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Prayers
A homily early in Advent last year at St. Paul’s in Tampa, reminded me of a similar homily I heard years ago about prayer. There was a flood predicted and one man refused to heed the warning of the local authorities to vacate before the flood arrived, his answer was, “I will be fine I am praying to God.” Some hours passed and the flood worsened, the sheriff sent a boat to the man’s house to rescue him, “I am fine I am praying to God.” The boat left only to return three hours later and the man still refused to leave. Finally, the man was on his roof praying to God for help when just then a helicopter arrived to save him, still he refused, and he drowned.
When the man was greeted by God at the pearly gates he asked God, why He didn’t help him after praying so hard, God said “ I did help you I sent the sheriff, a boat and a helicopter.” The moral of the story is God answer prayers, maybe not the way we want, but He answers them.
I know God answers prayers, I don’t know how? I have prayed and prayed for things in my life, these prayers were not answered right away. If my prayer wasn’t answered, so I thought, it really was answered and the answer was “no.” God will give us the tools to help ourselves, we have to be aware of them and use them accordingly. I always pray, I wake up and pray, a prayer is constantly going through my head, and so many times the devil enters to trip me up with the words, he wants me to trip and fall so he can help me. It may have worked at one time, not now, and that’s the reason I am writing this story.
I pray to Padre Pio, “pray, hope and don’t worry,” that was Padre Pio’s mantra. I wear a St. Benedict medal attached to my crucifix to keep the devil away. For the last few weeks I have been wearing a Immaculate Mary medal on a black leather bracelet. I was never in the habit of praying to Mary, I do now and it works. My worries and troubles have not changed, but praying to Mary has eased my mind and prepared me for the future with a clearer head. This past Advent I prepared myself for the arrival of Jesus, and I have never felt so serene and so joyous. I know my prayers are being answered. In the end of this life I fully believe that praying has made a difference in my life. Pray!A homily early in Advent last year at St. Paul’s in Tampa, reminded me of a similar homily I heard years ago about prayer. There was a flood predicted and one man refused to heed the warning of the local authorities to vacate before the flood arrived, his answer was, “I will be fine I am praying to God.” Some hours passed and the flood worsened, the sheriff sent a boat to the man’s house to rescue him, “I am fine I am praying to God.” The boat left only to return three hours later and the man still refused to leave. Finally, the man was on his roof praying to God for help when just then a helicopter arrived to save him, still he refused, and he drowned.
When the man was greeted by God at the pearly gates he asked God, why He didn’t help him after praying so hard, God said “ I did help you I sent the sheriff, a boat and a helicopter.” The moral of the story is God answer prayers, maybe not the way we want, but He answers them.
I know God answers prayers, I don’t know how? I have prayed and prayed for things in my life, these prayers were not answered right away. If my prayer wasn’t answered, so I thought, it really was answered and the answer was “no.” God will give us the tools to help ourselves, we have to be aware of them and use them accordingly. I always pray, I wake up and pray, a prayer is constantly going through my head, and so many times the devil enters to trip me up with the words, he wants me to trip and fall so he can help me. It may have worked at one time, not now, and that’s the reason I am writing this story.
I pray to Padre Pio, “pray, hope and don’t worry,” that was Padre Pio’s mantra. I wear a St. Benedict medal attached to my crucifix to keep the devil away. For the last few weeks I have been wearing a Immaculate Mary medal on a black leather bracelet. I was never in the habit of praying to Mary, I do now and it works. My worries and troubles have not changed, but praying to Mary has eased my mind and prepared me for the future with a clearer head. This past Advent I prepared myself for the arrival of Jesus, and I have never felt so serene and so joyous. I know my prayers are being answered. In the end of this life I fully believe that praying has made a difference in my life. Pray!
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3 Replies
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Prayers can take many forms across different religions and spiritual traditions, but ultimately they are a way for people to connect with the divine, find inner peace, ask for guidance or express gratitude. Here are some perspectives on prayers:
- In many faiths, prayers are recited words or supplications directed to a God or divine entity, humbly asking for blessings, strength, forgiveness or expressing devotion.
- Prayers can be spontaneous and personal, coming from one’s own words and thoughts, or they can follow set liturgies and structures passed down over centuries.
- Many find comfort, reassurance and a sense of connectedness through the ritual of prayer, regardless of whether their specific requests are answered.
- In Buddhism and some eastern traditions, prayer takes the form of meditation, chanting mantras or mindfulness practices to quiet the mind and achieve inner peace.
