It helps with listening. When you're actively involved (even if it's a rote memorization), the odds of you listening go up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My view is that it helps in involving the congregation in the prayer.

When we attend services together it is coming together as a community. This is part of that sharing.

In other words, you don't really expect the Lord to hear your prayer?

Sorry if I was unclear. I meant sharing in praise of God. The lord absolutely hears the prayer. Why would you think not?

Because so many people say it in a bored, rote way and because often the prayers are not answered, suggesting the Lord hasn't heard them ( or maybe he did hear them and decided the answer was "no.")

It's like when someone says something you agree with and you respond, "Amen to that!" Only more formal because you are in church. Another way to think of it is it is a call and response with the priest - - "yes, we are still awake and taking part in this prayer with you!"

Or, yeah, retweeting. Good one!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My view is that it helps in involving the congregation in the prayer.

When we attend services together it is coming together as a community. This is part of that sharing.

In other words, you don't really expect the Lord to hear your prayer?

Sorry if I was unclear. I meant sharing in praise of God. The lord absolutely hears the prayer. Why would you think not?

Anonymous wrote:It is the equivalent of retweeting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My view is that it helps in involving the congregation in the prayer.

When we attend services together it is coming together as a community. This is part of that sharing.

In other words, you don't really expect the Lord to hear your prayer?

Anonymous wrote:My view is that it helps in involving the congregation in the prayer.

When we attend services together it is coming together as a community. This is part of that sharing.

Anonymous wrote:The Pope's visit made be recall a rare visit to church. My memory may not be exact, but I recall the congregation or priest saying a prayer and the congregation responding "Lord, hear our prayer." Does saying "Lord, hear our prayer" increase the chances of the prayer being heard?

It helps when the Lord is off doing something else and suddenly he hears a ruckus in the background.

Anonymous wrote:Only if you say it loud enough.

And if it's said in *perfect* unison with those directly adjacent to you.

Only if you say it loud enough.

It is literally a call and response. It''s part of the liturgy and very common. Has nothing to do with trying to amplify the request -- God hears everyone of us (even if sometimes the answers to our prayers is "no.")

My view is that it helps in involving the congregation in the prayer. It helps those who are listening to the prayer to attend to what is being said.
That’s what it does for me, anyway.

It is the equivalent of retweeting.

It's just a standard response that is given by the congregation. Not sure how you think people would know if it "increases the chance" of a prayer being heard.

The Pope's visit made be recall a rare visit to church. My memory may not be exact, but I recall the congregation or priest saying a prayer and the congregation responding "Lord, hear our prayer." Does saying "Lord, hear our prayer" increase the chances of the prayer being heard?