Do you pray sitting down on a chair? Lying down in bed? On your knees beside the bed, or in front of a Crucifix or a statue? Do you pray as you go out for a walk? Or at your desk whilst working, or blogging, or when you're knitting or doing household chores? Or when out in the garden?
How do you pray?
Do you repeat prayers you learnt when young? The Our Father perhaps? Or other prayers like the Hail Mary, the Magnificat? The Credo, The Rosary or whatever else you have been encouraged to pray?
Do you ask God for help and favours? Do you pray for certain people? Auntie Elma, or Gertrude? Or Uncle Jim? Or Cousin This or That? Do you pray for your children and others dear to you?
Do you make deals with God? If You do this for me Lord, I'll light a candle. Or I will not drink or smoke or ... for a certain period.
How do you pray?
Or more to the point. How should you pray? What does God expect of us in prayers?
I'm no expert on this, but I guess that as a loving Father, God expects us to talk to Him. How many of you have longed and wondered how long it will be before your children phone you, or write to you, or text you even? Just a short text to say "Hello!" That's all you want.
I guess God wants the same. A quick "Good Morning" when you wake up to welcome Him in your life as you welcome a new day. A "Good Night" when you go to sleep.
He likes to hear how you're getting on in life. He knows of course how you're getting on; but it is nice to tell Him all the same. It's a good conversation starter. Tell Him and thank Him for the good things that are happening to you. We often forget to thank Him.
Let Him know when things are not going so smoothly; or are going really bad for you. That's exactly what you did as a child when you got hurt and went crying to your Mom or Dad.
Let God, your Heavenly Father, know that things are not going so well. Ask Him for help. Do not tell Him what to do; but trust Him that He will do what is best for you. When you were a child you did not go running to your parents telling them what to do. You were hurt. You cried. They knew what to do and did their best for you. So will God. In His time and in His way He will do what is good for you. Just trust Him. As you trusted your parents.
It is OK ... sometimes ... to get angry and upset with God. To tell it as it is. He can take our tantrums. After all, He took all our anger when hanging on the Cross. He'd rather we are honest in our prayers and say how we feel. To tell Him we are at our wit's end. We don't know what else to do and our very faith and trust are being tested.
He'll understand our cry for help. And He will respond. Just as He responded in times of old, and when Jesus walked this earth and helped many people in need. He will respond as He responded over the years and will continue to do so for ever.
He will respond with love. With care. With compassion and pity. And also with understanding.
Life can be hard at times ... or often. I seem to be always asking God for something or another. Either for me or for some family member or friend or acquaintance or even you my readers.
I'm always asking God for something.
If I were God I would probably give up on me.
Thank God I am not.
...if I feel the presence of God it is in nature and I hope that I show my appreciation for its beauty.
ReplyDeletePrayers of thanks and appreciations are most welcome by God.
DeleteGod bless.
Thoughtful entry and education. I pray mostly walking and working methinks.
ReplyDeleteYES, it is good that WE are not GOD!
Sherry & jack God is Good!
Thank you Jack. I too, often pray when walking or working.
DeleteGod bless you and Sherry.
I greet God in the morning when I get up and talk to him when I walk or have something to say.
ReplyDeleteI do the same, Bill. I make a point of thanking Him that I made it through another night. Life can be difficult these days.
DeleteGod bless, my friend.
All the above! (Grinning about making 'deals' with God ... I used to do that every time I walked aboard an airliner.) It's finally come naturally to visit with "Mister God" throughout the day. If, for instance, I arrived safely at my destination. Even this morning where I normally walk, there was no internet connectivity. I was annoyed, realizing I couldn't listed to my book. Then thought, maybe 'Mister God' had something to do with that outage and needed me to visit with Him instead.
ReplyDeletePS - Have you, by chance, ever read the splendid "Mister God, this is Anna"?
I understand what you mean about deals, Mevely. Often in my prayers I explain to God that my faith is really being tested; and I ask Him to take my worries and concerns away.
DeleteI'll look out for the Mr God book.
God bless.
I pray throughout the day doing whatever I happen to be doing. I 'talk' to God all the time. Ask for help, ask for wisdom to make the right decisions. Pray for others needs, my own needs, and I never forget to THANK GOD for every day He gives me.
ReplyDeleteI agree Happyone. This is what God expects of us I believe. Praying for others is the greatyest gift we can give them.
DeleteGod bless you and yours.
While i don't always do a good job of it, i try to pray throughout the day, with thanks, and praise, and requests, and sharing my problems. It is a very good thing that He doesn't give up on us.
ReplyDeleteActually Mimi, I pray a bit like you. Throughout the day I share with God my feelings and ask for requests for me and others. I guess He shakes His head and says, "Not you again!" But I'm sure He listens to me.
DeleteGod bless.
I tend to 'chat' with God while I'm doing ordinary things.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what He expects of us, Kathy. Also to thank Him, and listen to Him when He speaks to us.
DeleteGod bless.
Dearest Victor,
ReplyDeleteFrom early childhood on, I've been very much at ease with 'checking in' regularly and talking to God. Not saying words that others composed, but straight from the heart. Asking personal favors or bargaining is a no-no. Don't want to belong to the selfish me-me group! It is already big enough all around us in the selfie and instant gratification culture. Wish they all would pray instead!
It gives so much peace of mind and especially for lifting others up in prayers; hoping that some(one) will do the same for us... And it is very soul soothing to Thank God at the end of our day before drifting off peacefully.
Hugs,
Mariette
I believe God appreciates when we "check-in" every now and then and tell Him, honestly, how we feel and how we are. There are times when we're not well, or we are concerned about something. He wants to hear about that, just like any loving parent would love to hear their children and help them out.
DeleteSadly, today's society generally does not believe in God, let alone pray to Him.
Lifting people up in prayer is a great gift we offer them.
God bless, Mariette.
💞
DeleteI don't pray, since asking to let me win lotto doesn't count, but I have been known to see a rainbow and look up to say Thank You, or again a Thank you when we finally get rain after a long dry spell. Little things like that.
ReplyDeleteGod appreciates every prayer, River. As long as we believe in Him and are honest in what we pray.
DeleteGod bless.
God does want to hear from us, Victor, even is it's just a hello or a thank you from the heart. I know I need to feel His presence each and every day, and prayer is the best way to connect with Him.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
You're so right Martha. A praying can be just a conversation with God; even when we cry "Help!"
ReplyDeleteGod bless always.
As I was reading this post, I realized that I have prayed in all the circumstances you mentioned, and I still don't think it is often enough. I love those moments when praying that God answers my prayer immediately. Thank you for the gentle reminder to pray often. Blessings for a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, Nells. Sometimes God does answer our prayers quickly. Constant prayers keep us close to Him, and away from temptations. Best wishes for the weekend.
DeleteGod bless always.