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2harts4ever -> Writing down prayers (6/7/2008 9:47:18 PM)

Good evening,

I am curious what others think about some folks having to write down their prayers prior to praying.

I believe prayer should come from the heart ... not from a prepared statement you are going to read verbatim.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever



colliefan -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/7/2008 9:50:19 PM)

Doesn't the bible contain prayers that one can pray back to God? What about the Book of Common Prayer?



FolkSingerBlues -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/7/2008 10:23:00 PM)

I have often written my prayers down to help me keep focused. Sometimes I nod off when I pray at night, especially when it's dark.
I never write them down to then pray them to God. I write what's on my heart, the writing is my prayer.
I don't think it's necessary to write prayers. I don't think it's more beneficial to write prayers.
It's a way for me to focus when I'm having difficulty sometimes.

Writing prayers doesn't make them any more sincere or insincere for that matter.



Papa-san -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/7/2008 11:00:23 PM)

If you are writing it down so that you can eventually learn to be able to say it perfectly even though you are thinking about tonight's supper menu, it's not a good idea. God is clear about empty and vain prayers: He doesn't like them... Even what is commonly known as 'The Lord's Prayer' is only a guide... Jesus doesn't say "Pray this..." He says "Pray like this..." He wants us to model our prayers after that one.

If you are writing it down so that you can be sure not to miss a few important requests for a time, that is a different story.

If you find yourself trying to pray and drifting off to other thoughts, that is a pretty good indicator that you probably should write them down. This can teach a bit of prayer discipline. Modeling it after the prayer style Christ taught us is a sure thing!



BerianAardvark -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 1:10:54 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 2harts4ever

Good evening,

I am curious what others think about some folks having to write down their prayers prior to praying.

I believe prayer should come from the heart ... not from a prepared statement you are going to read verbatim.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever


I often write down a list of things I want to be sure I pray about (as my hair gets grayer my memory gets weaker.), but the only time I write the whole prayer out is here on line where I am praying for someone who has requested prayer...then I type it out so they can see it, the on line version of being able to hear someone pray for you.

Tim



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 1:32:03 AM)

I have been thinking about doing this, because I am a terrible communicator. I can write my thoughts out better than I can speak them, whether at home, at work, or (maybe?) in my prayers.

I have been thinking about typing them, however, not writing them, because when I write, my hand gets a charleyhorse.

It seems stiff, but I am thinking that it could possibly improve my "prayer life."

There are reasons I am like this, and G-d knows all about that. I really don't think He will be upset with me, just as He won't be upset with you. He just wants communication, however we can submit to that.

Furthermore, many of the prayers mentioned and prayed in the Bible have been prayers for aeons. What the English Bibles also don't translate correctly is that the apostles were given to "the prayers," meaning the prayers commonly prayed in the Temple and synagogues then. Some of those prayers are still around.



1love1God1way -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 1:42:04 AM)

What you write comes from your heart, too.



FurGodWurLivin -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 4:19:53 AM)

I find Ben is quite correct on this one. What is prayer but the heart communing with God? If you heart isn't in what you write, you are wasting your time... whether that be a prayer, a poem, or a novel. Believe it or not, that is why there is so much paper sticking out of the wailing wall in Jerusalem... they write their prayer down and stick it between a couple of stones in the wall.

Can God read? Undeniably so. Does God answer prayer? Absolutely. Can God recognize a prayer in written form? Considering that there are a whole bunch of them in the Bible, I would say yes (examples: Eph 1:17-19, 3:16-19). Honestly? I think we are too stuck up about prayer in general. "Watch out for vain repetitions!" "Watch out that you aren't asking for yourself more than for other people!" "Watch out that you aren't praying too much and forgetting 'other stuff'!" My response? Shuddap and pray.

Adam



2harts4ever -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 6:38:31 AM)

Good morning,

I have to get ready to head off to Sunday services shortly but I just wanted to acknowledge all the responses up to this point on my original post.

What I was really trying to ask in my original question is what are your thoughts on people who when they are given advance notice they will be called upon to pray have to 'write down' their complete prayer before they will accept the invitation to pray?

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever



BerianAardvark -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 6:44:07 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 2harts4ever

Good morning,

I have to get ready to head off to Sunday services shortly but I just wanted to acknowledge all the responses up to this point on my original post.

What I was really trying to ask in my original question is what are your thoughts on people who when they are given advance notice they will be called upon to pray have to 'write down' their complete prayer before they will accept the invitation to pray?

