How do you pray

[MotherMarysStylist]

I wondered how exactly different people went about praying. I know some do it the old school way, eyes closed hands together.

As we approach Lent, I thought it would be interesting to see others approaches. How you converse with God etc, whether it be formal or informal.

[Vitalogy]

Silence and stillness.

[BexConnor]

I chat to God like He's standing in the room next to me. I believe there are no 'requirements' to come to God and He is there for me no matter what I'm doing at the time of my prayer.

Prayer is a really personal thing though. I think you just have to do what feels right to you.

[slippermaiden]

I also sit in stillness and silence, feels so peaceful.

[GreatNews]

Apologies, if I intrude.

But the best way to pray is the way Prophet Jesus prayed along with all the other Prophets, they all prayed the same way.

Matthew 26:39 (King James Version) And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

And that is exactly how Muslims pray to this day. They believe in Jesus, as a one of the mightiest messenger of God and not son of God.

[Jason118]

But the best way to pray is the way Prophet Jesus prayed along with all the other Prophets, they all prayed the same way.

Best way? That's your opinion stated as fact. You'll be telling us everything in the Bible Torah and Quran actually happened next!

[slippermaiden]

It if you're not following the Bible, or The Torah or the Koran you probably won't face down on the floor!! What a preposterous thing to say...the question was "how do you pray"

[GreatNews]

Best way? That's your opinion stated as fact.

First of all, I would like to apologise if I hurt anyone's feeling, it is not my intention to do that. I'm only trying to participate in discussions that might be useful to myself and others.

The quotation was from Matthew 26:39 (King James Version) to highlight how Jesus was supposed to have prayed to God.

It's not my opinion, it's from the Bible. Of course one is free to believe or not believe, that's free Will isn't it?

The bottom paragraph is just some information to show that out of all three Abrahamic faiths, Muslims pray the same way as Jesus was said to have prayed, and that is a statement of fact.

It's not for me to tell how a Christian should pray to God, I merely quoted from their Bible?

I am learning about the similarity between the Abrahamic faiths, what bounds them together and what is main difference between them.

Just to avoid any confusion, I am from a Muslim family background which doesn't necessarily make one a Muslim.

A Muslim by difination is someone who submits his will to God and I am certainly trying.

You'll be telling us everything in the Bible Torah and Quran actually happened next!

I certainly will not telling anyone what is written in the Bible and the Torah is fact, it is for each and every individual to investigate and find out for themselves with available evidences.

However, I maybe baised, but having read the English meaning of the Qur'an (only the Arabic written is the actual Qur'an) everything in it makes complete sense and it provides evidences and there are no contraindications.

It has answers for everything a human being needs!

Yet, contrary to mass misinformation, the Qur'an does not force anyone to believe in it, but asks them to use their interest and question everything with reason.

There is even a small chapter for people who do no believe!

Say, "O disbelievers,
I do not worship what you worship.
Nor are you worshippers of what I worship.
Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship.
Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship.
For you is your religion, and for me is my religion."

Does that say anywhere to force anyone or coerce to accept Islam?

One is free to believe what you want but, we all will be accountable to God at the end of our life.

[GreatNews]

slippermaiden Sat 27-Jan-18 21:10:19

It if you're not following the Bible, or The Torah or the Koran you probably won't face down on the floor!! What a preposterous thing to say...the question was "how do you pray"

With all due respect, I was not telling the OP that this is how they should pray to God.

The OP wondered how do people pray in general to God and specifically since Lent is approaching so I quoted from the Bible that this is what has been reported how Jesus prayed.

I'm not forcing anyone to believe or do it the way its mentions in the Bible at all, it's a factual quotation from the Bible.

I don't follow the logic of if one doesn't believe in God then why would they be praying and to whom?

It only makes sense if someone believes in God and follows the teaching of Jesus.

Peace.

[isittheholidaysyet]

Busy life with kids so most of my prayer at the moment is joining in in church services and having a conversation with God in my head whilst going about my business.

