A question on praying (various faiths)?
916771
The swaying motion while in deep thought [or in this case, in prayer and/or meditation] correlates to the rocking motion that mothers make to lull their babes to sleep and instill quietness, according to certain psychological studies made. Other faiths perform this same natural, 'rocking' motion including the likes of the Buddhist monks, Shintoists, shamans, etc. performing their mantras or other supplications while in deep meditative moods.\n\nFor the second part, I believe there are some passages in the Old Testament [either Leviticus or Deuteronomy, I'm not sure which] that mentions the importance of covering one's head in reverence to being in the presence of God, more often than not within the walls of the sacred temple or in front of the altar. It is quite possible that such a cultural tradition [emanating from the Jewish religion] has been handed down over the ages and into the modern Christian era which also has its roots from Judaism.\n\nPeace be with you!
471390
The prayer's so powerful. You just have to have faith when you pray. Our prayer's always heard by God. He never forgotten nor ignore us. Things just don't happen right away. God let things to happen according to His plans and not according to our own will. Sometimes, you'll be surprised cuz He'll give you better and bigger than what you've asked for.
999303
basically god always wants you to try helping yourself first as best as you can then pray to him. after that? patientce and have faith ;)
104000
Prayers as currently used in muslim context to refer to 2 types, one is the 5 times prayer(Salaat)  and second is the prayer to God during other times.\n\nRegarding salaat prayer, there is a basic method of doing it. It involves standing, bowing, prostrating, sitting in a particular order. During standing Quran sura fathiha(mentioned above by abushible) has to be recited and optionally also any other sura. During other positions, God is praised in various wordings. In the final sitting before prayer end, there is a prayer for prophet,for us  and all the good devotees of God. There is also a special prayer to bless prophet mohammed and his people like God blessed prophet Abraham and his people. \n\nMuslims use there own wording for other prayers or use prayers mentioned in Quran or prophets sayings. One most prayed prayer from Quran is \n"Our Lord! grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire." Quran 2:201.\n\nMuslims are to pray to God alone for whatever they need to pray.
633568
I see that you are fearful of what people may say. I know how that's like " in school I had to pray for a friend right in front of the whole school and i did it. If you are christian and someone ask you to pray for him/her right  here  and there or a brother ask you to help him pray for a person that second go ahead because god is with you guys. what a honor to pray for someone who understand that they need god to help him/her. Also you lay hands on him/her. Don't misunderstand what I am saying just put a hand over his/her head and pray your heart. The Prayer can be about healing if they need it or about over all status.
658353
Interesting question. I know that some faiths recommend assistance in a person's approach to God via prayer by using special words and through intercession with a "Holy Spirit".   Sometimes using the a well-known poem, or pre-lude to prayer, or mantra, or words learned as a child, will enable a person to prepare themselves for communication with God.  The words spoken aloud or mentally chanted help to clear the mind and bring focus to the person's thoughts.  \n\nPeople communicate with God not only in prayer, but also in praise and to give thanks.  When was the last time you thanked God?  Did you need to use a prelude prayer or intercession with the Holy Spirit to give your thanks?  Or, did you just say, "Thank you, Lord, for what you have done for me!"  Have you ever mindlessly said the words, "Thank God!", when something truly miraculous and wonderful has happened to you?  Did you really mean to be so abrupt with God?  Were your thanks, prayers and praises heartfelt and were you fully congnizant not only of the words, but also of the meanings?  \n\nNearly every Muslim I know always includes the words "Prase be to Allah" whenever they say or do something - they acknowlege God out loud and in writing regularly and often.  This is also true of my friends who are devout Christians who also regularly remember to mention their belief in God and Jesus out loud.  Other friends who have other beliefs are prone to keep their beliefs to themselves - they find their faith to be more private.\n\nEach person has to communicate with God in their own way according to their own faith.  If the words in the prayer you shared with us have meaning and value to you and help you communicate with God, then I believe you should use them.  I hope this has helped answer your question.
