It seems like it's no longer cool to admit you pray anymore. In today's politically correct environment, we have to be afraid of offending someone. Let's take a look at what prayer is, why it should be done, and what you can get out of it.
Prayer, by definition, is an invocation or act that seeks to activate a rapport with a deity, an object of worship or a spiritual entity through deliberate conversation. There it is....conversation. That's all it is really....a conversation.
Stereotypically, Christians will get down on bended knee, head bowed, eyes closed, hands clasped in front of them and have an informal conversation. Other religions involve more structure to the prayer process. The conversation can happen whenever, wherever and in whatever fashion you want. If you are not a person of religious faith, you can still have the conversation. Maybe it's Karma or Mother Earth....just have the conversation. Have you ever lost something in your home, said out loud "can someone help me find ______?" and then find the object in a place you would swear on your life you already looked? Ta da! Conversation.
If you have not prayed or had a conversation with your deity of choice, it may be intimidating to get things started. Let's think about any other relationship you have had. It was intimidating to get the conversation started at first, but it got easier after you got to know each other. Any relationship will fail without effective communication, so you have to work at it and develop a comfortable dialog. There are no rules...eyes open or closed, words spoken or thought, alone or in public...whatever makes you comfortable.
Start the conversation with something easy. Did you wake up this morning? Be happy about it and be thankful. Be thankful for the people who bring you joy in life. Have a loved one who is sick or troubled? Bring that up in conversation and ask for the person to be given strength of body and spirit, as well as healing. Is there a decision that has been weighing heavily on your mind? Bring that up in conversation, discuss the pros and cons of the situation and then ask for clarity of thought and guidance. Did you do something that you are not so proud of? Be sure to ask for forgiveness and wisdom to not repeat.
I think you will be shocked and amazed at the peace you will find by having these conversations. I know it has worked for me. I sleep better at night knowing I have had my daily conversation. I find myself thinking more clearly and having more humility as a human being. I subscribe to the thought and faith that there is a higher being than humans. We humans are at the top of the food chain because we developed our brain, but we also need some help occasionally. Don't be afraid to ask for it.
I am of the Christian faith. I believe there is one true God and that we pray to Him. That being said, I was also taught "judge not lest ye be judged." I am not in a position to judge others for the unseen party in their conversations.
I hope this sheds some light on this very complicated subject. If you take nothing else away from this, I would like you to take away the fact that you do not have to be a stereotypical Christian to pray, and that praying is essentially a conversation between you and your higher being of choice.
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I love the dialog that can be generated with things like this!
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