Prayer...

[spiral]

There’s different ways in which you can look at prayer.

One- take a more religious stance. As Dusken is probably referring to, and somewhat criticizing., and another is a more spiritual stance. This I think is more of a comfort practice, rather than a belief that “God” will answer your prayer by waving his magic wand, or swaying his hands from side to side.

Spiritual prayer is not so much devoted to the God to which you pray, but more to YOUR God, to whom you seek comfort inn. I think this is a healthy disciplined practice, as opposed to those who pray to God, for some sort of physical or social change.


And as far as the practice contradicting Christianity, I think that the Christian God contradicts itself plenty. Whether it be through his demand of praise and unconditional devotion, or even his willingness to punish. Then again, people made 'God', and thus it has flaws and glitches.

[Anonymouse]

Prayer is no different in my opinion than the art of concentration or meditation all aimed at giving the self power and comfort. It is about reaching your inner self.

[Sip]

Prayer is no different in my opinion than the art of concentration or meditation all aimed at giving the self power and comfort. It is about reaching your inner self.

But unlike meditation or concentration, prayer is disguised as something else which is why I find it disturbing. I have no problem with meditation or concentration but assuming a God exists, to actually bring oneself to the same level as to converse and to make demands of such a being is just gay.

[hyebruin]

prayer is the most powerful and loving act any human can do for any other human(s) ---especially knowing that others are praying for you, it's such a humbling feeling...ever wonder how next day can change dramatically for the better compared to the previous?...i do feel the subtle yet powerful effects of grace as others pray for me, and i do the same in turn for them...even for those who do not know i am praying for them; they don't have to know, the act itself carries out what it's supposed to but certainly knowing it is a sweet reinforcement why can't we have a world full of love and kindness?

[Anonymouse]

But unlike meditation or concentration, prayer is disguised as something else which is why I find it disturbing. I have no problem with meditation or concentration but assuming a God exists, to actually bring oneself to the same level as to converse and to make demands of such a being is just gay.

Anyone who asks God for silly favors or to win a competition or get that car they've always wanted is gay. Moreover, anyone with the assumption that God doesn't exist and has the impression that prayer is something in which one asks God for this or that favor, is misinformed, to say the least. Prayer is not asking, it is a communion with God. Your assertion that prayer is asking something is reflective of material culture and how prayer is portrayed in tv, media, and movies or lame comedies. That is not prayer. Anyone who has read the Bible knows that it is not prayer. It is tuning in your mind with the Cosmic. In that sense, no, prayer is not different from meditation, or attunement. They are all one and the same.

While each may call it by a different name, without exception every religion and spiritual philosophy which has arisen since the beginning of mans experience on earth has universally identified the mysterious process of meditation as mankinds unique method of return to a oneness with God, or the Cosmic, or whichever word you want to call it. Each of these religions and philosophies guarantees that the mystical state of meditation offers wondrous gifts to the seeker who takes but a few halting steps along the spiral path of return to the so called divine center. And much indeed is gained in spiritually by the disciplined supplicant who enjoys the loving silence of the inner way. It is not meant for everyone, nor does one have to agree.

[Sip]

So care to enlighten us what true prayer is?

All prayers I have heard are either thanking God (i.e. trying to get on his good side) or reminding him what one has done in the hopes of favorable outcomes in the future. If not any of these, what other "communication" is there as I certainly haven't been exposed to any. And before you accuse me of not having read the bible which I haven't, I have been to church and I have paid attention to the "religious" around me.

As an example, from Bruin's post above it is fairly apparent that her favorite form of prayer is of the form of asking favors from God for others (i.e. "pray for someone else").

[Anonymouse]

Well, I don't know who you've been in contact with and what "prayers" you've observed but I'll tell you now, that asking for favors as you call it, is not what prayer is. Like I said, it is not asking, but a communion or attunement with God or the Cosmic. It is a nearness to oneness and to God, a mystic state, if you will. It is fixing and meditating your mind on God, or the Cosmic, by that we mean on that which is not you. It is surrending oneself to the Cosmic where the mind and the ego are melted in silence. It is supposed to be uplifting, and showing love in God, showing thanks. This whole "asking for favors" business is some gross perversion which is nothing like what prayer was, is or should be.

[hyebruin]

I think what mouse is trying to say is that prayer is a way of communicating with God/universe/cosmos and that it should be done on a regular basis, whether one is going through a hard time or not; to be connected to the universe is more important than getting the immediate gratifications of life, for they are but temporary, but strengthening the cord with God will empower us with boundless energy and vigor; now, there's nothing wrong with praying for certain things, however!!! He is wise enough to know what we need and what we could do without so as opposed to just asking for things, a better way of seeking that which we want is to ask for whatever is best for us and whatever it is that the lord thinks we need; because as 'smart' and intelligent as we are we do NOTTTT know what is best for us, for we do not have access to the master plan, the blue print of the universe; we are only looking at the world, at creation through our myopic sometimes foggy and scratchy spectacles, whereas the graceful force that sees all and knows all is continuosly trying to give us what we NEED as opposed to what we WANT...He wants us to learn certain lessons and grow a bit more spiritually before he gives us our earthly desires one by one or even perhaps all at once ~~every life is different, every plot is different, so many characters in the game of life~~

[Anonymouse]

That goes back to what I said, when one is meditating and seeking inner strength to overcome or gain something, it should not be a selfish thing, but that which you seek must not only benefit you, but moreover must benefit others.

[SagGal]

On the other hand, it HAS been found that people in hospitals who pray and believe in a power higher than the white coats who administer medication and such, tend to get better than those who don't believe in anything and don't pray.

That's true. A lot of doctors say that a person's belief in something and their optimism gets their energy high and their body fights to survive or something like that. The prayer is that strength. I don't know how though. This always inderested me.

But unlike meditation or concentration, prayer is disguised as something else which is why I find it disturbing. I have no problem with meditation or concentration but assuming a God exists, to actually bring oneself to the same level as to converse and to make demands of such a being is just gay.

You're badmouthing a prayer, and yet it helps so many people.