If I get a chance for a 'prayer time', I would find a quiet comfy place, sit in silence and listen, sometimes I would read from the Bible.
Or I would get out the guitar/Turn on YouTube and blast out some praise songs very loudly and badly.

[picklemepopcorn]

I pray lots of different ways. I will send up a few sentences while going about everyday life- eyes open, hands busy. For example if I hear a news story or see an ambulance, I'll just think a few words in my head.

Sometimes I pray in tongues, out loud, usually when I am praying for someone who is present.

I pray as part of a group, usually with eyes closed, reflecting on an activity we are about to do or are just finishing.

Lots of ways.

[Vitalogy]

@GreatNews. It only makes sense if someone believes in God and follows the teaching of Jesus. Just wanted to say, there have been many teachers not just Jesus.

[slippermaiden]

GreatNews, I didn't say I don't believe in God, I just don't follow those 3 texts!

[daffodildelight]

I chat quite informally in my head.

[MotherMarysStylist]

I can't do a Dot Cotton and specify where it says this in the bible, but I'm sure there's a part where they talk about almsgiving / helping others / praying, don't make a big show so everyone knows as you'll receive your reward there and then. Should you take yourself off to somewhere quiet and empty, praying so no one knows, you'll be sure to receive your reward from God.

I do a mix, I pray with others around but in my head, I pray alone and recently I did the traditional school like hands together, it felt good to do that. I don't know why.

Do you ever open yourself up to receive direction from God? As in him talking to you?

I think I definitely believe you don't make a song and dance about it, unless you're sat in church with others where they'll know you're praying.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer.

[BlueMermaid96]

I just talk, doing cleaning, walking, anything. Even in the shower! I either say it out loud or in my mind :) I know that God will always hear me, he always knows.

[Missymoo100]

Op here's a good essay on prayer

www.whatsaiththescripture.com/Voice/How.to.Pray.html

[EddSimcox]

pickle I'm fascinated by praying in tongues but I've never seen anyone do it

Mostly I chat to God in my head, sometimes I just visualise my prayers with no words, often I use liturgy, sometimes I sit in silence (usually on the floor) for an hour and let God do the work, sometimes I try really hard to articulate my prayers ... in short, it varies! Sometimes I even get down on my knees and hold my hands together like an image of a child in a picture book.

[Heismyopendoor]

Lots of ways. In silence, eyes closed, words in my head, words spoken out loud, in tongues, just chatting like I'm on the phone to my best friend, in the shower, driving in the car etc.

[Devonishome1]

I know this sounds silly but can God hear what we are thinking all of the time?

[hollowtree]

Last thing at night with my head on the pillow. Hands clasped together and a few words in my head to give thanks for everything that I am so lucky to have. Then a request to help all those in need and the strength in me to do what I can to be the best I can.

During the day, if I'm having a hard time, I usually groan "Oh God!" But I'm not using His name in vain! I'm actually calling Him!

[Christmastits]

I have a journal and I write to God like a letter. I try and pray in my head but I feel asleep. I love writing in my journal. It's been really hard being so sick in hospital and not being able to even hold a pen let alone write- but I asked for the hospital Chaplin to come and pray with me

[thescentofwater]

Very interesting reading all of the responses, and all of them valid.

I think I do all the things mentioned at some point during the week. Also, I enjoy listening to good worship songs especially those based on Psalms, and sing/pray the words back to Father God in praise. Mostly I just talk to Him as I would talk to my friend and am enjoying learning about other ways to pray.

Those who journal may enjoy One Day I Wrote Back by Jane Herring
www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/261-3582301-8367435?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=one%20day%20i%20wrote%20back&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[EggsonHeads]

Ad hoc. Silently. No gestures/traditions prayers/chants. If I want to say something to god I just say it in my head. Usually thanks or please give me some patience.

[NewYearNiki]

I know this sounds silly but can God hear what we are thinking all of the time?

No. There is no god

[Rosesarebest]

I talk to God, in my head and pray anytime, anywhere.