How to Pray the Christian Way

Posted Apr 9, 2008 by ■ Samantha A. Torrence in Religion 6 comments

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Jesus was a great teacher, and one of the best lessons he taught was how to pray. We all know or have heard the Lord's Prayer

Our Father which art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.

In praying this prayer Jesus was not only giving us a powerful prayer that is easy to pray but in a way he was teaching us how to pray effectively. He gave us a prayer model so to speak.

Praise, Submit, Request, Repent, Praise.

If you follow this simple guideline it will help you pray more easily and more effectively.
Praise God
Submit to his Will,
Ask for a blessing,
Repent of your sins
Praise God.

I was always taught to say thank you during any prayer with a request which also signifies submission to His will, whether he says yes or no you are thankful for His guidance and His will. I like adding this in my prayers, it has always felt right.

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Posted Apr 9, 2008 by ■ Brant David McLaughlin
#1

In the same way that someone in the midst of a rough crowd guards a wound with great care, so in the midst of bad company should one always guard the wound that is the mind.

~ Santideva, "Bodhicaryavatara"

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Posted Apr 9, 2008 by ■ Samantha A. Torrence
#2

.... I must be having a Jessic Simpson moment.... I dun get how that pertains to the blog. * whimpers* I hate looking stupid.

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Posted Apr 9, 2008 by ■ Brant David McLaughlin
#3

It was, obviously, uttered by a Buddhist saint, but I feel it has a Christian-like message within it, and this message pertains to the attitude that one should have when one prays.

I'll start it off: is it good enough just to utter those words? Of course not.

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Posted Apr 9, 2008 by ■ Brant David McLaughlin
#4

http://www.katinkahesselink.net/christianity/Anthony-de-mello-prayer.html

Here, try that link.

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Posted Apr 9, 2008 by ■ Samantha A. Torrence
#5

Ah I see. I wasn't sure if it was Buddhist or Hindu.

Praying is never something that should be done flippantly, but God isn't against a good conversation. Of course you risk looking like a crazy Irishman ( think braveheart) if you start talkin to Him like that.

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Posted Apr 14, 2008 by ■ T.A.Torrence
#6

@■ Brant David McLaughlin
It was, obviously, uttered by a Buddhist saint, but I feel it has a Christian-like message within it, and this message pertains to the attitude that one should have when one prays.

I'll start it off: is it good enough just to utter those words? Of course not.

Is it good enough to begin the lesson with the first step or the last? Do not insult someone for not giving a whole lesson at once. The condescending attitude is not very Christlike, Buddhalike, or in the guise of the Hindu gods (who arguably or not so different from the Judeo-Christian ones)

If you are going to contribute, do so in a postive manner.

For the rest of you, Brant was jumping ahead of the lesson plan. After the formulaic, which was the point of THIS post, another topic is in the emotion that is necessary to enact change. To quote one of my favorite bands, "The magic, is in the feeling" Obvioiusly you know who that is Brant, right?

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