How Should We Pray?

I've been thinking about the way and state that various beliefs use when praying.

Not picking on anyone.

Islam just came to mind first since it is still close to my heart. The men seem outwardly to have the least rules to obey. The women must get all covered up almost as if by bed sheets. Though there is no requirement for them to go to Mosque. Some interpret that to mean they are less worthy, while others see that women are more busy with the house and children so can not. The actual Muslim prayers are available on YouTube and may enrich the lives of even non Muslims, inshallah.

Christians, I think of as the hedonists of religion. 1 Cor. 11 clearly states that women should pray with their heads covered, but in my experience few do it, using the lame excuse that it was a cultural thing...
Most of us do not understand what it is to "pray amiss", and I hope that the ignorance is forgivable.

I try to use The Lord's Prayer as a model. Hyeah, I know that lots of folk are fond of their fantasies about Worthiness, Repentance, and all sorts of things. As far as I am concerned we start praying from where we are at the time.

Just the rantings of an old mind.

How Should We Pray?
Love is the Greatest Commandment, so I do not believe rituals are crucial (cloth you wear (or not wear))

Ellen Brown said:

Christians, I think of as the hedonists of religion. 1 Cor. 11 clearly states that women should pray with their heads covered, but in my experience few do it, using the lame excuse that it was a cultural thing...

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Actually, those who didn't wear it were considered prostitutes. Today, if you go to an strict Arabic country - you would be considered the same if you didn't cover your head with a hijab.

So.... not so lame.

Ellen Brown said:

As far as I am concerned we start praying from where we are at the time.

Click to expand...

When Jesus said to "pray this way", I believe that Jesus gave the model prayer so that we could see the order of priorities in our own prayers. His first priority was his Father's name.....his incoming Kingdom which will see God's "will done on earth as it is in heaven" and then the necessities for that day. He also stressed the need of God's forgiveness for our many sins, and to forgive those who have wronged us in some way.

He also said that we must offer our prayers through the only channel that God provided.....our mediator, Jesus Christ. So our prayers are to God the Father, through Jesus....they must not be selfish, even though we can supplicate God for strength to endure our trials (they are not without purpose) we should also be mindful of the things we need to be grateful for because this lightens the negativity of the things we must endure in this life. (1 John 5:19)

Prayer is a precious privilege, but apparently God does not hear all prayers....if there is blood on our hands, God will not listen to us. (Isaiah 1:15)
And in 1 Peter 3:7 it says that if a husband is not fulfilling his role in the way God ordains, then his prayers will be hindered.

Something to think about....

I pray in paisley Speedos.

Ellen Brown said:

I've been thinking about the way and state that various beliefs use when praying.

Not picking on anyone.

Islam just came to mind first since it is still close to my heart. The men seem outwardly to have the least rules to obey. The women must get all covered up almost as if by bed sheets. Though there is no requirement for them to go to Mosque. Some interpret that to mean they are less worthy, while others see that women are more busy with the house and children so can not. The actual Muslim prayers are available on YouTube and may enrich the lives of even non Muslims, inshallah.

Christians, I think of as the hedonists of religion. 1 Cor. 11 clearly states that women should pray with their heads covered, but in my experience few do it, using the lame excuse that it was a cultural thing...
Most of us do not understand what it is to "pray amiss", and I hope that the ignorance is forgivable.

I try to use The Lord's Prayer as a model. Hyeah, I know that lots of folk are fond of their fantasies about Worthiness, Repentance, and all sorts of things. As far as I am concerned we start praying from where we are at the time.

Just the rantings of an old mind.

Click to expand...

In Matt. 6 Jesus teaches meditation. Greek word for supplication prayer is different.

KenS said:

Actually, those who didn't wear it were considered prostitutes. Today, if you go to an strict Arabic country - you would be considered the same if you didn't cover your head with a hijab.

So.... not so lame.

Click to expand...

Western women don't cover their heads in Saudi Arabia and they are not considered prostitutes.

Ellen Brown said:

I've been thinking about the way and state that various beliefs use when praying.

Not picking on anyone.

Islam just came to mind first since it is still close to my heart. The men seem outwardly to have the least rules to obey. The women must get all covered up almost as if by bed sheets. Though there is no requirement for them to go to Mosque. Some interpret that to mean they are less worthy, while others see that women are more busy with the house and children so can not. The actual Muslim prayers are available on YouTube and may enrich the lives of even non Muslims, inshallah.

Christians, I think of as the hedonists of religion. 1 Cor. 11 clearly states that women should pray with their heads covered, but in my experience few do it, using the lame excuse that it was a cultural thing...
Most of us do not understand what it is to "pray amiss", and I hope that the ignorance is forgivable.

