Do you pray consistently?

[Anonymous]

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?

[Anonymous]

How about the times that you feel like you are forced, just praying throughout the day and breaking it up a bit. While getting up and getting ready for the day try to pray for a bit, then while in the car, then at lunch, then on way home, while cooking or doing dishes, prior to bed, etc.?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about the times that you feel like you are forced, just praying throughout the day and breaking it up a bit. While getting up and getting ready for the day try to pray for a bit, then while in the car, then at lunch, then on way home, while cooking or doing dishes, prior to bed, etc.?

I was thinking the same thing. My first thought when I saw the original post title was, "I don't pray consistently, I pray constantly." Meaning throughout the day. I have a hard time doing things (anything) on a consistent basis. But my definition/experience of prayer may be different, too. Less meditative, more conversational.

[Anonymous]

I have devotion and time w The Lord anytime I speak to him and glorify him. It's nice to set it aside uninterrupted, and I do that, but more often I pray in cars, meetings, before bed - constantly and consistently. I enjoy the constant communion. I also listen to scrioture through my iPhone before bed, sometimes as I sleep, and teachings when in traffic or the car.

My understanding is that my prayers don't have to be long drawn out prayers, just genuine and from the heart. I find if I don't put prayer off, but communicate right when I'm led to do it, my prayers are more effective, my relationship and faith is stronger, and that is how my consistency developed over the years.

Not sure of your faith, there are many, but if it's bible based, we are encouraged to "pray without ceasing", about everything. This helps my comfort of praying through the day vs just once or twice -- my faith is constantly guiding.

Happy Friday

[Anonymous]

I use prayer as a form of meditation.

I usually pray in the early am or in the pm. I pray when I am waiting... for the doctor, in line at the grocery store, etc.

My mom use to say, people that don't pray don't have teenagers... at some point all you can do is pray.

I have a teenager, so I tend to pray more since he needs me less.

Prayer keeps me from worrying, my mind does not stop from worry unless I fill it with something else, so I pray.

It's a little bit of a Jesus take the wheel situation at this point.

[Anonymous]

OP -- that's helpful thanks. I feel like I try to pray when I'm here and there, but it almost feels "disrespectful" because I'm not focusing -- I'm praying and then interrupted when the check out lady at Kroger starts talking to me? Seems wrong? Though I am also of a faith where you are supposed to remember God constantly. I guess I always had the view that you set aside an uninterrupted time -- whether 10 min or 2 hrs -- to pray but maybe that isn't necessary if you're remembering God constantly.

[Anonymous]

I may pray more often as I see needed, but I pray at least every night after I am in bed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP -- that's helpful thanks. I feel like I try to pray when I'm here and there, but it almost feels "disrespectful" because I'm not focusing -- I'm praying and then interrupted when the check out lady at Kroger starts talking to me? Seems wrong? Though I am also of a faith where you are supposed to remember God constantly. I guess I always had the view that you set aside an uninterrupted time -- whether 10 min or 2 hrs -- to pray but maybe that isn't necessary if you're remembering God constantly.

I guess it would be disrespectful to cut off a conversation with god in favor of the Kroger lady, if you really think God is listening to you.

It would be disrespectful to do that with anyone, not just a deity. Of course, only you know you're talking with God and god, if he's listening, is great enough to understand, when the clueless Kroger lady interrupts, that it would be impolite for you to ignore her.

[Anonymous]

Not since college.

[Anonymous]

The check out lady is also a child of God. I don't think he would be upset if you stop and chat with her. That is expressing the love of God to others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The check out lady is also a child of God. I don't think he would be upset if you stop and chat with her. That is expressing the love of God to others.

Ah, yes. a kind word to the Kroger lady will probably get you one step closer to God. It takes much more than stopping a conversation with God in favor of the Kroger lady to upset God.

How do I know this? I don't, but I try to never miss an opportunity to speculate on how wonderful God must be.

[Anonymous]

Op, setting aside an hour or two for prayer sounds herculean to me! I pray conversationally throughout the day. Lord, help me with this, thank you for that. Little things like that. My grandmother used to do that out loud, "Thank you, Jesus" for finding her toothbrush or something, it was cute.

Your post made me think of these lyrics, talking to God like you're talking to a friend:

Then this side of bedtime later that night
Turning on my son's Scooby Doo nightlight
He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees
He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands
And spoke to God like he was talking to a friend
And I said son now where'd you learn to pray like that

[Anonymous]

There is an app for that. Actually there are innumerable apps to help you establish a more prayerful life. Find what works for you.

I used to pray the hours and still miss this structure to my day. Hard to do once I returned to full-time work outside the home. Now I make sure I pray with my child in the evening and most days that it is it.

[Anonymous]

I pray consistently, each night with my daughter when she's nursing. When she starts weaning, I anticipate continuing the tradition of nighttime prayers with her. It calms me, and I hope she'll find it soothing, too.

[Anonymous]

I pray as I go along throughout the day. There are times when it is more formal and times when it is a quick thought of gratitude or praise.