What do you pray about?

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Pemican

Pemican

Senior Member
#1
Sep 27, 2014
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#1
What do you pray about? The scripture mandates us to "Pray without ceasing." (1Th 5:17)
One pastor I know taught that this does not mean we do nothing but pray all day, but we are to pray like a hacking cough, whenever a concern comes to mind. This seems like a sensible balance. After all, we are not to be so spiritually minded that we are of no earthly good. So how far do you take your prayer life? What do you pray about, and how often do you pray? Since our Heavenly Father is aware of and concerned about every detail of our lives, should we not pray about even the little things, the routine things?
 
Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
#2
Jul 15, 2014
3,838
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#2
I trust the Holy Spirit to move me to pray about those things I should pray about. And I do feel that inspiration often.

But let us not forget that even enjoying the moments in your day with an awareness of God behind them is a prayer. I probably say "thank you" much more than pray for things either for me or others. Just knowing that God is with me and enjoying that thought is a prayer.
 
Pemican

Pemican

Senior Member
#3
Sep 27, 2014
954
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#3
Joidevivre said:
I trust the Holy Spirit to move me to pray about those things I should pray about. And I do feel that inspiration often.

But let us not forget that even enjoying the moments in your day with an awareness of God behind them is a prayer. I probably say "thank you" much more than pray for things either for me or others. Just knowing that God is with me and enjoying that thought is a prayer.
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Aside from praying on the fly, I keep several written prayers on different subjects. I change them as I see new ideas to express. But the number of lines that deal with thanksgiving grows the fastest. More and more my written prayer is one of thanksgiving. I think the more you learn about God and what he has done for us, and what He has provided for us, the more thankful you become. You come to realize you almost don't need to ask for anything, His provision is already there. So you are left with thanksgiving.
 
A

atwhatcost

Guest
#4
#4
This is what my praying looks like:
Thank you, Lord, for letting me sleep. (If I'm off schedule again, I pray for better sleep that night.)

(While brushing my teeth... which gets boring staring at the mirror so I go look at the plants in my window, out onto the street and weigh myself.) Whoa! Look at that Lucky Bamboo. I wonder how high you'll let it grow. Thank you, the leaves on the one that died seem to be doing okay in the marbles. Please let it live, but it's okay if you don't. Cool! The neighbor's leave are going pinkish, instead of brick red. I didn't know you paint the trees differently each year. Ah, man! I gained two pounds. Still, thanks for helping me lose so much, and don't let me get discouraged.

(Noting the evidence of how hubby slept) -- Ah, man! He went to bed late. Please let him sleep soundly and long enough, and then help him sleep tonight. We don't have to go shopping today, but you know that's our big day for the week, so please work that out.

(Going downstairs) -- brrr, a nip in the air. Thank you for the warmth of a house over our head. Thank you for helping us through that time when we weren't sure if we'd be living in the car. Remind me to focus more on you this winter, because you know it. I HATE WINTER!


It's not fancy praying, but I like to notice all the small things God does in the background. I ask him for what I need, and thank him for what he gives. But, I'll admit it. The one place I have trouble remembering he's with me is when I'm out driving and everyone else (never me -- oh no!
) is just driving wrong!!!
 
J

James4redemption

Guest
#5
#5
For other people, if I do that long enough my prayer requests become more vivid, I'm granted some insight on other things I could be praying for and after that I can get into some vivid worship which is always interesting.
 
Pemican

Pemican

Senior Member
#6
Sep 27, 2014
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#6
I'm also trying to get into the habit of praying about the current task that is before me, that I will think clearly and efficiently about how to solve the problem. I think this helps to keep your work from becoming a frustrating, and discouraging chore that you really don't want to do. The prayer calms you down so you can think clearly without mental attitude sins getting in the way. Sometimes God just drops the solution right in your lap and you go, "Oh! Why didn't I think of that before."
 
O

oldthennew

Guest
#7
#7
BOY,

such good posts, thanks....

we have to carry our Prayer-Life moment to moment...

just personally, when I catch myself going some place in my mind that is not acceptable to Christ,
I go into 'prayer-mode', inter-woven with memorized Scripture....works every time,
(if I stay with the formula).
:rolleyes:
 
P

psalm6819

Guest
#8
#8
Most of my "formal" prayers are thanking God for what He has done. I ask that the Holy Spirit will make me sensitive to what He is saying. Lotsa times I pray a scripture/promise to remind myself that God is aware of my concerns and actively working for good. I pray that God will open up our eyes to see how much He loves us.

I praise Him when I pray for His mercy and lovingkindness, sometimes I sing to myself and actually have a running dialogue thruout the day. I don't know if that counts as praying but I know that He appreciates being acknowledged in all my ways.
 
O

oldthennew

Guest
#9
#9
psalm6819 said:
Most of my "formal" prayers are thanking God for what He has done. I ask that the Holy Spirit will make me sensitive to what He is saying. Lotsa times I pray a scripture/promise to remind myself that God is aware of my concerns and actively working for good. I pray that God will open up our eyes to see how much He loves us.

I praise Him when I pray for His mercy and lovingkindness, sometimes I sing to myself and actually have a running dialogue thruout the day. I don't know if that counts as praying but I know that He appreciates being acknowledged in all my ways.[/QUOTE

===================================

AMEN, Sister!
:):)
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MrsRoseTreasure

MrsRoseTreasure

Banned
#10
Feb 8, 2014
325
22
0
#10
Interesting topic. :)

I pray throughout the day...constantly. I talk to Yahweh often like he's my friend, which is probably not very Biblical, but there ya go. Understand, I am always using the most respectful language possible, addressing him in respectful tones, but talking to him about just about everything, all day long.

I do try to sit down each morning and pray in a prayer session, where I write down my prayers and thoughts for future reference. That is qodesh time, or set apart time, that we commune and I sing the Shema and the Lord's prayer, then I pray a Psalm, or sing one, if I'm feeling froggy. Most times, though, we just chat about life, the universe, and everything.

I agree that the scripture is not intended to convey literally sitting on our knees all day. :) I think it means being open to Yah's voice all the time, and open to sharing with him all day, without ceasing. If you can "keep the channel open," then I think in that way one can literally pray without ceasing.

Did that even make sense?
 
Pemican

Pemican

Senior Member
#11
Sep 27, 2014
954
234
43
#11
MrsRoseTreasure said:
Interesting topic. :)

I pray throughout the day...constantly. I talk to Yahweh often like he's my friend, which is probably not very Biblical, but there ya go. Understand, I am always using the most respectful language possible, addressing him in respectful tones, but talking to him about just about everything, all day long.

I do try to sit down each morning and pray in a prayer session, where I write down my prayers and thoughts for future reference. That is qodesh time, or set apart time, that we commune and I sing the Shema and the Lord's prayer, then I pray a Psalm, or sing one, if I'm feeling froggy. Most times, though, we just chat about life, the universe, and everything.

I agree that the scripture is not intended to convey literally sitting on our knees all day. :) I think it means being open to Yah's voice all the time, and open to sharing with him all day, without ceasing. If you can "keep the channel open," then I think in that way one can literally pray without ceasing.

Did that even make sense?
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Yes, that makes sense. Thanks for contributing this.
 
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