A question for people that pray

With soo much crap going on in this world today and so many people asking prayers for so many specific things do you ever feel as though you are ebing reserved in your prayers? Maybe you will only pray for 5 (or whatever number) specific things at a time because you feel like if maybe you pray for too many spcific things that God (or whomever you happen to pray to) might think you are praying/asking for too much?

Also, in regards to prayers. On this board, when people ask for them, if you use the icon, do you ever really pray for whatever the OP is asking for prayers about?

Re: A question for people that pray

I rarely pray for things...I don't believe God is like a fairy and grants us our wishes. I only pray for something like my mother to get well or an IVF to work, if it's His will.

When people ask for prayers and I respond I do say a silent prayer for them at that time. I don't know if my prayer is going to be heard, but I figure it can't hurt.
I don't however, go to church that Sunday with a list of prayers for the people on the board.

Re: A question for people that pray

i pray everyday. i dont ever feel like i'm asking for too much, i know God will always do his best to accomodate in some way (as he always has).

and yes, when i use the icon i stop for a second and ask God to pray for whatever it is that that poster is requesting.

i have a strong belief in prayer and a very deep faith in God. it gets me through every day.

Message edited 10/18/2007 3:46:32 PM.

Re: A question for people that pray

I don't pray.
Not counting those"scares" when I was a teenager.

I use , and I send a genuinely heartfelt positive thought out for that person. That's how I pray.

Re: A question for people that pray

I don't think prayers or faith are a numbers game at all. I think there are more than enough prayers to go around this world. I don't hold certain things in reserve b/c I think I'm using up my prayers or asking for too much.

If the higher power is really omnipotent, wouldn't it know what you were wanting to pray for anyway?

Re: A question for people that pray

I do sometimes feel like I should only ask for a few things because if I ask too much I will seem selfish. In general when I pray I try to balance asking God for things with thanking God for the good in my life. But, when I think about it, it's only for prayers that are selfish- i.e. get a grant I wrote gets accepted, etc. I think there should be no limit to prayers if they are from the heart and unselfish- like praying for others (especially when they're not directly related to you where there would be some "selfishness"). To answer your second question, I try to only use if I would actually pray for that person, although sometimes I may forget, but I think about that person at the time and even though it's not "technically" a prayer I think God listens. But there have been a few stories here that have stuck with me and I have prayed for those people (you being one of them Deb).

Re: A question for people that pray

I have to be honest...when I use the I do pray but I don't specifically say so and so's BFF or who ever it might be for. When I am at church I say a prayer to ask God to please watch over and help all of those in need - especially those that are sick - to keep a hand on their shoulder and protect them.

But same goes for family - I don't name each person but rather thank God for all that he has given my family, friends and myself. I say it just like that.

Re: A question for people that pray

No way...Prayer is not in my mind asking for things, its placing the thoughts, and wants into the universe.

It gets deeper then that, but we create our own lives, a prayer is just saying aloud a wish .....

hard to explain what I mean, but we should all pray CONSTANTLY to make change happen.

Re: A question for people that pray

I don't say a prayer when I use the icon. IMHO it is just a way to send someone good vibes. Then again this post is coming from the girl who went to hebrew school and has a christmas tree every year.

Re: A question for people that pray

I totally believe in the power of prayer. When I pray, I always start off with blessing all of my family and friends...then give thanks to everything that I have. I usually just pray for specific things that I find very important, I never put a number on how many things I should pray for.

In regards to using the pray icon on the boards. I always say a prayer at that time for the OP.

Re: A question for people that pray

Posted by alnem

i pray everyday. i dont ever feel like i'm asking for too much, i know God will always do his best to accomodate in some way (as he always has).

and yes, when i use the icon i stop for a second and ask God to pray for whatever it is that that poster is requesting.

i have a strong belief in prayer and a very deep faith in God. it gets me through every day.

Re: A question for people that pray

i pray every day all day
i say a prayer whenever i see someone or something that i think that i should pray for
and i stop and pray when i use

i probably pray for hundreds of things a day- i dont think God minds, he hasn't complained yet!

Also, i think He knows which prayers are more important to me (praying for nice weather tomorrow vs. praying for my uncle's cancer to never return etc)

Re: A question for people that pray

I don't have a list of things that I pray for, I just pray. Mostly for the strentght to understand what is going on and that it is happening for a reason.

And I do stop and say a quick prayer when I use

Re: A question for people that pray

When I use the icon I take a moment and really think about the OP and hope they get what they need.

