Your thoughts on prayer

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	Forums > Off-Topic_Chat > Your thoughts on prayer
Ruth Gregory Posts: 8072 Joined: 25th Jul 2007 Location: USA	Posted at 19:38 on 20th July 2008 I’m going to ask about something very personal, and something you may not feel comfortable participating in. There has been a lot shared on this site of personal tragedy, thought provoking stories, memories, triumphs, and worries about the state of affairs in our world today. Some of us have remarked to others that we’ll pray for them; some have shared a little of their faith or lack thereof. I was just wondering what some of your thoughts are about prayer. First, I must clarify. I wasn’t thinking of a dialogue about religion, or theology, or why we’re right and they’re wrong, etc, but just your thoughts on prayer, and what it means in your life. I’ll start out with a lovely excerpt from a work called Prayer, but Sr. Joyce Rupp, OSM. I think it conveys a lot of what I think prayer is all about: “Prayer is meant to ‘grow us.’ Every divine encounter holds the possibility of transforming us. Genuine prayer is risky. It changes us, and we are never sure what those changes might be. We may not initially be aware of the alterations within ourselves because these movements are often imperceptible, but each authentic prayer brings our truest self a bit more to the surface of life. This transformation includes discovering our preeminent virtues and our most dismal compulsions, our finest qualities and our most embarrassing traits......"Prayer" is not only about entering into a relationship with God; it is also about being changed. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Ray Stear Posts: 1930 Joined: 25th Apr 2008 Location: UK	Posted at 19:56 on 20th July 2008 Ruth, that is an extraordinary piece of writing and is beautiful as a 'stand alone' piece of work. I personally do noy 'pray' as such, but when someone is in trouble and is crying for help, I do think of that person and wish, is that the right word; earnestly and strongly wish, that the person can find a resolution somehow. Does that equate to a prayer of sorts? Ray. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Ruth Gregory Posts: 8072 Joined: 25th Jul 2007 Location: USA	Posted at 19:58 on 20th July 2008 Hi Ray: Absolutely! We're often the answer to one another's prayers, I'd say. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Denzil Tregallion Posts: 1764 Joined: 26th May 2008 Location: UK	Posted at 20:00 on 20th July 2008 I pray that the sheep will be alrihgt every night and all and I go to church on Sundays My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Ruth Gregory Posts: 8072 Joined: 25th Jul 2007 Location: USA	Posted at 20:03 on 20th July 2008 That's great, Denzil! Does that make you a shepherd? My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Denzil Tregallion Posts: 1764 Joined: 26th May 2008 Location: UK	Posted at 20:04 on 20th July 2008 i think it probly does Ruth My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Stephanie Jackson Posts: 3911 Joined: 13th Apr 2008 Location: UK	Posted at 20:06 on 20th July 2008 This is a very deep question Ruth! Even in the little time I have been part of the group I have realised what an important part of your life your faith is. I was brought up a Methodist and my Mom was a Sunday school teacher. I am a great believer in the importance of right & wrong and I really believe that it would help the state of the world if more people were brought up with the same morals whatever religion. Saying that I do not go to church regulary anymore and I am ashamed to say that I only say a prayer for example when I hear of a poorly child, a disaster in the world or I am worried about a relative or friend. Saying that I do find it a great comfort and I know how much my mother's faith has helped her in her life. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Paul Hilton Posts: 2605 Joined: 21st Nov 2004 Location: UK	Posted at 20:06 on 20th July 2008 I've always found prayer very useful, even in more everyday type things, as well as those sadder occasions in our lives. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Ruth Gregory Posts: 8072 Joined: 25th Jul 2007 Location: USA	Posted at 20:17 on 20th July 2008 Hi Stephanie: Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. You probably don't realize how much you're doing for someone when you pray for a person in need as you described. That's why I qualified my thread opening by stating that it's not about religion. It's about a relationship with God, and just the fact that you pray when there is a great need is something I think most do, I think. Church and religion, to me, are the tools God provided to help us establish that relationship with him, and I think it's important to not let history or hypocrisy muddy those waters. As for what you said, Paul, yes, there isn't a moment when God isn't available thru prayer. And once it becomes a part of your life, as you described, it begins to change you, as the quote from Joyce Rupp states. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Peter Evans Posts: 3863 Joined: 20th Aug 2006 Location: UK	Posted at 21:45 on 20th July 2008 I dont pray anymore, I have become an agnostic, or should that be atheist?. When I did pray, it was never for myself, but it never made any difference. I was religious once, I even became a junior Sgt in the Salvation Army. Sorry, I was about to talk religion and I said I never would. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions