Prayers

[cal4iri]

I don't mean to offend anyone by this. It's just a simple observation I had today and I wanted to see what others thought.

For all of you religious folks out there, have you ever realized how selfish some prayers can be?
My Dad is going through some stuff right now and I pray for him everyday that he gets worked out. I also pray for my family and my wife's family, my daughters, my wife, my unborn baby, and even some of you MiceChatters.
I wouldn't call myself a real religious person. I believe and I pray, a lot, but I don't go to church. But when I pray I say my own thing, I don't use pre-written prayers. Today I was looking at some and all I could find were prayers about yourself. That's it. I realized, I rarely ever pray for myself. Why are there so many prayers that are for you individually but not for others?

[Olympicnut]

Re: Prayers

It's all in what makes you feel good. What connects you to the "other world". Prayer, structured or not, can be very healthy! It can also be damaging.

Here's a prayer I was taught as a kid by my parents. Talk about messed up and disturbing for a 5 year old:

Jesus hanging on the cross
tell me was it I?
There are great big teardrops Lord
did I make you cry?
I have been a naughty boy
naughty as can be.
But now I'm so sorry Lord
won't you pardon me?

So basically I was taught that it was my fault Jesus was nailed to the cross and was crying, because I was a bad boy. Nice huh?

[sueb]

Re: Prayers

Where were you looking? I haven't been a regular church goer in a while, but when I went there were lots of prayers of thanks, prayers for the society, the rulers, the poor and needy, very few pre-written for yourself. But that was an Episcopal church.
But I am reminded of the scene in "Hunchback of Notre Dame" when Esmerelda is praying for others and we can hear that all the "righteous" are praying for wealth, success, glory, themselves.

[Mouse princess]

Re: Prayers

Wow! I never heard that prayer before. Awful!

[TikiRoomLiz]

Re: Prayers

I believe that the primary intention of prayer was to get your mind relaxed and away from the stresses of everyday life. Yet through time we have adopted prayer as a way to try and fulfill our desires.

[Junthor]

Re: Prayers

I think that Prayer, by and large is a personal communication between you and Heavenly Father. Of course, you should include other people in them but to never pray for yourself is a mistake I think.

And written down prayers are wrong IMPO. Prayers should be from the heart not from a piece of paper.

[cal4iri]

Re: Prayers

So basically I was taught that it was my fault Jesus was nailed to the cross and was crying, because I was a bad boy. Nice huh?

Ouch, that is bad!
Don't worry though, it wasn't your fault.

Where were you looking? I haven't been a regular church goer in a while, but when I went there were lots of prayers of thanks, prayers for the society, the rulers, the poor and needy, very few pre-written for yourself. But that was an Episcopal church.
But I am reminded of the scene in "Hunchback of Notre Dame" when Esmerelda is praying for others and we can hear that all the "righteous" are praying for wealth, success, glory, themselves.

Just some little books and those prayer candles and little stuff like that.
It just caught me off guard.

[QuietViolet]

Re: Prayers

I pray all of the time. I pray for others as well as for myself. I think prayer is extremely theraputic. As far as prayers being selfish-- I believe that God will judge our true intentions. If we are going through a hardship and need his support and guiding light, I wouldn't call that selfish although you are praying for yourself. If you are praying for wealth and fame--well thats another story...
I also agree that pre-written prayers are not my cup of tea. Speaking from the heart is much more intimate and clarifying.

[cal4iri]

Re: Prayers

I agree that speaking from the heart is a very nice comforting way of praying. I feel like it helps me a lot more.
I do pray for myself at times but not everyday, not like I do for my family and friends.

[Alice's Wonderland]

Re: Prayers

I do think it is important to pray for yourself as well as others. For instance, I'm currently really struggling with my asthma. So I've been praying for the ability to breathe. I also am taking 21 units, that's 7 classes, in addition to work, 2 different associations I work with and leading a Bible study. I've also been praying for strength. I work with children so I find myself oftentimes praying for patience, not for dealing with the kids, but their parents. I pray that I say the right thing when kids ask me tough questions. I pray when I'm angry, to calm down and be able to address the situation rationally. I pray for the ability to be fair to all the children I work with and to love them unconditionally. When I feel troubled, I pray for peace. I still pray for others but I always take the time to pray for myself as well. I think that's a way to grow as a person, to pray and work through whatever it is I'm going through. And I think intent is huge here. I don't believe God will answers prayers you don't mean.

