disrespectful to God, but starting out "small" this way apparently is the best way to develop a positive, long-term habit. Before, I would end up giving up altogether, or not spending anytime with God because I didn't find a full hour. The idea is that with time, you will find the habit coming more naturally and find yourself wanting to spend more time with God.

[Anonymous]

Why do you pray? Do you really believe in God?

[Anonymous]

As one response to the PP, I do pray because I believe. I'm ashamed to admit that I cringe a little at talk of the "Holy Spirit" -- because I know how hokey it sounds to this culture and particularly to many in this area, and because I am not immune to doubts -- and yet I believe that God did indeed send his Holy Spirit so that we can actually experience Him, not just blindly believe in some far off abstraction. He changes everything and you can see His presence in how He utterly transforms lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In general I have become slightly more focused on faith in the last year or so. I, however, have a hard time being consistent with prayer on my own. There are days/weeks where I'm eager to get everything done so I can spend an hr or two praying. Then there are weeks where I feel like I'm forcing myself to do it -- and I don't feel focused; sometimes I'll go through the motions, sometimes not. Anyone have this experience? Any way to be more consistent and focused?

An hour or two?? Is this common practice? What on earth would you have to say, monologing for that length of time?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In general I have become slightly more focused on faith in the last year or so. I, however, have a hard time being consistent with prayer on my own. There are days/weeks where I'm eager to get everything done so I can spend an hr or two praying. Then there are weeks where I feel like I'm forcing myself to do it -- and I don't feel focused; sometimes I'll go through the motions, sometimes not. Anyone have this experience? Any way to be more consistent and focused?

An hour or two?? Is this common practice? What on earth would you have to say, monologing for that length of time?

Didn't mean just praying -- an hr or two would include reading religious text/verses, reading interpretation/meaning etc. and then of course some prayer. I generally refer to all of this as "prayer."

[Anonymous]

No. Never.

[Anonymous]

Have any of you ever thought that maybe too much prayer isn't a good thing? Like...give the man a break. Take charge of your own life and don't ask God's help for every little thing. The big things you really need help with -sure. But don't pray every day all day long...the man has enough to do already and I am sure most of the time there are more pressing problems in the world than what you hae been asking help for in the past 2 weeks...

[Anonymous]

I pray randomly throughout the day. I am getting ready for critics by what I am about to post . . . but! When I wake up in the morning I thank God for a new day and I thank Him and tell Him everything that I am grateful for. When I walk my dog in the morning I look at the beautiful nature around me and thank God for that. I thank Him for my health, the roof over my head, my friends, family, everything. I am grateful each and everyday and I am blessed to be living here in the Nation's Capitol. No - I do not have the most glamorous life but I have a good life. It's not fancy. I do not belong to a country club, I don't wear the latest designer fashions. I am comfortable, I am happy, and I truly feel I am blessed.

Prayer has helped. A lot.

BE GRATEFUL!!!! Everyone on this board SHOULD BE given the demographics of where we live! Stop complaining, stop trashing other people and saying mean things, stop BEING MEAN. Go out and help someone less fortunate than yourself!!! I guarantee you, you will feel so much better!

Wow, I got way off topic - so sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I pray randomly throughout the day. I am getting ready for critics by what I am about to post . . . but! When I wake up in the morning I thank God for a new day and I thank Him and tell Him everything that I am grateful for. When I walk my dog in the morning I look at the beautiful nature around me and thank God for that. I thank Him for my health, the roof over my head, my friends, family, everything. I am grateful each and everyday and I am blessed to be living here in the Nation's Capitol. No - I do not have the most glamorous life but I have a good life. It's not fancy. I do not belong to a country club, I don't wear the latest designer fashions. I am comfortable, I am happy, and I truly feel I am blessed.

Prayer has helped. A lot.

BE GRATEFUL!!!! Everyone on this board SHOULD BE given the demographics of where we live! Stop complaining, stop trashing other people and saying mean things, stop BEING MEAN. Go out and help someone less fortunate than yourself!!! I guarantee you, you will feel so much better!

Wow, I got way off topic - so sorry.

Why do you suppose the God who blessed you with your nice life in DC, let down someone else who applied for work here but didn't get it and is now still stuck in Podunk?

I wonder what they thank God for or feel blessed about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you pray? Do you really believe in God?

Every religious tradition advises that to connect with God, you withdraw your attention from the world and outward senses and go within.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you pray? Do you really believe in God?

Every religious tradition advises that to connect with God, you withdraw your attention from the world and outward senses and go within.

non-religious traditions advise that too - it's called meditation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you pray? Do you really believe in God?

Every religious tradition advises that to connect with God, you withdraw your attention from the world and outward senses and go within.

OP here -- I'm of a religion (Islam) where it's believed that the more you pray or remember God, the closer you get to God -- meaning the more you pray, the more you will want to pray going forward. I do find that to be true; when I don't think about God -- I just go about life as usual. When I make an effort to think about God, then I find more and more circumstances where I'll take a minute to give thanks or pray for something.

[Anonymous]

I have a hard time praying. However, I have found a podcast called "Pray as You Go" extremely helpful. I highly recommend it.

[Anonymous]

I DO wonder why God led me here and you know what? My life isn't easy here but it is MUCH better than it could be in many other places. So I am grateful. And guess what? My nice life here in DC came with a LOT of HARD WORK, TRIAL, FAILURE, PULLING MY SELF UP (WITH GOD'S HELP) and getting on with it!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I DO wonder why God led me here and you know what? My life isn't easy here but it is MUCH better than it could be in many other places. So I am grateful. And guess what? My nice life here in DC came with a LOT of HARD WORK, TRIAL, FAILURE, PULLING MY SELF UP (WITH GOD'S HELP) and getting on with it!!!

Sounds like you're saying you deserved the blessings because you worked harder for it than other people.