posted on Sep, 10 2010 @ 10:31 PM
Prior to my move away from Christianity, I wondered about prayer as well. There was something that bothered me in terms of how so many people would
pray in a manner that seemed mechanical, routine, and lacking passion or desire. I suppose an example of what I am talking about would be when I get
together with extended family and we say the Lord's Prayer before eating. That prayer never held any particular spiritual or emotional meaning for me,
and given the way everyone says it so mechanically, I wouldn't be surprised if it has become a matter of just going through the motions.
So, having explained the mentality I had as I would ponder the purpose of praying, hopefully my conclusion will make more sense. Considerable time and
experience at church, on retreats, and with others in fellowship allowed me to realize that the prayers that felt satisfying and fulfilling were the
ones that were spontaneous and motivated not only by my own needs and desires, but my wanting to enjoy that personal spiritual experience and
relationship with God.
I eventually reached a point where the vast majority of my praying came in the form of me talking to God as though he was there with me. An invisible
observer likely would have considered me to be at least a little bit on the strange side. But I often felt as though my prayers, chatter, and even
singing were far more productive than anything I'd done prior to going to the more personal approach.
I also felt that a person should not worry about what others think about how they pray or what they pray for. That is a personal and spiritual matter
which is for the individual to determine. As long as it is comfortable, satisfying, and uplifting, then I say go for it. Remember, with prayer, it's
just you and God. Yuck it up, sing, recite hymns, read poems, read out of the Bible...do what comes to you.
edit on 10-9-2010 by John_Q_Llama because: (no reason given)