Anonymous
12/09/2025 09:21
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
If you pray for God's will and pray for your ability to accept it, life becomes much easier. If you don't believe in God's will, I do think you can pray for help to be a better person, pray for other people, pray to be closer to God. I don't think it's hard if you want to do it.
Anonymous
12/09/2025 09:05
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
Anonymous wrote: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.
I used to think prayer was the same as meditation. I now kneel during prayer - Catholic tradition. To me it symbolizes humbling self to higher power. I have to then open myself to divine intervention
So you really think kneeling will help get your prayers answered? How silly!
Anonymous
12/08/2025 22:21
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
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.
I used to think prayer was the same as meditation. I now kneel during prayer - Catholic tradition. To me it symbolizes humbling self to higher power. I have to then open myself to divine intervention
Anonymous
12/08/2025 22:18
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
Anonymous wrote:In my experience, nothing will happen.
Same.
Anonymous
12/08/2025 22:15
Subject: Re:What will happen if I start praying regularly?
I started praying a novena when my mother-in-law came to visit (those can be difficult visits). I had a great sense of peace while praying, and I would say it generally helped me to put the important things into focus and helped me to let the little things go.
Anonymous
12/06/2025 00:41
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
I loved this thread. This exchange with Mother Theresa came to mind as I read it:
When asked what she says in prayer, she replied, “Nothing. I just listen.” When asked what God says to her, she said, “Nothing. He just listens.”
For me personally, my return to God began like yours. It started with some deep feeling that I was loved beyond measure, just for being me. Meditation unlocked a lot of that, as did reading “spiritual” books and being open to divine help (whatever that looks like for you - guides, angels, universe, spirit). I feel more anchored and grounded now. Good luck, OP. You will find what you are seeking.
When asked what she says in prayer, she replied, “Nothing. I just listen.” When asked what God says to her, she said, “Nothing. He just listens.”
For me personally, my return to God began like yours. It started with some deep feeling that I was loved beyond measure, just for being me. Meditation unlocked a lot of that, as did reading “spiritual” books and being open to divine help (whatever that looks like for you - guides, angels, universe, spirit). I feel more anchored and grounded now. Good luck, OP. You will find what you are seeking.
Anonymous
06/12/2025 08:50
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
Fifteen Carmelite nuns allowed scientists to scan their brains with fMRI while they were meditating, in a state known as Unio Mystica or Theoria. The results showed that multiple regions of the brain were activated when they considered themselves to be in mystical union with God. These regions included the right medial orbitofrontal cortex, right middle temporal cortex, right inferior and superior parietal lobules, caudate, left medial prefrontal cortex, left anterior cingulate cortex, left inferior parietal lobule, left insula, left caudate, left brainstem, and extra-striate visual cortex.
Beauregard M, Paquette V. Neural correlates of a mystical experience in Carmelite nuns. Neurosci Lett. 2006 Sep 25;405(3):186-90. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2006.06.060. Epub 2006 Jul 26. PMID: 16872743.
Beauregard M, Paquette V. Neural correlates of a mystical experience in Carmelite nuns. Neurosci Lett. 2006 Sep 25;405(3):186-90. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2006.06.060. Epub 2006 Jul 26. PMID: 16872743.
Anonymous
06/12/2025 08:42
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
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.
These are really insightful thoughts, PP.
You might like the Christian mystics as a tradition. They make medidation all about God. Same with some of the ancient monastic Christians. Perhaps the Rule of St. Benedict would interest you as well.
Anonymous
06/12/2025 08:39
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
Jesus told us to pray like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Matthew 6:9-13
It’s The Lord’s Prayer.
Matthew 6:9-13 provides a framework for prayer, encouraging believers to acknowledge God's sovereignty, seek his will, and ask for provision, forgiveness, and protection from evil.
Op, what will happen if you start praying regularly is between you and God.
You have a personal relationship with Him that we don’t and won’t ever know about. It’s between you and God.
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Matthew 6:9-13
It’s The Lord’s Prayer.
Matthew 6:9-13 provides a framework for prayer, encouraging believers to acknowledge God's sovereignty, seek his will, and ask for provision, forgiveness, and protection from evil.
Op, what will happen if you start praying regularly is between you and God.
You have a personal relationship with Him that we don’t and won’t ever know about. It’s between you and God.
Anonymous
06/12/2025 08:33
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
Anonymous wrote: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.
op specifically asked about prayer. Someone keeps bringing up meditation. That’s a different topic.
Anonymous
06/12/2025 08:27
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
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.
Anonymous
06/12/2025 08:14
Subject: Re:What will happen if I start praying regularly?
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
06/11/2025 19:12
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
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.
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
06/11/2025 18:14
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
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
06/11/2025 14:57
Subject: What will happen if I start praying regularly?
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.