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever


How embarrassing it would be to come up before a group to deliver the opening prayer, final benediction, or any corporate prayer and draw a blank. I always have a crib sheet handy when doing a corporate prayer....but I don't make having it a prerequisite to accepting the invitation.

Tim



Ps103 -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 11:35:52 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 2harts4ever

Good morning,

I have to get ready to head off to Sunday services shortly but I just wanted to acknowledge all the responses up to this point on my original post.

What I was really trying to ask in my original question is what are your thoughts on people who when they are given advance notice they will be called upon to pray have to 'write down' their complete prayer before they will accept the invitation to pray?

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever


That change things, considerably!

Even though I see nothing wrong with writing down prayers (prayer journals) for private communication with God, I would think most people who are unused to speaking extemporaneously would need an opportunity to gather their thoughts prior to praying in public.



1love1God1way -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 11:40:11 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: 2harts4ever

Good morning,

I have to get ready to head off to Sunday services shortly but I just wanted to acknowledge all the responses up to this point on my original post.

What I was really trying to ask in my original question is what are your thoughts on people who when they are given advance notice they will be called upon to pray have to 'write down' their complete prayer before they will accept the invitation to pray?

Thanks and regards,

2harts4ever


Still applies.

If you are taking it as communication with God, and not as a chore, what is written down and then repeated comes from your heart, and is pleasing to God.

Similarly, I once heard a pastor say that he doesn't prepare sermons ahead of time, he just preaches from his heart, and allows the Spirit to guide and direct him as he does. My response was, "Can't the Spirit guide and direct your sermon for Sunday beginning on Monday? Doesn't the Spirit move in your studies?"

For things to "count" and for the Spirit to move, it doesn't have to be something that is spontaneous and on-the-spot.



FolkSingerBlues -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 5:01:55 PM)

When I was in Bible college there was a minister at a local congregation that always read his prayer Sunday morning. I don't know why he did it, but it always struck me as showy instead of sincere.

I don't think it takes a theologian to pray in public, nor do I think it takes someone who says what everyone else wants to hear.



colliefan -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 5:30:41 PM)

quote:

what are your thoughts on people who when they are given advance notice they will be called upon to pray have to 'write down' their complete prayer before they will accept the invitation to pray?


Iy is all about the image they want to project.



Covaan_Meshuga -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 7:36:29 PM)

Asked to pray publicly, I can do it much more easily than I can private prayer. I cannot explain that. I have no idea why. But while I am considering typing out my private prayers, I would not think of writing out my prayers for public praying. I guess it's that Scripture about the followers of Messiah when they were told not to preplan how they were going to answer. It just seems that for public prayer, it would be better to wait for the moment and let the H Spirit lead, because life is not stagnate, so neither human need nor praise to G-d are stagnate.

I admit that I get nervous when someone uses a written statement in the pulpit and follows it word-for-word. It's just that in the old church, if a major problem came up and the pastor had to make a public statement, it was always read, word-for-word, from a carefully planned script. They had a lawyer that knew how to manipulate words to satisfy the public. I would start wondering what the pray-er was trying to hide.

In my opinion, too, prayer, whether public or private is to G-d, not to the human hearers. Sure, the human hearers may be encouraged by the prayer, and may be peripherally taught or informed by the prayer, but that those things should not be the prerogative, in my opinion. Prayer is to G-d first and foremost.



colliefan -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 10:44:53 PM)

from Book of Common Prayer

A prayer of thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies; we, your unworthy servants, give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and too all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving ourselves to your service, and walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with you and you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages.

Amen



mikejonesoftn -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 10:47:31 PM)

Just thinking here.. but I know when I am writing something, to make sure it sounds right I read it to myself or someone (in this case not). So by the time you finish writing it, have you already prayed anyway? Just thinking here. It came to mind while reading this post.



colliefan -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 10:50:56 PM)

one of A.W. Tozer's prayers

The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing

Father, I want to know Thee, but my coward heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try and hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling but I do come.

