christians, when you say "pray", what do you really mean?

Question

is it your thoughts?

are you speaking out loud?

are you talking to others or a god?

are you meditating or focussing?

what exactly do you mean?

Answer 1

Just talk to God. You don't actually have to close your eyes and fold your hands but its more formal that way.

Answer 2

Most of the time I talk out loud to God. Sometimes like in this site I type out the words and think them as I type them. Praying is communicating with our Father God.

Answer 3

The teachings of Christianity, which are of Scripture are bitter/sweet. To Christians, the teachings mean love, forgiveness, righteousness, fellowship, redemption through Christ, and a world which will someday be returned to paradise. All evils will be weeded out. All mysteries will be solved. There is meaning, to the Christian mind, to life and it's purpose. The other side of sword of salvation is destruction. Destruction for those who will not accept the redemptive price God gave us for forgiveness of the things we have done in evil. The other side says that liars, fornicators, thieves, blasphemers, murderers, perverts, whores, and all manner of assailants of the truths of God will perish. We believe in an ultimate truth- that all people should be conformed to a righteous spirit of justice. We do not believe that truth is relative to the perception of the individual. We believe that some things are of darkness and evil and always will be. But we also believe that we have all fallen short of the honor and glory of God and His will for us- that anyone is able to turn their life around and be fully forgiven. We consider things like holiness and spiritual innocence to be virtues of goodness. We associate godlessness with the evils of society and the growth of dark forces. In conclusion, most Christians understand that we have not lived-up to the mercy and grace afforded us, but we continue to press forward, awaiting the day when all people and this world of dark deeds is changed to a paradise of light and love.

Answer 4

I mean when I talk to God, silently or in a spoken prayer or just anytime I let him into my thoughts. An omnipotent deity would be able to hear me whatever method I choose to use and I don't believe God wants us to pretend piety that doesn't exist. After all, he can tell, right? I talk to him as if I'm talking to you, except I say please a lot more and try not to talk so much as listen, but basically the same thing.

Answer 5

When I pray I SPEAK DIRECTLY TO GOD IN JESUS NAME. I ask for the forgiveness and mercy of God on the on-line users of Y/A I ask God for the souls of loved ones, help for sick ones, mercy for lost ones, guidence for our leaders, peace for Jerusalem, protection for me and my household and my family and on and on. Sometimes my prayers are long. I have several calling me for prayer and it does take time. I think of the person I'm praying for or just pray if I don't know what they look like. Sometimes it's out loud and at times it's silent. OH, I DON'T TALK TO A GOD------I TALK TO THE ONLY LIVING GOD.

Answer 6

Prayer;
is communion with God; the offering to Him of
petitions for merices or blessings desired, thanksgiving and praise for those recieved. It is the souls desire for God.
[ PSALM 42:1 ]

Answer 7

I pray different ways. I speak out loud, I speak from my heart, and I speak from my mind. God knows all.

Answer 8

When I pray I'm talking to God. Sometimes I'm asking him for help or guidance, sometimes I ask God to help others, sometimes I thank God for the life he has given me.

Answer 9

I just talk to God. I don't worry if I am on my knees or if my words are right. He knows what I am going to say anyway. It's like talking to your father. Sometimes I thank Him, sometimes I just tell Him my troubles and worries, sometimes I ask for things or other peoples needs.

Answer 10

I can only answer for myself --- but this is what I mean.

I am speaking, either outloud or in my mind, to God. I am praising Him and thanking Him, asking His thoughts and advice on things (What do you think? What should I do?) and asking for help for myself and others. (Lord, please help Nora with her headaches. Lord, please teach me to be humble). Sometimes I just tell Him how I feel about things, because He is a great listener, and we are often healed by being honest about what we really think or feel. :)

I do meditate on scripture, but it is not meditation in the Eastern sense, if I understand correctly how they define meditation.

Does this help answer your question? :)