jzrozzn8706 : Thanks. I'm definitely going to keep it up after how God changed my life last weekend.

As a child a whole lot....then as an adolescent it decreased....now...I seldom do....but praying is good though ....

I would pray at least once a day. Usually at night before sleeping I would think of events that happen that day or before and of people and friends who are troubled and need help.

Last Saturday was the first time I prayed in years. I became an Atheist due to some congregational transgressions that I witnessed, but I prayed due to the fact that I heard that my step-brother has lymphatic cancer. If anything I would never pray for my own sake seeing as I don't believe in it, and if anything I only prayed for my step-brother, because he does happen to believe in it  and I wouldn't want to be the only person saying I didn't pray for him, or even lie about praying for him. Other than certain isolated incidents such as that, I don't pray anymore.

I don't really pray that often actually. I'm not religious at all.

shredknives : Hey man. I think its really awesome that you shared something like that on this thread. My dad says he's a Christian but he rarely ever prays anymore. Lately, all kinds of rough things have been goin on for him, and he thinks that every time he prays for something good to happen it just screws up. He stopped praying for himself, and told others not to pray for him, because he thinks that that would turn around and curse him. I still do pray for him though. And things have been getting better for him and he wonders why.
If you don't mind at all, I would love to pray for your step-brother. But, ya know what man? A lot of people think that God is like a magic genie. Like He's gonna grant your wish every time you ask for something. But, as sucky as it seems, it all depends on His will. If God's plan is for me to suddenly be evicted from my apt and live back at home, then I should learn to be ok with it. The point of this is: I, and who knows who else, will pray for your step-brother to get well; but I can't control what happens or make God change His will (whether he is to be cured or not). Anyways, if you read this really long reply, just know we're here for you to message us and ask questions or requests. Take care.

Jack

I say my prayers at night time, before I go to sleep. I pray about things working out well for us, not having any nightmares, helping to prevent global warming, not letting my material things break anytime soon (petty, I know). I'm not a religious person, but I am very spiritual. That basically means that I don't follow any religion and believe what feels right to me.

Well, the Bible does instruct us to be in constant communication with God.  Amazing, huh?  I'm not sure that there are many people that realize this, and I wish I could remember the verse(s?) to reference them.  I'm dead tired, but if someone sends me a pm to remind me, I'll search and find it for you.

Anyhow, that being said, I don't keep in constant communication with God.  I pray at least two or three times a day, depending on how many times I eat, because I always say grace.  When I hear about things people are going through, I try to say a short prayer.

Recently, I reclaimed my fire for God, and I've found a desire to pray in situations I didn't used to.  For example, if I'm on the interstate, and crazy drivers are participating in the great sport of speed weaving, I say a quick prayer asking God to keep fellow drivers safe.  If I see an accident, I pray that no one is in grave danger of losing their life, and if they are about to pass on I pray that they at least have a saving relationship with Christ.

My overall goal is to be in constant communication with God though.  If I remember, I'll talk to Him.  I may not have much to say, so I'll just kind of dedicate my thoughts to Him and think of Him while I muse.  For example, if I'm doing the dishes, I might even talk to Him about my housework.  It at least keeps me talking to Him and maintaining that connection.

Singelli : Amen!
Paul, or Peter, in one of their letters in the New Testament does instruct Christians to pray without ceasing, to pray anytime you have a free thought, to reflect upon the magnitude of God and His wonders!

People, we can pray anytime! Talk to God right now in the midst of whatever you are doing. Talk to Him when you wake, before you fall asleep, while you are at work. Take a TV break and mute the TV and pray something to God at that time, thanking Him for whatever...asking Him for whatever, as long as your heart is in the right state (meaning, don't just thank God for something without meaning it; don't just ask God for something without faith). Take care all.


jakk.

jzrozzn8706 : Amen to that Jakk!  I wish I was better about doing it.  It sounds so simple to do, and yet it's so easy to forget.  I'll be getting back to work tomorrow, and I've been trying to remind myself that I need not get too carried away with our professional development, meeting the new staff members, and boring meetings upon boring meetings.  In fact, I think I should take a moment to pray to God and ask him to strengthen my resolve tomorrow.

If I get too annoyed by having to be there through the countless and pointless discussions, I'll make sure that I talk to God about it.  Considering God is always an amazing thing, and it should cheer me right up into getting through the day!

Many people I think, pray to God when they are in trouble.  I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but please don't forget to pray in times of joy, contentment, or success either.  I don't have children, but I imagine if my child only came to me when they were having problems, I'd feel a little disrespected and used.  It'd make me sad that they didn't wish to share in their successes with me as well.  God -wants- to hear about our successes.  Give Him the glory for the good things in your life and be sure to recognize them. We need to let God know that we appreciate what He does for us and how He guides us.

If you're doing the laundry, thank God for the fact that you have a washer and can afford the water it takes to run the machine!  If you're going for a walk around your neighborhood, thank God for all the people living there in safety and relative health. When you wake up, thank God for allowing you to open your eyes and take another breath!  There is so much to be thankful for that you should never run out of topics to speak to God about.

Tbh, I really don't pray enough. I try to pray daily and I pray before meals, but that's really just not enough. I know I need to pray more, but I keep letting other stuff get in the way :/

Throughout the day, whenever I feel like. I usually pray at the start of the day too. I need to make more time for prayer though - I know that. It's not that we can't conduct our lives and talk to God as we do it, it's just that we should really practice switching off to the world and praying now and then.

To be quite honest I don't know if praying makes that much of a difference. I don't pray at all lately although I do respect people who do. I guess we all have our opinions about prayer.

Before I eat, before I sleep- every day....

arachn3 : I personally think the purpose of prayer is not just to "make a difference" or to affect things in our lives, but to communicate with and draw closer to God.

Blessedj01 : Amen and indeed! If you're a child of God, follower of Christ Jesus, you would feel inclined to pray to talk to your Abba Father. I would feel kind of...forgotten, negligent, dishonest, and ignorant if I didn't at least TRY to communicate with God.

For His glory,

Jonathan

I try to pray daily, whenever I'm at work or when I think of someone that needs it, or when I'm failing apart. I used to keep a prayer journal but that's been hit and miss for a while now... But anyway the things I find myself praying about most often are the people around me and my relationships with them. Their lives too. And of course I always have something I'm struggling with.

I pray almost every night (or morning depending on how long I stay on the internet) before bed. Although church doesn't happen very often with me.

How often? That question makes my heart sink...I get involved with some stupid stuff lately and sometimes I equate it to not praying enough.

I've been having a hard time communicating with the Lord lately, I'm not going into details though - what I figure (and is a bit off as far as me [that probably makes no sense]) is that I keep in mind the scripture Romans 8:27:

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

In other words, I've been at a loss of words for a while of what to pray but I think of the Holy Spirit interceding my thoughts because I don't know what to say anymore in prayer.

You know the great thing tRUINE?  We don't -have- to know what to say to God! You're right...God will intercede.  When we don't know what to say, that's a time and place that the Holy Spirit can take over, and He can fill our mouth with word we don't even understand.  God knows us...he knows us beyond even our own comprehension.  As long as you honestly bare yourself before Him, the words will come.  They may not even be meaningful. You could talk about what you had for dinner....so long as you were keeping that open line of communication with him?

You know what I sometimes do in that situation?  I just humble myself before God and ask that He help me in my prayer life.  I tell Him that I don't really know what to talk about, and I ask that He give me some words.  He may not answer right off the bat, because God likes a steadfast heart.  If I don't get the answer I'm expecting, or it's later in coming than I anticipated?  Well then I might just talk about the color of my shoes until I know something better to say.