Why do they say that if you sing a prayer it is like praying twice?
828101
It is a quote from Saint Augustine - "He who sings prays twice". It is simply meant to describe the high place of music in worship.
1178837
Inhale, Praise God on exhale.  Inhale, Praise God on exhale!\n\nReally, I believe that worship is a way of life, not something you do from time to time.  Jesus told us that those who would worship God must worship in Spirit and in truth.  If the Spirit of the Living God is in me, around me, and upon me, then every moment of my life is an act of worship to Him, because every moment of my life is because of Him.
146776
Yes, those are all correct. \n\nIt's a shortened version of "I pray you will tell me".  So, it actually has religious connotations, though we don't use it to actually mean anything to do with prayer today.
147932
In some churches it's very structured like okay now it's time to worship everyone look serious and put your hands in the air or people put on different voices when praying. I've also seen bowing, jumping and even crying during times of worship. We've even had some rave music as worship with everyone dancing and praying. What's acceptable really depends on what church you are in. I believe that worship is a lifestyle so you shouldn't have to suddenly change to worship God because your heart is already there. The natural response to God is your worship and the rules that churches impose usually become the way it's always done.
580165
praying is always encouraged.  distracting things are not encouraged while you are praying.  that is the reason you usually pray before you eat not while you are eating.  that would be weird.  but, one could argue at least you are praying.  i would say pray to stop smoking! HAHA
1171611
Religious chants are a form of meditation - focusing one's mind on God so that his message is clear. Some of the Jewish psalms are repetitious so I don't see why God would hate them. Beaded prayers have been used for many centuries is almost all religions and these help focus the mind too so I would add that if they didn't work, why have they been used for so long?
478909
I really, really, really believe that there aren't rules as far as prayers go.  If you want to say something to God then go for it, I don't think God will mind what you say first as long.  I find it unfortunate in some organized religions that there is an "outline" for reflecting with God...or when one isn't even "allowed" to talk to God directly, but through a priest.\n\nI'm not overly religous but I do pray and find it soothing.  So if you want to ask for forgiveness, be thankful or as for blessing just go for it!   If you feel it in your heart and practice goodness (i.e don't be hypcritical! I can't stand that - have  a few of those in my life, ick) I think you're all set!!
863610
I think it is prayers of "contrition".  An Act of Contrition is a prayer to express sorrow for sins.  I hope this helps.
746455
Yes I pray, no set number of times, and I pray for whatever is needed.  I pray just to thank God for the blessings he gives me many times a day.  The first thing I say every morning is Thank you Lord for this beautiful day (no matter what the weather is that day).
626763
I taught my son to pray for others just as he prays for himself...actually more than he prays for his own needs..but to pray for the needs of others..and to be an answer to prayer if given the opportunity to help another person ..to always be watchful to those in need you may be the answer to someone elses prayer
1022715
the urge to call out to god is "always"  answsered simultaneously as it is spoken\n\nultimately there is no difference between the caller and the that to which it calls\n\n\nWhere does god dwell?\n\nIn your dreams and wherever we let god in\n\nthe presence of god permeates all things\n\neven your dreams...for sure in your dreams\n\n\n\ngod is searching for himself.............will you assist?
1098989
If a person really had faith, he wouldn't bother praying. Praying indicates a person believes his God is really stupid.
1041742
As a faith believing Christian, not a religious Christian, I seldom use this phrase, as I find it to be rhetoric and rude.  Some people do not want to be prayed for and especially if they are not of the same beliefs that I am of.  Example:  I went to the dr. yesterday.  Lady with 9 broken fingers came in.  I said, car accident? She said, no husband.  I cried.  I've been there.  She wanted to lie down and I told her I had been in many times and they did not mind if you laid on this particular spot in the waiting room.  She thanked me and I helped her lie down.  I had tears still.  I asked her if she would like me to just sit and hold her and she said that would be nice and we visited.  I then said, I was a Christian and would she be offended if I prayed for her in her healing.  She said no, she would appreciate it.  I leaned down and whispered a prayer in her ear.  And I never even ask her name, so now I pray for broken fingers every time she crosses my mind.
417030
Prayer is many things, but most importantly, it is communication with the Almighty. This means it is conversation, not a monologue. When I pray, I try to spend more time listening than talking ... I figure God knows more than I do, so He should have the bulk of the time to do the talking :)\n\nFor my part, there are the short "HELP! ! ! " kind of prayers when I'm in a bind; the pouring out my heart to God, kind of prayers; the lifting up a brother or sister who is in a bind kind; the deep and travailing intercession for others; prayers of blessing for my friends (and enemies); praying for protection, wisdom, direction, etc.\nIn short, even though the form of the prayer changes with the circumstance, the Object of the prayer (God) remains a constant, so any prayer that is prayed in veiw of God's glory being manifested in the greatest possible way, is assured of a positive answer.\nI do try to pray for things VERY specifically (God, please bless Tom by giving him a job that will let him spend more time with his kids, and still pay the bills), as opposed to general prayers like "God, please bless Tom." In this way, I can know with greater certainty that God has answered the prayer (He may very well answer both, but If I have only prayed a general prayer, I won't know if it's really God answering or just 'the way things turned out').\n\nIn my experience the best prayers start with listening to God, finding out what is on God's heart, and then praying for that to happen.\n\nEdit: I wanted to add that prayer does not have to be done in any set or formal way (although formal prayers are not wrong), or use a bunch of high-sounding words that lack personal meaning but sound 'religious'.\n\nAlso, I think God likes us to be 'dirt honest' with Him (It's not like we are really hiding anything from Him anyway). Sometimes my prayers are more like yelling at God, and sometimes I get downright demanding (like a child who still has some 'growing up' to do), but I know that God is big enough not to be threatened by my anger, frustration, disillusionment, disapointment, etc, and even when these emotion are directed at Him, he is patient with me, and (I think) is actually just as pleased in those times as much as the ones we usually refer to as a "good prayer time".
741470
Usually it's about something petty, like I need something for myself or mostly when I want something.  Guess you could call them greedy prayers.  That's what most people are anyway. They are just greedy little bastard's that want for themselves or their friends. I know one girl, she prays a lot.  She'll pray for clothes and stuff then when she gets the money to go buy them she says God give it to her because she prayed.  I'm always laughing at her.
105763
It depends on the religion, and what you mean by chanting, some religions chant while others repeat what the leader says sometimes in word or song which could be considered a chant, buddhist chant, wiccans chant, christians "sing praise" but generally its a set chant like Nam-myoho-renge-kyo in a form of Buddhism, or when christians reciet the lords prayer
348376
That means one God is true, but two isn't. That there's only one.\n\nBut I don't believe that. :(