What kinds of things do you pray for?

Question

On my last question, many of you said that prayer is not about asking for things. Are you going to tell me that if your child was in critical condition in a hospital bed you are not going to pray for that child to recover?

Answer 1

Apparently God's will is going to be done, and it is useless to ask for anything during prayer. You could ask for the child to regain health, but this is still up to God to decide. You could ask that God's will be done, but this is inevitable.

Praying for something makes no sense.

[edit] There is also general conversations with God that seems to have the same benefits as meditation.

Answer 2

When I pray, I have "conversations with God" and I talk to Him like He's an old friend of mine - which He is! I usually will talk about everyone I know and then tell Him to watch out for everyone out there who needs Him, just to cover my bases. He knows who I mean - that would be the Omnicient part of His power! Of course I would pray for my child in the hospital bed - and the kids that are next to him and the ones down the hall and their parents. I think what people said about prayer not being about asking for things is that they mean you don't ask God for a big house and a nice car and a wad of cash to spend. You ask God to take care of everything as He sees fit. Everything happens for a reason and God has a reason for everything to happen.

Answer 3

I pray for the health and safety of my children, I am praying for my new grandbaby who will be born in April 08, I pray for the health and safety of others, I pray for those that are in the hospital and prisons, I also pray for those that the doctors have given 6 months to live. I pray that God's blessings will continually be in my marriage, and I pray that my husband and I continue to grow and go higher in Christ, There is so many things I ask God for, that is what prayer is all about

Answer 4

I think the general idea behind this is that prayer is not just a wish list for God. Jesus is not Santa Claus. Prayer also includes things like praise, thanksgiving, etc. Sometimes it's just like a conversation going on in your head. Not that God "talks back," it's more like reflection. At least for me that's how it is. It's a good way to debrief the day.

Now with that said, that doesn't mean you can't pray for things you want. It's just not the whole point of prayer.

I pray for the health and safety of my loved ones and myself. There are a few specific things I'll pray for every now and then, but of course I won't share them here. Too personal. :)

Answer 5

+PAX

I never pray for myself. I pray for others mostly.

For requests rec'd at the Monastery
For the Holy Fathers intentions
For our Military men and women to come home soon
For those starving while warehouses of food go bad due to bureaucracy.
For the conversion of Muslim Hearts to our Lord, Jesus Christ (no faith in particular)
For the forgiveness of sins of the whole world.

I always give thanks and praise and continually speak with God throughout the day.

Yes, of course I prayed when my son was critically injured in Iraq. I prayed through a million tears that the Lord not take him but that His will be done. My son did die but was revived and has healed extraordinarily well from his burns. For this miracle, I can never praise my Lord, thank my Lord or love my Lord enough.

in humility,
j

Answer 6

I'm a Hindu rather than a pagan, but I pray for better understanding, closeness to my lord Shiva.

Answer 7

I pray like this:

I thank my god for his good attributes
I ask for forgiveness for not living up to his standard

I pray for others if I know of their needs.

Then I ask for:
Wisdom
Truth
Protection
Blessings
Peace
Prosperity

for me and my wife.

Regular stuff.

Of course I would pray for someone to be healed.

Prayer is also known as petitioning. So it is asking for stuff. Why not? Jesus said whatever you ask of the father in his name he'll grant it to you if he is willing to do so. Why would he say it if not?

In Jesus' model prayer he says to ask God for your daily bread and stuff.

So there you go! ;-)

Answer 8

I honestly pray for world peace. I know that sounds corny, but I really would like the whole world to be one with each other. Think about it, we are all human beings, isn't that something we all have in common??? We all want to enjoy our lives, to be without suffering.

Answer 9

Prayers of Adoration
Prayers of Thanks
Prayers for Graces
Prayers for my fellow human beings.

So for the sick child ... first start with Prayer's of the Glory of God and his goodness ... then thankfulness for God letting me have that child into my life ... thanks for all the joy and potential of love the child gives to the world ... prayers that the child and myself can have God's graces to cope and learn what God is giving us through the sickness ... and yes, ending with prayers for recovery, if it is His will.

Answer 10

If I were a praying man, oh temptress, I'd ask for propinquity to you.