when i was a catholic i remember saying the LORDS prayer.well repeating it.but i became a christian they explain to me that the LORD was showing us how to pray not to repeat it.what do you think he was telling us to repeat it or showing us how to pray?
2006-09-08 07:20:37 · 14 answers · asked by bassetluv 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Lord's prayer is an example of how we should pray. I was confused about this too in my early years as a Christian.
2006-09-08 07:26:21 · answer #1 · answered by Tigger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was told the same thing, but stopped to reflect on it. Jesus says, "pray in this manner", then goes into the Lords prayer. I think it is both because you can repeat what the Lord said which is true and not wrong. On the other hand you can pray in a similar style with your requests included. I left(catholic church) many years ago but am thinking some of their points through. Pray earnestly is the key. peace.
2006-09-08 07:31:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe Jesus was showing us how to pray and yet say the pray if you humbly and sincerely believe it in your heart. It truly isn't band to repeat the prayer. Anything written in the Bible is ok to repeat. The Bible doesn't offend God because it is brought to us from God. If you believe the Lord's prayer, continue to trust the words and pray the prayer for your soul.
2006-09-08 07:25:21 · answer #3 · answered by CuriousGirl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A prayer book. A simple little book. A few pages with ink on them.
If you open the book and start to simply recite it, that's not prayer, despite it being a prayer book.
If you leave the book closed and speak with your heart, even if you dno't say anything from that book, that's prayer, despite a book not being involved.
If you find yourself not knowing what words to say, or finding meaning in ritual, and you pray the words on the page because they express how you feel and how you believe, then that is prayer.
There is nothing wrong with ritual. Jesus was a Jew, after all. He just wanted them to remember WHY they had rituals. Remember why you have ritual and let the rest sort itself out.
2006-09-08 07:24:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It should be actualy refered to as the Apostles prayer, as Jesus did not actualy pray it... and yes, it is a template for prayer not actualy a prayer it's self...but, it can be a prayer I guess if someone says it with true faith and in a time of crisis... I know I have repeated it many times when in such a mental state I could not come up with words of my own... God know what I intended and I do not think He minds if it is used from time to time as a prayer.
2006-09-08 07:26:24 · answer #5 · answered by IdahoMike 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It was given as a model to follow, but he also said to pray about other things. It isn't the only prayer, just a great example. Repeating it was not forbidden, but the point of praying what is in your heart should not be ignored.
Matthew 6
5"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
11Give us today our daily bread.
12Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
1After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
2006-09-08 07:31:57 · answer #6 · answered by Just David 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God already knows are needs and wants. God already knows what will happen.
Nevertheless, you do not know the future, and often you do not know what you need. God still wants us to pray...God acts on prayers! Even Christ prayed!
To pray starts with humbling yourself. By stating God'position and yours [implicitly], "Our Father who art in Heaven..." you must be humbled. You also ought to have reverence for Him..."Hallowed be Thy name..."
The Bible also explains that we should pray with thanksgiving, before we make our petitions.
One thing to keep in mind is that you are speaking to the Creator of the Universe....not some fast-food God who simply takes your order of requests. Prayer is a time to thank God...worship Him...be in awe of Him. Perhaps, a good prayer has alot of quiet time where you are listening to what God may be speaking to you.
God does not seek our repetition of words...He seeks our sincere talk...our hopes...our wishes...our worship...our hopes...and He wants us to ask Him for help.
He is you Father for eternity...we should be profoundly grateful!
2006-09-08 07:34:48 · answer #7 · answered by BowtiePasta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was showing us how to pray because his apostles said lord show me how to pray.
2006-09-08 07:27:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
im christian soo i think learning how to pray is better than learning sumthing to repeat that camed from another persons heart rather than yours so yeah thats why im christian
2006-09-08 07:26:11 · answer #9 · answered by west side rider 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Showing us how to pray!
2006-09-08 07:27:34 · answer #10 · answered by ~♥~ *CHEEKY* ~♥~ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