938045
Dear Vachoo,\n\nThank you for asking!\nI believe a whole lot in the power of prayer.   I don't just mean "good thoughts" but prayer to the awesome uncreated Creator of the universe.  \n\nIt isn't my prayer that has power but the One that I'm praying to.\n\nSo many of my prayers have been answered in the most wonderful ways and yet sometimes I get so bogged down by what I see going on in the world that I don't pray.\n\nOne of the most dramatic answers I got to prayer came nearly 15 years ago.  I worked in the internal audit department at a bank and things were not going well in the economy.  The bank had been excellent in residential real estate but Share Holders were demanding that we do commercial real estate where the big money was.  After a few years things started floundering.  There was very little leadership from our leaders and then my husband filed for divorce.\n\nI could barely even twiddle my thumbs let alone function.  One Sunday morning before going to church I knelt by my bed and started praying, "Lord, I just want ..."  I didn't even have the words to finish the prayer.  I just knew I wanted the PAIN to be gone.  I believe the Holy Spirit finished my prayer for me "... to read the Bible from cover-to-cover.  Will You arrange the time and the money?"  \n\nTwo days later my whole department got laid off and I got 15 weeks of severance pay.  Even though the economy was not good my co-workers actually found much more satisfying jobs and I spent my time reading The Daily Walk Bible (that was also an answered prayer).  It was so good I couldn't put it down and I finished it in 90 days.\n\nYes, I definitely believe in the power of prayer when one prays to the heavenly Father in Jesus' Name.\n\nEdit: Nowadays I pray "Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit and I weren't praying for the time and money to read the Bible just once."  \n\nWith Elijah on Mount Carmel in mind (see 1 Kings 18) I've been praying for a way to read the Bible with small groups of people aiming for a total of 850 people (450 + 400).
91586
I believe my religion is true -- that's why I follow it!  I've had many prayers answered... and just praying brings me that "peace that passeth understanding"  This isn't like meditation -- it's something more!
832168
Pray! Prayer is very powerful. It may help to read "Power of a Praying Woman" by Stormie Omartian. It helped me big time.\nThe Lord can do the impossible. \n\nJames 4:8\nDraw near to God and He will draw near to you.\n\nPhil 4:6-7\n\n6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)\n\nGod Bless!
286022
Those that truly desire to know God's Will will seek it by asking through prayer, and if they ask, God will give them the answers they seek.  "Ask, and it shall be given; Knock, and it shall be opened unto you" is quoted numberous times in tbe Bible.  I don't really know about non-Christian religions, but I'm sure they wouldn't worship a God they didn't think cared about them.
414003
i agree you should pray several times a day and not just when you need something. God Bless You!!!!
1073668
Have faith and believe that what you prayed for is what your outcome will be.  As the scripture says, "faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen".
818756
When you pray to thank God for your food, don't try to stick with the same prayer that you use every single time. just say" hey God, thanks for providing this meal for me. please bless it to the nourishments of my body, in Jesus names. Amen". and it doesn't have to be word for word. just make it your own prayer and whatever you say, mean it. don't just say it for the heck of saying because it looks and sounds good. hope i could be of some help.
563689
My experiences with praying. \nEvery night I pray. For safety, for my friends, and for my family. \n\nI've still alive, I have a good life, I have great friends and a good family.\n\nRecently though I got into a bad situation. I was kidnapped by my father who I don't ever go to see. He told me I wasn't going to my mom's house for a long time. I prayed hard that I could get out of there. God answered the pray within seconds. Three seconds after Amen my dad came in and said he didn't want me around anymore and that he was taking me to my grandparents house (my mom's parents) and I thought this was the best thing that could happen to me. They took me to church and also took me home to my mom. You might say coincedince, but I say GOD.\n\nIf you truely believe in God and you want a full filling and safe happy life just pray and believe.
1105665
First of all, praying for healing is not going against God's will.  People asked Jesus to heal them, and He did.\n\nGod heals some...and for reasons we don't understand, there are those who pray for healing and are not healed.\n\nSince prayer is encouraged in the bible, and we are taught to "pray without ceasing"....it is IN His will that we pray to Him.  The results of our prayers are up to God...this is how we learn, when things "go our way", or when they "don't go our way"....we need to praise Him, no matter what the outcome.  Because He is perfect, holy, righteous, merciful, forgiving, just.\n\nJob was our perfect example.  The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord.  When our prayers are answered (in the way we want) or when they are not answered in the way we want.....He is worthy of our praise.
331242
For me, and this is just how it works for me, prayer is talking to God. Meditation is listening to God. There are lots of ways to do this. Which one works best for you depends on you, and where your heart is. But a good thing to try might be ... Find a peaceful, quiet place. Just relax. Still your mind, and ... Listen. ;-)
883854
David your request for my prayers will be accomplished as God reminds me and will be sent at once to the throne of God. The Lord bless you and keep you in all your ways as you continue to seek Him.\nPS. If this door doesn't open then just remember that God has something much better for you as He is preparing you even at this very moment.  Heaven Bound. JCE