Prayer (Jesus Christ, tradition, blessing, God, Christians)

[Bishka]

"True prayer arises from the heart to God in the name of Jesus Christ."

How do you pray? Who do you pray to? What are your ideas, feelings, opinions on prayer?
Is it necessary?

[onmybelief]

I pray in private to Jesus Christ and God, usually to help me do their will. I believe that prayer is a necessary way to get a personal relationship with God. It teaches us to trust soley in him.

[michel]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

"True prayer arises from the heart to God in the name of Jesus Christ."

How do you pray? Who do you pray to? What are your ideas, feelings, opinions on prayer?
Is it necessary?

I pray on my own, unfortunately; I pray to God. I love praying; I have such a feeling of 'oneness' with God, I ask him for help for wisdom, to have the ability to understand him better, to thank him for my everyday blessings, and to ask him to help those disadvantaged.

Sometimes I find my thoughts straying, during my praying, and I often find ideas flitting in my mind, as if I am being 'led' to think about certain aspects of life, or Religion.

It is an extremely personal thing; I don't think I could 'share' my prayers with anyone else.

Necessary ? You bet it is, to me.

[dawny0826]

I truly try to pray...ceaselessly...

[maggie2]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

"True prayer arises from the heart to God in the name of Jesus Christ."

How do you pray? Who do you pray to? What are your ideas, feelings, opinions on prayer?Is it necessary?

First of all while I do, at least in part, agree with you that all prayer arises from the heart to God, I disagree that it must be in the name of Jesus. Many people pray who are not Christian and therefore do not pray in Jesus' name and I'm sure that their prayers are just as valid as ones prayed by Christians.

As to how I pray, who I pray to, and what my ideas and feelings and opinions on prayer are, I went back and copied this response from an earlier thread as it pretty well explains my thinking on the matter of prayer. I've edited it a bit to fit more with your questions.

I don't know that I really pray in the Christian sense of that word. I do, however, pray in my own way. If I am 'praying' it is most often a prayer of thanks where I acknowledge the beauty around me or the love of a family member or just that I was able to find some item I was looking for. I would say that probably 90% of my prayer life is prayers of gratitude.

As to intercessory prayer, I believe that prayer is not so much answered by a 'Heavenly Father' but that our INTENTION in offering our thoughts and support for another human (or an animal for that matter) affects the outcome of that person's situation. So instead of praying in the traditional sense, I will focus my attention on that person and the situation they are in and send positive energy to them. I will also reflect on the outcome I hope will come to pass, giving that my attention. This may not work for most people, but it's what works for me regarding prayer. I don't tend to pray prayers of supplication for myself. However, again, I do focus on my intention for my life and how I want things to turn out. I'd be interested to know if anyone else can relate to this type of 'prayer' or practices a similar type of 'prayer'.

As to whether it's necessary, no, probably not, but I do think it is helpful.

[Master Vigil]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

"True prayer arises from the heart to God in the name of Jesus Christ."

How do you pray? Who do you pray to? What are your ideas, feelings, opinions on prayer?
Is it necessary?

I think that true prayer is just meditation. Arising from the heart to god in the name of jesus is no necessity.

I meditate probably 4 or 5 hours a day at least. Most of which is doing Pulsus.

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by Master Vigil

I think that true prayer is just meditation. Arising from the heart to god in the name of jesus is no necessity.

I meditate probably 4 or 5 hours a day at least. Most of which is doing Pulsus.

The quote was just mine. I don't think everyone here has to pray in the name of Jesus, I did not mean it to seem that way, I am sorry if it came out that way. I just felt that way for myself.

[Fallen Goddess]

I will often pray during my dance. It is a whole body, mind, & soul thing. The cosmos dances with me during such prayer.

[Engyo]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

How do you pray?

Prayer, at least in my school of Buddhism, is generally offered near the end of a service. Prayers are spoken aloud; they are statements of intent, of dedication. They are the things beyond one's own progress on the path to which we dedicate the merits of our practice.

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

Who do you pray to?

Personally, I don't pray *to* any one or thing. I am praying *from* my own practice/will/intention. Prayers are often an affirmation of what I am going to do, to the best of my ability; whether that is working towards the resolution of some societal problem, or simply a statement of goodwill and solidarity with others engaged in similar pursuits.