I try to use The Lord's Prayer as a model. Hyeah, I know that lots of folk are fond of their fantasies about Worthiness, Repentance, and all sorts of things. As far as I am concerned we start praying from where we are at the time.

Just the rantings of an old mind.

Click to expand...

I use in part the Lord's prayer
- God as father. Not an Islamic view but it was as Jesus prayer
- pray for God's kingdom first
- basic needs second
- forginess and protection from temptation last

That said, the Psalms are models of prayer as well
Five books of psalms
They were the prayer book song book of Jesus and also point to Jesus.

I've always found Matthew 6:5-6 to be wise:

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

beenherebeforeagain said:

I've always found Matthew 6:5-6 to be wise:

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Click to expand...

Yes. Motive is key. God looks on the heart.

beenherebeforeagain said:

I've always found Matthew 6:5-6 to be wise:

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Click to expand...

I like that too.. Not to make a spectacle.. but a Muslim scholar explained to me that Muslims pray "shoulder to shoulder".. and that makes sense too especially if you value a peaceful, cohesive society.

Ellen Brown said:

I've been thinking about the way and state that various beliefs use when praying.

Not picking on anyone.

Islam just came to mind first since it is still close to my heart. The men seem outwardly to have the least rules to obey. The women must get all covered up almost as if by bed sheets. Though there is no requirement for them to go to Mosque. Some interpret that to mean they are less worthy, while others see that women are more busy with the house and children so can not. The actual Muslim prayers are available on YouTube and may enrich the lives of even non Muslims, inshallah.

Christians, I think of as the hedonists of religion. 1 Cor. 11 clearly states that women should pray with their heads covered, but in my experience few do it, using the lame excuse that it was a cultural thing...
Most of us do not understand what it is to "pray amiss", and I hope that the ignorance is forgivable.

I try to use The Lord's Prayer as a model. Hyeah, I know that lots of folk are fond of their fantasies about Worthiness, Repentance, and all sorts of things. As far as I am concerned we start praying from where we are at the time.

Just the rantings of an old mind.

Click to expand...

Everybody wants to rule the world. Seems many are making rules on how a person should pray, however, in reality all these rules mean nothing at all. Prayer can be as simple as a Thought.

Rival said:

Just talk to G-d.

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So simple. Yet so misunderstood...

@Ellen Brown Whether you prostrate to God, or kneel whether covered or uncovered, it was written some 1,500 years ago:

"And We have already created man and know what his soul whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein."


Does the Watchmaker not know the sounds of the watch when it functions? I would say the same about God.

Ellen Brown said:

I've been thinking about the way and state that various beliefs use when praying.

Not picking on anyone.

Islam just came to mind first since it is still close to my heart. The men seem outwardly to have the least rules to obey. The women must get all covered up almost as if by bed sheets. Though there is no requirement for them to go to Mosque. Some interpret that to mean they are less worthy, while others see that women are more busy with the house and children so can not. The actual Muslim prayers are available on YouTube and may enrich the lives of even non Muslims, inshallah.

Christians, I think of as the hedonists of religion. 1 Cor. 11 clearly states that women should pray with their heads covered, but in my experience few do it, using the lame excuse that it was a cultural thing...
Most of us do not understand what it is to "pray amiss", and I hope that the ignorance is forgivable.

I try to use The Lord's Prayer as a model. Hyeah, I know that lots of folk are fond of their fantasies about Worthiness, Repentance, and all sorts of things. As far as I am concerned we start praying from where we are at the time.

Just the rantings of an old mind.

Click to expand...

Enter your inner secret chamber and exchange wishes with Father saying mantra "Our Father..." That what I hear Jesus teaches in Matt.6 and John 4.: 24"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Pray according to your own traditions that you belong to. Or pray in a way that is agreeable to you.
No need to be so complicated.

KenS said:

Actually, those who didn't wear it were considered prostitutes. Today, if you go to an strict Arabic country - you would be considered the same if you didn't cover your head with a hijab.

So.... not so lame.

Click to expand...

I've not been in Hijab for only about a year, and I still feel exposed at times at the lack of it.

leov said:

In Matt. 6 Jesus teaches meditation. Greek word for supplication prayer is different.

Click to expand...

So, you going to elaborate?

beenherebeforeagain said:

I've always found Matthew 6:5-6 to be wise:

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Click to expand...

I notice that you are an Animist. I've recently been reading about the Navajo belief, the height of which is called Hozho. Some of their beliefs bring sense to my life. Will I convert to it? I don't trust anyone that much.