[fairygoodmother]

Re: Prayers

Sermon time!

Jesus, in teaching us to pray in Matthew, asks for things for "us", ourselves, ME! If I were praying from His example I would pray to "lead us not into temptation, deliver us from evil, give us our daily bread." Is that selfish?

Also, remember that before Jesus' crucifixion, when He was praying (and crying) in the garden, He prayed to "let this pass from me". Was that selfish?

just a little food for thought...

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: Prayers

When I was little I learned my prayers from my grandma. I remember staying overnight at her house and she would have me repeat line for line the words to the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and Mother of God.

I remember during the Hail Mary, the line that goes, "And blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus" and at the time thinking of a bowl of fruit! )

I don't know if it was the prayers that got to me or the statues. I remember that my grandma's patron saint was Saint Lucy, the patron saint of the eyes, and my grandma had a statue of her iat the end of her hallway. I remember having to walk down that dark hallway many times. It wouldn't be so bad if Saint Lucy didn't have a pair of bloody eyeballs sitting on a plate that she was holding!

Thanks for bringing back some nice memories!

[nursemelis374]

Re: Prayers

I really view prayer as a conversation between myself and God. I treat my prayer time just as that and do not follow any scripted format. I do tend to follow a normal pattern though, I always start thanking God for things, then I pray for others, the world, and then myself.

I always used to wonder and even question pre-written prayers. Then I became a nurse and I saw what a comfort they sometimes were to people in their time of need, almost like a coping mechanism. A prof of mine said that sometimes when you are hurting so bad that you don't even know what to pray for, these are useful. I thought that was true and what I had been seeing.

[SusieP.]

Re: Prayers

I think it's okay to pray for yourself, but you can't ask for "stuff". God isn't Santa Claus! :lol: So asking for strength or guidance or wisdom is a-okay.

And with that, I'll add you on my list cal4iri. :squeeze:

[SusieP.]

Re: Prayers

I don't mind pre-scripted prayers. If some words strike you, by all means, make them yours. I do like this prayer "system" that my aunt teaches at her preschool. I think it's a good guideline, even for grownups.

It's called the 5-finger prayer:

Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

And lastly comes our little finger; the smallest finger of all. Which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

[Princess Buttercup]

Re: Prayers

Jesus hanging on the cross
tell me was it I?
There are great big teardrops Lord
did I make you cry?
I have been a naughty boy
naughty as can be.
But now I'm so sorry Lord
won't you pardon me?

So basically I was taught that it was my fault Jesus was nailed to the cross and was crying, because I was a bad boy. Nice huh?

Oh my gosh! That is truly awful. I know what the prayer is trying to teach , but that is just a truly terrible way to teach it. Some people really do not think!

Whew! Got that out of my system...that being said......






For me personally, I don't consider praying one of my spiritual gifts so I often go to prayer about people or situations only after I've exhausted myself mentally trying to decide how to handle something. But when I remember to pray about a difficult situation, EVERY time, within a few days it miraculously gets resolved in a way I wouldn;'t have imagined possible. I think that is awesome.



As for people praying for their own stuff, I'm surprised to hear that. We have a "Prayers from the people " on Sundays at my church and I'd say about 90% of the prayers are for other people . People tend to say something about themselves more often when it's a praise or a "thanks for praying for me ."

[Disney Wrassler]

Re: Prayers

I pray for others a majority of the time, but constantly keep praying to God for his protection, especially when I am driving. We need protection from God just as much as others do.

[cal4iri]

Re: Prayers

I pray for others a majority of the time, but constantly keep praying to God for his protection, especially when I am driving. We need protection from God just as much as others do.

That is one thing I do everytime I get on the freeway. Do the sign of the cross and ask for a safe trip.

[cal4iri]

Re: Prayers

I think it's okay to pray for yourself, but you can't ask for "stuff". God isn't Santa Claus! :lol: So asking for strength or guidance or wisdom is a-okay.

And with that, I'll add you on my list cal4iri. :squeeze:

Aaaahhhhh, thank you!

[dizzygrl]

Re: Prayers

I've loved reading everyone's thoughts on prayer; it makes me feel like micers are connected by more than Disneyland. I pray for myself and for others all the time...You are all awesome. I don't post very much but I read the threads all the time. We may each have different styles when we pray but I believe our hearts are in the same place!