I don't kneel down and pray at night - and very rarely do I say "God, please take care of my family" --

But I will sit holding my son and I will just think to myself "Please let him live a long and healthy life. Please let him know no real harm. Please don't let anything terrible happen to anyone in my family or anyone that I know and love" Even though, I am not necessarily praying to God I do believe (or hope) that someone above can hear me.

Re: A question for people that pray

i pray throughout the day, as i think of people who need prayers. my prayers are short prayers to god, hoping for his will to be done. when people post asking for prayers, i do take a moment to pray and ask god to give them strength.

i try not to pray for things that in the big picture, really don't matter all that much. but it's not b/c i am worried about asking for too much. i don't think that's possible.

Re: A question for people that pray

I pray for everything big and small. I believe that God wants to be involved in the details. I have prayed for a great parking spot on a rainy day, I have prayed for God to save someone's life and everything in between. And yes, I have prayed for people on here. Sometimes it is quick, sometimes long, I base it on the time I have, where I am and what I feel in my spirit I need to pray for.

I know this is crazy and I cannot believe I am typing this, but here it goes...
I pray in my car daily. I am sure people think I am on my cell phone as I "talk" to God like He was my best friend. I say my prayers aloud, in my car and when I am rocking DD to sleep every night.

This is also hard to type, but I feel it is important. I remember the night before my surgery, I held Gracie and rocked her to sleep. I had so much I wanted to say to God and I felt I had not enough time to say it all. As I held her, she slept in my arms and I prayed for a few hours. I told Him every fear I had for myself, my DH and for Grace if I died on the operating table. I started weeping. I put Grace in her crib and wept in her room in the rocking chair as I talked to God. About an hour in to all of this, I felt a peace that was beyond my comprehension. I knew that i would come out if it at that point. I was still afraid, but knew that whatever happened it was in God's will and Grace and my Dh are in His hands. I let go of trying to control the outcome. I know that is stupid, but I felt that the more docs I saw, opinions I got, and tests, the more I felt in control. KWIM? That night in Grace's room I gave up control and gave it to God. The peace I felt I cannot even describe (although I did try in this post).

Sorry this post is so long, but this topic means so much to me. For years I was embarrassed to admit that YES I pray, YES I believe in the power of prayer and I believe in God and in Jesus. I know some of you may be like and some may think I am nuts, but maybe there is one person out there that needed to know that prayer is real and that I do pray for those who ask for prayers. Sometimes just knowing that someone is praying for you (whether you believe in it or not) is comforting to someone who is scared, hurting, or feeling alone. I hope no one is offended by my response, that is not my intention.

Deb, you, your DH and JAG are in my prayers.

Re: A question for people that pray

Posted by dandr10199

This is also hard to type, but I feel it is important. I remember the night before my surgery, I held Gracie and rocked her to sleep. I had so much I wanted to say to God and I felt I had not enough time to say it all. As I held her, she slept in my arms and I prayed for a few hours. I told Him every fear I had for myself, my DH and for Grace if I died on the operating table. I started weeping. I put Grace in her crib and wept in her room in the rocking chair as I talked to God. About an hour in to all of this, I felt a peace that was beyond my comprehension. I knew that i would come out if it at that point. I was still afraid, but knew that whatever happened it was in God's will and Grace and my Dh are in His hands. I let go of trying to control the outcome. I know that is stupid, but I felt that the more docs I saw, opinions I got, and tests, the more I felt in control. KWIM? That night in Grace's room I gave up control and gave it to God. The peace I felt I cannot even describe (although I did try in this post).

Deb, you, your DH and JAG are in my prayers.

Re: A question for people that pray

Posted by DebG

Posted by dandr10199

This is also hard to type, but I feel it is important. I remember the night before my surgery, I held Gracie and rocked her to sleep. I had so much I wanted to say to God and I felt I had not enough time to say it all. As I held her, she slept in my arms and I prayed for a few hours. I told Him every fear I had for myself, my DH and for Grace if I died on the operating table. I started weeping. I put Grace in her crib and wept in her room in the rocking chair as I talked to God. About an hour in to all of this, I felt a peace that was beyond my comprehension. I knew that i would come out if it at that point. I was still afraid, but knew that whatever happened it was in God's will and Grace and my Dh are in His hands. I let go of trying to control the outcome. I know that is stupid, but I felt that the more docs I saw, opinions I got, and tests, the more I felt in control. KWIM? That night in Grace's room I gave up control and gave it to God. The peace I felt I cannot even describe (although I did try in this post).