- For some, prayer is simply a private conversation or spiritual reflection, not necessarily directed at a specific God.
- Regular prayer is an important obligation and source of strength for adherents of Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism and many other faiths.
- Prayers are often used to cope during difficult times, find meaning, heal from grief or send positive intentions for others.
- Group or congregational prayers can help foster a sense of community and shared beliefs among those of the same spiritual tradition.
No matter the specific form, prayers seem to serve as a universal human need to connect with something greater than oneself and find solace through spiritual reflection, ritual or communion.
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The way worshippers pray varies significantly across different religions and even within the same religion based on individual traditions and practices. Here’s an overview of how worshippers pray in some major religions:
Christianity
- Christians generally pray by speaking to God, either silently or aloud.
- Common prayer postures include kneeling, sitting, or standing with hands clasped or raised.
- Prayers often involve reciting scriptures, hymns, or personal supplications.
- Some Christians use prayer beads or rosaries to keep track of repetitive prayers.
Islam
- Muslims perform salat, a ritualistic prayer done five times a day while facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.
- Prayers involve a series of standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting positions accompanied by recitations from the Quran.
- Worshippers use prayer mats and perform ritual ablutions (wudu) before praying.
Hinduism
- Hindus have various prayer traditions depending on their denomination and regional customs.
- Many Hindus perform puja, a ritual of worship involving mantras, offerings, and symbolic actions.
- Some Hindus use prayer beads (mala) to keep track of repeated mantras.
- Yoga and meditation are also considered forms of prayer in Hinduism.
Buddhism
- Buddhists engage in various forms of meditation, chanting, and recitation of sutras as their primary forms of prayer.
- Prayer wheels, bells, and other ritual objects are used in some traditions.
- Worshippers may sit cross-legged, kneel, or stand during prayer and meditation.
Judaism
- Jewish prayer involves reciting prayers from the Siddur (prayer book) and the Torah.
- Prayers are often done while standing or sitting and facing towards Jerusalem.
- Worshippers may sway or rock back and forth during prayers.
- Men cover their heads with a kippah or other head covering.
Sikhism
- Sikhs recite prayers from the Guru Granth Sahib, their sacred scripture. Prayers are often done while sitting on the floor with legs crossed.
Worshippers may use prayer beads (mala) to keep track of repetitive prayers. It’s important to note that within each religion, there are various denominations and cultural traditions that may have slight variations in prayer practices. Additionally, individual worshippers may incorporate personal preferences and styles into their prayers.
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The way worshippers pray varies significantly across different religions and even within the same religion based on individual traditions and practices. Here’s an overview of how worshippers pray in some major religions:
- Christianity:
- Christians generally pray by speaking to God, either silently or aloud.
- Common prayer postures include kneeling, sitting, or standing with hands clasped or raised.
- Prayers often involve reciting scriptures, hymns, or personal supplications.
- Some Christians use prayer beads or rosaries to keep track of repetitive prayers.
- Islam:
- Muslims perform salat, a ritualistic prayer done five times a day while facing the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca.
- Prayers involve a series of standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting positions accompanied by recitations from the Quran.
- Worshippers use prayer mats and perform ritual ablutions (wudu) before praying.
- Hinduism:
- Hindus have various prayer traditions depending on their denomination and regional customs.
- Many Hindus perform puja, a ritual of worship involving mantras, offerings, and symbolic actions.
- Some Hindus use prayer beads (mala) to keep track of repeated mantras.
- Yoga and meditation are also considered forms of prayer in Hinduism.
- Buddhism:
- Buddhists engage in various forms of meditation, chanting, and recitation of sutras as their primary forms of prayer.
- Prayer wheels, bells, and other ritual objects are used in some traditions.
- Worshippers may sit cross-legged, kneel, or stand during prayer and meditation.
- Judaism:
- Jewish prayer involves reciting prayers from the Siddur (prayer book) and the Torah.
- Prayers are often done while standing or sitting and facing towards Jerusalem.
- Worshippers may sway or rock back and forth during prayers.
- Men cover their heads with a kippah or other head covering.
- Sikhism:
- Sikhs recite prayers from the Guru Granth Sahib, their sacred scripture.
- Prayers are often done while sitting on the floor with legs crossed.
- Worshippers may use prayer beads (mala) to keep track of repetitive prayers.
It’s important to note that within each religion, there are various denominations and cultural traditions that may have slight variations in prayer practices. Additionally, individual worshippers may incorporate personal preferences and styles into their prayers.
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This reply was modified 5 months ago by
Sapna.