Please root from my heart all those things I have cherished so long and have become a part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter dwell there without rival. Then shalt Thou make the feet of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.



colliefan -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 10:58:56 PM)

Prayers For The Journey

Let truth, light of my heart and not the shadows within me speak to me! I slid down into that state and was in darkness, but even from there I loved you. I strayed, and yet I remembered you. I heard your voice behind me, telling me to return, but I heard only faintly because of the uproar of the restless. And now I am returning, sweaty and out of breath, to your fountain. Let no one get in my way. I will drink this and I will live it. May I not be my life; I have lived badly on my own. I was my own death. I revive in you. Speak to me; discuss with me. I have believed your books, and their words are full of mystery.
SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO (354–430)

O God, I have tasted thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want thee: I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me thy glory; I pray thee, that so I may know thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.” Then give me grace to rise and follow thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus’ name, Amen. A. W. TOZER (1897–1963)

Lord it is my chief complaint
That my love is weak and faint;
Yet I love thee, and adore;
O for grace to love thee more!
WILLIAM COWPER (1731–1800)

Lord, let me not henceforth desire health or life, except to spend them for thee, with thee, and in thee. Thou alone knowest what is good for me; do, therefore, what seemeth thee best. Give to me, or take from me; conform my will to thine.
BLAISE PASCAL (1623–1662)

My soul is too small to accommodate you. Enlarge it.
SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO (354–430)


Father, we thank thee that dark and uncertain is our future
because in darkness and doubt we must cling more closely to thee.

Father, we thank thee that there will be pain,
because through pain we are forced to clutch at thy hand.

Father, we thank thee that there will be loneliness,
because in loneliness thou art more surely our friend.

Father, we thank thee that there shall be death,
because dying we come unto thee.
JOHN S. HOYLAND (1830–1894)


Let me know myself, O God, that I may know thee.
SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO

Day by day, dear Lord,
Of thee three things I pray:
To see thee more clearly,
Love thee more dearly,
Follow thee more nearly,
Day by day.
RICHARD OF CHICHESTER (1198–1253)


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI (C. 1181–1226)


Father, let me hold thy hand and like a child walk with thee down all my days, secure in thy love and strength. THOMAS Ŕ KEMPIS (C. 1380–1471)



colliefan -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/8/2008 11:02:02 PM)

quote:

In my opinion, too, prayer, whether public or private is to G-d, not to the human hearers. Sure, the human hearers may be encouraged by the prayer, and may be peripherally taught or informed by the prayer, but that those things should not be the prerogative, in my opinion. Prayer is to G-d first and foremost.


exactly



broken2live4him -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/9/2008 7:00:16 AM)

hiya 2harts,

I keep a journal, and sometimes, I find myself writing to God. I don't have to read it to Him, because I know He knows I'm writing to Him. There is nothing wrong in writing out a prayer to God. I keep a prayer journal also to keep track of things or prayer requests before Him.

Linda aka broken2live4him



Doc65 -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/9/2008 12:07:34 PM)

quote:

I have been thinking about doing this, because I am a terrible communicator. I can write my thoughts out better than I can speak them, whether at home, at work, or (maybe?) in my prayers.


Some folks are better than other at "ex corde" prayers, so rather than praying in public and repeating "uh" and "um" a dozen times, it helps them to keep their thoughts in focus. Even God had Aaron speak on behalf of Moses since Moses was slow of speech...some folks are granted the gift of glibness, some are given to deep thought, sme are so lucky as to have been given both...



2harts4ever -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/9/2008 10:25:08 PM)

Good evening everyone,

I appreciate all your responses and thoughts to my question.

The reason I asked the question is because in the last few years I have actually had people ask me to give them advance notice if I intended to call upon them to pray in front of our Sunday School class.

Believe you me, I step on my tongue, 'stammer and stutter' with the best of them, but it has never crossed my mind to write down and then read my prayers in order to make them sound more eloquent to those around me.

To me writing down a prayer and then reading it seems like you are trying more to impress folks within ear-shot with your 'letter-perfect' prayer instead of just telling God what is on your mind and letting it come directly from your heart.

For the record, I never have knowingly put anyone on the spot to pray publicly if I know they are uncomfortable with it.

Thanks for all the good feedback and have a great day!

Regards,

2harts4ever



slimon11 -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/16/2008 12:40:03 AM)

I know this does not really pertain to your orginal questions but, I keep a private prayer page on my computer.

What is wonderful about doing that is that I can look back and see were God moved. I can praise him for listening, and blessing my prayers! I can see how I have grown spiritually. I can see the changes He has made in my heart.



Roberta_ -> RE: Writing down prayers (6/16/2008 1:18:13 AM)

I write down my prayers in my journal.

It's been a long time since I've been called on to pray publicly. When I have prayed in public, it's been spontaneous, so there wasn't any time to write anything down. I don't have an objection to people doing it, but I've never done it.



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