Deb, you, your DH and JAG are in my prayers.

I understand this. I have had those nights with JAG before major medical proceedures as well.
I apprecaite your prayers and have prayed for you as well.
Speaking of which, how are you? How often do you follow up with your docs?

Re: A question for people that pray

I go for a PET scan on Monday and get results on Thursday to see if/what is still left of the tumor in my head.
Wanna make a deal...I'll help pray for you if you help pray for me.

Do you like your cardiologist? I love mine, he's up there in my top 3 of docs ( I can't even list all the oens I have )

Re: A question for people that pray

Posted by dandr10199

Sorry this post is so long, but this topic means so much to me. For years I was embarrassed to admit that YES I pray, YES I believe in the power of prayer and I believe in God and in Jesus. I know some of you may be like and some may think I am nuts, but maybe there is one person out there that needed to know that prayer is real and that I do pray for those who ask for prayers. Sometimes just knowing that someone is praying for you (whether you believe in it or not) is comforting to someone who is scared, hurting, or feeling alone. I hope no one is offended by my response, that is not my intention.

Re: A question for people that pray

I pray to God for everything even the little things that may seem meaningless. I believe God listens to all of our prayers whether big or small and He answers them according to His will.

Re: A question for people that pray

I pray SOOOO often, I hear an ambulance, I stop and say a prayer for that person, I pass a church with a wedding going on, I say a quick prayer for the new couple, I pass a bad accident I pray, now my kids do it too, for me it has alwasy been a habit (I saw my Mom do it, so I did it, plus it may e feel good that I was taking 5 seconds to recognize and hope for the best for someone). Now my kids bless themselves if they hear an ambulance, it makes me feel proud

Message edited 10/18/2007 11:50:55 PM.

Re: A question for people that pray

Posted by alnem

i pray everyday. i dont ever feel like i'm asking for too much, i know God will always do his best to accomodate in some way (as he always has).

and yes, when i use the icon i stop for a second and ask God to pray for whatever it is that that poster is requesting.

i have a strong belief in prayer and a very deep faith in God. it gets me through every day.

Re: A question for people that pray

Posted by dandr10199

I pray for everything big and small. I believe that God wants to be involved in the details. I have prayed for a great parking spot on a rainy day, I have prayed for God to save someone's life and everything in between. And yes, I have prayed for people on here. Sometimes it is quick, sometimes long, I base it on the time I have, where I am and what I feel in my spirit I need to pray for.

I know this is crazy and I cannot believe I am typing this, but here it goes...
I pray in my car daily. I am sure people think I am on my cell phone as I "talk" to God like He was my best friend. I say my prayers aloud, in my car and when I am rocking DD to sleep every night.

This is also hard to type, but I feel it is important. I remember the night before my surgery, I held Gracie and rocked her to sleep. I had so much I wanted to say to God and I felt I had not enough time to say it all. As I held her, she slept in my arms and I prayed for a few hours. I told Him every fear I had for myself, my DH and for Grace if I died on the operating table. I started weeping. I put Grace in her crib and wept in her room in the rocking chair as I talked to God. About an hour in to all of this, I felt a peace that was beyond my comprehension. I knew that i would come out if it at that point. I was still afraid, but knew that whatever happened it was in God's will and Grace and my Dh are in His hands. I let go of trying to control the outcome. I know that is stupid, but I felt that the more docs I saw, opinions I got, and tests, the more I felt in control. KWIM? That night in Grace's room I gave up control and gave it to God. The peace I felt I cannot even describe (although I did try in this post).

Sorry this post is so long, but this topic means so much to me. For years I was embarrassed to admit that YES I pray, YES I believe in the power of prayer and I believe in God and in Jesus. I know some of you may be like and some may think I am nuts, but maybe there is one person out there that needed to know that prayer is real and that I do pray for those who ask for prayers. Sometimes just knowing that someone is praying for you (whether you believe in it or not) is comforting to someone who is scared, hurting, or feeling alone. I hope no one is offended by my response, that is not my intention.

Deb, you, your DH and JAG are in my prayers.

Re: A question for people that pray

Agh, this thread makes me feel bad and selfish when it comes to my prayers.
Sometimes I don't pay for trivial things because I feel like it will take away from my prayers to be cancer free.
I know that might sound horrible of me but I am simply being honest and open.