Prayer  

My opinion is that you don't necessarily need to say out your prayers loud, you can also say it out in your mind. I think it's ok if you're either fast or slow in saying prayers, but the important thing in saying prayers is to be sincere, and ensure that your prayers is meant for good things and not evil things.

Hi, welcome to mylot.

I pray regularly. I have been doing it ever since I learned to utter words. In the morning and evening the elders would sing some sanskrit [slokas] prayers and we children learned them without knowing the meaning.

We Hindus have some other rituals we call 'puja' while we pray. It is just a part of our daily routine. As I grew up I learned the meaning and the importance of prayer. Now I do it with devotion and faith.

Hi Richnai, Good day to you!
Prayer is one of the greatest tools one can have in the world because it opens the door to a dialogue with God. To pray is to know to whom you are speaking, rather than the form it takes. Prayer means that one is engaged in a dialogue with God in particular, who created you, the One who never left you.You are reestablishing that connection within your heart& mind and giving yourself the opportunity to have a deeper experience with the source. Prayer is the opportunity to transcend the world in any given moment & connect with what is true & real. When one chooses prayer, one is choosing to step aside from all that happening around and seek connection with their Lord.
If you say a prayer to God and stop for a moment & connect with God, acknowledge God, thank God or appreciate God in the course of that prayer, its function is fulfilled. If you say a prayer without acknowledging God or connecting with God in some way, then the function of that prayer is not fulfilled.
If you say a prayer because you think you should, because it is the right thing to do, because it couldn't hurt, or out of an obligation or responsibility, that prayer doesn't fulfill its function. A prayer can be as simple as, "Hello, God" or "Thank You" or it can be an unending dialogue about anything you want to share with God. Prayer need not happen in a physical church, temple or masjeeth-- but in the temple within you.
Many believe they must be serious & reverent in their prayers with God. I feel it is not necessary. Remembering God in a happy moment as well as a challenging moment is a wonderful blessing for everyone and to connect with God in whatever place you are is always welcome.
If two people sit silently no dialogue will occur. It could be said that God talks to you all times and at some point you acknowledge and talk back; that is prayer. Then you hear God more specifically because you are now engaged in the conversation. Once you start a conversation through prayer, the RELATIONSHIP begins...
Keep Smiling!

It is in the Bible that God does not approve of vain repetitions. Catholics are being attacked by other sects because of our "memorized" or "repetitive" prayers. But the church explains that the emphasis there is on the "VAIN" and not on the repetition.

There is nothing wrong with repetitive prayers. Even Jesus repeated the same line three times in exact words when he asked God the Father to "take this cup of suffering" away.

So when you say the Lord's Prayer, say it slow, "with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your soul", do not just mumble it otherwise it will be done in "vain", and in a meaningless way.

The words in that prayer is so full of meaning and it glorifies God.

You can worship God in many ways. Be it in a form of spontaneous prayer, memorized prayer, a song, a dance, even silence.

hi richnai,

I think that praying is nothing if it doesn't come from within. What I mean is that if you are praying just to be said that you are praying, it would not take any effect on you. Prayers is our way to communicate with God. It is the moment when we uplift our spirit to Him. It is a good thing for someone to have a habit of praying not just daily but from moment to moment. I always pray each time I wake up in the morning. I believe that starting your morning with a prayer will make your day bright. I also believe that waking up and doing things that you must do right away and forgetting prayer is like waking up and go to the battle without any armor or weapon.

About my way of prayer, I always praise Him and give thanks on Him. I think of all the blessings He bestowed upon me. There are so many but I want Him to know how thankful I am for those blessings. Then I ask for His forgiveness on those bad or wrong things I made. Afterwards, I ask for His guidance and help on some things I know I cannot do without Him.Lastly I say the "Lord's Prayer".

hi rich,

Personally,I am person who do not zoom while praying, I do take my time when I am alone for praying. The first thing I do is to thank him for giving me a new day, a new life to continue my existence, then I relay all of things I have done for the day, my happiness, doubts, sorrows and my hopes. God is my best friend, in my own experiences, I had realized his own works and miracles in my life, how he answered my prayers in accordance to his will. I never got offended when there are times it was not answered. I always think he has better plans for me than what I wanted. I have my own way to worship him. Prayer for me is a solemn one. Greatly because, He never betrayed my trust for him and the allowances he gave to forgive my imperfectness as a person, is one thing that I am appreciative and much honored that he is listening and watching me all the time.

Happy mylotting..

I pray for my friends, family and people that are in need every morning during my Bible studies and I take my time with the Lord. Also, I do say the Lord's Prayer" before I go to bed.

Have a wonderful day
Snow