I may go to hell for this

HookaPants

I was raised Catholic and I have no interest in converting, so I don't pay too much attention to another religion's way of doing things.I do often wonder about this prayer in numbers thing that I keep seeing/hearing about.I send up a quick prayer and I'm done with it because I was taught God hears all, so, to me, anything more is overkill. All of this constant praying and having everybody and their mama pray for you makes me wonder if God is going to show himself by yelling, "Enough already! I heard you the first time!"

NOLABridesmaid

I think your relationship with God is like any other relationship, you know.   If you always called your bff and only stayed on the phone for 60 seconds every time you talked. 1. Would that friend want to hear from you? 2. Would you have a true relationship with that person? 3. Would you really connect with that friend in a meaningful way?Now, we are all human, and I can't say that I pray for an hour straight, but I have tried to really get quiet and take my prayer to a deeper level.I only ask people to pray for me when it's something that I really need lifted up in prayer. I think that it does at times turn into a catch phrase like, "God Bless You, and some people need to chill with it.

MinM

In American, traditionally more is better. Look at Pmeg's McMansion vs. that crazy lady's house.

TheDuckis

Some people really believe in power in numbers and "building a faith community" and all that kumbaya stuff. I think it depends what you're praying for. Years ago, one of my cousins had cancer and the entire extended family got together once a month to pray the rosary for him. Basically it was a big party, but we broke 3 times to say a full rosary (back then there were only 3 sets of mysteries). I'm not joking when I say everyone in the family showed up. Even if people had other commitments on opposite sides of the state, they'd show up for an hour. It was really more about showing support for my cousin and for each other.Now, my cousin has been cancer-free for probably about 10 years. There are still family members who think we can't have a single family gathering without saying the rosary, which IMO is obnoxious and AWish. Without something to pray for, it just turns into who's more religious than whom.

MinM

Also, some religions dictate the followers to pray a certain numbers of times a day.

HookaPants

NOLA, I get you, but it makes me question if you (collective, not you) really believe if you don't feel like you praying to God is enough.People who are over(t)ly prayerful appear AWish to me and  it comes off as phony. Please to be seeing Cheatin' Deacon and his wife. They're holding a prayer vigil of some sort Friday night in response to him being picked up for solicitation of a prostitute. No word if his outside child will be there or if there will be a moment of prayer for that situation.

HookaPants

MinM, I'd put money on these people not belonging to those religions.

GBCK

I don't think frequency is all bad...I mean, if I don't talk to the Mr. 1x per day and can, there's something *wrong* w/ our relationship.  It requires frequent contact and I *want* to talk to him frequently.  Same sort of dealio--talking often is just part of a good relationship.And 'ritual' does indeed have it's uses and purposes.  I don't pray the rosary and the like (obviously, what w/ being anabaptist nondenominational protestant) but there is peace to be found in going through certain motions, even when those motions don't *do* much other than settle and organize the mind.  I mean, drawing a bubble bath and laying in it for 10 minutes doesn't take away the stresses of my day--they're still there.  But the act of doing it convinces me that it helps.Sipping a cup of tea doesn't relax me but I associate the pouring from the kettle as doing so so it does.Sitting to pray might not always do anything, but it does organize my thoughts and create a ritualistic sense of order in the chaos, even when that's all it does (was it Martin Luther who talked about prayer changing him rather than it changing anything w/ God?  I think so)That being said, I write my prayers because ADHDers aren't good at traditional meditation and praying.And there are a helluva lot more obscenities written in whatever I"m using as my journal for that than moment than might be fully appropriate.

NOLABridesmaid

Hooka, I don't think that non-denominational Christians have the market cornered in this area. I'm from Nola, and the majority of my long time friends are Catholic. Catholics will ask friends and family to light candles, and pray novenas for them. Sidenote: I  don't think a few shady people speak for all Christians.

6fsn

My belief:  sometimes it's okay to offer a quick prayer.  When I see a funeral procession pass, I say a quick prayer.  When I pass an accident, etc. When I really want/need guidance I need more time than 5 seconds.  In a relationship sometimes a quick call is sufficient, sometimes you need the deep conversations.

HookaPants

The shadiest of folk seem to scream the loudest.

NOLABridesmaid

6, I do the same thing when I see an ambulance. I don't think their is anything wrong with a quick prayer. My statement was when they're always quick.

6fsn

Right there with you Nola.

zsazsa-stl

I agree with Nola.Also, God isn't human (thank goodness).  He doesn't get annoyed as easily as we do.  Otherwise there would be a lot more lightening strikes.

TheDuckis

GBCK said exactly what I was trying to figure out how to say.

HisEarth.

I'm with your Nola .. Catholics are heathens! *snicker* I, too, just send up a quick one when asked or feel one needs to be.  Now, my own prayers are like letters .. Dear God, it's me, HisEarth.  Now before you turn a deaf ear, hear me out!