How is praying different from begging? (and more vitally important questions about prayer?)?

Question

How does one define praying "hard." Is it the length of the prayer? How much one concentrates? Which prayer you choose?

Are prayers quantitative, or qualitative? In other words, if I casually recite a dozen different prayers over and over all day, is it the same or more effective than a single prayer recited with 100% focus and intensity?

If I think about praying for someone in trouble all day long, but at the end of the day I fall asleep from exhaustion before I pray, did my sincere desire to want to pray for that person count in god's eyes (since god knows all?)

How about if I record myself reciting a prayer, and then just click a mouse button to play it back at the end of the day while I'm brushing my teeth (you know, multi-tasking)

If I can't remember the correct prayer for a certain event, can I just sincerely recite one that I know by heart (example: saying grace at a funeral?)

Answer 1

1. When someone begs, they usually get a little something (a few dollars, some food, etc.).
2. Praying hard sounds like working out, not lying down on a soft cushy pillow or anything. That would be cheating. ;)
3. They can be both and it makes no difference either way.
4. God? What's god got to do with helping anyone out of trouble? It's up to you, me, the person involved, or anyone else.
5. That could put you in trance. Then again, it might be like having the t.v. on in the background except it's less interesting.
6. What's the difference? Prayer does no good. Might as well meditate or engage in yoga; they're better for you physically and emotionally.

Whether you pray to a god or a pencil, the outcome can only be one of three: you get it, you don't get it, by coincidence you get it at a later date. Soooooooo...pick your superstition as George Carlin says.

"God is in His Holy Temple"

Answer 2

Insanity increases as the intensity of the prayer does.

I have always heard that prayers are quantitative, because some religions require a certain amount of prayers a day. So really what's the point of putting all your energy in it if all God wants is a fixed number of prayers?

He sure does know all, He even knows how to make the world a prefect place without pain, death, war, or sorrow, yet he won't allow it why? A big test? I see, that makes sense.

Multi-tasking has to work, it is you saying the prayer, and as it comes through the speaker of your recorder or in your head, it's the same thing right. God hears all, no matter if it's in your head or not. So really why make your thoughts into prayers, he hears the thoughts before the prayer, and because he's all-knowing he knows you are going to say every prayer before you even do, so what's the point of saying them. And he doesn't even answer every time....oh I'm sorry, he answers on his own time, maybe every prayer should be more specific in the time you want it, if you want your mom to be cured from cancer it would help if he cured it BEFORE she died, intead of on his own time.

Well if you're grateful for the death that God allowed then go ahead say your prayer if it makes you feel better.

P.S. There is no difference between begging and praying, you are asking for something you want many time over for something you most likey won't recieve anyways.

Answer 3

Is it? I'm not so sure. Prayer is a way of asking your Higher Power (Whomever or whatever that may be) for assistance of some sort. I don't feel that is necessary. What IS perhaps necessary, is the connection with the Divine, which can be obtained via prayer, but is not always. When prayers are answered, it strengthens our faith, and deepens our relationship with the Divine, and that is of course fine and dandy...I personally pray mostly for guidance. But the reason I don't think it is vitally important is because there are other, and perhaps better ways to connect with the Divine. Meditation works quite well.

Answer 4

I rather think it depends on who or what you're praying TO...

As a Buddhist...there is no recognition of a "god", even though, understandably, it gives many the impression that "Buddha" is thought of and addressed as a version of Deity...and there are often references to saints and demons, paradise and hell. Prayer and meditation are essential elements in the expression of Buddhist thought...and I've slipped many a mala through my fingers, and whirled around quite a few prayer wheels. But I'm always aware that I'm addressing Nothing...asking for nothing that isn't within my own human reach. I think of prayer as a statement to myself - a reiteration of the nature of my beliefs, a reminder to myself of the principles by which I choose to live, and the necessity of expressing and acting upon them.

As one of my favorite teachers says - "Pray and chant any way you wish, and don't worry about making mistakes. There's Nobody listening."

Nice mask.

Answer 5

Prayer is communication with God. It is more than just asking for our wishes to be answered. It should also be a time when we praise Him for the many blessings in our life. It's similar to an earthly child/father relationship. Speak to him about what is on your heart. Reciting memorized prayers written by others, such as the Lord's prayer is OK, but for God to really know what is on your heart, to express how much you love Him, to praise Him and tell Him what you desire from him, just speak to Him plainly in your own words.

He may not always answer when we want Him to, but He will answer, according to His timing.

God does desire us to pray often and as intently as possible. Fasting helps this process. Just skipping one meal is a start.

"But if you will look to God
and plead with the Almighty,
if you are pure and upright,
even now he will rouse himself on your behalf
and restore you to your rightful place." Job 8:4-6

Writing down your prayers is helpful because then you can refer to them later and be reminded of prayers that God has answered and you can praise Him for it.

There are no right or wrong prayers. Perfection and using the "right" words is not what God desires. Just let the Holy Spirit guide you and let your words flow from your heart.

You can pray at any time. It can be a simple prayer that takes less than a minute during a quick moment at work. Our brain is always busy thinking about different things. If we try, we should be able to spare at least a minute of time during a 24 hour day to focus our mind away from the distractions of the world to pray. It's not much to ask considering all that we have gained from His mercy.

Answer 6

Prayer is different then begging, because you are not pleading with God to give you something. You are suppose to go to God with a humble and selfless heart. Talking to God is not like ordering pizza. Saying I want this, this and that, and can you have it in thirty minutes. But when you pray, you pray from the heart. I don't personally recite prayers. I talk to God with reverence, and sincerity, because all of those thees and thous are not necessary, because God knows that we no longer talk that way. God knows our hearts, if they are sincere or not. Its not how long you pray, but how sincere you are when you do pray. Any prayer is right, as long as it comes from the heart, is sincere, and is not selfish.

Answer 7

Not all prayers ask for something :-)

There's a story we Jews like to tell. There was a man who came to the synagogue to pray, but he wasn't very learned, and didn't know how to say all the ritual prayers. So, he started repeating the Alef-Bet (Hebrew alphabet) over and over again. Someone heard him and asked what he was doing. He said, "I am a simple man, and I don't know how to say the right prayers. But all words can be made from the Alef-Bet, and I trust God to put them in the right order."

Shalom

Answer 8

"Petition" (asking for stuff) is only one of the possible movements of prayer.

Prayer can also consist of blessing, praise/adoration, thanksgiving, surrender, intercession, as well as contemplation (such as the Rosary.)

The Lord's Prayer is often called the perfect prayer because it contains all these elements.

In Catholic prayer life, repeated prayer isn't so for the purpose of "quantity", or squeezing more out of God - it is usually done as part of contemplative meditation. Like a repeated mantra in eastern prayer petitions, contemplative prayer helps empty the mind and focus on the subject (the various mysteries of God.)

Answer 9

Unlike a "spell", the words do not have to be stated "just right".
And, yes AND, unlike a "wish" it doesn't come true whether you tell anyone after or not. In other words, praying is stupid and worthless waste of otherwise good wishes! Get a Wishing Hat instead!! 100% fool-proof, but only for a limited time!

Answer 10

Prayer is more like a child asking a parent for something.